Chosen By The Cursed Alpha King (Emilia) novel Chapter 187

ADELE’S POV

Derek’s hand tightened on my waist—one hard, deliberate squeeze that made my skin crawl-before he finally let go. He stepped back, smooth as ever, but not before giving Lucien a long, unreadable look. Something dark and challenging flashed in his eyes, gone so fast latmost thought l imagined it. Then he inclined his head, the perfect gentleman, and walked away without a word.

The crowd swallowed him up.

Lucien didn’t wait. His arm slid around my waist in one fluid motion, yanking me flush against his chest so suddenly the air left my lungs in a soft gasp. His body was hard, warm, vibrating with barely contained fury. He buried his face in the curve of my neck, nose dragging along my skin, breathing me in like he needed my scent to keep from exploding.

“I was seconds away from ripping his fucking head off,” he growled against my throat, voice rough and dangerous.

His teeth grazed the spot where my mark would one day be, and heat shot straight through me. “Why the hell did you let him touch you? You know I don’t fucking like him.”

I swallowed, my hands coming up to grip his shoulders.

Are you jealous?”

He didn’t even hesitate. “Fuck yeah, I’m jealous.”His fingers dug into my hip, holding me so tight I could feel every inch of him pressed against me. “You’re mine, Adele. Mine.”

The words sank into me like fire. I should have been annoyed—he’d left me standing alone for almost an hour, scanning every door for him like some desperate girl, but all I felt was relief. And want. So much want it scared me.

“You left me for so long,” I whispered, searching his face. “I thought… I thought you were avoiding me again. Going back to pushing me away.”

His expression softened for a split second, something raw and regretful flickering across his features. He cupped my cheek with one hand, thumb brushing over my bottom lip.

“Never.” His voice dropped, fierce and certain. “I know what I almost lost, baby. I’ll never be that jerk again.

Never.”

He started moving us to the music, guiding me effortlessly even though my legs felt like jelly. His other hand stayed low on my back, fingers splayed wide, claiming every inch he touched.

“I just had to handle something,” he murmured against my ear. “Took longer than I thought. I’m sorry.”

I studied his face. There was no lie in his eyes, no hesitation. Just Lucien-my Lucien-looking at me like l was the only thing that mattered in the entire kingdom.

I believed him.We swayed together, bodies perfectly in sync, and slowly the tension in his shoulders eased. But not entirely. There was still a current running through him, dark and hungry.

I could feel it in the way he held me-like he was one breath away from dragging me into the nearest dark corner and reminding the whole damn hall who I belonged to.

His eyes locked on mine, dark and intense, promising things that made my toes curl in my heels.

“You’ll have to dance for me later..” he said, voice rough with desire. His fingers traced higher, thumb brushing the sensitive skin of my inner thigh, so close to where I was already aching for him.

My lips parted on a shaky breath. “Lucien…”

His mouth curved into that devastating smirk again, the one that always ruined me. He leaned in, lips barely grazing mine, close enough that I could taste the whiskey on his breath but not quite kissing me.

“Naked.”

The word hung between us like smoke…hot, forbidden, impossible to ignore. My whole body lit up, every nerveending screaming for more. His hand squeezed my thigh. holding me there on the edge, teasing, owning.

I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. All I could do was stare up at him, lost in the storm in his eyes, knowing that later

-when we were finally alone-he was going to make good on every single promise burning between us.

And I wanted it. Goddess help me, I wanted it so badly l could barely stand.