Chapter 9

Adelaide "Mates." Penelope said with a gentle smile. Adelaide raised a brow at her, but the term wasn't lost on her. She sensed Geoff tense up when she said the word, shifting uncomfortably beside her. "I'm assuming that is a more serious topic than what I'm thinking of?" She asked and Penelope shrugged, swirling her wine around. "Yes and no. It's not so much a serious topic, but it's one that humans can easily overlook. You see, unlike humans, Werewolves have a partner that they soul link with." Penelope told her. Adelaide leaned forward slightly. "Do you have a Mate?" She asked him. His hand gripped his slacks slightly. "I'm sorry, that was rude to ask." She said, feeling the tension radiating off of his body. "He has time still. What do you think Adelaide ?" Penelope asked her. "What do I think?" "Humans may not have the same soul link as we do, but do you believe you'll find someone on that spiritual level?" She asked her. Adelaide went silent. After everything with Jasper, she wasn't entirely sure if she even wanted to try again. But the memory of Geoff's lips caressing hers, sent a shudder to ripple between her thighs. She cleared her throat as she tried to block out the memory. "I don't know." She looked at her hands, flexing her fingers a bit. "I lost myself when I was dating Jasper. I think I should find her first before I even think about getting serious with anyone." She said, looking over to meet Penelope's gaze. The waiter brings their plates, the spicy aroma mingled with the sweet. Adelaide 's stomach growled loudly and she blushed brightly. Geoff let out a chuckle. "That's the second time now. Did you not eat yet today?" He asked her. "I had to miss breakfast. The deadline was at 10 this morning. I literally was up at 6 trying to finish things before emailing it to my manager." She looked down at her plate, her mouth literally watering at this point. "Don't wait on us, dig in." Penelope told her and she obliged happily. "That was so delicious." Adelaide sighed. "I'm going to give Adelaide the tour of the city." He looked down at her. "Aside from your appointments, you haven't really left the house." He told her. He wasn't wrong, but she felt like Werewolf fodder if she went off on her own here. "Splendid. I'll be in contact when we get closer to the day of the festival." She said as she got to her feet. "Festival?" Adelaide asked her. "It's to celebrate the Fall Solstice. Geoff would have all of the details, same with Damion." Penelope mentioned. "Have a good day you two." She gave a small wave before leaving. "Damn that woman." Geoff grumbled beside her. She looked up at him, his hand partially covering his mouth. "I like her." She said to him. His eyes shifted down to her. "Are you ready to go?" He asked her and she nodded, getting to her feet with him. "So, where to tour guide?" She asked him playfully. He smiled down at her, extending out his hand. She hesitated, following the arm up to his face. "Can't have you getting separated since you're so small." He teased her. She gasped, taking his hand and they started walking. "I can't help that my growth stopped, big foot." She retorted. He chuckled at her. "You know what they say about big feet." He threw back. Pink colored her cheeks and she nudged him. As they walked along, he pointed out the stores and the restaurants to her. Many people stopped and chatted with him along the way, asking various questions about the festival mostly. Some people had cameras and microphones at the ready, but he bypassed them with ease. "We can go back home." She told him, feeling awful that he's been bombarded with paparazzi and pack members the entire walk. He shook his head though. "I actually wouldn't mind a suggestion from you in regards to the festival. Usually we end the night with fireworks. It's cliché in my opinion, but the people love it over all." He was telling her as they walked by a bookstore. Her eyes fell on the poster taped to the glass, her eyes wide. "Wow." She moved up to the poster, trying to hide her giddiness. On it was a large golden dragon staring down at a woman wielding a sword, her long blonde hair untamed in her leather armor. "Is this what you like to read?" He asked behind her, but before she could answer a squeal sounded near them. "It's her! It's Adelaide Mill!" A woman squealed out, a small group of people swarming around her. Her back presses up against the window instinctively, looking around at the beaming faces. "Miss. Mill, can I have an autograph?" One of them held up her book. Oh, that's what this was about. Before she could reply, Geoff managed to wedge himself between the horde of book lovers and herself like a giant wall. "Easy everybody." He commanded and everyone immediately took a couple paces back, but their excitement was still overflowing. "Oh, Alpha! You know Miss. Mill?" One of the men asked. He glanced over his shoulder to her and she smiled weakly, mouthing a 'sorry'. "I do. I'm assuming you're all fans of her book?" He asked them and they all cheered. Her heart swelled with pure bliss at the sound. She hadn't felt this way since her book first received the reward. She stood at his side. "If it's alright with the Alpha to pause our little tour, I can do autographs and answer any questions necessary." She said, raising her eyes up to him. He looked down at her worriedly, but she nodded firmly. "Alright, but one at a time." He told them and they all erupted with excitement. "Jeez, when did the Alpha become a bodyguard?" He mumbled to himself. "I appreciate it though. I'll treat you when we get back to the house." She lowered her voice before stepping forward. "I'll do autographs first." She announced as everyone got in line. After an hour of signing books and answering questions, the crowd settled down, giving her a moment to breathe. "You're a natural." He told her. She barely forgot he was still there. She was so intuned with the crowd, she lost all sight of what was around her. "They all look so happy." She pressed her hands against her chest. "It brings me so much joy knowing I touched their hearts in some way through my work." She said, smiling. "That looks much better on you." He said low in her ear. She turned her eyes on him, his face mere inches away from hers. "What does?" She asked as her heart threatened to burst from her chest. "Your smile." He said to her, his eyes flashing to her lips and back to her eyes. A click drew their attention to a news reporter, her short bob of curls bouncing on her shoulders. "Does the Werewolf King have a new lover?" She asked, her microphone too close for comfort. Adelaide pressed herself against his side and his arm wrapped around her securely. "Friends." He stated clearly, yet a part of her heart ached at the word. The woman's eyes pouted a bit, probably upset that she didn't have a scoop that she could work with, but her eyes changed and she focused solely on Geoff. "Tell me, Alpha, how are things going with the festival? Anything new and exciting to be expecting this year?" She asked him. Adelaide drowned her out, looking away from them as he discussed the festival with her. "I actually asked Miss. Mill to assist with the finale, but the details are still unfinished. I'll have a conference later this week to further discuss my plans." He mentioned. He took it all so naturally. She watched his frame with admiration. "Last question, do you have a date you plan on bringing to the festival?" She asked, but the twinkle in her eyes gave way to her selfishness. This reporter wanted to land him, or at least on him. Adelaide felt an unknown emotion take over her heart. Before she knew what she was doing, she reached up, taking hold of his collar and pulled him down to her, her lips pressing against his. His hand that was wrapped around her crushed her against his body as he returned the kiss. Every inch of her was ablaze, her panties drenching as his tongue sought out hers. She forced herself to pull away, looking up into his wild eyes as she licked her lips.