Ava’s POV
The air seemed to freeze for a second, like the whole room hit pause.
“Of course.” Adrian said it simply.
“If I said no, I have no doubt you’d storm out that door and block my number.”
I let out a small laugh.
“Glad you don’t think I’m crazy. You actually believe an Omega like me could prove she deserves to take over Crawford. An Omega woman trying to break rules made by male Alphas? Anyone else would think I was insulting them. Maybe…” I looked straight at him, forcing myself to stay steady.
“Only short-sighted men would think that way.” Adrian’s tone was pure disdain.
“Ava, I’m backing you because it matters for all of us as a species. Bloodmoon is Bloodmoon not because we’re stronger than everyone, but because we never waste a single capable wolf, whether he’s an Alpha or an Omega. If we keep ignoring Omegas, ignoring what women contribute, we’re basically walking ourselves toward extinction.”
I stared at him, stunned.
I never imagined Adrian would actually see the issue this clearly.
Was this why the Bloodmoon Pack was always so strong?
Because he saw farther than the rest.
The thought hit me so hard my chest tightened.
I couldn’t even put words to the rush in my heart.
“Alpha Adrian, you’re… honestly impressive.” I finally found my voice again, trying to sound calm.
He held my gaze for a moment.
The sharp focus in his eyes softened into something more reflective.
“Sounds like you thought I was an arrogant bastard before.”
I froze.
Well, I had thought that.
“Looks like you really think so,” he said, his voice dropping low, carrying something I couldn’t quite read.
The Alpha scent rolling off him hit me hard, dense, intense, suffocating.
My pulse sped up without asking my permission.
He stepped closer, closing the distance between us in a heartbeat.
“As you can see, the pack has plenty of prejudice against Omegas too, and most Alphas are arrogant.” I said it honestly.
“Glad we broke each other’s prejudices once again.” Adrian said softly, the corner of his mouth curving up.
“I bet in a month, we’ll be a pretty close pair of contract partners.”
My heart skipped a beat.
“I hope so.” I met his gaze, trying to keep my voice steady.
“But right now, I have one condition.
Actually…
besides being the Darkmoon Pack’s researcher for rare wolf diseases, I’ve also been doing genetic research in secret.
Very few people know about this.”
“I didn’t expect that.” Adrian said quietly, lifting his eyes to mine.
“Just ‘unexpected’?
I thought you’d drop some cliche line about how Omega females shouldn’t do research.
I’m tired of hearing that.”
“Research takes brains, not muscles.
I don’t think women are less intelligent than men.
Instead of doubting you, I’m more interested in what you’ve been studying.” His tone was steady, his eyes filled with a kind of genuine admiration that made my breath catch.
Being truly seen like this was something I never got from Damon.
Adrian’s gaze held no suspicion, no superiority.
Just attention.
And something else I didn’t dare name.
For so long, most people insisted women were only fit for simple work, waitressing, office reception, childcare.
Men were the ones supposedly built for anything difficult or demanding.
So even when my research was solid, people still questioned it.
Damon once told me that if others found out the Darkmoon Pack’s research was led by an Omega female, the whole project would lose credibility and cause unnecessary panic.
So, to avoid extra trouble, he kept my name hidden.
But Adrian was completely different.
His attitude caught me off guard, and yet it warmed a corner of my heart I thought had gone numb.
“So, what exactly are you working on?” Adrian asked.
His voice carried a kind of genuine curiosity, something I had never heard from Damon.
His question pulled me back from my thoughts.
I drew in a steadying breath and said, “The Darkmoon Pack’s birth rate has been dropping sharply these past few years, while the mortality rate among pups keeps climbing.”
“I’ve been running a secret project in the Darkmoon Pack’s lab, focusing on gene repair. I’ve already isolated several key mutation sequences and gathered some early data. I really believe I can crack this.”
A bright, striking light flashed through Adrian’s eyes, like a star suddenly flaring to life.
After a moment, he said, “Low fertility isn’t just your pack’s problem. It affects the whole wolf race, especially the noble families. If your research succeeds, the impact will be massive.”
I nodded.
“So, you’re willing to speak up for me? You know no one’s going to believe an Omega like me could make a breakthrough like this.”
I hadn’t started this research to gain anything.
I just wanted to stop the suffering.
I once watched a three-year-old pup die from a genetic defect.
I can still see its mother clutching the body, sobbing like the world was ending.
But research needs equipment, resources, funding, things I couldn’t get on my own.
Whatever Adrian’s real intentions were, as long as he was willing to support me and let my research move forward, I would be grateful.
“I’ll give you a top-tier lab, fully equipped with everything, equipment, staff, whatever you need.
All our West Coast resources are open to you.”
“Oh my god.
Are you serious?
That’s…
incredible!” I didn’t bother hiding the thrill in my voice.
I could finally research what I wanted, out in the open.
But just as the excitement was about to sweep me away, I held it back.
“But this isn’t urgent.” I raised a hand.
“We can take our time. First, I need to prove I can take over Crawford’s business. Then, I need to get this divorce done cleanly. Until those two things are settled, the lab comes last.”
Adrian looked at me quietly for a long time.
That gaze was no longer scrutiny, and not just desire either.
It was like he had finally confirmed something.
“Good.” Just one word, but it landed heavy as a promise.
“In your order.”
I refocused on Adrian’s face.
Up close, he was even more handsome.
And I had never imagined discussing my ideals with a fiance I’d only met twice.
It was too risky.
Just then, my phone rang, breaking the brief quiet.
Damon’s name lit up the screen.
I answered.
“When are you coming back?” Damon snapped, impatience and barely contained anger dripping from every word.
“Don’t forget what you are.”
Before I could respond, Adrian stepped closer, his tall frame wrapping around me like a shield.
His hand brushed down my back, warm and steady.
I straightened almost instantly, pulling away from that dizzying warmth.
This wasn’t the time to lose control.
“I’m finishing up now,” I said quickly, then hung up.
I slipped my phone into my evening bag and headed toward the door.
“See you tomorrow, Adrian.”
“Goodbye,” he said low.
“I look forward to bringing you back to the Bloodmoon Pack, my fiancee.”