The She-Wolf’s Mate (Book 2 She-Wolf Series)
Chapter 9

Ivar

My self-control held on by a thread while the petite woman on top of me brushed her lips against my neck as she slept. I had to be careful not to grab her too tightly while my hands massaged her back. It was the only way to keep them from wandering too freely.

I knew she was experiencing the same sleep that I had while our bodies were intertwined. It was the first time that I hadn’t been plagued by nightmares in the last year. It was also the first time I woke up and actually felt rested. My headache had dulled significantly and pain in my chest was all but forgotten.

However, the moment I left the bed I could feel a soreness settling over my entire being. Luckily, it had abated the moment her sweet little body had found its way back to mine.

Now, a different kind of soreness had settled into a very specific part of my anatomy, and it didn’t show any signs of subsiding. I tried to relax and follow her off to sleep, but I was much too awake and wound up. Instead, I played scenarios of how I could possibly convince her to mate me.

I vaguely remembered threatening to mate her by force the day before and made a mental note to apologize. While I fully intended to make her mine at some point, I wouldn’t do so against her will.

In my haze of exhaustion, pain, and fear, I said things I didn’t mean. It was important to me that she knew that. I supposed the appendage currently pressed between her legs probably sent a different message.

Fuck, I thought.

As the sun started to shine through the window, I prayed she wouldn’t think I had tried to take advantage of the situation. When I felt her stir, I braced myself. She jumped back immediately, but instead of looking disgusted she blushed.

“Oh my god!” She exclaimed. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be,” I said, pulling her back against me.

She didn’t resist. Instead she snuggled back to where she had been and took a deep breath.

“You smell good,” she murmured.

“You must still be sleep-deprived,” I chuckled. “I haven’t showered in days.”

“Ugh you’re right,” she muttered, but I could feel her smile against my neck.

I laughed again, trailing my fingers up and down her back.

This is what every morning could be, a small voice said in the back of my mind.

“I need to apologize to you,” I said after a moment.

She snorted.

“Oh yeah? For which part?” she asked, her tone teasing.

“I wouldn’t force you to mate me,” I told her. “I shouldn’t have suggested that I would. I was hurt and angry and I didn’t know what to do. Just know that I wouldn’t have done that.”

She stayed quiet for a breath, no doubt searching for a response.

“I appreciate your apology,” she started. “I won’t tell you it’s okay because it wasn’t. A mating ceremony would bind us together for life. Forcing someone into that… it wasn’t right of you to suggest it.”

“No it wasn’t,” I agreed and she nodded against me.

“I’ll let it go,” she said. “Let’s try moving forward?”

“Okay,” I told her.

I felt Sam sigh heavily. When she didn’t say anything, I looked down at her face to find a look of longing.

“What’s on your mind, little wolf?” I asked her.

“Why do you call me that?” She asked her own question instead of answering.

I shrugged. “Because you’re little and a wolf.”

“My wolf is actually quite large by most standards,” she clarified.

“I know,” I told her. “But not compared to me.”

She couldn’t argue. Even as large as Ayisha was, she was still a she-wolf and I was the king.

“I think you avoided my question,” I pointed out. “What’s on your mind?”

“I was just thinking,” she murmured. “Now that you’re mostly healed, you’ll probably leave for Canada again.”

I felt tension return to my body. The thought of leaving my mate made me want to fling the lamp on her bedside table through the window. I wanted her to go with me. I had hoped after the night and early morning we had spent together, she would see more clearly how much we needed each other.

“You’re not planning to join me?” I asked, trying to keep my tone more gentle than I felt.

“Please don’t start an argument first thing in the morning,” she whispered, and I felt her pull away slightly.

“I’m not. I’m asking a question,” I reasoned.

“You’re asking a question you know will end in another fight,” she said sadly.

She sat up and started to move towards the edge of the bed. I almost reached out to pull her back. I wanted to tell her I would give her anything within my power if she would just stand at my side. In the end though, I couldn’t give her what she needed, which was more time for her son.

“I’ll put some towels on the counter for you and some fresh clothes,” she said. “You should take a shower while I make breakfast.”

“Samantha,” I said, firmly, stopping her in her tracks. “I’m not going anywhere. Not for now anyway. You know as well as I, neither of us will survive this if we don’t come to some sort of agreement.”

She gave me a look that I could only describe as regret. After a moment, she nodded once before disappearing through the doorway.

I took a long, cleansing shower. Truly, I had needed it. I was surprised at how much better I felt after a solid night of sleep. It probably had something to do with the little female curled around me as much as the medication. Just the thought of her touch sent blood pulsing to my groin. I craved every inch of her.

Better make this a colder shower, I thought, frustrated.

After dressing in the sweats and T-shirt Sam had put out for me, I headed down the stairs to find her. Immediately, I was struck by how empty the house felt. I stilled and realized I couldn’t hear her anywhere.

Trying not to panic, I made my way to the kitchen. There I found milk, a carton of eggs, and fruit all laid out on the counter, but Sam was nowhere to be seen. On guard, I crept through each room trying to figure out what had happened. As I reached the front door, I picked up a familiar, but out-of-place scent.

Trinity, I thought with a growl.

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