Chapter Three
Adriel
The Aston Martin's engine roars, that all too familiar symphony of power that sends vibrations rippling through the steering wheel and into my hand. This baby’s a force of nature, there’s no doubt about that, a masterpiece of strength and elegance.
I pull up to a red light. The road ahead is wide open, with only a handful of cars scattered here and there. One of them rolls up beside me: a truck with two teens in the front.
I glance over, and it’s clear they’re car enthusiasts. The girl in the passenger seat pulls out her phone, aiming it at my car, either taking a pic or recording a video. The looks on their faces let me know exactly how they feel…eyes bright, mouths slightly agape. The kids are clearly impressed.
As they should be. This obsidian black DBS has a way of commanding attention. Almost as much attention as I do.
Let’s give them a little more to look at.
I hit the window switch, lowering the jet black tinted glass. I tilt my head just enough for my eyes to rise over the edge of my sunglasses. I flash a warm, knowing smile.
“She’s a beauty, isn’t she?” I say, nodding toward the car.
The girl’s jaw drops, her gasp audible even over the idling engines. “Oh my god. That’s Adriel freaking Jorg.”
The guy behind the wheel whips his head around, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Oh my god. It’s him. It’s really him.”
Yes. It is.
Before I can soak in the moment any longer, the traffic light flicks to green. I shoot them one last smile. At this point, I’m just showing off my grin. “Drive safe, kids,” I say, then press down on the accelerator.
The DBS surges forward, the sound echoing through the street as I leave them behind. Moments like this? They make me love my life.
Being an actor has its perks, especially when you’re as good at it as I am, if I do say so myself. And today is another one of those days where I get to showcase my skills in front of a camera.
A fitness magazine shoot awaits, and I’m ready to remind everyone that I’m not just a face on the big screen. I’m a damn force of nature, just like this car.
Pulling up to the building, I spot the horde of paparazzi before I even turn off the engine. They’re like a pack of wolves, though nowhere near as intimidating and ferocious as the kind of wolves I’m accustomed to. I step out of the car, and they rush in. Shutters click furiously, and voices overlap, all of them shouting questions.
“Adriel! Adriel! What’s your next big project?”
“Are the rumors about the romance movie true?”
“Adriel, who’s your latest leading lady?”
I flash them my best rehearsed grin, cool and effortless, waving as I shut the car door. “You’ll just have to wait and see,” I say, breezing past them. No need to linger. They all love a bit of mystery, after all.
Once I step inside, the atmosphere switches completely. The chaos of the paparazzi gives way to a flurry of people catering to me. Assistants scramble to make sure everything is perfect. The lighting, the set, the refreshments. Someone hands me a water bottle; another offers a chair. They’re all eager to keep me comfortable, and to be honest, that puts a smile on my face.
The director, a hyperactive, middle-aged man with boundless energy, strides over as I sit and take a sip of water. His grin is so wide it virtually radiates off his face.
“Adriel! Awesome! We’ll get started as soon as makeup’s done,” he announces, practically buzzing with excitement.
I nod casually, setting my bottle down. “Can’t wait to get into it.”
He waves over a young woman standing a few feet away, her brown eyes large and luminous, betraying a mix of nerves and awe.
“Umm, Mr. Jorg,” she begins hesitantly, her voice soft but earnest. “We’ve got about twelve outfits for today’s shoot, and, umm, they’ve all been tailor-made to your exact measurements.”
I give her a quick once-over, noting her flushed cheeks and the way she clutches her clipboard like it’s a lifeline. “I’m sure they’ll be perfect,” I say smoothly, letting a smirk tug at my lips. “Almost as perfect as your eyes.”
The compliment lands exactly as intended. Her face lights up, a smile breaking through as she stammers, “Oh gosh,” before ducking her head in a futile attempt to hide her blush.
She scurries off just as the makeup team arrives. They swarm around me, working with practiced efficiency, brushing and patting until my face is camera-ready. My hair is styled into a sleek ponytail, and they ensure my stubble strikes the right balance between rugged and polished.
I slip into the first outfit, an impeccably tailored piece that hugs me in all the right places. Taking a moment, I step in front of the mirror.
The sight staring back at me is, admittedly, impressive, even for me.
The long blonde ponytail frames my face perfectly, my blue eyes popping with a vibrant intensity. The stubble adds just the right amount of edge.
Alright. Let's make magic.
Lights. Camera. Action. The shoot begins with the usual routine. The director yells out a couple of commands, the camera flashes, and I move through the motions like the professional I am, changing outfits at intervals. A smirk here, a brooding stare there, and every shot is gold.
“Perfect, Adriel! Absolutely perfect!” the director gushes.
You’re damn right it’s perfect.
When the director announces it’s time for the topless shots, I can almost hear everyone in the studio hold their breath.
I take my time, unbuttoning my shirt as the room goes quiet. You could play a drum roll in here.
It’s so adorably amusing how predictable they are. As the shirt slides off, I hear the collective gasp. My chest is bare, the defined muscles and subtle scars on display, and I don’t miss the way the women in the room gape at me like I’m some kind of god.
And my goodness, their eyes, they're filled to the brim, heavy with longing, admiration, lust. I try to suppress a chuckle, letting the corner of my mouth tug into a small, knowing smile.
You’d think I’d be used to it by now. It’s practically routine, woven into the fabric of my daily life, but somehow, it still gets my pulse going every time.
Being an actor and looking this good is one thing, but I am also an Alpha. And with pheromones as strong as mine, it’s impossible to escape the stares and attention. Like I’m something they want to sink their teeth into.
Honestly? I don’t mind it. In fact, I kind of love it.
“Okay, Adriel, hold that pose,” the director calls. “Perfect. Just perfect.”
Yeah, I know.
The break comes soon after, and I step off the set to grab some water. I can feel their eyes on me even now, their whispers barely audible but unmistakably about me.
“He’s even better in person,” one woman murmurs.
“I love how hairy his arms are,” another adds, giggling.
I glance at her, feeling my eyebrow arch at her comment. Okay, I’ll play along. “Oh, they can sometimes get even hairier,” I say, my tone light, teasing.
She blushes furiously, her laughter spilling out like a nervous confession, and I smile at her, barely able to contain my amusement. You have no idea. None of them do.
It’s always fascinating how humans see me without knowing the truth. They think I’m just a man, a ridiculously good-looking one, maybe, but human all the same. If they knew I was a wolf shifter, their awe might twist with fear.
But that’s the fun of it, isn’t it? Blending in, walking among them, living with them, especially as I’ve come to like them. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
But I feel that nasty thought creep up on me again. The part of me that remembers that my parents would never approve of this life.
That same part wishes that they could see me now, see how far I’ve come. It wouldn’t be a brag to say that I’m a superstar here. I’ve made so many great movies now, and there’s so much more to come.
But they just don’t take any of this seriously. Even living among humans was something they’d give me stick for. “You should stay close to wolves just like you,” Mother’s voice rings in my ears. It’s like she’s standing right next to me.
It is what it is, I guess. I didn’t care what they thought then when I started out, I’m not about to start now.
The director claps his hands, announcing the final round of shots. I sip my water and make my way back to the set, preparing to wrap this up. But just as I step into position, my phone vibrates in my pocket.
“Hold on a second, guys,” I say, pulling it out. “I’ve got to take this.”
They nod eagerly.
The name on the screen makes me grin. Joseph. This should be good.
“Joseph,” I answer, stepping aside for privacy. “What’s up?”
His voice comes through, casual. “Hello, Adriel. I’m calling you in advance to let you know you have to come home for your brother’s climbing ceremony. Silas has been made to pick a mate. He will be climbing with his Omega betrothed soon.”
I stop mid-step, raising an eyebrow. “I’m sorry, did you say Omega?”
“Yes,” Joseph confirms.
I can’t believe it. It’s so funny. I laugh, shaking my head. “An Omega,” I repeat. “They really got him to do it?”
“Yes. He picked her out of a list your parents gave him,” Joseph says.
That catches my attention. He picked her . I know my brother well. Silas is the good kid and bends to Mom and Dad’s will most of the time. The only thing he’s been adamant about was omegas. If he chose this omega, there’s definitely something interesting.
“Who is she?” I ask, feeling the intrigue grow in my chest. “There must be something about her if Silas agreed to this.”
Joseph sighs. “I suppose you’ll find out when you arrive. I’m mentioning this two weeks early, so you can’t say I didn’t tell you in time.”
The call ends, and I stand there for a moment, staring at the screen. An Omega? Silas hates Omegas. The idea of him being paired with one is incredible enough, but the fact that he actually chose one? That’s interesting.
I feel a spark of curiosity, a rare thing these days. Who is this Omega, and why did Silas choose her?
I’ve definitely got to see this. I’ll cut my schedule short. I have to meet this girl before the ceremony.
Pocketing my phone, I stride back to the set, fresh energy coursing through me. The curiosity lingers in the back of my mind, but for now, the spotlight calls.
“Alright,” I say, clapping my hands together. “Let’s wrap this up, shall we?”
The cameras flash, the crew cheers, and I fall back into the rhythm of the shoot. But even as I pose and smile, my thoughts are elsewhere, circling around the mystery of the Omega who managed to catch my brother’s attention.