Chapter 73

Chapter 73
I stirred awake, my eyes blinking open, and I was greeted with an intoxicating scent that filled the room—a heady mix of our essences that always ignited something within me, and I rubbed my thighs together, trying to prevent my arousal from spreading. 

I was far too spent to act on the pull it created.

Instead, I tightened my hold around him, an instant smile forming on my lips as he reciprocated the gesture, squeezing me into himself, and I was almost levitating from the happiness I got.

“Why are you ogling me?” He rasped in the deepest, sleepiest voice that I have heard, and I literally swooned. Gosh! This man was impossibly sexy, and it was difficult trying to get myself in order whenever I was with him.

“It is not a crime, love; we are mates.” The wind carried the words to my ears, and I grinned, loving the label. Mates.

“Of course, darling. You are my mate, and I love you.”

“Toby!” I sighed in bliss, and I raised my head to connect our lips together, but I remembered that we just woke up and had morning breath and all. I don’t want to be like those disgusting couples that lack hygiene.

“Of course, darling. You are my mate, and I love you.”

“Toby!” I sighed, bliss warming me from the inside. I tilted my head toward him, seeking his lips, but then it hit me. Morning breath.

I froze mid-motion, pulling back slightly.

Nope, I was not about to be one of those couples—the ones who get all lovey-dovey while skipping basic hygiene. Romance could wait for toothpaste.

Instead, I settled for a chaste peck on the side of his cheeks and withdrew immediately before any breath could leak out. I don’t care if he thinks it is okay, but there is no way I would be doing that.

“I love you.” I whispered with an assurance that shocked me. I was still getting used to saying it out loud, but the more I uttered it, the more it was getting imprinted in my heart that I actually loved him. I think I may have even loved him all this while, but I had guarded my heart against him.

“Do you have anything to do today?” He asked, speaking into my shoulders. “If you are free, you could come to my office and maybe come help with a thing or two.”

“Are you trying to shift your responsibilities to me? Mr. Head Warrior? I teased him, but I already knew I would be going with him.

“Of course not, why would I do that?” He mused, his voice soft but firm. “I am only trying to keep you by my side because the thought of you being so far away is unbearable.” He pulled me closer, squeezing me against himself, and I allowed it, feeling my cheeks flush from my roots to my tips.

It feels so good to be wanted.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think that would be possible. I have a meeting with Kane, and I can’t postpone it any longer.”

“Alright.” I could hear a grumble in his tone, and my smile only widened.

We lay in bed for some minutes until the stream of sunlight had begun to come closer to our faces, and Toby decided we had to take a shower.

We took one together, a rather chaste one, much to Lia’s disapproval, because she continued to fill my head with different images of what we should be doing, and it was hard not to get turned on.

But we managed to only wash ourselves before we came out of the shower, and like a pervert—a lady in love with her mate—I watched Toby dress up, and I waited for him to come over and give me a kiss.

“Don’t be too harsh on Kane, alright. I don’t think I have the strength to separate any fight,” he told me, his lips still so close to my lips.

“Hmm.” I nodded my head, but the scenario was playing in my head when a crazy thought came to me. “If Kane and I were drowning, who would you save first?” I asked, unable to stop the ridiculous thought from slipping out. 

Toby froze mid-motion, staring at me like I had just asked him to choose between breathing and eating. Finally, he shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. “You have the most absurd ideas sometimes,” he said, flicking my forehead gently. “I know it would never happen because you are both excellent swimmers, and even if it does, I will be sitting my ass down and waiting for the first person to come out. You are both Alphas; figure it out!”

“Toby!” I pouted, not exactly happy that he was being reasonable with his answer.

“Don’t be a grumpy lady, love.” He leaned in again and connected our lips together. “But just so you know, I will always save you first.”

Ladies and gentlemen, I just fell even deeper for my mate.

I watched him go—only after a goodbye kiss, and he gently closed the door. I hoisted myself up, tidying the room and looking around in satisfaction as it was a lot cleaner than before, then I padded to his wardrobe to pick something I could wear to my room.

I have been too lazy to transfer my things here, so I have had to opt between our rooms to go and change. I went back to my room and got dressed in appropriate clothes before I marched down to Kane’s office.

We still had some things to go over before I could call my visit a successful one, and I could pack my bags and go because, frankly, I have overstayed my visit.

I held out my hands, hitting the door with two firm knocks, and I waited for more seconds than I would have. See, I was capable of being civilized.

“Maddie, it is so wonderful for you to grace us with your presence this fine morning. Please sit down.” My forehead furrowed in a frown as I heard him, wondering if he was being sarcastic or genuine because I couldn’t tell with the poker face he had on.

Had fatherhood affected him somehow?

“Okayyy.” I drawled out, looking at him with squinted eyes, but I sat on the chair and straightened up. “This is the plan I have, and I need your input on it.”

I pushed back the contract I had towards him, allowing him to look at it.

“Hmmm,” Kane eyed the paper in front of him, his eyes moving quickly as he scanned it. “This seems like a solid plan, and I want in on it.”



That night, Toby and I were cuddled up on the bed. He had already drifted off, tired from the day’s job, and soft noises were escaping from his lips. My phone began to ring, and I quickly reached for it before the noise would wake him up.

I could already tell what the speaker was going to say, yet I dreaded hearing it, especially the action that would have to follow.

“Yes, Dylan.” I moved away from Toby, the phone in my ears as I listened to all he had to say, glancing every now and then at Toby so I wouldn’t wake him up. “Yeah, I know... Tomorrow... Alright... Take care of the pack. Bye.”

I stood frozen for a moment, trying to absorb what I had just heard. There was no turning back this time—I couldn’t postpone it again. It was now or never.

Taking a deep breath, I marched—or rather, tiptoed—careful not to disturb Toby. My hand was just about to twist the doorknob when his baritone voice cut through the silence.

“Where are you going?”

Shit!