Chosen By The Cursed Alpha King (Emilia) novel Chapter 180

ADELE’S POV

My heart was still hammering against my ribs as I stared up into a pair of dark eyes that were definitely not Lucien’s. Alpha Derek. Tall, broad, with that same dangerous edge all ranked wolves carried, but softer around the mouth when he smiled at me like this. His arms were still locked around my waist, holding me effortlessly against his chest like I weighed nothing.

“I’m fine,” I stammered, heat flooding my face. “You-you can put me down now. Thank you.”

Derek’s lips curved into a slow, easy grin. “Anytime, Adele.”

Before I could wriggle free, a blur of movement cut across the hall. In seconds, Lucien was there-shoulders tense, jaw tight, eyes blazing. He didn’t even look at Derek. He just reached for me, strong hands sliding around my waist, lifting me out of Derek’s arms and setting me gently on my feet like I was made of glass.

His palms cupped my face immediately, thumbs brushing over my cheeks as he searched my eyes. “Are you okay?

Are you hurt anywhere?” His voice was low, rough with worry, and the raw concern in it made my chest ache.

“I’m fine,” I whispered, my hands coming up to rest on his forearms. “Alpha Derek caught me.”Lucien’s gaze flicked to Derek then, and the air turned thick with tension. “Thank you for saving my mate,” he said, the words clipped but polite.

Derek shrugged, that lazy smile still in place. “I didn’t do it for you.”

The muscle in Lucien’s jaw jumped. His hands dropped from my face to my shoulders, fingers tightening just enough to remind me he was there. “It’s still the right thing to say after what you just did. My mate could have been seriously hurt if you hadn’t caught her. What else do you want-me to grovel?”

The words came out sharp, edged with something darker than gratitude. Jealousy. Possessiveness. I felt it rolling off him in waves.

“Lucien, stop,” I said quickly, placing a hand on his chest. I could feel his heart pounding under my palm.

He looked down at me, eyes softening for a split second before hardening again. “No more climbing ladders or hanging things. Go sit with the queen.”

pouted, crossing my arms. “But I’m fine-”

“Stop being stubborn.” He leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear, voice dropping to a whisper that sent shivers racing down my spine. “Unless you want me to punish you later.”

My whole body flushed hot. I swear my knees almostbuckled. The way he said it…low, rough, full of dark promise-made every dirty thought I’d been trying to ignore come rushing back. I shoved at his chest lightly, more for show than anything, and bolted back toward Emilia, cheeks burning.

I didn’t dare look back, but I felt his eyes on me the entire way.

Emilia was watching the whole thing with wide eyes, one hand over her mouth to hide her smile. “Are you okay?” she asked as I dropped into the chair beside her.

“Yeah,” I muttered, fanning my face. “Just… embarrassed.”

She glanced past me to where Lucien was giving Derek a cold, hard stare before turning back to the king. “What’s up with those two? The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.”

I sighed, slumping in my seat. “Lucien thinks Derek likes me.”

But the moment I closed my eyes, he was there.

Lucien.

Every thought turned filthy in seconds. His broad shoulders under my hands. The way his shirt stretched across his chest when he moved. That low growl when I’d ground against him this morning. The memory of him last night.

Heat coiled tight and low in my belly. I tipped my head back, letting the water pour over my skin, sliding over my breasts, my stomach, between my legs. My nipples hardened under the stream, sensitive and aching. I bit my lip hard, trying to stay quiet, but the images wouldn’t stop.

Lucien pinning me to the bed. His mouth on my neck, my breasts, lower. His rough hands spreading my thighs. That thick, hard length pressing against me, promising to fill me completely.

I arched into the spray, a soft moan slipping out before I could stop it.

“Lucien…”

“I’m right here.”

My eyes flew open.He was standing just outside the glass door of the shower, shirt unbuttoned and hanging open, revealing the hard planes of his chest and abs. His dark eyes were locked on me, pupils blown wide with hunger. Water fogged the glass between us, but it did nothing to hide the way he was looking at me-like he wanted to devour every inch.

Like he’d been waiting for this moment all day.