Chapter 0040
But then, just as things intensified, a distant sound pulled me away
“Mommy?”
My eyes snapped open at the sound of someone knocking on the door. Morning light filtered through the curtains, and I realized that I was tangled in the sheets, the book still clutched in my hands. My heart pounded as the vivid remnants of the dream lingered.
“Mommy!” Thea’s voice called from the other side of the door. “I’m hungry!”
Panic surged through me. “J–Just a minute!” I scrambled to hide the book under the mattress again, smoothing out the covers hastily.
Taking a deep breath, I opened the door to find Thea standing there with an expectant grin on her face. “Good morning.” I greeted, forcing a smile.
“Good morning!” she chirped. “Can we please have pancakes again?”
“Sure, sweetheart. Let’s go to the kitchen.”
As we made our way downstairs, I tried to shake off the lingering feelings from the dream. That was all it was: a dream induced by
late–night erotic
But every movement reminded me of the way Elijah’s hands had felt on my skin, every warm ray of sunlight streaming in through the windows reminiscent of the heat of his breath against my lips.
It felt so… real. Like it wasn’t just a dream, but a memory.
I was so lost in thought that I didn’t notice him coming around the corner until it was too late. We collided lightly, and I stumbled
back
“Whoa,” he said, steadying me with a hand on my arm. “You alright?”
I looked up into his eyes, the memory of the dream flooding back. My face heated instantly as the sight of his morning–tousled hair reminded me all too well of the sight of him leaning over me in my dream. “L… I’m fine,” I stammered, avoiding his gaze.
He raised an eyebrow, a hint of concern in his expression. “Are you sure? You seem a bit flushed.”
“N–Nothing’s wrong,” I insisted, stepping away from his touch.
Thea tugged at my hand. “Mommy’s making pancakes!”
Elijah glanced between us, then nodded slowly. “Pancakes? Again?”
Thea nodded. “Mhm! They’re my favorite!”
Chapter 1040
+15 BONUS
I could feel his eyes on me as Thea tugged me past him, my pulse racing. It was really difficult to keep my breathing steady, and I hoped he couldn’t tell that something was off. But when I glanced over my shoulder at him, he was still staring at me, a somewhat amused expression on his face. He looked like he was about to say something.
Oh… oh, no, I thought.
But he simply called out, “Eat quickly, Agnes. We’re heading to the pack building today.”
