Chapter 97: Inseparable

Louis

I was making an effort to put a little distance between myself and Daphne. I thought perhaps some time apart would help things, like cleansing fast. I could get her out of my system, and I would be fine.

I was not fine. It was like she was already assimilated into my blood. I felt an attachment to her that defied logic.

It was nothing like my former mate bond. It was not electric or explosive. I didn’t tingle when I touched her, and I didn’t have an uncontrollable urge to mate with her. I was attracted to her, though. And that was frightening too. I hadn’t desired a woman in so long, I’d almost forgotten what it was like.

It was never like this, though. The attraction to my mate had been fiery and all-consuming. My attraction to Daphne was more like a slow burn. And perhaps, even more than sexual hunger, I felt a desire to protect her, and her unborn baby.

A baby that wasn’t mine, and yet… that’s how it felt. My wolf was reacting like Daphne was carrying my child.

“The madness is returning,” I muttered, as I strode through the halls in search of the woman who was causing all the confusion.

I’d lost fifteen years of my life to insanity. When my mate had died, and I believed my daughter had perished with her, I wanted to die. I pleaded for death day and night, but my wolf had stubbornly preserved my life. My mind had slipped from me, my nightmares became my reality, my body was wracked with pain, and I was lost in a sort of dream that I couldn’t wake up from. Time was meaningless, and endless. I had to be fed with a spoon, or be given nutrition through a tube. I was walked to the toilet on a schedule, and dressed every morning like a helpless child. What I said, what I did during those years, I had no real memory.

When my daughter’s wolf stirred to life, so did mine. Bella brought me back from that dark, hopeless place. But I knew that the insanity never really left me. It was like a dormant virus, just waiting for an opportunity, waiting for a moment of weakness, and then it would come again. That’s why I kept a bit of distance from my daughter and her new family, keeping my visits short and scattered.

I didn’t want to bring anything dark into her beautiful new life.

I hadn’t expected this inexplicable thing with Daphne. When I had extended the invitation for her to take over from Dr. Conway, I had only been extending a little nepotism to my daughter’s new family. Not only was she my daughter’s best friend and sister-in-law, but she had done very well in her university studies, and in her first psychological residencies. I had confidence that she was going to be exceptional in her field.

I never suspected she would be anything else to me. We’d met many times, shaken hands even, and her scent had never aroused any particular interest in my wolf, her touch had never felt out of the ordinary.

Until now.

Until she was pregnant with another man’s child, and the union had changed her scent, tweaked it in subtle ways.

It made no logical sense, but I suspected it was the baby who had changed things between us.

I had analyzed the situation so much and so often that it was giving me a headache. What I wanted, and what I needed, was just to be near Daphne. After struggling with myself, struggling with my wolf, I had finally surrendered. I would have dinner with her, and if she allowed, I would spend some time with her before she retired for the night.

My footsteps were silent on the carpet that ran down the center of the hall up to the library. I was able to stand undetected in the doorway and listen to the women standing by the unlit fireplace, so casually discussing my mental health.

I curled my hands into fists at my sides. It was one thing for me to question my sanity, it was quite another to have it debated by others behind my back. Yet I knew it had been happening all the time. I was Mad King Louis, and I would never shake that moniker. My people would always doubt me, they would always suspect I was bound for a relapse.

The fact that they might be right, I might be a walking, ticking time bomb did not make it any more acceptable. I was pleased that Daphne politely and professionally refused to engage in any gossip with the alpha’s daughter. But the exchange made me suspicious.

Pilar Larkin had clearly put herself on display for my benefit. The tight, short, low-cut dresses, the high heels, the perfumes laced with aphrodisiacs. Oh yes, I could smell them, as if the herbal tinctures could replace the natural appeal of a fated mate. Compared to Daphne’s sweet, subtle scent, Pilar’s perfumes were rancid in my nose. However, the question was, why would the woman try her best to lure me to her bed, if she thought I was, in her words, “Looney.”

She smiled at me, too brightly, and took my arm, the arm that I had been intending to offer to Daphne. I debated shaking the b.itch off, but until I knew exactly what games she and her father were playing, I needed to act the fool. “Come,” I motioned to Daphne to follow. “Dinner is ready.”

We entered the dining room, where the Alpha was already waiting. The staff had added candles to the table for ambiance, and a fire had been lit in the large fireplace. I handed the odious woman off to her father, and I didn’t miss the look that passed between them. Oh yes, they were scheming something.

Daphne ignored them all and took her seat. I could see her trying hard to remain composed, but the irritation buzzed around her like angry mosquitoes. I just couldn’t tell if she was angry at Pilar, for her overt flirtations, or annoyed at me, for seeming to indulge them.

Previously, I had allowed the Larkins to dominate the conversation, but I had already learned everything I needed to know about the Alpha and his daughter. What they hadn’t revealed themselves on the first night had been filled in by my spies and advisors over the weekend. After a few polite exchanges, I turned my attention fully to Daphne.

“Tell me Daphne, are you getting settled? How did you spend your day?”

She seemed reluctant, at first. But Daphne was, by nature, an open, exuberant person. It was one of the qualities I’d always admired about her. She was full of life, full of energy, and her eyes danced with light and happiness as she described her adventures in the château and around town. Her happiness seemed to spread to me, almost like a direct transfusion, from her body to mine.

And, the magical thing was, she also drew Pilar and the Alpha into the conversation, as easily and as naturally as breathing. “The king has a beautiful stable,” she was saying. “I’ve never ridden a horse, but I’d really like to learn. Do you ride, Pilar?”

By the time she pushed back her chair, even the Larkins seemed charmed by her. I quickly excused myself so that I could walk back to her room. “You have a gift,” I told her, as I slipped my hand against her back. I almost sighed with relief when her warmth seeped through her top, and into my hand.

She laughed, “I wouldn’t call talking too much a gift,” she said humbly.

“You don’t talk too much, and anyway, that’s not what I meant. You have a way of putting people at ease, making them feel comfortable, getting them to speak freely. It's quite amazing to watch.” I guided her around a corner. “For instance, I’m quite sure that Pilar Larkin is a very small and jealous woman, and she hates you, just for the simple reason that you are close to me. And yet, you had her talking and laughing like you were old friends.”

“Oh, I’m sure tomorrow she will remember that I am a potential rival.” She blushed a little, “By default.” I found the flush of her cheeks very appealing, it only heightened her natural beauty.

I could only imagine how her face would look, flushed with heat and passion when I made love to her.

I almost stumbled at the realization that I was thinking of making love to her.

We had arrived at her door. She pulled the key out of her pocket and slid it into the lock. As she twisted the nob, she turned and smiled up at me. I held my breath, expecting that she would dismiss me with a pleasant good night. I hoped that she would. If she sent me away, then my fantasies and desires would stay just that, things of my imagination. She would be safe, and my madness would be contained.

Her smile trembled a little, and her pupils dilated a little. “I’ve missed you, these last few days.”

Oh no.

“I know you are probably exhausted but… would you like to come in? Just for a minute? To talk.” She held the door open wide.

I hesitated for a heartbeat. And then I walked through it. There was never really any other option. I had to be near her.