Chapter 74 76

Chapter 74 76
KILLIAN WILDE

The flight back home from Chicago felt longer than it should have but at least arrived a few hours earlier than I had told Lara it would, much to our relief with our upcoming home game later that day.

We had won, in overtime against the Blackhawks in Chicago's game, and my body was paying for every second of those extra five minutes on the ice. You would think with werewolf powers I would not be that bothered but it's different. Handling pack duties and rogues fights is one thing, but playing hockey is another.

My legs felt stiff, my shoulder ached where I had taken a hit in the second period, and my head was pounding from the noise of the arena that still seemed to ring in my ears even hours later. I love every minute of the game and traveling for it, but for the first time ever, I was looking forward to returning home more.

All I wanted to do is to comeback home to my bed, and Lara curled up beside it. And then to curl up and snuggle with her on it. It sounds like the perfect way to spend the night really after the exhausting game and hours on flight.

By the time the car dropped me off outside the building of my penthouse, it was almost two in the morning. The city was quiet in that way it only gets late at night really, the low hum of traffic somewhere far off, the wind cutting through the empty streets, the occasional headlights sweeping past. Still, despite the silence, cars filled the busy streets of New York.

I grabbed my bag from the trunk and made my way inside, badly wanting to just drop everything by the door and collapse. I had barely caught a wink of sleep on the flight as we went over the game plan for later.

The lobby was empty except for the familiar night doorman, who gave me a tired nod and a smile as I passed. I flashed him a smile of my own in return , too exhausted to do much else, and made a beeline towards the elevator.

The penthouse was dark when I let myself in much to my greatest relief. Good. That means she is asleep, which means she had actually gone to bed early instead of trying to stay up for me, something I always told her not to bother doing after away games but she seems to love doing regardless. I guess it must have been due to the exhaustion of her day at work and she had mentioned going to the club afterwards, something I was not entirely keen on but do hope she did abide by my request to not taking any alcohol.

it is very harmful for her right now, but of course she does not know it yet.

I set my bag down quietly near the door and made my way through the living room, peeling off my jacket as I went, tossing it over the back of the couch in the process.

The place was silent, save for the the soft glow of the city lights spilling in through the opened windows, painting everything in a dim blue.

I pushed open the bedroom door slowly and stepped in carefully, so as to not stir her awake by the noise. I noticed she is a light sleeper.

and when I tell you that nothing beats the sight of her in my house, and in my bed, I mean it. This is the kind of life I have always dreamed of. Coming back from games to find my beautiful woman all sprawled up in bed fast asleep. This is the life I want and have been living in these past few weeks since Lara agreed to be with me, and so far, it has been a beautiful bliss.

She was there, curled up on her side of the bed, the blanket pulled up around her shoulders, her hair spread out messily across the pillow. Her face was relaxed in a way it rarely was when she was awake, soft, unguarded, peaceful. I know she still has her reservations about me but I would like to believe we are getting slowly past that. I stood there for a second just looking at her, feeling something in my chest loosen for the first time since the plane took off.

I then wlaked over to where she was, light on my feet then leaned down, and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. She did not stir, just let out a small breath and shifted slightly under the blanket, mumbling something unintelligible in her sleep.

"Goodnight, love." I whispered, even though she could not hear me and smoothed down her hair with my hand, an action that had her subconsciously leaning into my touch, and I smiled in return.

The mate bond shows even without her being a wolf and realizing it. It is there, stronger than I had ever expected and I am sure she feels it to.

I sighed at the thought of how I needed to tell her about it soon. The time I thought I had seems too little now, and I know I needed to act soon. The question is...how do I bring myself about breaking the news to her?

I straightened up and headed for the bathroom. I needed a shower badly, to wash off the sweat and the jet lag from my body. I stripped out of my clothes, tossing them into the hamper, and stepped under the water, letting it run hot over my shoulders, easing some of the tightness out of my muscles. I stood there longer than I meant to, my mind slowly reeling with the thoughts of how to keep my mate by my side and let her know the truth of my identity without pushing her away.

That is all I could think about all this time we were together. Each time we lay together in bed, each time I watch her work in the living room while I cook for us, and each time we spend our evenings together marathoning the shows she likes.

all the precious moments I do not want to lose because she is becoming a bigger and more important part of my life than I realize truly.

By the time I got out, dried off, and pulled on a pair of sweats, my eyes were already heavy with the need to sleep. I padded back into the bedroom, careful not to make too much noise, and pulled the blanket back to slide in beside Lara.

But before I could, my phone buzzed on the nightstand.

I almost ignored it. Almost. But it was late, and late messages were rarely nothing good, so I grabbed it before sliding under the covers.

It took me a second to focus on the screen. A few different messages had come through while I was in the shower, from the team and others regarding pack updates. The one that came in just the gained my attention, a message from Nick.

Nick: Report just reached me. Apparently Savanna was seen at the club with Luna. Not sure what the spoke about though but they were seen together outside as well. Just thought you should know.

I set the phone aside and glanced at Lara, my brows drawing in.

Savanna approached her?

What the hell would she want with Lara? Knowing her, nothing good would come out of approaching her.

I sat there for a long moment, my jaw tightening, my mind running through a dozen different scenarios, none of them good. Savanna did not do anything without a reason. She never had. Whatever she said to Lara tonight, it was not a coincidence and it was not innocent.

I glanced over at Lara once again, still fast asleep, completely unaware, her breathing slow and even. Whatever had happened, she did not message me, had not said a word.

My phone buzzed again.

A new message. I had expected it to be Nick again but when I saw the number, I recognized it immediately.

I had deleted it but I can recognize her number anywhere. Savanna.

I want to see you. I missed you, baby. I am on my way to your place now.