Chapter 88

Chapter 88
Waking up for the past weeks had always been a chore because I would always feel the bond tugging on us, and Lia, as usual, was threatening to make sure of her words and flee. Today was no different, except for once, the tug was in the right direction, literally.

I turned to my right, and there lay the most beautiful man I had ever seen, his eyes still shut tight with sleep, and the smile came so easy.

We had spent most of the night and early hours of the morning in activities that were both backbreaking and sweat-inducing, and it was safe to say that we were both tired, so I allowed him to sleep.

Seeing him in such a state gave me time to study him and just focus on those things that made him unique. I don’t know if it was just me, but Toby had grown even bigger than when I last saw him, and it wasn’t just his size. The new air around him was so soothing and relaxing that I wanted to drown in it.

‘He has finally decided to stop running from love and embrace it.’ Lia chipped in, a little too happy nowadays, but I can’t fault her. She deserves it after all she has gone through; we both deserve it.

“I thought this would be considered an assault,” Toby rasped in a sleepy voice that did unholy things to my insides, but I was too spent to do anything about it. Instead I chuckled, leaning down until we were practically face to face. “If that would be considered an assault, what about this?” I pressed my lips against his cheeks, kissing him deeply.

“One I would like to report to the police.” He mumbled into my shoulder, his new growth of beard tickling my skin. His arms wrapped around me, and he pulled me closer to his side even as his eyes opened.

“Good morning, love.” The pupil dilated as he looked at me as I was reminded of the article I had read that the human eyes dilate when in love, and the thoughts had me all warm inside.

“Good morning, love.”

“How was your night?” He asked, his voice laced with a playful tease.

“Can we really call it much of a night?” I was gloriously and utterly satisfied and exhausted. It wasn't until it was past midnight that we finally decided to let our weary bodies rest, and right now I would like a much-needed sleep.

“It was a good night, one I cannot forget in a hurry.” Toby whispered in my ears, and my lips widened because I don’t think I would be able to erase that from my memory.

“We need to get some shut-eye before work starts. I wish I would be able to take a break today.” I complained, releasing a deep sigh. Today was a special day, and I should be allowed to have time off to settle properly with my mate.

“You are the Alpha; whatever you say goes.”

I shook my head, wishing it worked like that. “Yeah, tell that to the twin.” But we both froze as we heard identical footsteps, fast making their way towards us. “Please not here, not here.” I prayed, but it was already too late; the knock came just seconds after my prayer.

“Alpha.”

“Shit!” I swore, clenching my fist hard. If the twins were calling me by my title, then it was more serious than I thought.

“Duty calls.” Toby sang as he sat up on the bed, already covering himself with the sheet while he tried to find a comfortable sleeping position.

“Yea, yea.” I rolled my eyes, but I dragged myself up, wrapping the sheets around me and going towards the door. I pulled the door apart a little in such a way that only my face could be seen.

“Why have you both decided to disturb me at such a time?” I grumbled, eyeing the twin in front of me.

“You need to see this.” Dylan said with a sense of urgency, and every complaint I wanted to make dried up in an instant. I heard the ruffling of the sheets as Toby came down. “Sorry to disturb you guys, but this is urgent.” Dylan called out to Toby.

“Alright, just give me some minutes, and I will be with you.” I shut the door and went back to Toby, who had already begun arranging the bed.

I went towards the cupboard, bringing out another sheet, and I helped him with the bed. We tidied the bedroom as much as we could until there was no evidence of our night together, and then we headed towards the bathroom for a shower.

Toby's self-control was either very high or he was too exhausted because he only helped me wash my back, and then I left him to soak in the bath while I went out.

I got dressed as fast as I could, called out ‘I love you’ to Toby, who was still lounging in the bath, and I was off to work.



Toby took his time soaking in the bath of his new home now. Although everywhere smelled like him and Maddie, as they had made sure to rechristen every surface in the room, he couldn’t shake the air of strangeness that he got.

He had made the right choice; he knew that this was the best choice when he could barely sleep anymore without thinking of his mate. It didn’t help that his wolf was a stubborn dimwit and was ready to leave with or without him.

He had more to gain being with Maddie than without, but it didn’t help the lodge in his throat.

Toby came out of the bathroom, staring at the space like a stranger would. His bags were still lying by the side untouched—the one he had packed for a month now.

He released a deep breath. “I guess this is my life now.” But why did he feel like a guest even in his supposed new home?

Toby walked towards his bags, his hands lingering as he tried to take out the things he could need. There was no going back after this. He took a deep breath, taking out the items he would use and putting the rest in the wardrobe. There was an empty half that Maddie had cleared out beforehand, and he took his time, arranging his things.

By the time he was through, his scent had blended well with the room, and it was no longer so obvious.

Toby lay down back on the bed, updating his former alpha on his journey. He had to make good use of the link he had with them because soon, it would be a thing of the past. 

With nothing left to do, Toby had taken a spot beside the window, looking at the beautiful scenery. But he had never been one to stay in one place for so long without doing anything, and soon even the scenery became boring.

It was horrible being idle, a far cry from his nature, so he jerked himself up. Although he wasn’t a new face, he figured it was better to get familiar with his mate’s pack, well, now his, and see what area he could help with.

Toby started from outside, strolling across the pack house, down to where the living areas were located. His walk gathered some onlookers, and the ones that were brave enough came up to him to talk.

A toddler had strayed too far and ran to touch the hem of his shirt, his curious brown eyes drawing Toby in, and he had picked him up and brought him back to his mother. Unlike the rogue pack, where you had to work for what you want, this pack was more laid back, and Toby could see the little farmland behind their houses where they cultivate their own food.

I guess this is what it means to live in a pack. There was an air of freedom and peace that reigned over them, and Toby could imagine how much love their children would have growing up here.

But his thoughts were disrupted when he heard some whispers. He snapped his head back; the people involved were at least 150 feet away from him, even for their extraordinary ears.

But Toby wasn’t just the head warrior in words; he had trained himself and could hear from a wide distance.

“Isn’t that the alpha’s boy toy?” A male nasal voice asked, and Toby froze. 

“Boy toy?” A mocking laughter followed through by yet another male, and this time his fingers curled in a fist. “I heard he had to beg and plead with the alpha to take him.”

“What a loser.” The first voice replied, and Toby tried to tune them out.

His jaw tightened, his fingernails almost digging into his palm, but he forced his body to relax. It was rare that words would get to him, especially ones that were untrue, and even though he had endured worse, the words still clung to him like a second skin.

However, he took a deep breath, exhaling it slowly and doing it again until he was completely relaxed, and he continued his way. 

Some battles aren't worth fighting—yet.