The day passed slowly, my body gradually regaining strength after Frost’s care. I dozed intermittently, waking occasionally to sip water or nibble at the food Frost had left before departing.
By evening, I could move with only minor discomfort, though certain motions still brought winces.
The bedroom door opened quietly as darkness fell outside.
Kaius entered, his powerful frame silhouetted against the hallway light. He paused upon seeing me awake, something unreadable flickering across his features.
“You are hurt, aren’t you?” His voice was softer than usual, almost hesitant.
“No,” I replied automatically, then sighed at his skeptical expression “Yes.”
He moved closer, perching on the edge of the bed. “I’m sorry.”
The apology surprised me. I hadn’t expected remorse from him, not after he’d warned me of his roughness. Yet there seemed genuine regret in his amber eyes.
“I liked it a lot,” I admitted, heat rising to my cheeks at the confession.
His eyebrows rose slightly. “You did?”
“Yes, I thought you could tell.” I couldn’t meet his gaze as I said it, embarrassed by my own honesty.
“You are a mystery, Elowen,” he said, his tone thoughtful.
I almost laughed at that. If anything, he was the mysterious one, and I, on the other hand, was nothing but an open book.
“Frost did take good care of me,” I offered, changing the subject.
“Of course he did.” There was no surprise in his voice, just quiet certainty.
Kaius rose, moving toward the bathroom. He stripped off his shirt as he went, revealing the muscled expanse of his back. I couldn’t help watching, admiring the fluid grace of his movements, the play of muscles beneath tanned skin.
He caught me staring when he turned, a knowing smile curving his lips. “You could look as long as you want; this is all yours for
now.”
A part of me still wanted his hands all over me. Maybe it was his influence already affecting me, but I wanted more. The rational part of my brain reminded me that my body needed time to recover, but the rest of me didn’t seem to care.
A
“Kaius?” I said before I could reconsider.
“Elowen.” He paused, watching me expectantly.
“Could you lay down with me here on the bed?” The request felt shockingly intimate, more vulnerable somehow than the physical acts we’d shared.
His expression shifted, surprise giving way to something warmer. “You want that?”
Yes.” Simple honesty seemed best.
1/3
Chapter 37
“What if I credidn’t keep my hands to myself? This tone was
question had a serious snderos
You can 1 met his gaze steadily, offering trust I wasn’t entirely sure was warranted.
He nodded once, then slipped under the covers beside me. The bed dipped with his weight, and I could feel the heat radiating from
his body.
His earthy, raw scent that once felt distant now seemed almost familler, I breathed it in secretly, finding comfort in what had previously kept me at bay, losing myself in an intimacy that felt more profound than sex could ever be.
The moonlight cast strange shadows across the room. I blinked once twice, fighting against the sudden heaviness of my eyelids The third time, they stayed closed longer. The fourth time, darkness took over.
Several days passed before I felt fully recovered. It was time to venture out, to begin truly living in this pack that was now, at least temporarily, my home.
And more than anything, I needed to see my mother. Despite our last difficult conversation, I missed her desperately.
A knock at the door roused me from my thoughts. When I opened it, Frost stood in the hallway, his ice–blue eyes brightening with surprise at my enthusiastic greeting.
“You seem happy to see me. That’s a good thing, right?” A smile played at the corners of his mouth.
I realized I’d practically launched myself at him, my arms wrapping around his waist in a spontaneous hug. I stepped back quickly, embarrassed by my impulsive action.
“Sorry, I did miss you.” The admission came easily, surprising me with its truth.
“That’s alright.” His expression was bemused. “So can you explain what the excitement is about?”
I clasped my hands together, suddenly nervous. “I was hoping you could be my… escort; I have somewhere to be right now.”
“May I know where this place is, that you seem so excited about visiting?” Curiosity colored his tone.
“I have to see my mother.” I hadn’t realized how desperately I needed this until I said it aloud.
Frost nodded, understanding immediately. My mother had been moved to her own quarters upon our arrival, part of Kaius’s promise to me. But I hadn’t seen her since our cold exchange at the marking ceremony.
We walked through the winding corridors of the pack house, Frost guiding me with casual confidence through areas I hadn’t yet explored. With each step, my nervousness grew. What would I say to her? Would she still be distant, disapproving of my choices?
Eventually, we stopped before an ornate door in a quiet wing of the building.
“This is her space,” Frost announced.
I knocked hesitantly, hearing movement within. The door opened to reveal my mother, her eyes widening at the sight of me–then narrowing when she noticed Frost at my side.
“I think I should leave,” Frost said, sensing the tension immediately.
“No, stay,” I insisted, my hand catching his arm. The thought of facing my mother alone suddenly terrified me.
2/3
Chapter 37
“He should go. My mother’s voice was firm, brooking no argument.
“Mother…” I began, but she cut me off with a sharp gesture.
I am not letting you in if you want him in here with us.”
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