Ascension of a Gamma novel Chapter 72

Chapter 72 Paced Recovery

– Gale

My hands gripped the steering wheel. I shouldn’t be here. When we got back to the pack, Jaymer was in the clinic, but Andrix had left.

This wasn’t going to work.

How do I even begin?

I couldn’t just walk up to him and say, “Hi, I’m sorry for torturing you for months but I’m your mate so let’s just forget about it?”

Idiot.

Gil was howling in my head. He’d been missing our mate and I couldn’t get him to shut u p. I tugged at my hair and let out a groan. I should go back, think about it more, and then return on a later day.

On the passenger seat was a box of chocolates that made me feel more stupid. What should I say? “I saw it when I was passing by and thought it’d be nice to…”

I groaned again.

Fuck. I can’t do it.

I finally found my mate and the first thing I did was torture the living daylights out of him. Goddess, he drove me crazy.

Those months were hell. I couldn’t sleep and I barely ate. If it wasn’t for the coffee, the drinking, and the weekly sessions I forced myself to see him, I wouldn’t have gotten through them. I was Beta. The pack relied on me. One little mistake could’ve been disastrous. I couldn’t let my emotions overpower me.

I tried… so hard to get him off my mind, to forget about his alluring blue eyes and that charming smile. His tenacity drew me to him like a moth to a flame. I got burned.

Gil whimpered.

“Shut it, you. We’re leaving,” I told him.

I furnbled with the keys that it dropped. I ducked down to reach it, then a sudden knock o n the window surprised me that my head hit the steering wheel. I turned to glare at the person, only that person was none other than my mate.

Sweat bathed him from the top of his head down his wet gray cotton shirt. He leaned on the window and smiled. He looked like he was out for a run.

Gilallbut howled happily.

Andrix knocked again, pulling me out of my sinful thoughts. I lowered the windows and his scent wafted to me.

Sweet basil and plain mint it was just… him.

“Didn’t think I’d see you around here,” he said.

I still couldn’t understand.

“I was just passing through,” I said, then showed him the keys. “Dropped my keys.”

“Since you’re here, how about a cup of coffee?” he asked. “My place is a five-minute walk. You can leave your car here. I’ll inform them the Red Claw Pack’s Beta’s dropping b

At the mention of coffee, my brain decided it was the best time to send a signal and make me yawn.

Andrix chuckled. “Looks like you need more than a cup.”

“Back off,” I said, my hand on the grab handle.

He stepped to the side. Against my better judgment, I grabbed the box beside me then stepped out. The car’s lights flashed as I locked the doors.

I should really get myself a car of my own. Maybe a McLaren 720S…

Unlike Liam’s babies, mine wouldn’t be sitting on a garage.

That for me?” he asked, smirking.

“I bought it for me,” I said, yawning.

Gil, you bastard! He yawned on purpose. Why does this apply in this setting!

“This way,” he said, knowing full well that I bought it for him. “So, what brings the Beta of the Red Claw Pack all the way here?”

“Call me Gil.”

He raised a brow at me.

Goddess…

“My wolf says ‘hi’.”

“Gil,” he said, as he wiped the sweat off his forehead.

I wasn’t the slightest bit disgusted.

Goddess…

TESS

I was totally into my Luna’s uncle. This was just… Weird.

“My wolf says ‘hi’ back. His name’s Axel. Would you like to meet him?”

Gil all but howled louder.

“Maybe… next time,” I said, and Gil growled at me.

“Glad there’s a next time,” he said.

His place was a charming modern log cabin. We climbed a set of stairs that led to an L shaped deck. The interior was surprisingly modern – simplistic and cozy. He took off his running shoes by the door and neatly set them to the side. I did the same.

“Let me take a quick shower then I’ll fix you a cup of coffee you’ve never had before,” he said with a wink.

He had house slippers for me to use. I put them on and followed him inside.

Make yourself at home,” he said as he disappeared up the stairs.

I placed the box on the countertop. His house was… neat. The copper and bronze accents complimented the natural tint of the timbers. I plopped down on the sofa, facing a wide screen tv. The round coffee table was empty save for a small potted cactus plant.

I let out a sigh.

What am I doing here?

“You missed him,” said Gil.

“I miss sleeping, Gil. You wouldn’t let me rest.”

With his scent all over the place, I found myself sinking deeper into the soft cushions. I hadn’t slept enough since the Blue Moon Pack. I shook my head awake. Sleeping on someone’s sofa? Wake up!

“You really need that coffee,” said Andrix.

He had sweatpants on and… nothing on top except for a white towel hung on his neck.

I fucking woke up.

His hard pecs, harder abs, and…

“Eyes up here, babe,” he said, chuckling.

I met his gaze, getting pulled further into the abyss of his clear blue eyes that stared back at me. I couldn’t see his features properly then because he was bound, but seeing him up close and personal and half naked….

Gil was running around in circles.

Don’t you have a shirt?” I muttered as I peeled my eyes off him.

“I figured it’ll be more fun to tease you.”

He disappeared into the kitchen. I followed him and sat on a stool, leaning on the countertop. His scent was getting to me.

I shouldn’t have come here. This was a bad time.

“So, what are you here for?” he asked, leaning forward on his side.

“I already told you. I was just passing through.”

Thankfully, that was enough to get him to back off. I was controlling my breathing. Being so close to him was triggering another session.

“You won’t mind?” he asked, opening the box.

“Help yourself.”

“Mm…”

My right hand balled into a fist, the knuckles turning white. Why did he have to make that sound?

“It’s ready,” he said.

I forced a smile. He poured me a cup and another for himself.

The bitter aroma soothed me. I took a sip and gulped it down immediately. Disgusting!

Andrix laughed as he took a sip of his own.

“You said it was ‘coffee like I’ve never had before,” I accused.

It tasted too bitter and there was just… something off about it. Whatever it was, it was disgusting. He drank it like it was a normal cup of coffee.

“Have you ever had coffee like this before?” he asked calmly.

“What do you think?

“Exactly,” he said. He tricked me!

“How can you drink that… thing…”

“Coffee,” he corrected.

“That isn’t coffee. It’s just black water.”

“I can’t taste anything unless it’s something strong,” he said, calmly taking a sip. Then h man WAHANA medenhout

e stuck out his tongue like a child. It looked cute though.

“Calm down. It was like this long before you.”

Before you were in the “Fun House”.

I forced myself to take another sip, holding my breath so it’d pass my tongue faster. I shuddered.

”That bad, huh?”

“Yeah…” I said awkwardly. I was being rude to iny host.

“I thought we were over it,” he said, breaking the silence.

“Over what?”

“The torture thing.”

He placed his mug down into the sink. Then, he took out another cup, put in a teabag, and poured hot water.

“Hope this tastes better,” he said, placing it in front of me.

He growled as he nipped at my marking spot.

I rolled my eyes. “We’ll take it slow… however long you need,” he said as he leaned forward. “I can’t make it longer, but from earlier, I judge it’s just right?”