Chapter 71 Chapter 71

Chapter 71 Chapter 71

71

~NYRA~

I made a resigned expression, my mouth pulled into a pout as I drew closer to the edge of the bed. I squeezed tightly, expecting something soft — Mikael's skin, apparently. I touched something soft, but it wasn't skin. I opened one eye to see what I was cuddling, and as soon as I saw the pillow I let out an exasperated sigh and opened the other eye.

I sat upright, hands raking through my unkempt hair before scratching the side of my nose. Mikael had slept over again — the rumpled sheets could attest to that — and yet again he had left early.

I blinked, glancing around the dimly lit room that still held his scent. My lips curved up in a small smile as my hands trailed over the book he had left at the edge of the bed. My stupid heart wouldn't stop beating hard at the thought of him.

I raised my brows. I must be losing my mind, thinking about how far our relationship had come. Well, it wasn't as strained as before, but he hadn't said he loved me… had he?

Tilting my head to the side, I smacked my lips. Getting out of bed, I moved towards the curtain and pulled it open. The sunlight struck its way into the room; I had to squint because of how bright it was.

As I was about to step into the bathroom, my steps faltered.

Something doesn't feel quite right. Before I could think on it further, the door flung open and my daughter rushed in.

Olive jumped onto me; I laughed, placing a kiss on her head. "Sweetheart, what's the occasion?" I said between laughter.

"I missed you. I want to play with you," she responded. I angled myself to see her face and, with my free hand, pressed her cheeks lightly.

"Let me get ready and we will go out to play." It was amazing how much I had to do today, but since it was my daughter and she needed me, I could push everything back just for her.

She smiled back at me, got down, and sat on the bed, eagerly waiting for me to be done.

Taking a daisy flower, I tucked it behind her ear. We both looked worn out from playing in the woods, but I had made sure she had the best time and wanted her to feel that I would always be there when she needed me. Leaving her hadn't been planned — I knew she might have thought I had abandoned her, and I really didn't want to dwell on that.

'Emilia, I think life is finally making sense to me. I feel…' I trailed off. My heart skipped a beat as it dawned on me that I couldn't feel my wolf.

My gaze flickered from side to side; my fingers twitched.

'Emilia?' I called through the bond. Scrambling to my feet, I bit my lower lip. Tears stung my eyes as I silently prayed it wasn't happening again.

Olive tugged my sleeve, her tone laced with worry. "Mom, mom, what's wrong?" Her voice brought me back to the present. I couldn't possibly tell her that I might have lost my wolf for the second time.

"I am fine," the lie came out smoothly. I motioned for my handmaiden to take her back to her room while I fled to find the one person I knew could help me.