Page 63 of The Wolf Lord's Mate

My dreams were a smeared blur, memories mixing with moments chipped away from the walls of the cabin around me; of Nathaniel gathering me in his arms, of a chilled wind rustling the curtains, of the door clicking shut.

For a moment I dreamt that I was alone, trapped in the cold recesses of an ice cave somewhere deep underground. Then I was high in an oak tree, lifted up by the solid boughs that cradled me ever so gently, brushing my forehead with its leaves. And then the darkness seeped in, my disquieted slumber easing into dreamless peace as warmth enveloped me completely.

Dawn was breaking through the window when I awoke, stirred awake by the sounds of Nathaniel milling about the room. I didn't remember coming upstairs, and had only a vague recollection of Nathaniel's arms around me.

A gentle groan escaped my lips as I stretched my arms out above me, eyes only just cracked open against the morning light.

"How did you sleep, love?" Nathaniel paused in front of the open wardrobe, a pair of trousers stopped in his hands.

"Strangely," I hummed, shifting up against the plush pillows, "But well, thank you—When did you take me to bed?"

"When I returned." Nathaniel said, pulling the trousers fully out of the open drawer.

"Returned?" I asked, and Nathaniel stiffened just slightly. I didn't remember him leaving at any point last night, my final moments before drifting to sleep had been spent in his embrace, held tightly in his arms.

"We had a message in the night," Nathaniel cleared his throat, rolling the trousers in a small bundle, "Young Marcus brought word that we were expecting a very unexpected guest at the manor—not to mention unwanted." Nathaniel grumbled.

"Do you have to entertain someone that you don't want to see? You're the Lord, after all." I couldn't imagine who Nathaniel was referrring too, particularly in regard to who could be so important as to tear him away from the cabin.

He had seemed so deadset on staying there despite my previous protestations. Part of me was glad at the chance to get back to the manor; back to my sewing, and Isa, and privacy, and yet—there was the slightest ache in my chest.

Something akin to disappointment bloomed inside of me at the idea of our time at the cabin coming to an end so soon. Especially now that I was starting to open up to the idea of exploring mine and Nathaniel's bond, and it would be much easier to do it in the privacy of the cabin. Far more comfortable too, and I couldn't say that I would not get spooked again once we were back to reality.

"A Lord cannot exactly say no to another Lord," Nathaniel said, "Especially not with such short notice."

"A Lord called on you?" I shifted to the edge of the bed, blankets still tangled around my legs and waist, "Which one?"

"Do you remember what I told you about Lord Walton?" Nathaniel asked, "That day in the sewing room—you looked so beautiful in that plum dress of yours with the embroidered pockets."

"I do," I glanced down, heat crawling up my cheeks at the reverent look in his eye, as if he were remembering a prayer when he looked at me, "You said that you didn't trust him, and that he would use whatever means he could to hurt you."

"A snake of a male," Nathaniel nodded, "Who happens to be on the way to our manor." I bit back the urge to correct him; that it was his manor not our manor, but he seemed troubled by the situation at hand, and I didn't want to make him feel worse.

"How soon do we need to leave?" I asked, following Nathaniel's movements as he pushed the bundled trousers in his satchel. Mine was already at the end of the bed fully packed, with a dress and shoes laid out next to it. Nathaniel must have risen well before the sun in order to get everything prepared for us to leave, letting me sleep in until dawn.

"As soon as you are able, my love—we have a long ride ahead us, but I'll try and get us there as fast as possible," Nathaniel glanced over at me, his eyes tender almost to the point of apology, "I'm sorry that we will have to cut our trip short, my sweet."

"I understand," I kicked off the blankets, rising to join him by the wardrobe, "Your duties as a Lord are important, and I don't ever want to distract you from them."

"But you are the sweetest distraction, little one," Nathaniel groaned, wrapping his arms around my waist and pushing me back against the wardrobe, "You have not left my thoughts from the moment I met you, sweet female—I see you even when I close my eyes; I think of you every minute of every day."

Nathaniel's lips found their way to my neck, and I moaned as he nipped at the sensitive skin there, his hands gripping my hips hard, and a growl rumbled against the hollow of my throat as Nathaniel pressed himself against me. His grip loosened slightly, fingers rubbing gentle circles into my hips as he pulled his head back to look down at me.

"As soon as you're ready to go love." Nathaniel stated, turning away to continue to pack and leaving me a panting, tingling mess.