Chapter 118 BONUS CHAP. 25- DON'T GO
\-BLAYNE'S POV-
"What are you doing?" The early morning sun was already up when I came home from patrolling the borders to find Cleo packing her suitcases in the closet. All three were open as she went back and forth with clothes from the hanger and drawers.
She was freshly showered in a blue and white striped camisole top and blue jeans shorts. Smelling heavenly, her hair was in a messy bun on top. I could gawk at her forever in amazement. It's fucking insane how everything she does makes me want to compliment her.
"I am moving out." She moved around in the closet gathering her clothes from the hangers.
"Why?" Stunned, I grasped her arms to hold her still. My heart was breaking and my wolf howled inside of me. The mate bond snagged at me with a burning gash.
She rolled up the yellow yoga pants in her hands and dropped it into the suitcase. "It's not fair for me to continue the living
arrangements when my people are lacking on many levels. It's causing a rift between us. I should be out there at the camping site with them." She tugged her arm but I held it firmly. Brokering no arguments, our intense gaze locked. "Being here with you feels like I'm not doing anything at all. My days are just wasted while my people are clueless about everything."
"You visit them every day. Isn't that enough?" I thought her excuse was absurd. Dread washed all over me as I came to grips that she was being serious. A low rumble of panic broke from my chest. I can't lose this woman. We belonged together, forever.
"No. It's not." She snorted and yanked her arm out of my clutch.
It's beyond my comprehension why she was this upset. I thought we had gotten close, and felt strong emotions for each other. Our bond had grown. If she left, we'd both be torn and miserable. Both my wolf and hers groaned in agony as they realized it.
"We take care of their basic needs and my warriors deliver supplies daily." I reminded her of how we've supported them. I tensed and rubbed my forehead. She's the most complicated woman I have ever known. One minute we are good and the next, we are at odds. Why?
"That is no way for anyone to live, Blayne!" She yelled at me with sadness in her eyes. "Do you know how wet and cold it gets when it rains? Now, with the children who are on their way here, I want to be within reach. I feel like I'm living in paradise while they are stuck in the trenches."
"Fuck, Cleo!" A jolt of frustration ran through me. Fisting and unfisting, jaw ticking and I grind my teeth. I was fuming and bouncing from thought to thought. "You are overreacting."
"Overreacting?!" She flashed her teeth at me in a blazing rage. "You
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"Fine." I butt in and resigned with a frown. There was no winning this argument. I reached over to the top of the closet to take down my blue traveling bag, putting it down on the floor and opening it.
Cleo shook her head at me and bent down to arrange her clothes in the suitcase, before lifting her head to observe my actions. "What are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing?" I curtly shot a question at her, turning my back and taking a few shirts out of the drawers. I will not argue with her today. It was a simple solution. I'll follow her to hell if I have to.
"Blayne, stop." She stood up akimbo, pressing her lips together, and feebly sighed.
I paused and cocked my head at her. "Since you won't stay here, I'll go with you. We'll live there until everything is settled with Vance."
"Now you are the one being absolutely ridiculous. I never asked you to leave your home." She tensed up, her face contorted into a frustrated expression.
"And other than in cases where it was necessary for your safety, I never advised you to ignore or stay away from your people." My breathing had changed to a rapid rise and fall of my chest.
I took a few steps until we were only a few inches apart. Currently, it was crucial to feel the warmth of the bond. I needed her in my arms. If I had to keep away from her for one more minute, I would have started punching holes in the walls.
A stubborn silence developed and we stared at each other, reading the language that our heated eyes communicated. She knew that I would not change my mind. Then I wrapped my arms around her for that spark-inducing hug.
"You're tired. You should rest." She mumbled into my chest, encircling her arms around me. My nose was buried in the crown of her head, relishing her scent.
"How can I rest when you are leaving me?" I whispered into her hair, smelling her which put me at ease. I loved this. Loved being around her, coming home to her, and holding her this close.
"I'm not leaving you," she said exasperatedly, "I'll be at the border and it's not like we won't see each other."
I grunted and moved so that I could see her face. "Cleo...."
She cuts me short, "My people are hardworking hunters. We haven't been able to have anything close to a normal lifestyle since we got here. The men need to be active. Their unhappy and agitated temperament transfers to the female. And you are aware of the importance of a leader to a pack."
"I get it." I threw my hands up in surrender and offered an alternate option. "Let's go on a date tonight...." She opened her mouth in objection and I quickly adjoined, "We will come up with a few
solutions that we can implement during the dinner." I caged her inside my arms again and landed a peck on her temple. "I know that I've been busy and I'd like to spend time with you."
Moving the flying blond strands aside, I dipped my head to kiss her shoulder and neck. She smiled unconsciously, which gave me a grain
of hope.
I leaned my forehead on hers and pressed, "Could you stay? Please don't go."