The Lost Alpha Queen: Heaven and Hell Bound

Chapter 8

Katrina’s POV

The heat was unbearable.

No matter how many times I tossed and turned, I couldn’t get comfortable. My body felt like it was on fire, my skin tingling with an unfamiliar need.

I kicked the blanket off, but it didn’t help. My pulse was erratic, my breathing uneven, and worst of all, my mind kept wandering to him.

Adolphus.

I clenched my teeth and squeezed my eyes shut, determined to sleep. But the moment I drifted off, his image invaded my dreams.

His touch. His scent.

The way his rough hands traced over my skin, setting me on fire.

A sharp jolt of pleasure shot through me, and I gasped, sitting up so fast that my head spun. My heart pounded against my ribs as I struggled to catch my breath.

“What the hell…” I whispered, pressing a hand against my chest.

It was just a dream.

A stupid, ridiculous dream.

But my body didn’t seem to care. It ached, an unfamiliar, unbearable ache.

I buried my face in my hands, groaning in frustration.

This was Cassandra’s fault.

Ever since she planted that idea in my head, that Adolphus might be her mate, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I didn’t want to think about him, and I sure as hell didn’t want to want him.

It was clear Cassandra had feelings for him, too, which only made things worse. The last thing I wanted was to get caught up in some mess involving Adolphus, but my body had other plans.

With a frustrated sigh, I climbed out of bed and changed to my warrior uniform. Maybe a walk would clear my head.

The Packhouse was silent, the halls dimly lit by the moonlight filtering through the windows. My footsteps were soft against the floor as I wandered aimlessly, trying to shake the lingering heat from my skin.

Then I turned a corner and slammed into something solid. A firm, unmovable wall of muscle.

I stumbled back, only for a strong hand to catch my arm before I could fall.

“Katrina?”

That familiar, deep, rough voice sent an immediate shiver down my spine.

I looked up, and my stomach dropped to see him. Adolphus’s sharp blue eyes locked onto mine, his expression unreadable.

For a moment, I just stood there, unable to speak, unable to move. Then reality snapped back into place, and I yanked my arm away.

“Move,” I muttered, stepping around him.

But before I could take another step, his voice stopped me.

“I’m sorry.”

I froze.

Slowly, I turned to face him. “…What?”

He let out a heavy sigh. “For earlier. For being cold toward you.”

I narrowed my eyes. That was unexpected. Adolphus wasn’t the type to apologize. For more than a year, I had gotten used to his cold indifference and bullying.

“Why?” I asked, my voice laced with suspicion.

He hesitated, then rubbed the back of his neck. “Because I was wrong.”

I scoffed. “Wow. Great apology.”

A small smirk tugged at his lips. “I didn’t say I changed. I just said I was wrong.”

I rolled my eyes. “Unbelievable.”

I turned to leave again, but he spoke before I could take another step.

“I can’t promise not to annoy you again.”

I clenched my fists. “Then why even apologize?”

Before I could process what was happening, I felt his hand on my waist. Then his lips crashed against mine.

My brain short-circuited. For a split second, I froze, too stunned to react. Then the heat I had been trying to fight all night exploded inside me.

I hated him. I wanted to shove him away. But my traitorous body melted into him instead, my hands gripping his shirt as if he was the only thing keeping me upright.

His lips were rough, demanding, sending sparks down my spine.

And worse, I kissed him back. Just for a second.

Then reality slammed into me like a bucket of ice water, and I shoved him away, my breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps.

“What the hell, Adolphus?!”

He didn’t look guilty. In fact, he looked amused.

I could still feel the imprint of his lips on mine, and it infuriated me.

“You—”

“Don’t pretend you didn’t want it,” he said, his voice low and knowing.

My face burned with anger. “I didn’t.”

He stepped closer, forcing me to step back until my spine pressed against the wall. His scent, warm, woodsy, intoxicating, wrapped around me, making it hard to think.

“You’re lying,” he murmured, his fingers brushing against my arm. “I can smell it on you.”

Heat surged through me again, and I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to glare at him.

“Get away from me,” I growled.

For a moment, he didn’t move.

Then, to my shock, he leaned in and slammed his lips on mine again.