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.

climbs to his feet, unfolding his large

there anything I can do?” he asks in a low

can tell he

trying to hide that he cares about me

I could ask anything of him right now, and he would

it for me.

between

collide in my mind.

point, ending with him asking for a

is swiftly losing control,

little, then maybe I

break the

James has drifted

any distance between

anyone else except

grew from a child, into a

what it is for a woman

want a man.

time,

not for Aaron being a sun that

can’t help but

when I was with

treading into dangerous territory. “Earlier, at the Council Meeting offices. How much of me did

and I wish I could take back

me. “But Leah,

him off, not wanting to hear the words, but at the same time, part of me is curious, though my wolf doesn’t like

need

for all, I need to know the truth of

of James’s chest and gently lean up

he doesn’t pull away

kiss him.

sense he’s

want

that. Aaron never held

together. I realize now that I prefer that.

but

There are no fireworks.

overwhelming desire

making me forget

I feel right now is

is the only answer