Chapter 70: Don’t hide your hair

Terror was the first thing Alyssa felt. A cold, icy wave of panic raced down her spine, bringing memories of her past captivity flooding back to the surface. Her survival instincts took over instantly.

She bucked violently, kicking out with her heels and biting down hard on the large hand clamped tightly over her mouth.

But through the fog of fear, a familiar, intoxicating scent hit her senses–the rich, dark pine and rain that belonged to only one person.

A second later, a low, amused voice whispered directly into her ear. "It’s me, little lamb."

Relief flooded her so intensely her knees almost buckled. She went limp in his grasp as he pulled her further into the shadows of the narrow, secluded alleyway, completely hidden from the bustling main market.

Dorian whirled her around and brought his mouth down hard on hers. He pressed her firmly against the cool brick wall, his large hands gripping her hips as he lifted her, guiding her thighs to lock around his waist.

He held her possessively, devouring her lips like a man who had been starved for years. Mary had sent him a quick text earlier that morning explaining she was taking Alyssa into town.

The moment he wrapped up his meeting with Alpha Cole, he had driven straight into the marketplace to track them down.

He had spent the last ten minutes watching her from afar, drinking in the sight of her in that lovely peach dress, his jaw clenching with dark possessiveness every time she offered a polite smile to the male merchants calling out to her. He hadn’t been able to resist staying away for another second.

Now, as he held her flushed body tightly against his, kissing her with an unbridled passion, a shocking realization washed over him: he was beginning to fall for his wife.

He finally pulled back, his broad chest heaving, his dark eyes momentarily bleeding into a striking, luminous gold.

"Dorian," Alyssa gasped breathlessly, her cheeks flushed, her blue eyes dancing with excitement. "You frightened me to death."

"I am sorry, my love," he chuckled deeply, leaning down to press a trail of heated kisses against her neck. "It was supposed to be a surprise."

He looked down at his palm, where the faint, red imprint of her teeth was still visible on his skin. He stared at the mark like a prized trophy before chuckling again. "I had no idea my Luna was so feisty. Remind me never to cross you."

"I’m sorry," she laughed softly, lifting his hand to inspect the bite mark. "Does it hurt?"

"Terribly," he lied smoothly, his lips pulling into a wicked grin. "Do it again."

She giggled, closing her eyes with a soft sigh as his lips found hers again, before trailing slowly down her jawline to the sensitive shell of her ear. He gently drew her earlobe into his mouth, eliciting a soft moan from her chest.

Locking her arms tightly around his neck to anchor herself, she smiled up at him as he finally eased back.

"When did your meeting wrap up?"

"A few moments ago. I drove here the second I was free." He nibbled on her bottom lip, pulled it into his mouth and kissed her softer this time. His lips moved sensually against hers until they both parted, breathless and thoroughly flushed.

"We are standing in the middle of a public market, Dorian," she whispered, her hands lingering on his shoulders. "Someone might see us."

"Let them," he murmured, dipping his head toward the low neckline of her dress where her breasts swelled. He nuzzled the soft skin, a deep groan escaping his throat. "I claim my woman wherever I damn well please."

Alyssa’s fingers slid into his thick hair, threading through the locks as he pressed hot, lingering kisses against her collarbone.

He lifted his head at last, flashing her a breathtaking, devastating smile. "Come. I promised Cole I would bring you to his estate for lunch. And Mary is likely having a heart attack searching for you."

Alyssa gasped, having completely forgotten about her companion in the heat of the moment. Dorian carefully set her feet back on the ground, smoothing down the fabric of her dress.

With one swift, gentle motion of his hand, he reached up and pulled the pin from her hair, releasing the low bun. He made a soft sound of approval as the dark waves tumbled over her shoulders and down her back.

He combed his long fingers through the lush strands, gently cupping her cheek with his palm. "Much better. Do not hide your hair, sweetheart. It’s beautiful."

Her cheeks flamed at the endearment. She nodded eagerly, falling into step beside him as he took her hand and led her out of the alley into the daylight.

A few yards away, Mary was on the verge of a complete nervous breakdown. She was scanning the moving crowd with wild, terrified eyes, no doubt calculating how swift her execution would be if the Alpha King discovered she had lost his Luna.

"Mary!" Alyssa called out.

​The older woman whirled around, relief washing over her face the moment she saw Alyssa hand-in-hand with Dorian.

"Oh, thank the goddess!" she cried out, rushing toward them. "I swear, Alpha, she was right beside me. I only stepped away for a moment..."

"It’s alright, Mary," Dorian interrupted smoothly, a faint, amused edge in his voice. "I’m the one who stole her away."

Mary let out a breathy, nervous laugh, placing a trembling hand over her heart. "Oh... that is... that is a relief."

Dorian released Alyssa’s hand and slid his arm firmly around her waist, pulling her against his side. "I will take my wife from here. You may head back to the villa."

"Yes, Alpha. As you wish," Mary said with a quick bow. She offered Alyssa a bright, relieved smile before hurrying off toward the edge of the market.

Dorian turned his head slowly, his gaze landing on the two guards standing casually near a fruit stall. They had witnessed him pulling Alyssa into the alley earlier, which explained why they hadn’t jumped to her rescue.

He waved them away, and the guards nodded respectfully before retreating and melting into the bustling crowd.

"Are we heading straight to meet Alpha Cole?" Alyssa asked as Dorian guided her away from the market stalls toward the private parking lot at the far end. She had completely forgotten about the cloaked figure who had been stalking her.

"Yes. He is hosting lunch for us at his estate. Is that alright with you?"

"Of course," she said, looking up at him with a smile. "I’d love to meet the Alpha of Ashgard."

They reached the parking lot, and Dorian strode toward a sleek, black Bentley parked in a secluded space near the rear wall.

He reached out to open the passenger door for her, turning to guide her inside, when his posture suddenly went rigid. His gaze snapped up, locking onto a dark, cloaked figure standing behind a delivery truck at the far end of the lot.

His jaw locked tight. Shadow surged to the surface, causing the gold in his eyes to bleed into black. He yanked Alyssa behind his broad frame, his protective instincts flaring wildly.

Alyssa looked up at him in confusion, sensing the sudden, dangerous shift in his aura. "Dorian, what’s wrong?"

She followed his dead-eyed gaze across the pavement, letting out a sharp gasp as she spotted the distinct, black-cloaked form. "That’s the person who has been stalking me all morning."

Dorian looked down at her, a deep scowl carving into his handsome features. "Someone has been stalking you?"

"Yes," she nodded quickly. "I kept feeling someone’s watchful gaze on me, and I caught sight of that black cloak several times in the market."

Dorian snapped his head back toward the truck, but the figure had already vanished into the shadows of the alley behind it.

Cursing under his breath, he opened the Bentley’s door and gently nudged Alyssa into the leather interior. "Stay inside. Wait for me."

He shut the door firmly and strode toward the truck, his posture taut and ready for a kill. He scanned the surrounding air, but felt no sign of threats or danger. Still, he was determined to rip the stalker apart to find out why they were hunting his wife.

Inside the car, seconds ticked by like hours. Alyssa watched Dorian’s retreating back disappear around the corner of the alley. Anxiety gnawed at her stomach when he failed to return immediately.

Unable to sit still, she unlocked the door and stepped out, leaning over the roof of the car to see if he was heading back. He wasn’t.

She was so consumed with worry, scanning the far corner for Dorian, that she failed to notice the second cloaked figure moving swiftly behind her, closing the distance in absolute silence.