Chapter 0108

"Dad. You do realize I'm HIS Guardian, right? Not the other way around? Shouldn't you be warning me not to hurt him?"

A smirk tugs at my lips. Evelyn can't see it, but Gregory can. His gaze slides past me to his daughter. "First, you're not at full strength yet. Second, this is a date, not a mission. He'd better treat you with the same respect and protection he'd give any woman he's courting." His steel-gray eyes lock onto me. "Isn't that right, Alpha?"

"Absolutely, Guardian." I mirror his formal tone. "Your daughter will be treated with the utmost care tonight."

Gregory turns back to Evelyn. "Go warm up for training. Light drills today."

"Yes, Dad." She gives a quick nod.

As I turn to say goodbye, Gregory's voice stops me. "Adrian. Join our training sessions starting Monday."

My jaw nearly hits the ground. "It would be an honor, sir."

A single nod, then he wheels himself inside.

I'm still staring at the doorway when Evelyn's fingers brush under my chin, closing my mouth. She steps into my space with a smirk. "Looks like you'll be seeing more of me, Alpha."

My hands find her waist. "After I wipe the floor with you Monday, Little Guardian, you'll be spending more than just training time with me. Six o'clock sharp. Don't keep me waiting."

I crush her against me in a searing kiss before striding to my car. When I glance back, she's touching her lips, watching me with those storm-gray eyes. Yeah, she's mine.

Home smells like chocolate. My mother has the brownies boxed and ready, along with a picnic basket complete with wine glasses. I kiss her silver-streaked hair. "Thanks, Mom."

"Your father's waiting in his office."

Alistair Grey looks up from his desk when I enter. Dark circles shadow his eyes.

"Any word from Sebastian about Victor Blackwood?"

"Traces. Nothing concrete." He rubs his temples. "That man's been evading capture for decades."

Disappointing, but expected.

"Son, we need to discuss Evelyn."

I straighten. This is new.

"Have you considered what mating a Guardian means?"

Theron growls in my mind. We already nearly lost her once. The thought of her deliberately walking into danger...

"I have." My knuckles whiten on the armrests. "I want her beside me, not in front of me. Protecting her is my right as her mate. But she's stubborn. We'll need... boundaries."

Alistair exhales heavily. "Clint's loyalty nearly destroyed me after the attack. If it had been your mother..." He doesn't finish. Doesn't need to.

I rise, mind already racing through arguments for tonight. Evelyn fights like a hellcat, but I'll make her see reason.

"Good talk, Dad."

As I reach the door, he calls out, "Where are you taking her?"

"Celestia." My chest swells. "Only the best for my girl. Then stargazing at Blackthorn Point with Mom's brownies."

A rare smile cracks his stern features. "Don't keep her out too late."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

The shower runs cold as I scrub away the day's tension. Tonight changes everything. And I'll be damned if I let anything—or anyone—ruin it.

"Dad. Did you forget I'm HIS Guardian, not the other way around? Shouldn't you be warning me to protect him?"

A smirk tugs at my lips. Evelyn can't see it, but Adrian can. His gaze slides past me to Evelyn. "First, you're not at full strength yet. Second, this is a date, not a mission. He'd better treat you with the same respect and protection any woman deserves on a date." His piercing eyes lock onto me. "Isn't that right, Alpha?"

"Absolutely, Guardian." I mirror his formal tone. "Your daughter will be treated with the utmost care tonight."

His attention returns to Evelyn. "Go get ready for training. Light strength drills today."

"Be right there, dad."

As I turn to say goodbye, Gregory stops me. "Adrian. Join our afternoon training sessions starting Monday."

My jaw nearly hits the pavement. "The honor would be mine, sir."

A single nod, then he wheels inside.

I'm still staring when Evelyn's fingers press my chin up, closing my mouth. She steps into my space. "Guess you'll be seeing more of me, Alpha."

My gaze burns into hers. "After I wipe the floor with you Monday, Little Guardian, you'll be spending far more than training time with me. Be ready by six." I yank her against me, claiming her lips in a searing kiss before striding to my car.

She stands frozen, fingertips brushing her swollen lips. Exactly where she belongs - under my touch.

Home. Mother has the brownies ready, along with a picnic basket complete with wine glasses. I kiss her silver-streaked hair.

"Dad wanted to talk?"

"Office."

The knock echoes. His weary face lifts when I enter.

"Any word from Sebastian about Victor Blackwood?"

"Traces. The bastard's good at hiding."

I nod. Expected, but disappointing.

"Son... about Evelyn."

I straighten. Unexpected.

"Have you considered what mating a Guardian means?"

It's haunted me. Theron and I already feel violently protective. Losing her to Victor nearly destroyed us - and that was before bonding. It'll only worsen after marking her.

"I have. No easy answers, Dad. I can't command her to stand down. Won't. I need a partner beside me, not a shield in front. Protecting her is my right as her Alpha, her mate. But we'll need clear boundaries."

His knuckles whiten. "Good. No advice to give. My bond with Gregory was hard enough. If it had been your mother..." He trails off. The unspoken horror hangs between us.

"Just wanted you thinking ahead."

I smile. Planning for the future is what good Alphas do. And my father raised me right.

"Where are you taking her?"

"Celestia." My chest swells. "The full experience. Then stargazing at the overlook with brownies."

His approving nod follows me out. Tonight changes everything.