Chapter 41

The honeymoon suite was roomy, boasting a bedroom, living room, bathroom, and a small kitchen. The bedroom housed a large jacuzzi tub, already filled with hot water, adorned with rose petals and surrounded by the soft glow of candles.

Caturix entered, swiftly placing his duffel bag on the floor. He stood there, rigid and silent.

Shemika hesitated at the door, unsure of her next move. They had been fine, even excited, until the human had to make that comment. Not that Shemika hadn’t been secretly thrilled by her observation.

“Mika, come in. You don’t have to stand by the door,” he said, his voice gruff and irritated. He was battling with himself. He didn’t love Mika. He couldn’t love Mika. It wasn’t allowed. Not in their society. If he claimed her, someone of higher status could easily take her from him. “Why don’t you try out the tub?” he suggested, attempting to soften his tone.

He heard her move, the gentle rustle of her steps, but he didn’t look at her. Why would the human say something like that? He wasn’t in love with Mika. Absolutely not. It must have been a customary human phrase when a couple booked the honeymoon suite. He had so many plans that now seemed inappropriate, considering what Shemika might infer from the human’s comment. He didn’t want her to misinterpret anything.

He had planned to whisk her off to the suite and make love to her passionately, but now he couldn’t. Not after that comment, and especially not while she still carried his scent like a claimed she-wolf. Shemika didn’t want to upset him, so even though she wanted to laugh off the human’s comment to ease the tension, she moved toward the prepared tub and started to undress. She hoped her naked body might lighten his mood and even swayed her hips a little more to catch his attention.

But then she heard him leave abruptly. His heavy footsteps echoed as he rushed past her and slammed the door shut, leaving her alone in an unfamiliar place. He was gone for quite some time. Shemika sat in the tub, soaking until her skin couldn’t take it anymore. Then she wrapped herself in the luxurious robe and sat on the bed. Alone.

The human’s words had initially filled her with joy, but that feeling was fleeting. It was quickly replaced by her fears: abandonment, rejection, intimacy. It was clear he didn’t think much of her. Why had he brought her here, only to leave her alone? Eventually, she turned off the lights and curled up in the large bed. Alone. A bed meant for two. Two people madly in love. But this bed held only one. One small woman.

Shemika rolled onto her back and stared at the high ceiling, dimly lit by the moonlight. Her body yearned for his, not in a sexual way, but for the warmth of his touch. She just wanted to wake up in his arms. She was filled with so much excitement that she thought she might throw up before she could fall asleep. Adrenaline coursed through her veins, a mix of eagerness to explore the human city and fear of being alone. He was somewhere out there, but not close enough to ease her worries.

Despite the night growing longer, Shemika couldn’t quiet her thoughts. She pondered many things. Was she angry at him for leaving her? Definitely. Was she going to let that ruin her trip to the human city? Absolutely not. Or at least she’d try. He could reject her feelings, but she wouldn’t let him ruin her happiness.

Satisfied with her decision, Shemika shook her head vigorously to clear her mind of Caturix and snuggled deeper into the bed. The bed was large, but human large, not lycan large. It was soft and silky, smelling of fresh linens and human housekeepers.

Shemika felt comfortable in the bed, but sleep eluded her. Her mind was filled with relentless thoughts. One thought in particular stood out. Caturix’s photo. The one he’d left at her place. It was important enough to him that he’d come back for it multiple times. She’d be lying if she said she hadn’t looked at it. She’d done more than just look. She’d stared at it for hours, trying to recognize the face.

It was a woman. A young woman, probably in her late teens. She looked strangely familiar, with black hair and golden eyes. She must have been related to Caturix somehow. Why else would she look so familiar to Shemika? Maybe she was a sister, but if so, why hadn’t Shemika heard about her? Nikandr had mentioned the death of Caturix’s parents in a tragic accident, but no one had mentioned a sister or a cousin. Which meant she could be unrelated.

But what were the odds that he kept a photo of a former lover who looked so much like him? The resemblance was striking. Black hair, golden eyes framed by thick lashes, and straight black eyebrows. Although Caturix had a perfect bronze complexion and she was paler with freckles across her nose. Hours passed as Shemika lay awake, lost in her thoughts. Early in the morning, she heard the door open and close, followed by the familiar sound of Caturix’s heavy footsteps.

Thankfully, he didn’t stumble in drunkenly. That would have been heartbreaking. That he not only left her, but also got drunk. She listened to the sound of his clothes hitting the floor as he undressed. The bed shifted as he climbed in behind her.

Shemika pretended to be asleep, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

“Get some sleep, Mika,” he whispered into her hair.

She stiffened in surprise. “I didn’t think you’d know I was awake,” she whispered back.

“Of course I do,” he teased. “I heard your heartbeat speed up when I got into bed.”

Thank goodness he couldn’t see the blush that colored her cheeks. “Where were you?” she asked softly.

Caturix hesitated for a moment. His breath warmed the back of her neck as he moved closer. “I went for a walk,” he replied evasively.

Great, now all her jealous thoughts were flooding in. With all these cute little humans around, she wouldn’t be surprised if he’d taken one to bed. Human women were small and delicate, something she-wolves could never be.

She tried to ignore the possessive thoughts, hoping they wouldn’t influence her words or actions. Fine. Tonight was a disaster, but tomorrow would be better. Tomorrow, she’d be her usual cheerful self. She’d do everything she’d wanted to do for a lifetime, and more.