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.

his large form and then stepping

can do?” he asks

can tell he

hide that he

ask anything of him

it for me.

things between

thoughts collide in my mind.

ending with him asking for a

is

even a little, then maybe I

break the

up to find James has drifted closer still, and

any distance between

never wanted anyone

child, into a teenager, and then

what it

want a man.

for the first time, I seriously wonder

Aaron being a sun

can’t help but wonder exactly what James

when I was

ask, feeling my body warm, knowing I’m treading into dangerous territory. “Earlier, at the Council Meeting offices.

little, and I wish I could take back the question and

assures me. “But Leah, you should

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

need to

for all, I need to

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

but he doesn’t pull away

kiss him.

sense he’s

want

never cared about that.

I realize now that I prefer

kiss is nice, but it’s kind of all

There are no fireworks.

no overwhelming desire crashing through

making me forget

now is

is the only answer I’ll