Chapter 35 The Pain
{Warren’s POV}
“You left work early today. What happened?" Mathias asked as I walked into the living room and sank onto the couch. I leaned back against the armrest, trying to push my mind away from the worrying thoughts that had followed me all day.
“Nothing happened. I just couldn’t stay there today, Jane’s handling things.” I answered, not interested in discussing anything related to work at that moment. “By the way, why are you still here? I thought you would’ve gone back to your pack by now.”
Mathias clicked his tongue and folded the newspaper he had been reading, placing it on the table. “Well, brother, I know you want me gone, but the reason I came here in the first place was to attend your mating ceremony with your mate.”
The word settled heavy in my chest.
I shifted on the couch, my jaw tightening. “You talk about it like it’s some grand event,” I muttered, staring at the far wall. “It’s just… something that has to be done.”
Mathias raised a brow. “That’s not how you’re supposed to sound when talking about binding yourself to your mate for life.”
I let out a dry breath. “Then maybe I’m not supposed to be doing it right now.”
Silence stretched between us. I could feel my wolf stir, uneasy, pacing beneath my skin. The thought of the ceremony, the pack gathered, the vows, the bond sealing tighter, did nothing for me. Instead, it made my chest feel tight.
Mathias leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You don’t look excited. You don’t even look ready.”
“I said I’m not in the mood for this talk,” I snapped, rubbing my temple.
He chuckled softly. “If you don’t want the mating ceremony, then don’t do it. Simple.”
I shot him a glare. “Watch your mouth, Mathias. I'm not just in the mood to talk about it doesn't mean I don't want it to happen, mother is already excited about this event than I do.”
“This isn't about what mother wants,” he continued, clearly enjoying this, “if your heart is already with your personal assistant, then I’d understand why you’re dragging your feet.”
“Enough,” I warned.
He opened his mouth again, but before he could speak, a sharp pain tore through my chest.
I sucked in a breath, my fingers digging into the couch as the ache spread, deep and burning. My vision blurred, and suddenly the room felt too small.
“Warren?” Mathias was on his feet instantly. “What happened?”
I shook my head, struggling to breathe evenly. “I… I don’t know.” I pressed my palm to my chest. “Something feels wrong. I’ve been restless for days. Angry for no reason. Empty the next.”
Mathias studied me closely, his teasing gone. “Your bond,” he said quietly. “It’s getting weaker.”
The words hit harder than the pain.
“When was the last time you slept with your mate?” he asked.
I looked away. “I haven’t.”
His eyes widened slightly. “Warren—”
“I said I’m not in the mood,” I cut in, forcing myself to sit upright.
Mathias lifted his hands. “Alright, alright. I won’t push.” A pause. Then a smirk. “But I won’t ignore it either. If you end up with Layla, you might regret pretending everything is fine.”
I turned to him slowly. “Diana is pregnant,” I said.
The room went still.
Mathias blinked. “Pregnant?”
I nodded, my throat tight. “And she’s obviously pregnant for her mate.”
Understanding crossed his face, the shock settling into something heavier. “Now I get it,” he said softly.
He was about to say more when the door opened.
Layla walked in, her scent filling the room before she even spoke. She moved toward me and sat beside me on the couch, close enough that our shoulders touched.
My wolf stirred instantly.
The pain in my chest faded, replaced by warmth, strong, steady, grounding. I hadn’t realized how tense I’d been until my body leaned into her without thought.
Mathias watched us, his lips pressing into a knowing smile. He stood up. “I’ll check on the pack fighters,” he said. “Warren we are going to talk about this later."
He left, closing the door behind him.
Layla turned to me, her eyes soft. “You look tired.”
Before I could answer, she leaned in and kissed me. Slow. Gentle. When we pulled apart, my hands moved on their own, cupping her chin as I kissed her back, deeper this time, my wolf rising close to the surface.
“We haven’t been intimate in a while,” she whispered, her voice low. “We should change that.” A smile curved her lips. “I want us to start having pups of our own.”
The image flashed in my mind—small wolves running through the pack grounds, laughing, shifting, playing. A warmth spread through my chest.
“I’d love that,” I said honestly. “Our pups. Running around the pack. Causing trouble, looking beautiful like their mother and strong like their father.”
Layla chuckled, her eyes shining. “I love you so much, Warren.”
She placed her hand on my chest, the warmth of her palm calming what was left of the ache. She rested her head against me, and I wrapped an arm around her, holding her close.
“I've been thinking, my love,” she said, her hand still rubbing against my chest. “How about I take the position of your personal assistant in the company? Jane told me about the issue, and while you had to leave the affairs of the pack to look after the company, I can help you there while you focus on the pack.”
Her words settled in slowly.
I stiffened without meaning to.
Layla lifted her head, watching my face. “What is it?”
“I already have a personal assistant,” I said carefully. “Diana is doing her job well.”
Her fingers paused on my chest, then resumed, slower this time. “But she’s pregnant, my love.”
The word landed like a stone.
“She can still work,” I replied. “Pregnancy doesn’t make her useless.”
Layla sat up straighter. “For now,” she said softly. “But what happens when her mate decides she shouldn’t be stressed? Or when she can’t keep up anymore?”
I frowned. Something about this didn’t sit right. My wolf shifted, uneasy. “I don’t want to rush into anything like that.”
Layla leaned closer, her voice gentle but firm. “You’re thinking with your heart, not your head. A pregnant woman won’t be able to do the job properly. You need someone reliable. Someone who understands both the company and the pack.”
Her eyes held mine. Steady and certain.
“I can’t just sack her,” I said, though the words felt weaker than they should have. “She’s loyal. She’s done nothing wrong.”
Layla’s hand slid up to my shoulder. “My love,” she murmured, “her mate might not even allow her to keep coming to work. Do you want the company to suffer because of that?”
The room felt warmer. My thoughts felt slow, tangled. I knew something was off, I felt it, but the more she spoke, the harder it became to hold onto that feeling.
“I just want to help you,” she continued. “I’m your mate. This is what mates do.”
My wolf stirred again, pressing closer to the surface, urging trust. Urging closeness. “I don’t feel good about this,” I admitted quietly.
Layla leaned in and kissed me.
The rest of my thoughts scattered. “I’ll do it,” I heard myself say when the kiss ended. “I’ll put you in charge.”
Her face lit up instantly. “You won’t regret this,” she said, wrapping her arms around me.
I held her, even as something deep inside me twisted, restless and unsure, buried beneath the warmth of her touch and the bond pulling me closer than reason would allow.