Page 65 of The Wolf Lord's Mate

Nathaniel

"Thank you for your urgency," I nodded somewhat absentmindedly at Marcus, "Are you returning tonight?" I asked, although regardless of Marcus's answer, he would not be staying in the cabin.

Mira was still unmarked, and no male would be sleeping that close to her, even while I was there. I wouldn't be able to sleep at best, but at worst—well, Marcus was a good male, and it would be a shame to have to hurt him.

"I'll ride to an inn nearby and sleep there for the rest of the night." Marcus said, dipping his chin into a small bow.

"I'll give you coin for it." I stated, but Marcus shook his head.

"The Captain already did, My Lord." Of course he did, blessed Leo; the male always thought of everything, including the fact that I would be on edge at the idea of another male around Mira. Leo was a dear friend and a great male, and whatever female found herself as his mate would be feel more cherished than gold in his embrace.

"Where is your horse?" I asked, peering out into the woods.

"It's on the last ridge over," Marcus gestured towards the far trees, "It got too dark for me to see, and I didn't want to risk the horse breaking a leg in a ditch or something." Another sheepish smile titled Marcus's lips, but there was something in it besides embarrassment at his lack of Wolfish instincts; no, he was avoiding my gaze entirely, his pulse thudding in his throat and his heart quickening erratically.

I studied him carefully, noting the way his eyes would flick in the direction of the cabin, a slight flush at his neck every time he did.

Gods, I did not like that.

No, I did not like that one iota.

"Is there something in my cabin that entices you, pup?" My words slipped into a growl, a white-hot fire rising in my belly as wave of possessiveness rushed through my body. Every muscle went tense, and I dug my nails into my palm to keep from seizing Marcus and physically directing his gaze away from where my mate was sleeping.

Sleeping alone, I reminded myself, and I could not get distracted while that was the case. I had to keep one ear out for anything that might approach Mira while I wasn't there, but the memory of Mira and Marcus in the garden was making it difficult to focus.

Watching that little human dare touch any part of my female had made me want to tear him apart, to bundle Mira in my arms and show him that she belonged to no one but me. That no male would touch her but me.

In and out.

I took a deep breath, giving nothing away as I stared down at Marcus, who was stuttering out his words.

"N-no My Lord, I was only, uh—I was only, um, wondering how the repairs were holding up?" Lie.

"Fine." I chewed the word slowly, my voice dipping low.

"That is good to hear, My Lord." Marcus's eyes were wide as saucers.

"Is it?" I asked.

"Yes, My Lord." Marcus reeked of fear, but there was something else too—a curiosity that bordered almost on excitement, and the pieces slowly clicked into place in my mind. I had a feeling I knew exactly what was so interesting about my cabin, and it did concern my mate.

"Marcus," I spoke slowly, clenching my jaw tightly, "What else did Leo tell you before you came here?"

"What do you mean, My Lord?"

"I informed the staff that Mira and I would be visiting Leo at his home—clearly if he sent you here to find me, then you know that is not the case. So I will repeat myself again: what else did Leo tell you?"

"He didn't tell me anything," Marcus swallowed, his adam's apple bobbing, "I guessed, My Lord."

Fuck.

Reality crashed down on me all at once. Being there at the cabin with Mira, I had been able to think only of her. Of courting her, caring for her, acclimating her to the idea of being my mate.

To my touch, my love, my position as a leader that would soon be shared with her. My plan had been to take as much time there at the cabin as I needed before she was ready to accept her place by my side, but that time had disappeared.

To make matters worse, our secrecy had disappeared also, and I did not know how Mira would react.

"How many of you know?" I asked.

"Just Patty and myself," Marcus rushed to speak, hands raised in defense, "The Captain came quietly; the rest of the household believe that you and Mira are still at his home, and that you sent him ahead. They know nothing, and I would tell them nothing, My Lord. But—"Marcus tilted his head, eyes darting towards the cabin, "—I suppose that congratulations are in order, My Lord."

"Yes, well," I cleared my throat, thinking only of how Mira would react, "Thank you. My mate and I still have much to discuss."

It was a discussion that I wasn't quite ready to have with her, but I had no choice. It was an odd feeling to be unsure, and not one that I had oft experienced in my life.

But Mira had knocked me off my axis the moment I had met her, and my world had never been the same. And I never wanted it to be the same.