Chapter 0015
Elijah
I submerged myself in the warm water, letting it envelop me like a comforting embrace. The heat seeped into my muscles,
washing away the tension that had accumulated in my shoulders. Yet, my mind was far from at ease.
The weight of responsibility hung heavily on me, particularly concerning Olivia’s postpartum depression. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had a role in her struggles, but I had no intention of reconciling with her. She had hurt our daughter, and there was
no excusing that.
Despite my wolf’s persistent yearning for her, howling in my mind like a banshee, I refused to let those primal instincts dictate my choices. I knew that my wolf had lost its sense of reason entirely, turning my heart into a battleground between loyalty and
desire.
What baffled me even more was that fleeting moment earlier when Agnes’s blood had triggered something deep within me.
just an instant, I found myself thinking she could be my mate.
The idea sent chills down my spine..
For
Her scent–strangely reminiscent of Olivia’s–had captured my attention and left me questioning everything. It didn’t make any
sense.
In every interaction I’d had with Agnes, I hadn’t sensed a wolf within her. She seemed entirely wolfless, and yet her blood hinted
otherwise–it suggested there was a wolf sealed away by some unknown force. This mystery unsettled me, leaving me torn
between suspicion and curiosity.
Could I trust Agnes?
No. I had to doubt her until the very last second; I couldn’t risk Thea being hurt again
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone entering the bath. Who would dare intrude on my private space? I rose from the water, my heart racing, only to be met with the sight of Agnes through the steam..
Her presence was unexpected and intoxicating. She looked alluring, her cheeks flushed and her eyes wide with surprise.
She looked like a vision, her silhouette framed by the soft light spilling through the frosted glass. The way the light caught her
long, dark hair made it seem almost ethereal; the strands cascaded over her shoulders and down her back, glistening with moisture. Each movement sent ripples through her hair, framing her face beautifully.
ent it felt
Her striking gaze held my attention captive, those deep eyes swirling with emotions that seemed to dance just beneath the surface. They were dark and expressive, drawing me in with a depth that felt both inviting and mysterious. In that moment, as if she could see right through me, unraveling my thoughts and fears with a single glance.
Her lips, full and inviting, parted slightly as she fumbled for words, a hint of a smile playing at the corners. I couldn’t shake the desire to lean closer, to bridge the distance that separated us. The way she bit her lower lip, a gesture both innocent and
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tantalizing, made my heart race.
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My wolf, which had been fixated on Olivia, now found itself drawn to Agnes. It was a feeling I hadn’t anticipated, a craving that wasn’t rooted in the mate bond. It was simply… her.
As the water lapped around her, it glistened against her skin, accentuating the gentle curve of her collarbone and the delicate swell of her cleavage. The warm water pooled at her neckline, tracing the outline of her form, making her look both elegant and tantalizingly vulnerable. I found myself captivated, caught between admiration and an instinctive urge to protect her.
Agnes seemed flustered as she stammered out an explanation.
“I’m so sorry! Thea wanted to take a bath with me. She asked me to wait for her to come back.”
The words rushed out of her, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at the adorably awkward situation.
“Close your eyes and I’ll get out,” she pleaded.
“Okay,” I replied, complying and shutting my eyes as Agnes quickly fled the bath.
Alone in the water, I pondered my growing desire for a woman who wasn’t my fated mate. Was this a mistake?
Not my heart–but my wolf, was torn between my past and the tantalizing potential of something new. Her presence had stirred
something deep within me, a longing that felt both new and intoxicating, Igniting a fire I hadn’t expected.
After a moment, I sank back into the water, letting my mind drift. I couldn’t deny the thrill Agnes stirred within me. I had never
felt this kind of attraction before, not after what I had experienced with Olivia, and not with Olivia herself.
The contrast was stark. Olivia had been a whirlwind of chaos and pain; Agnes was like a cool breeze on a hot day, refreshing and invigorating.
But just as quickly as the thought came, doubt clouded my mind. How could I entertain the idea of pursuing Agnes when Olivia’s memory still loomed over me?
She was my fated mate. Not Agnes. It was impossible.
The wolf inside me howled in protest, begging me to reconsider my feelings.
But I knew that it couldn’t be possible. I already had one fated mate. I couldn’t possibly have two.
Agnes
As I rushed out of the bathroom, my heart pounded in my chest. I couldn’t believe I’d just walked in on Elijah like that! My cheeks were still burning with embarrassment.
This was yet another one of Thea’s little schemes to push me and Elijah together, and I was mortified.
The next morning, however, Elijah’s demeanor was as calm and collected as ever, as if nothing had happened. His nonchalance helped case my tension, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of rejection that gnawed at me. Was I really that unappealing?
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Had last night left no impact on him at all?
+15 BONUS
After dropping Thea off at preschool, I followed Elijah to the central building. He handed me a detailed to–do list and instructed
me to manage the personnel required for a project. My heart sank.
Did he really think I could handle this? A wave of frustration washed over me. Was he punishing me for stumbling into his bath?
How was I supposed to lead these people? Would anyone even listen to me?
Sensing my hesitation, Elijah leaned closer, his gaze steady.
“As Luna, one of your most important duties will be management. You memorized the names of everyone on the list, and you. know their roles and faces. Now it’s time for you to figure out how to proceed.”
His confidence radiated, igniting a flicker of determination within me, but I couldn’t hold back my skepticism.
“You’re not just making this difficult on purpose, are you?” I shot back, crossing my arms defiantly.
Elijah’s eyes gleamed with challenge, a spark that sent shivers down my spine.
“You know, my Luna shouldn’t fear a challenge.”
There it was
in myself too.
again that spark of
confidence I had hoped to find in myself. If Elijah believed in me, maybe I could learn to believe
I stared at the list in my hands, feeling the weight of the task ahead. Names blurred together as my anxiety churned. I had always
been the one to blend into the background, but now I was expected to lead.
The thought was daunting, but as I looked at Elijah, I felt something shift within me. I could do this.
Determined to prove myself, I took a deep breath.
