Chapter 123
Nathan’s expression morphed into distaste and wariness, his eyes flickering with dangerous golden light. I wondered if they knew each other.
“Go! He’ll smell you!” I urged, knowing all too well a werewolf’s keen sense of smell.
“Rachel, I need to see you again,” Nathan insisted, his voice low but determined.
“Fine! Tomorrow night, same time, I reluctantly agreed.
“You won’t tell him anything?” A flash of unease crossed his eyes.
“No. Now, go!” I promised.
For a brief moment, something rare flashed across Nathan’s face–joy, as fleeting and bright as moonlight.
“Rose are you still up?” Carter’s voice called out, concern evident in his tone.
I turned to see Carter rounding the side of the cottage and hurried to intercept him before he could spot Nathan.
“Yes, Carter,” I confirmed, trying to control my racing heart.
“Who were you talking to?” he asked with a friendly smile, though his eyes scanned the garden alertly.
“Oh, you know, just talking to the baby,” I explained, stroking my belly and feeling the movement inside.
Carter looked skeptical. “You sound… upset.” He glanced around his nose twitching slightly as if catching a scent.
I noticed he was holding a beautiful pink rose in his hand.
“Upset? Uh? Oh, no. This little one just kicked me in the ribs. I was sitting on the swing talking about how excited I am to meet my baby, and then bam, right in the ribs. You probably heard me say ‘Oh!“”
“Is that for me?” I asked, reaching for the flower to change the subject.
Carter seemed distracted. “Oh, yes,” he said, continuously turning, his eyes searching every corner, his nose sniffing the
air.
“I saw it on my way back from the Phantom Island market. It was so beautiful. The pink reminded me of the color your cheeks turn when you blush,” he explained, his voice gentle despite his vigilant gaze.
“That’s so thoughtful!” I said, trying to capture his attention.
Carter kept moving around, and I repeatedly attempted to stand in front of him, creating an odd dance between us in the garden, like two wolves circling each other.
“Carter?” I questioned.
“I’m sorry! I’m distracted. Here you go, beautiful. In fact, let me…” he apologized, offering the flower.
He broke the stem and tucked the rose behind my ear, taking a moment to position it just right. His fingertips brushed my
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Chapter 123
cheek, sending a tingle through me that felt different from Nathan’s touch.
“Thank you,” I said gratefully, though my mind couldn’t process my relationship with Carter when I’d just seen Nathan.
Was there an intruder here?” Carter asked directly.
“An intruder? What are you talking about?” I asked,
my heart racing.
“There’s the scent of another Alpha. A powerful… threatening scent…” he explained.
“I don’t smell anything,” I lied, though I could still detect Nathan’s pine scent and feel the heat of his touch on my skin.
“I think we need more patrols tomorrow. There’s something..
Carter suggested.
“Carter, your guards are already very diligent, and there are many of them,” I countered.
“There’s an intruder’s scent here,” he insisted.
“I’m the only one who’s been here…” I hinted, which seemed to relax his expression somewhat.
“You? You smell like spring rain, Rose. Definitely not you. Well, need to head back to the castle to handle some business. But you should go inside, in case there’s something…”
“I will. Your guards are nearby,” I promised.
“Maybe it was their scent!” Carter joked, though not convincingly.
He kissed my cheek a second time, his eyes still wary despite his attempt to appear relaxed as he left.
I stood outside for a few more minutes, wondering if Nathan would return, stroking
kick.
my belly and feeling my little wolf cub
Though Nathan didn’t reappear, his scent seemed to linger in the air.
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