Chapter 26

Several weeks had passed since Shemika and Caturix had started their secret rendezvous. Caturix would sometimes sneak in through the window, or if he deemed it safer, he’d use the front door.

Lyosha, surprisingly, didn’t seem to notice their ongoing secret meetings.

Caturix had filled her fridge with food, reminding her to eat well and regularly. Her healing had even improved, not as fast as when she was younger and still shifting, but enough to recover within an hour. The only downside was the lingering body aches.

Every day, she’d mingle with the pack’s women, even forming a friendship with Lyudmila, a woman she’d once thought was mean.

Lyudmila had a very expressive face, every small emotion was amplified. Shemika would accompany Lyosha to dinner, acting as his arm candy. After dinner, she’d gauge the room, deciding whether to stay or leave.

Most times, she’d stay, trailing behind Lyosha as he attended to pack matters.

From what she could tell, being an alpha wasn’t as hard as it seemed. Lyosha’s betas seemed to do most of the work, while he took the credit. He didn’t seem like a true alpha, all he did was sit on his throne and hand out punishments.

At night, Caturix would show up, knocking on her door or window.

His scent was intoxicating. He never stayed for a meal, just a quick intimate encounter before he left the way he came. There were no post-coital cuddles, and he never spent the night.

Not that she wanted him to.

Weeks into their new routine, Shemika’s feelings for Caturix only grew stronger. Her heart raced when he was near, and skipped a beat when he touched her. She’d tried to convince herself that he wasn’t the man she wanted or needed, even making a list of husband material to prove it.

But with each passing day, he proved her wrong.

He brought her food daily, keeping her kitchen stocked. She knew he hunted specifically for her. He was an excellent hunter. He always made sure she ate when he visited.

She’d even stopped accepting gifts from Lyosha, clothes, jewelry, and the like.

She didn’t want to ask him for anything anymore. She would’ve preferred to avoid him altogether. Now, Caturix was the one who brought her things.

If she needed anything, he was there, providing it for her.

Shemika locked her door behind her. There wasn’t much of value in her apartment, but anyone who entered would know Caturix had been there. His scent was everywhere. She’d started packing away clothes that smelled like him, preserving his scent for when she needed comfort.

She walked through the halls and out the front door.

Unlike Vale, this place was lush and green. She headed to the river, where the she-wolves usually gathered. Six women sat by the river bank, looking up as she approached.

Lyudmila patted the grass next to her, turning back to listen to Ksenia, a dark-haired woman who was talking about a girl who’d just reached breeding age.

The girl was disappointed that reaching breeding age didn’t immediately result in finding a mate. Many men had shown interest, but she hadn’t found her destined yet. Ksenia mocked the young woman, but Shemika felt sympathy.

She too had been eager to reach breeding age and find her destined.

Sofia, with a scowl on her face, said, “I don’t believe mates can be fated.”

Another woman looked at Shemika. “Didn’t you say there was a fated pair in your old pack, Shemika?”

Sofia turned to glare at her. Shemika glared back but nodded. “Yes. There is, but only one.”

“A lie is always best if you keep it modest,” Sofia said, crossing her arms.

~A lie? That bitch.~

Ignoring Sofia, Yana asked, “Is it like they say?”

Shemika shrugged, her mind racing. “As far as I have seen, yes. The two can’t be separated for even a second.”

The girls swooned, hugging each other.

“Did they have babies super easy?” Yana asked. It was common knowledge that conception was difficult with anyone other than your destined.

Sofia glared at Shemika as she answered, “Uh, well, they’d only just gotten together when I left. I guess she could be pregnant now, considering I’ve been gone for months.”

Sofia rolled her eyes. “Sure, you guess.”

Shemika fell silent as the conversation shifted to Polina’s upcoming birthday.

She tried to participate, but her thoughts were foggy and her skin felt too warm.

“You don’t look too well,” Sasha said, leaning around Sofia.

All the women turned to look at her, their eyes filled with concern and grins spreading across their faces.

“Don’t mind her, Sasha,” Polina said, grinning. “She’s just about to go into heat.”

Shemika’s heart pounded with anxiety. She hadn’t gone into heat since coming to Rurik. She didn’t want it. Not now. She’d have to lock herself in her apartment and wait it out.

Yana comforted her. “You should go back to your room and lock it up tight. Do you have enough food to last the heat?”

She nodded, fear gripping her. Caturix had made sure her kitchen was fully stocked.

“Good, you should get going before you start letting off pheromones, Shemika,” Polina warned.

She knew that, but she was worried about Lyosha noticing her absence at dinner. She needed to let him know she’d be unavailable for a few days.

She stood up, brushing off her clothes. “I’ll be reclusive for a few days, but I gotta explain it to Lyosha.”

The last time she’d missed dinner, she was being intimate with his adopted son.