<h4>Chapter 73: Drunk</h4>


    <strong>KANE POV:</strong>


    "I can’t think straight on an empty stomach," she said, almost as if exining her odd request. I watched as she grabbed her jacket, her movements quick and decisive, giving me no room to argue or analyze her mood further.


    She wore a casual ck dress, not too fancy but just enough to hug her figure in all the right ways. It ended just above her knees, revealing smooth legs that made it hard not to stare. Hell, let’s be honest—she could’ve worn a potato sack and still looked stunning. But tonight, even though I was still mentally shaken, I couldn’t help but admire how effortlessly she carried herself.


    Still, I wasn’t sure if I was off the hook or just walking into the next stage of her silent judgment. I kept ncing at her, looking for any clues—anything that might indicate whether this was her way of putting the conversation about the contract on pause or if I was digging my own grave by not addressing it further.


    Not forgetting my manners, I opened the door for her, earning a small nod of acknowledgment. At least she wasn’t pushing me away entirely. I couldn’t risk screwing this up, so I took extra care driving to a nearby restaurant—not one of the upscale ces I usually preferred, but something quieter. A cozy, not-too-crowded spot with good food. Most importantly, it was the kind of ce where the chances of running into one of my former subs were slim to none.


    Thest thing I needed was for Elena to see anyone who might worsen my already precarious standing with her. My reputation wasn’t exactly angelic, and Ashley’s stunt had already set me back enough.


    As I parked the car, I turned to look at her. She was gazing out the window, her expression unreadable. I could feel my nerves bubbling again, but I forced myself to stay calm. "This ce okay?" I asked, trying to gauge her mood.


    She nced at the restaurant and then at me, giving a faint smile. "Yeah, it’s fine. Let’s just eat."


    Her tone was casual, but it still felt like a warning—a subtle reminder that while we were here to eat, our conversation wasn’t over. I could only hope this dinner wouldn’t turn into anotherndmine.


    I got out of the car, hurried around to open her door, and led her inside. Whatever came next, I was ready to face it. Because losing her? That wasn’t an option.


    If my beta could see me now, the so-called ruthless Alpha turned into a lovesick, nervous puppy, he’d probably never let me live it down. Hell, even my wolf—normally the embodiment of dominance and authority—was an absolute mess, was practically wagging its metaphorical tail, desperate to do whatever it took to keep our mate happy and, most importantly, stop her from running again. It was pathetic, really. Here I was, ready to bend over backward just to make her stay, terrified of her leaving like she had before.


    But speaking of leaving, how in the hell had she managed to show up at the exact moment Ashley pulled her little stunt? I still couldn’t wrap my head around it. She’de to my aid, furious and fierce, just when Ashley had poisoned me and was attempting to seduce me with that ridiculous contract in her hand. Elena had burst in like a damn storm. But <i>how</i>?


    She didn’te through the front door—that much I knew. And there was no way word of the contract or Ashley’s scheme had reached her outside the estate. My trackers had scoured every inch of the forest, and I’d been out there myself, desperate, tearing through the wilderness like some deranged fool searching for her. Yet, all along, Elena had been...<i>where exactly</i>?


    The realization hit me like a punch to the gut: she must have been in my house the entire time. <i>In my house.</i> While I was losing my damn mind,bing through trees and brush, barking orders at my trackers, and generally making a spectacle of my insanity, she had been hiding <i>right under my nose.</i>


    Typical Elena. She didn’t just think outside the box—she made the box irrelevant. She’d stayed close enough to watch everything unfold, waiting for the perfect moment to swoop in and blow up my life. Again.


    I should’ve felt angry at being yed—hell, furious even—, but I didn’t. All I felt was relief that she came back at all. Relief and something else—a gnawing sense of vulnerability. Because if she was in the house the whole time, it meant she’d seen me without my armor. She’d seen my desperation, my unfiltered panic at the thought of losing her.


    I felt something entirely different. Admiration. And frustration. And maybe just a touch of awe. My mate was clever, resourceful, and far too stubborn for her own good.


    None of it mattered now. She was here. She hadn’t bolted again—at least not yet. But if I wanted to keep it that way, I had to tread carefully. My mate wasn’t just any woman. She was fiery, stubborn, and smart enough to keep me on my toes. She’d run circles around me before, and she could do it again if I wasn’t careful.


    And now, as we sat in this quiet restaurant, with her casually sipping water as if she hadn’t flipped my world upside down in less than 24 hours, all I could think was: how the hell am I supposed to keep up with her?


    Dinner had started off perfectly fine, even though I was still on edge from the events of the day. Elena had seemed...calm, almost too calm, which kept me watching her like a hawk. Was this the calm before the storm? Or was she genuinely letting go of all the tension from earlier? Either way, I wasn’t about to take any chances.


    She ate like someone who hadn’t seen a meal in days—which, in hindsight, might have been true given the emotional rollercoaster we’d been on. I watched her enjoy every bite of her meal, her face lighting up at the vors. It was mesmerizing. I almost forgot to eat my own food, too distracted by the way her lips curved into a content smile after every forkful.


    "This is really good," she said, her eyes twinkling as she took another bite.


    I grinned, proud of my choice of restaurant. "Told you it’d be better than my pancakes."


    She gave me a yful look, one eyebrow raised. "Let’s not talk about those...things. My stomach still hasn’t fully recovered."


    "Hey!" I feigned offense, though I couldn’t helpughing. "I tried, okay? Cooking is harder than it looks."


    "Maybe leave the cooking to me," she teased, smirking as she sipped her water.


    Everything seemed normal. Peaceful, even. But of course, that was before she ordered the wine.


    "Let’s get a bottle," she said suddenly, looking at the menu with interest.


    I hesitated. "Do we really need wine? We just had a long day—maybe we should take it easy tonight."


    She gave me an unimpressed look. "Take it easy? You’ve been walking around on eggshells all day. Rx, Kane. It’s just wine."


    I sighed, knowing I wasn’t going to win this one. "Fine. But just a ss or two, okay?"


    She nodded, shing me a smile so radiant that I momentarily forgot why I was even worried.


    The wine arrived shortly after, a deep red that she swirled in her ss like a professional sommelier. "To new beginnings," she said, raising her ss.


    I clinked mine against hers, murmuring, "To new beginnings," though a small part of me still wondered what kind of ’beginning’ we were diving into with her holding a drink like that.


    The first ss went down smoothly. She sipped, smiled, and seemed genuinely at ease. I thought, <i>Okay, maybe this won’t be so bad.</i>


    Then came the second ss. And the third.


    "Elena, maybe slow down a bit," I said as she poured herself yet another ss.


    "I’m fine," she said, waving me off with a carefreeugh. "This wine is amazing. You should try keeping up."


    "I’m good with one ss," I said, watching as she tilted her ss back and emptied it like it was water.


    "That’s boring," she dered, slurring slightly. "You’re so serious all the time. Rx, Alpha." She emphasized thest word dramatically, like she was mocking me.


    "Elena, I’m serious. That’s enough."


    She leaned across the table, her eyes narrowing mischievously. "What are you gonna do, Kane? Tie me up and punish me?"


    My face flushed instantly, and I nced around nervously. Thank the Goddess the restaurant wasn’t crowded. "Elena, keep your voice down," I hissed.


    But she just giggled, clearly enjoying my difort. "Oh,e on, Kane. You’re no fun. Live a little!"


    Before I could stop her, she gged down the waiter and ordered another bottle.


    "Elena," I said firmly, trying to keep my tone calm, "that’s enough wine. We’re leaving after this ss."


    She pouted, crossing her arms like a petnt child. "You’re such a buzzkill. No wonder Ashley—" She cut herself off, her eyes going wide.


    My jaw tightened. "Don’t even finish that sentence."


    She grinned sheepishly, taking another sip of her wine. "Oops."


    By the time we finished (or rather, by the time <i>she</i> finished), I was practically dragging her out of the restaurant. She wobbled slightly as we walked to the car,ughing at absolutely nothing.


    "Did you see the waiter’s face when I asked for another bottle?" she said, giggling uncontrobly. "He looked so confused, like, ’Ma’am, you’ve had enough.’"


    "That’s because you <i>did</i> have enough," I muttered, opening the car door for her.


    She flopped into the seat, stillughing. "Rx, Kane. I’m fine. Totally fine."


    On the drive home, she alternated between singing off-key to the music on the radio and asking me increasingly ridiculous questions.


    "Do wolves get drunk?" she asked suddenly.


    "No," I replied, keeping my eyes on the road.


    "Liar. I’m drunk right now."


    "Elena, you’re the one who drank half a vineyard tonight, not me."


    She gasped dramatically. "Are you saying I have a problem?"


    "Yes," I said bluntly.


    She burst outughing again,pletely unfazed. "You’re mean, Alpha. But you’re also cute, so I forgive you."


    By the time we got back to the house, I was exhausted. She, on the other hand, was still in high spirits, twirling around in the driveway like it was some kind of dance floor.


    "Elena, get inside before you fall," I said, trying to guide her toward the door.


    "You’re no fun, Kane!" she dered, spinning around to face me. "You’re always so serious. Lighten up a little!"


    I pinched the bridge of my nose, counting to ten. "Elena, if you don’t go inside right now, I swear—"


    She poked me in the chest, cutting me off. "You swear what, Alpha? Huh? Gonna punish me?"


    I stared at her, speechless, as she burst outughing again.


    Goddess help me. This woman was going to be the death of me.