Chapter 18
“Oh, her,” Leo said. Something about that maid unsettled him.
“Uh huh. Be careful around that one,” Eva added. “She’s always scheming. She doesn’t like her place in the pack but instead of putting in the work to earn a better one she just tries to tear down other people. It’s really sad and pathetic. But I make sure she knows where she belongs.”
“Okay,” Leo said.
He trusted his wife to know how to handle her own wolves. Leo would have dealt with a problem like Tessa a little differently, but maybe extrà work and close supervision was all she needed. He let the subject drop without any more discussion.
Leo wanted to enjoy dinner with his mate, not talk about poorly disciplined servants. Although the idea that she was scheming near his pregnant mate did worry him a little. Still, Eva knew what she was doing.
Over dessert and wine, Leo leaned in to kiss Eva. She returned the kiss with a coy smile. Somehow, though, it didn’t feel like it had the night before. Eva cuddled against him but she didn’t melt into him.
Maybe the dining room wasn’t private enough for her, and she was still projecting her mask of strength and dominance. Leo would wait until they were in his rooms.
Leo guided Eva to his rooms. He hoped, someday, that she would feel comfortable enough to move in more permanently. He understood that she wanted her own space. But perhaps they could share a suite? He would broach the subject later, when the future was more certain. He was still negotiating with her father over how and if the two packs: join.
For the moment, though, he was all right with the arrangement. She t
days longing for the quiet moments between them after darkness fell.
happy enough to spend her nights with him. Leo spent much of his
Once they were alone, Leo reached to rub the tension out of Eva’s neck just like he had the night before. Eva squirmed
away.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
She shook her head and leaned in to kiss him. “No, nothing. Why?”
“I just thought you’d like another back rub,” he said.
“That does sound sweet,” Eva said. “Okay.”
at
his touch and shifted
How weird, she was acting like he’d never done that for her. She giggled and blushed when he tugged at her nightgown, and wiggled and shifted as he stroked her back.
Before even a few minutes passed, Eva twisted out from under his hands and rolled onto her back. She gave him a coy smirk and held her arms in a way that thrust her bare chest up.
Leo wanted to take her blatant invitation, but his wolf stirred uncomfortably within him. He didn’t understand it. This was his was clearly eager and willing, but he could not find any stirring of interest in himself.
mate, and she
His wolf grew restless the more he tried to entertain Eva’s desires. He just wasn’t feeling it. The irresistible pull that drew him to her just wasn’t there.
He tried to get his wolf to explain, but all it would say was not mate, which was ridiculous. This was Eva, his mate and his wife. Hadn‘ been soothed by her presence just the night before?
She leaned up to kiss him but he pulled away. He rested a hand on her stomach and held out her nightgown.
“I think you should get some rest,” he suggested. “You’re pregnant, and I don’t want to risk hurting the pup.”
Eva made a face, clearly not happy with his answer, but she pulled her nightgown back on.
“I’ll go back to my rooms,” she announced, and stalked out of the room.
the wolf
Leo felt guilty for hurting her feelings, but he didn’t want to push his wolf when it was still so unstable. He had to figure out why one night it couldn’t be separated from his mate, and the next it didn’t want to even touch her.
He needed to be in control of himself. His mate’s life depended on it.
