Bad Love an Alpha’s Regret by Elise Sinclair

Chapter 199

LEAH

It’s late at night and I can’t sleep.

Not after everything that happened at the council meeting.

My thoughts had been spinning after I’d finished talking to Karolina. I’d hurried straight over to one of the Rathborn SUVs and jumped in behind the wheel. One of Aaron’s guys-luckily not James, because I couldn’t have faced him then-had seen me and quickly climbed into the passenger seat before I’d gone tearing out of the parking lot.

The other SUV’s we’d arrived with hadn’t take long to catch up,

and everytime I’d glanced in the mirror, I’d seen James behind

the wheel of the vehicle directly behind me the whole way

back to Rathborn pack lands.

I’d rushed inside before James could climb out of the other

vehicle and then shut myself in my bedroom.

Now, however, I’m roaming the halls like a lonely ghost.

I think about shifting and running, but my appetite for that

has been curtailed after the incident on Roberts pack lands.

Arguably, I know Rathborn lands are much more secure, but it’s getting to the point where I don’t feel safe leaving the house, especially without Aaron’s larger than life presence looming protectively over me at every turn.

My wandering brings me to the library, and I step in to find a cheery fire roaring in the hearth, and soft candle light illuminating the space.

Outside the window, new snow is falling in the light of a

half-moon.

The room is cozy and inviting, and I wonder who left it this way…until I step further into the room and find James lounging on the rug in front of the fire, reading a book of poetry.

He straightens when he sees me, snapping the book shut.

“Leah! Is everything okay? Why are you still awake?”

I think about fleeing, but I know I can’t avoid James forever, not when his one sole duty is to protect me.

“I couldn’t sleep,” I admit, crossing my arms.

to his feet, unfolding his large form

do?” he asks in

can tell he means

isn’t trying to hide that he cares

anything of him

it for me.

between

thoughts collide in my mind. Everything

point, ending with him asking for a

how Aaron is

little, then maybe I

break the

find James has drifted closer still,

distance between

wanted anyone else

child, into a

to understand what it is for

want a man.

for the first time, I seriously

to me, if not for Aaron being a

I can’t help but wonder exactly what James

I was

warm, knowing I’m treading into

a little, and I wish I could take back the question and pretend like the whole

anything,” James assures me. “But Leah,

to cut him off, not wanting to hear the words, but at the same

I need

need to know the

my hand in the middle of James’s chest and gently

his face, but he doesn’t pull away

kiss him.

sense he’s

doesn’t want to overwhelm

that. Aaron never held

together. I realize now that I prefer that. I don’t want tempered

nice, but it’s kind

There are no fireworks.

overwhelming desire crashing through

forget my own

I feel right now is kind of

is the only answer I’ll