CHAPTER8
VALEN
Myeyes popped open at the first signs of wakefulness, and thenIsquinted at the early morning light drifting in through the shades.
Whathappened last night?
Asmy body remained pressed againstCassandra’s, my wolf rested, content.Thatsame bliss eluded me.Instead, confusion collided with chaos.
Howcould this bond announce itself now, out of nowhere—and with a witch who was leaving today to return home in a different state?Shehad a daughter and a life there.Theonly reason she was here in the mountains was for a short getaway, no different from any other visitor to the resort.
Whywould the fates keep me from my mate for so long, leading me to think it would never happen?Whywould we meet now, during a brief weekend together, only to get a glimpse of what could never be?
AlthoughIyearned to stay in bed holdingCassandra, the questions burning in my brain forced me awake.Ineeded clarity.Withher scent enticing me,Iwouldn’t find it remaining here.Instead,I’dpress my erection against her and start the morning right…
Focus!
Right.Ihad to get my head off my dick and onto this new, earth-shaking predicament.
Iheld my breath asIslid away from her warm body; otherwise, it would be too tempting to stay.ThenIclimbed out of bed, pulled on a pair of gray drawstring sweats, and yanked a black, fitted underlayer shirt over my head.Afterpulling on some socks and slippers,Istepped outside my bedroom, turning to get another glimpse ofCassandrafirst.Shelay so peaceful in sleep, blonde curls tousled across the pillow.Theurge to return to bed and hold her rose.
No,Ineeded to understand what the hell was happening to me.
Iforced myself to step out of the bedroom.Themorning sun gleamed into the cabin.Yes, that was whatIneeded—to get outside and breathe in the fresh air to clear my head ofCassandra’sintoxicating scent.
Iput on my coat and stepped outside the glass door onto the deck.Thebrightness glowed over the glistening snow on the treetops.Isearched over the vast mountainous landscape before me asItried to figure out why this unexpected situation would happen here and now.
Mywolf stirred and woke.Mate?
She’sinside sleeping.
Goto her.
Notyet.
Mywolf added to the conundrum in my head as he insistedIreturn toCassandra.Therewent the clarityIsought out here.
Caffeinemight help.Ireturned inside and turned my attention to brewing coffee instead.Myfingers drummed with restlessness on the counter asIwaited for the liquid to drip, drip, drip.
Minuteslater, the scent of the fragrant brew filled the cabin, and the machine finished up its task with gurgling sounds.Ipoured a mug half full asIliked to drink coffee hot and black.ThenIsipped the soothing liquid whileIstared out at the vast mountain range.
WhatwasIgoing to do about this bewildering connection?
Acouple of minutes later,IsensedCassandraenter the space behind me before she spoke. “Goodmorning.”
Mywolf basked in her presence.Iinhaled her scent and turned to her.Shestood barefoot and barelegged, wearing nothing but one of my button-down flannels.Herhair was tousled.Ipictured how it was spread across my pillow last night, and my shaft twitched.
“Goodmorning.”AlthoughI’dtried to sound casual, my voice came out strangled.Icleared my throat and repeated the greeting.
“Morningsare tough,” she said in a playful tone. “Hopeyou don’t mind me wearing your shirt.”Shemotioned down the front of her body. “Itlooked comfy.”
“Itlooks better on you than me.Sexy.”
Shegrinned. “Thanks.”Rufflingher fingers through her hair, she added, “AlthoughI’msure you’re just being polite.Icould use a shower.”
“Bemy guest.”Imotioned toward the bathroom.Thevision of her in my shower did nothing to dampen the urge to take her back to my bedroom and savor every inch of her lush body.
“I’llwait untilIget to my hotel.Allmy stuff is there.”
