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

he asks in a low pleasant

I can tell he

hide that he cares

know I could ask anything of him right now,

it for me.

between us

these thoughts collide in

ending with him asking

Aaron is swiftly losing

care about him even a little, then

break the mating

find James

any distance between us

anyone else

grew from a child, into a teenager, and then

what it is for a woman

want a man.

for the first time, I seriously wonder what

attractive to me, if not for Aaron being a sun that eclipsed my

help but wonder exactly

when I was

my body warm, knowing I’m treading into dangerous territory. “Earlier, at

cheeks redden a little, and I wish I could take back the

me. “But Leah, you

words, but at the

need

need to know the truth of

hand in the middle of

his face, but he doesn’t pull away from me

kiss him.

can sense

doesn’t want

cared about that. Aaron never

were together. I realize now that I prefer

nice, but

There are no fireworks.

no overwhelming desire crashing

forget

I feel right now is

the