Mated To The Cold Hearted Alpha
Chapter 92

Leander

I sat back on my knees. A few wolves remained around us, but most had already left, sufficiently sated enough to stop f*****g for the time it took to make it home where they would likely continue through the night.

Hycinth still hadn’t said a word after my pleas to stay and declaration of love. Instead, she lay perfectly still, eyes closed, her breathing uneven. A single tear rolled down her cheek.

I guess I had my answer…

My throat locked tight, unable to even swallow past the boulder lodged inside it.

After everything we had been through.

The last three days…

And she still wasn’t convinced.

The last spark of hope inside my chest died.

I lifted off of her and stood to my feet. Hycinth’s eyes snapped open at my movement. I held out my hand. She took it, letting me help her up.

“Let’s take a shower,” I grunted, working to keep my voice steady.

“Okay,” she whispered as she let me guide her back to the cottage.

I was almost surprised by her willingness to remain naked with me, given her intention to walk away. But by now, the point seemed moot. We’d spent three days completely bare together. What were thirty more minutes?

Our shower was a silent endeavor. My thoughts raced and my stomach churned. When we finished, I turned off the water and asked flatly, “What is your plan now?”

She didn’t turn to look at me as she stepped out and grabbed the nearest towel but answered softly, “Luca and I…will leave in the morning.”

The morning?

Behind her, I pulled the other towel from the back and briskly rubbed down my body. “You…don’t have to leave right away…if you don’t want to.” I was grasping for straws, anything to keep her longer.

“It’s better…” her voice hitched before she continued, “this way.” She wrapped the towel around her head, containing her wet hair, and pulled a waiting singlet from nearby over her head.

“Better for whom?” I demanded bitterly, unable to control my emotions.

Hycinth flinched as she reached for the matching sleep shorts. She stepped into them and pulled them up her lean legs. Finally dressed, she took a deep breath and turned to face me. The edges of her face were lined with sorrow. Her bottom l*p quivered. “I’m sorry…this is how it has to be.”

It didn’t have to be this way…I wanted to scream. But instead, I just clenched my fists and put on a pair of shorts.

Once we were dressed, I avoided looking at anything in the cottage as we passed through and out the front door because everything reminded me of her. The walk back to the packhouse was equally quiet, both lost in our own thoughts.

Hycinth might have been leaving in the morning, but she readily followed me up the stairs into the room we’d shared and climbed into the bed. Turning her head away from me towards the wall, she whispered, “Good night.”

She clearly wasn’t waiting for my response and I didn’t say anything.

Instead, I just turned off the light and stood there with no idea what to do next. Sheer exhaustion pulled at me, but there was no way I was going to be able to sleep, so I made my way to the nearest chair and sank down.

Three hours went by and I was still in the same spot, just watching Hycinth sleep. Fatigue had overtaken her quickly and she’d dozed off within minutes of lying down. I didn’t wish for sleep. Not now. It was our last night together and I didn’t want to miss even one moment.

Abruptly, I was startled from my reverie by a soft knock on the door. I blinked. It was still pitch black outside which meant it was the middle of the night. Who could possibly be knocking now?

Pushing myself to my feet, I bit back a g***n. Every muscle in my body ached from the last three days vigorous exercise. But I’d known ahead of time it was going to be a challenge. It wasn’t easy keeping a shewolf in heat satisfied.

Dragging my unwilling feet to the door, I opened it and was shocked to replace Ever!

“What are you doing here?!”I whispered, alarm edging my question.

Tonight was his only opportunity to conceive as a result of the Claiming Ceremony. Something terrible had to have happened for him not to be buried inside Gwen all night long.

He didn’t answer, nor did he ask before stepping inside, making his way past me. I watched in stunned silence as his keen senses took in the details around him- Hycinth asleep in the bed, my side undisturbed as he walked to the far side of the room.

Quietly shutting the door, I went to stand next to him. “Tell me what happened!” I demanded firmly but kept my voice low so we wouldn’t wake Hycinth.

With more sadness than I ever seen in his eyes, he replied quietly, “It’s you.”

What??

What the hell was he talking about?

A beat went by and he continued, “I can feel it, Leander. Through the pack-link. I can feel your pain.”

I stared at him in stunned silence, my mouth open but no words coming out.

How was that even possible?

Ever didn’t wait for my explanation. He already knew the truth. “She’s leaving, isn’t she?”

My throat wasn’t working. All I could do was nod.

“F**k, “he swore under his breath. He paced five steps away and then returned. “Did you tell her the truth?” he demanded, his tone almost accusatory. I didn’t appreciate it.

I shook my head. We’d been over this again and again. I hissed, “Ever, it’s not going to f*****g make a difference! I told her I loved her for f**k’s sake. I handed her my heart on a silver platter and do you know what she said?”

His jaw locked together and he asked through gritted teeth, “What did she say?”

“Nothing!” I spat. “Not a damn thing. She had no response whatsoever…other than to f**k me harder to shut me up.”

“F**k…I’m sorry.” His shoulders slumped. He stared at me a long moment and then swallowed thickly. “I know you think it won’t help, but please, I’m begging you…tell her the truth before she leaves. Even if you aren’t willing to do it for you, do this one thing for me. If our friendship has ever mattered to you at all, I am begging you, do this one thing for me,” he pleaded, his eyes glistening.

I stared at him in disbelief. “Do you even understand what you’re asking me to do?”

“Yes, I do,” he replied softly. “I know it’s going to f*****g hurt…and I’m sorry.”

He was sorry, but it was clear, it didn’t change his mind.

F**k!

“Okay,” I sighed heavily in resignation. He still had hope for a good outcome but hope was a dangerous thing, and I wasn’t sure I wanted any. I was hanging on by a thread as it was.