Chapter 9
Leo was startled by Eva’s sudden, fervent kiss. He didn’t have the heart to pull away, though. This sweet, pliant woman was so different from the haughty, spoiled girl he saw during the day.
He understood. He really did. Things were hard for the women in a pack. Many of them presented an aggressive, untouchable front to protect themselves.
Leo thought it would have been better for the Alpha’s own daughter, though. Didn’t Arthur protect his only child?
Well, Arthur was aging, and he had only an Alpha Daughter, no other heirs. And, well, everyone knew that his wife wasn’t his true mate. They didn’t talk about it, but people knew.
So maybe Eva’s position wasn’t as secure as she pretended. Maybe she needed to put up that prickly front to keep herself safe. It was awful, but Leo understood.
“There’s no more need for that,” Leo said. “I’m here now. I’ll protect you.”
His mate’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. Leo held her tighter. He’d protect her from now on.
“I…” Eva turned away and rubbed at her eyes. “I thought maybe you wouldn’t like me. Because I have to pretend.”
“I love you,” Leo promised. “I love your strength. I love your softness. I understand if you need to keep that side of you just for us, just when we’re private, for now.”
“You understand?” She looked up at him as if he’d just offered her the world.
“I do,” Leo said.
Eva leaned in and kissed him again. Leo matched her passion with his own. He couldn’t get enough of those kisses. He wrapped her in his arms and held her until she pulled away.
Mate. His wolf declared itself again.
Odd how he only heard his wolf when Eva was in his arms like this.
His wolf urged him to take things further, to claim his mate again. He was sorely tempted. Eva was so soft and pliant and warm in his hold.
But she hadn’t given any hint she wanted more than the kisses. And Leo didn’t want to push her, not when she’d made herself so open and vulnerable to him. This, tonight, wasn’t about being his mate. It was about becoming his wife.
Mate. Claim. Leo’s wolf insisted.
Leo hated to push aside his wolf after nearly losing it forever. But he needed to tend to his wife in that moment. His wolf would keep for later. It was recovering, and somehow Leo thought he owed that to his mate. Something about her had sparked his healing.
Later. Leo hushed his wolf and turned his full attention back to Eva.
She stared up at him with adoration in her eyes. Leo smiled, and twisted so that he could rest his head against her belly. He hadn’t had a chance to do that yet.
“Leo!” Eva yelped.
“I just want to hear. If that’s okay?”
“Oh! Yes, go ahead.” Eva leaned back so that Leo had more access to her stomach.
The pup was barely formed, still, but with his ear directly against Eva’s belly he could just make out the tiny, faint heartbeat. Leo closed his eyes and luxuriated in that beautiful little noise.
“Is it all right?” Eva asked, nervous.
“It’s perfect,” Leo said, smiling up at her. “Our pup is perfect. Just like it’s mother,”
Eva blushed and looked away, Leo laughed.
He sat up and gave her a moment.
“I was thinking,” he said, “if it’s a boy, I want to name him Alex. If it’s a girl, I was thinking Sable.”
“You’ve already picked out names?” Eva asked, laughing softly
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Chapter 9
“Oh, I thought of names for my babies years ago,“, amitted. “I’ve dreamed of having a family of my own for so long.”
“Really?” Eva asked, her voice a soft whisper.
“Really.”
Eva covered her mouth and turned away. She was crying again.
“It’s okay!” Leo wrapped her in another hug. “It’s all right if, if you had your it’s a girl you pick. Or, or you can pick. Please, it’s all right.”
We
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compromise. If it’s a boy, I name him and if
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