Chapter 143

Theodore’s POV

My heart leapt at the thought of it: learning about my mother’s culture and my magic, taking a trip with my mate who I missed, going somewhere we wouldn’t have to hide that we were still together.

Maybe they could even help figure out if it’s you or the baby who has magic, I added.

Exactly.

But then disappointment descended. How are we supposed to get away without raising suspicions?

Trepidation flooded the bond. I’m not sure. Let’s explore our options and check back in tonight.

Alright. I tried to temper the hope bursting to explode at this possibility. I love you, alari.

I am yours, doher.

As the bond went silent, I leaned into it a little bit, feeling it out. It wasn’t the same as the full mate bond that had thrived between us once Violet and Lucas had formally rejected their bond. With all that had happened recently, I had hardly had time to remember what it had felt like.

The full power of the mate bond was so intimate, like our hearts were beating as one. But as quickly as my mate’s feelings and desires and thoughts had flooded my system, a dam had been shut down over it the second I laid eyes on Eva. Like a cruel joke.

The magical bond Violet had forged for us with the spell was a trickle in comparison. We could share thoughts and some emotions, but the intimacy wasn’t there. It was like having a conversation in a private room no one had access to.

By contrast, the mate bond was like Violet and I were wrapped around each other naked, whispering in each other’s ears, every breath, every thought, every moment and sense shared with one another for eternity. Like her very essence was pulsing in my veins, like my lungs expanded to bring her life.

I wanted it back.

Dahlia and I shifted back into human form as we came to the castle. We walked around to the front to avoid revealing the secret entrances we had succeeded in keeping secret so far.

“Plan?” she muttered as we rounded the west side of the edifice.

“In progress.”

“Back up?”

I sighed as the front door came into view, my procrastination dying with every step. “Maybe stay nearby just in case.”

“Copy.”

We stepped inside to find Eva watering the plants in the front hall.

Dahlia kept her voice low enough so only I could hear. “Aren’t all our inside plants fake?”

“Yes, they are.” Mustering tenderness I preferred to reserve for my wife, I called to Eva. “Darling, what are you doing?”

Eva’s head snapped up at the sound of my voice. “My dear, there you are!” She skipped over, watering can in hand.

“I’ve begun my Luna duties!” She motioned toward the watering can with excitement. “Sophia has been so helpful explaining all of my responsibilities in great detail.”

I bit my cheek to hide my smile. “Including watering the indoor plants?”

Eva nodded enthusiastically. “It’s so adorably domestic!”

She turned toward Dahlia. “Oh, and thank you for finding him. Where were you, anyway?” she directed my way.

“Letting my wolf stretch his legs,” I lied by omission. Very important, egregious omission.

Eva’s eyes darkened in desire, and she wrapped an arm around me, rubbing up against my leg. “I’d love to go with you next time.”

I was shocked speechless by the blatant advance in front of Dahlia. After an awkward moment, my Beta cleared her throat. “I’ll… be… available if you need me.”

She slipped out of the foyer, but I knew she would stay close in case I needed her.

Trying to neither encourage nor deny Eva’s advance, I looked down at her curiously. “Dahlia says you were looking for me?”

Thankfully, Eva pulled back as she remembered the conversation she wanted to have with me. “Yes, my dear. With all these Luna duties, I’ve been thinking about how I’m your Luna, but I’m also not.”

I couldn’t agree more, though not in the way she meant it.

“I know we’re mates, but we’re not married. Maybe Midnight will be more likely to accept me as their new Luna if we throw a big party to celebrate our bond. And, of course, a private honeymoon after.”

She raked me over with a gaze that sent goosebumps down my spine – and not in a good way.

“Darling,” I knew I had to sell this well, “I do not have the words to express my gratitude for how patient you’ve been. I’ve hesitated to share with you to spare your feelings, but despite the Goddess’ change of heart, this sudden change of mates has been hard for me to handle. I hope you do not think less of me.”

I bowed my head, as if in shame. I waited endless seconds, terrified that she was holding back a laugh at my despicable acting.

A gentle forefinger tucked under my chin to lift my head. Our eyes met, and I was admittedly surprised to see the sympathy swimming in hers.

“I am honored that you have chosen to share this with me, my dear. I can only imagine the toll this drastic shift has taken on you.” She seemed almost sincere.

“Maybe,” her hand drifted from my chin down my torso to the waistband of my pants, “I could comfort you…”

My mind whirled as the situation quickly spiraled in a direction I did not want to follow. “Divorce,” I spat out.

The word had the desired effect, stopping Eva’s hand cold.

“We cannot be married,” I clarified, “until Violet and I are divorced.”

Eva bristled at my true mate’s name, her hand dropping to her side in poorly concealed disdain.

“Perhaps I need some time away, by myself, away from my Alpha duties, so I can get my mind right and focus on our future.” I searched her face, sensing that she liked where I was going with this. “And my only task during my time away will be to finalize my divorce with Violet.”

It was possibly cruel how much I enjoyed watching Eva’s pained reaction to Violet’s name.

“And how much time away will you need?” she asked, not yet convinced.

“A week, maybe two. I’ll finalize a timeline tonight.”

Eva folded her arms, almost pouting. The sale had not been made yet. “And what am I supposed to do for a week or two away from my mate?”

It was time to pull out all the stops, so I stepped forward, pulling her into a tender embrace I convinced myself I wanted. “You’ll settle into your Luna duties, maybe even help Dahlia hold down the fort while I’m away.” I kissed her on the forehead, brushing my knuckles along her cheek just once.

It was all I could stomach.

But she ate it up. And when she leaned in to kiss me, I feigned excitement for our future, pulling away to make my travel arrangements immediately.

“Thank you,” she called after me as I made for Dahlia’s office, “for doing this for us.”

I flashed a smile over my shoulder, then jogged in mock excitement around the corner, down the hall, and into Dahlia’s office as I desperately fled from Eva. Surprisingly, however, I found Sophia at my Beta’s desk.

Looking up as I closed the door, she fumbled with her words. “Dahlia said I could use the space.” I held up a hand to calm her as Dahlia slid into the office behind me.

“You got out of there fast,” my Beta observed, but before I checked in to see how much she overheard, I swung my head toward Sophia, smiling.

“Water the indoor plants?”

Sophia’s responding smile was just short of devious.