Chapter 14

Gavin’s POV

“Alpha, I just got word from the Moonshadow organization,” Seth said, coming into Gavin’s office. “They are refusing to tell us who their members are.”

Gavin stared at his Beta for a long moment, fury rising in him.

“If they won’t tell us, then I’ll have to figure it out myself.”

…

Erin’s POV

Henry was already home by the time I returned from work. I tried hard to brush my encounter with Gavin out of my mind before returning home.

I had to be careful. Henry was extremely talented at finding things out and I didn’t want him to know this information. I didn’t want to know how weak I had become.

I smelled the fresh scent of dinner being cooked in the kitchen. As I entered the kitchen, I see him standing over a hot stove. He was in the moment and seemed to be cooking with such delicacy.

Henry was an amazing cook; I wasn’t bad at cooking either and if I had gotten home first, I would have made dinner. I was exhausted tonight though, so I was pleased that he took the initiative.

“It smells delicious,” I say from the doorway.

He turned and narrowed his eyes at me. Then, he gives me a small smile.

“How was work today?” He asked.

“Long,” I tell him strolling to the other side of the kitchen so I can grab the plates and silverware. “But it was okay. How was work for you?”

“It was fine,” he shrugged. “You know what tomorrow is?”

I nodded, feeling worry bubbling in my stomach.

“Yes,” I tell him warily. “I need you to be careful…”

“It would be a lot better if I had my partner,” he said, glancing at me as I set the table.

“You know I can’t…” I say to him.

We both sit down to eat our meals.

“You can’t, or you won’t?”

“Both.”

He fell silent for a moment but then he met my eyes; his concerned gaze tugged at my heart.

I felt awful for not being there with him.

“I’m sorry,” I say to him, trying to keep the pain out of my voice.

He sighed.

“No, you don’t have to apologize. I understand. I’m sorry for pushing you. I just want you to return. It’s not the same without you.”

My eyes filled with tears before I could stop them. I had to look away from him before they escaped me completely. It was too late though; fresh tears soaked my features. I bit onto my bottom lip to keep from sobbing.

He placed his fork down and stared at me with a frown.

“What’s going on, Erin?” He asked me, his voice was soft and compassionate. It only made me cry even harder.

I didn’t deserve Henry; I didn’t deserve him as a partner, and I didn’t deserve him as a husband. Since knowing Henry, he had become my best friend. I never kept things like this from him, but I worried that if I did, he wouldn’t want to be my husband anymore. Or worse… he wouldn’t want to be my partner.

“I’m just really tired,” I lied.

He reached his hand over to touch mine; it was the same hand that his wedding ring should have been, but once again, it was naked. He froze when he noticed that the ring was still not only hand, but he didn’t make mention of it.

His hand fell beside mine, almost defeated. But then he touched my hand and held it for a long moment as I cried.

“I love you, Erin. And I’ll wait for you for as long as it takes.”

I couldn’t respond to him; I just didn’t want to feel this pain anymore. He pulled his hand away and continued with his meal. I tried my best to stop crying and continue eating as well.

“I know these last couple of years have been hard. Especially when Jessie died… I’m sorry for seeming pushy.”

“You are not pushy, Henry. I appreciate that you care. I’m just not ready.”

“And that’s okay. I’ll wait for you for however long it takes.”

His words left me feeling unsettled, but the subject was dropped.

Once we finished eating, we headed to our shared bedroom for bed.

I stripped my clothes off and put on my nightgown; he frowned as he stared around my body.

“Where’d that scratch come from?”

I frowned and glanced down, realizing there was a scratch on my upper breast.

It must have been from Gavin; I was so wrapped up in the moment, I hadn’t realized he had scratched me while we had sex. My face instantly grew warm as I covered it with my nightgown.

“I must have scrubbed a little too hard in the shower,” I said with a light chuckle.

He was quiet for a moment, but he said nothing more. He turned over in bed and fell asleep quickly.

I, on the other hand, couldn’t sleep at all.

…

I got out of bed early the next morning so I could make breakfast for Henry. It was the least I could do after how terribly I’d been treating him.

I went into the bathroom and stripped off my clothes to get ready for my shower. As I stared in the mirror, I saw how exhausted I truly looked. I had dark circles under my eyes and my features were wearing out.

It wasn’t anything a little makeup couldn’t fix though.

The scratch on my upper breast was already fully healed thanks to my wolf.

I stepped into the shower, allowing the hot water and the steam to wash away my stresses. I breathed in the warmth, feeling the water rinsing through my hair and soothing my aching body.

Once I finished in the shower, I grabbed my waiting robe and wrapped it around my naked body.

Henry was still fast asleep by the time my shower was over, so I snuck down into the kitchen and began cooking pancakes and bacon. It was his favorite breakfast food.

The smell of the bacon must have made its way upstairs because he woke up and joined me in the kitchen.

“You’re cooking breakfast?” He said, his brows rising.

“I figured I’d give you a break,” I say to him. “You can get dressed; by the time you return it’ll be ready.”

He gave me a fond smile as he wrapped his arms around the back of my waist and kissed my neck gently. He released me and disappeared out of the kitchen to get dressed.

After breakfast, he grabbed his tie and handed it to me with a sheepish grin. I chuckled at him as I helped him with the tie.

“Please, be careful today, Henry,” I said, looking up at him with concern in my eyes.

“If you are so worried, come with me.”

I froze for a moment but then continued to adjust his tie.

“I’m sorry,” he breathed, shaking his head with dismay written all over his face.

“Don’t be sorry,” I say in return. “I know it’s stressful for you too.”

He reached up and grabbed my hand, stopping me from continuing his tie.

I met his eyes.

He looked like he wanted to say something more but refrained from doing so. Once I finished with his tie, he grabbed his briefcase, giving me a gentle kiss on the cheek before heading toward the door.

Once he reached the door, he paused and turned back to me.

“I want you to promise me something,” he said, keeping his eyes on mine. I waited for him to continue. “If something were to happen to me out there, I want you to continue what we started. Even if it’s difficult, continue our mission for the Moonshadow organization.”