The Mate That Wasn't Mine novel Chapter 113

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Chapter 113

Chapter 113

TESSA POV

65%粉

The next few days Maxim veered between stress and nonchalance.

Their mind link remained disconnected. Not invited to any meetings. Left in limbo. No longer on call as Remy’s confidante, lesser men would have sought him out and grovelled their way back to his side.

Maxim, his serious face as dazzling as his fun, seductive one, was not for rolling over. “He knows how he acted. I know my intentions were genuine. That’s the sum of it.”

“Well Im proud of you,” I insisted, every time I caught him dwelling.

We knew it would not take long for people to notice his tumble from the pedestal. His black shirted uniform made him stand out, but for now he kept busy, often joining Kai and Silas. He didn’t complain, but I know jobs like preparing the next train for the front were not the thrills he sought in life.

Allette and Hazel left yesterday, a week after his altercation with Remy. Without any formal fanfare a group of us just walked them to the train station.

Hazel hugged Remy. “You can return as soon as you like.”

“I’ll be fine. This will be good for me. I know it will. You have so much happening here you’ll barely notice I’ve left.”

Remy quickly frowned, glaring up at the sky before deciding to hold his tongue. “Just stay safe. Please?”

Losing the pure white gown, Hazel resembled an ex–healer in a deep tan–coloured, plain dress, cut square across her pale chest. Of course she could never blend in anonymously. Her bright eyes and stunning head of very short blonde curls were dramatically beautiful in any outfit.

Mounting the steps, she paused with her hand to her forehead, taking in the fluttering red banners and granite columns forming the horizon. Only to head into the carriage and take a seat near the back, away from a batch of Beta Infantry.

Meanwhile Allette received hugs and encouragement from myself, Maxim, Kai and Silas. We weren’t ready to let her go just yet.

“Don’t stay out there too long. Baby comes first,” I whisper.

“Baby will have the same start in life I did,” she grins, eyes sparkling for the first time. Leaning close she whispers into my ear. “I never knew more than a month in the same place for my childhood. Look how fabulously I turned out.”

Her grin makes me worry not everything is as it seems.

“Allette, are you coming back at all?” but she just gave me a dramatic eye roll and seized me with another squeeze. “Such a worrier. You will make a great Warden of Care.”

“That didn’t answer my question. And that’s not my title.”

“Oh well it should be,” before diverting me with, “You need to open your presents from Irene by the way. They’re in your room.”

Dodging any further questions, she moved onto Kai, who gifted her a list of the train times for the next six months. Silas, a small tin of blade polish. Maxim simply told her not to kill everyone she met.

Her gray eyes did not betray any sadness or fear. Dressed in snug, black with slender plates of armour concealed underneath, her shining claw clip allowing her long black hair to spill over like a fountain. Blades were concealed at her wrist, hip, back, thigh, ankles.

Ready to protect the princess wherever she might choose to roam. Or rob and hunt down someone, I honestly have no idea.

With the mighty train squealing and hissing steam, it finally chugs away, Maxim and I the last ones standing on the platform. Remy vanished the instant the wheels started moving. Wrapping his arm around my shoulders, Maxim says, “It all happens for a reason Tess.”

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14:28 Tue, 24 Jun GI

Chapter 113

“I know. Im still going to worry about her.”

“Maybe she’ll sit on a strangers lap on the journey?” before looking at me with fire in his eyes. I just smile and wrap my arms around his waist, thanding the Goddess for everything she has given me.

“I’m heading out after curfew tonight,” he added, I didn’t even have to ask where.

He told me not to wait up, but of course I had to. He returned around two in the morning, gently placing his blades and bow and arrow back into the glass cabinet in the dark. I sat up on the bed, watching the thick shadows of his body.

“What happened then?”

“I went back there. They’ve left. Locked up and empty.”

Roughly stripping off his clothes he flung himself into bed next to me. For once he faced away, allowing me to wrap my arms around him, kissing the nape of his neck until he grumbled. “I never meant to ruin things for you Tess.”

“You haven’t, not at all.” He rolled over and faced me on the pillow, his face drawn, brown hair flopping across his forehead. I ran my hands over his chest and broad shoulders. “My lovely, strong, brave mate…” Down to his stomach, teasing a path down the ridges of his muscular body until I was slowly stroking his length to hardness and making his breath catch.

We gently, softly made love in the darkness. I whisper, “Every day you make better. You are the only one. The only man I’ll ever love.”

All his anguish and confusion, he pressed to me, his hips meeting mine in a rhythm that left us trembling together. Kissing me reverently, making my world expand and collapse around him we fell asleep in a tangled, messy embrace.

The next morning, Maxim had more energy. A new focus.

“Fuck it, I’m going to see if Marshall has a use for me, There is no point waiting around for Remy to come out of his sulk.”

I slip my arms around his waist. His oak and berry scent is always a delicious little hit of joy.

“I think Remy’s going to want someone to talk to eventually. Maybe about Hazel, or everything with Hale.”

Maxim stares down at me with those amber eyes, golden and deviant, his mood is infectious, making me feel more playful by the second. “It’s worth a go. But if not, can we run away together and live in a cave? I’ll fill you up, have a dozen pretty little mini–Pagano’s. Claim the land with my wild mate? Give up clothes, give up shoes-”

I laugh into his back. “I think you’re forgetting how horrible it is sleeping outside. In the rain.”

“Well that’s what you’re for,” twisting so he’s facing me and grabbing me. Hoisting me up in the air I already know where I’m headed. Flying through the air I land in the centre of the soft mattress with a flump.

Only for Maxim’s bigger body to come hurtling straight after. Rolling on top of me I can’t help a happy groan at his weight crushing me. I love his size, how broad and strong he is. When he leans on me, not even close to his full weight, it’s a different kind of pressure. It’s an all–over smothering of my favourite thing in the world. I wrap my arms around his neck, planting him ever closer to me.

“See. Easy. I could lie on top of you every night and be very very comfortable little Heathen,” he jokes, nuzzling into my neck. His fierce kisses clash with his beard tickling me at the same time his hands make quick work of my lifting dress up. Grabbing at my bare thighs like a starved animal, I only resist to make him work harder…

“Hmm? I don’t hear any arguments against that? So shall I go find us a cosy cave?” knowing he has me muffle fiery wonder?”

his chest. “Is that a yes my gorgeous,

Only Pawsome jumping onto his back, stops the fun with her lethal claws. “That’s the third shirt that little bastard has clawed through,” glowering into the mirror and examining the damage whilst lie back on the bed smiling, Pawesome curled up contentedly on my stomach. “Only if the cat comes too.”

“Then the deals off. No cave for you!” pointing at us both. The bells ring and we have no choice but to part with quick caresses. Annoyingly, I am invited to several meetings today. I think Remy is trying to punish Maxim via me.

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66%

Chapter 113

Today, for the fourth day in a row, I sit at the long table of Wardens and listen to reports. Maxim wasn’t overreacting, it’s hoving as hell

But Remy won’t ever cause a row between us. Instead I study the Alpha. He isn’t sleeping, that’s for certain. For all his pale white hair and blue eyes, the grey circles of tiredness are impossible to ignore.

Before he seemed looser, happy to be in charge. Now there is tension, his questions terser, not caring to hear the usual back and forth debate

“Where exactly do we get these reports from?” he asked today, hands knotted tightly after a short lecture from one Warden about coal extracts in the mining region, promising new metals that the armoury can start to test with.

“They’re made by the touring Beta’s, Alpha. On rotation, next set due to return in four months.”