“We don’t need to consummate the mate bond,” he says in a leveled tone, not giving away an ounce of what he feels about that.
I, on the other hand, feel a flicker of momentary disappointment.
So, we’re not having sex.
I should be relieved, but again, this proves that he isn’t attracted to me.
What does he want, then?
“We won’t do anything you don’t want to do,” he continues as he kicks off his shoes beside the door. “You can take the bed. I’ll take the sofa.”
Glancing at the sofa in the corner, I gulp, torn between my disappointment and utter relief that sex doesn’t have to be a performative act between us. Something in the air shifts, or maybe it’s just me.
But when he’s about to move past me, I reach out and tentatively brush my fingers across his arm to call his attention.
He looks down at his arm and frowns as if my touch scorched his flesh. When he looks up, he’s still wearing a frown, but there’s something earnest in his soft eyes that prompts me to drop my guard low enough for him to see right through me.
I know he can because I notice the look in his eyes that’s reminiscent of the look he had in them the morning he made me breakfast for the first time. The recollection of what that morning meant for me has me feeling the same way even now, and it’s almost as if I can trust him.
The golden pools with light traces of emerald specks have me spinning thoughtlessly, losing myself in their hypnotizing swirls.
“Y-you don’t need to take the sofa,” I stammer nervously, dropping my gaze just in case his eyes are enchanting me and I’m not thinking clearly. But even when I’m not gazing into his eyes, my decision remains the same.
Perhaps it’s because he’s showing me a side of himself that I’ve never seen before, but my guard is down right now. A staggered breath enters my chest, swelling it with a shudder, but it gives me the courage to say,
“We may have already performed the consummation, but you don’t have to give up your bed for me.” I nod toward the bed. “We could just sleep.”
Elias lets out a deep breath and then nods slowly. “We can do that.”
As my pulse races, I let Elias lead the way toward the bed, surprised when he removes his cloak and climbs in, then fluffsout the pillow beside him. He pats it and smiles at me, showing no sign that he has any plans to get intimate.
Not bodily, at least.
Phew!
Chapter 13 - Elias
Aurora climbs into bed, appearing tense and terse. She keeps her spine straight and stares up at the ceiling, lifting the covers to her chin. Wanting to make her feel as comfortable as possible, I do the same, rolling onto my back and staring at the ceiling.
The awkward silence between us gives me a moment to contemplate my next move. If I’ve learned anything over these past few days, it’s that Aurora Sinclair is always nervous, ready to defend herself if I make the wrong move or say the wrong words.
Sometimes, even when there isn’t a need to defend herself, she’ll find any reason to argue or start a fight. I’ve figured that it’s her way of protecting herself.
At least until she knows that I am her protector now.
Even though we’re in bed together, and it was her idea, I can sense the discomfort rolling off her in waves. I have to do something to ease her concerns, but reaching out and pulling her into my arms is a sure way to set in her flight instincts.
Clearing my throat, I decide to use my voice instead, even if it means carefully picking my words so I don’t startle her.
“The ceremony went well…” I say, hoping she’d recognize that for me, making a promise to the Moon Goddess to protect her was everything my wolf needed.
But all she does is hum dryly in response, warning me that she doesn’t want to speak about the ceremony.
Reminding myself that I would take my time with her, I decided to go a different route.
“You know…I remember your grandmother,” I chuckle lightly. “She was always skeptically sizing me up whenever I walked by, but she’d be the first to serve me tea in the cafeteria.”
“Yeah…she was a strict old lady, but she cared fiercely about the people she loved,” Aurora concedes carefully, and from my periphery, I catch the sheepish smile toying with her lips.
