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

I can do?” he asks in

I can tell he means

isn’t trying to hide that he cares about me any

ask anything of him right now, and

it for me.

things between

in my mind. Everything Aaron

to this point, ending with him asking for

is

a little, then maybe

break the mating

look up to find James has drifted closer still, and

between us any

wanted anyone

I grew from a child, into

what it is

want a man.

time, I

to me, if not for Aaron being

then I can’t help but wonder

when I was with

did you see?” I ask, feeling my body warm, knowing I’m treading into dangerous territory. “Earlier, at the Council Meeting offices. How much of me did you

and I wish I could take back the question and pretend like the whole thing didn’t

“But Leah, you should know, my

but at the same time, part of me is curious, though my wolf doesn’t like what’s happening

I need

for all, I need to know

in the middle of James’s chest

doesn’t

kiss him.

sense he’s

want to overwhelm

about that.

now that I prefer that. I

nice, but it’s kind of all

There are no fireworks.

overwhelming desire crashing

making me forget my

right now

the only answer I’ll ever