Page 32 of The Wolf King's Demand

Addison tried not to worry about Tyler while he was away. On the one hand, she wanted this man caught so they could stop living in fear. On the other, this man was evidently willing to go to great lengths to harm them. Who knew what might be waiting for Tyler wherever he was going?

But he was back that evening in one piece. She learned they hadn’t been able to find the guy. In fact, they hadn’t so much as gotten a name. So now all they had to go on were vague descriptions.

“We will find him,” Tyler promised her. “But for now, I believe I owe you a date night.”

Addison snorted. It was almost ridiculous to have a date night in the middle of all this chaos, but it was also a welcome distraction.

They decided on a movie night since she was on semi-lockdown because someone was trying to kill her. And since it was Tyler, it wasn’t any ordinary movie night. Instead of simply curling up on the couch, he’d set up a projector outside in the garden.

She immediately decided this was the best way to do it. They wrapped themselves in blankets and had popcorn brought out to them as they selected a movie. Addison snorted as Tyler made recommendations.

“I can’t help but notice you keep suggesting romance movies,” she teased.

Tyler shrugged, but a grin was forming on his face. “I just thought it would be appropriate. That and I thought action might be off the table considering the circumstances.”

She shrugged. “Action movies are so exaggerated, anyway. I don’t think it would bother me.”

“The choice is up to you. Though I do think a little romance would set the mood,” he teased playfully.

Addison rolled her eyes, but privately, she admitted that she thought it was really cute. “Okay, okay, if we’re going in that direction, then I have a suggestion. It’s a compromise between a romance and an action movie, anyway. Ever seen Knights of Opposed Realms?”

He shook his head, and Addison grinned. “Then that is totally what we’re going to watch. You’ll love it. It’s a bit of an older movie, but it’s so good.”

They found the movie and settled back on their cushions. She hadn’t seen the movie in a while, and she was excited to watch it again.

It was a film about a knight who was considered the best in the land and who set out to protect a princess from an opposing kingdom. It was a star-crossed romance that grew stronger while tensions between their kingdoms increased.

It was a little cheesy and overdramatic, but she and her sisters had loved watching it as kids. They'd been utterly enchanted between the action and the romance between the two leads. It was sort of a comfort movie for her now.

Throughout the movie, Addison snuck glances at Tyler to see his reaction. He’d snort a few times a cheesy line or over-the-top reading. But as the movie went on, she could tell he was starting to get invested.

Then came the scene where the two realized they were in love with each other. They stared deep into each other’s eyes before furiously kissing in the rain. Because, of course, it was raining.

Addison glanced at Tyler and bit back laughter. She could tell by his expression that he was completely hooked. Never would she have guessed that a romantic movie would do it for the big, tough wolf shifter. It was actually really sweet.

She scooted closer and snuggled up to him. He immediately wrapped an arm around her and smiled down at her.

There was so much adoration in his gaze, and she soaked it up eagerly. Reluctantly, they turned their gazes back to the screen. Addison was very aware of his strong form beside her, and she struggled to pay attention to the movie. In the back of her mind, sexy thoughts sprung up, but she pushed them away. She wanted to have quality bonding time with Tyler.

Even though they were engaged, they really hadn’t spent much time together like this. Time to just absorb each other’s presence. It was nice.

Addison sighed contentedly and snuggled closer. This really was the perfect date night.

She was half asleep in Tyler’s hold when she sensed something was wrong. Addison sniffed the air and frowned. The guards who had been hiding in the shadows weren’t where they were a few minutes ago.

Maybe they had gone to give them some privacy? If Tyler had been going for a certain mood, perhaps they felt that the couple didn’t want them sticking around. But she doubted they would be so careless as to leave them there unguarded. And surely she and Tyler would just go inside to get away from the men.

Then Tyler stiffened, and she knew something was wrong. She sat up and watched as he carefully scanned the area.

“What is it?” she whispered.

He shook his head, not sparing a glance at her. Something was definitely wrong.

Then, an alarm blared, and they both shot to their feet. That alarm could only mean that someone had breached the perimeter. Panicked thoughts of the last time she heard that blare flashed through her mind.

She opened her mouth to ask Tyler what they should do when she heard a whooshing sound.

Something sharp hit her neck, and she howled in pain and surprise.

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