Housebound with the Blackridge Heirs Novel - Chapter 98

Chapter 98 Chapter 98 Maya I stayed with him until he dozed off. It didn't take long for me to doze off, too, and eventually, I ended up in his bed. I've slept with him a few nights, but never like this. It was always when I stayed with him until he fell asleep, and I did too, but always in his couch or in his chair. I woke up to the gentle caress of a thumb on my skin. By body reacted to it instantly, even though I didn't intend to. It took me a minute to recall where I fell asleep. My eyes fluttered open, and I was staring into bright hazel eyes. But that struck me... Bright.

Not dull or aching. He must've registered the surprise on my face wrong, because he removed his hands instantly, directing his gaze elsewhere. "I'm sorry," he mumbled. "It's okay," I whispered, even though I didn't know if it was. Leo's jaw flexed. "You shouldn't be here." I blinked. "What?" "You should be with him," he said, and his eyes opened again, sharp and less bright... and I hated that.

"With your mate." The word hit me in the chest because it was true and not true at the same time, because my bond to Caden was the loudest thing in me and yet he wasn't here, and because the person who was here was Leo, broken and stubborn and still trying to pretend he didn't need anyone. "He's not here," I said carefully. "And you're hurt." And you're my mate too, I wanted to add but thought better of it. This was what I was trying so hard to uncomplicate. Leo's gaze flicked away. "I'm fine." "No, you're not," I murmured, keeping my hand in his hair.

"And I'm not leaving you alone in this room to pretend you are." The silence that followed was thick, and for a moment the only sound was the faint crackle of the dying fire from downstairs filtering through the vents. It was still strange how I could hear so sharply now. "You slept better, didn't you?" I asked as I cupped his cheek in my palms. His eyes fluttered close on impact, and he leaned into my touch. "Maya," he rasped, sounding almost pained. "You did, didn't you?" His eyes opened, and the light was back.

"It's the best night rest I've had in almost five years," he admitted, and that too me by surprise. "Oh." That was all I could manage, honestly. "I'm feeling better too," he added as he sat up. "My neck has healed." My eyes could have popped out of my head right then as joy and gratitude and every perfect emotion swam through me. I threw my arms-around him, still being careful as I did. "Leo, that's amazing!" His eyes glazed over, and he looked at me like I was something he needed, but couldn't have. "My wolf...my wolf was never injured," he said, looking away 1/3 Successfully unlocked!