Housebound with the Blackridge Heirs novel Chapter 98

Chapter 98

Chapter 98

Maya

I stayed with him until he dozed off. It didn’t take long for me to doze off, too, and eventually, I ended up in his

bed.

I’ve slept with him a few nights, but never like this. It was always when I stayed with him until he fell asleep, and I did too, but always in his couch or in his chair.

I woke up to the gentle caress of a thumb on my skin. By body reacted to it instantly, even though I didn’t intend to. It took me a minute to recall where I fell asleep.

My eyes fluttered open, and I was staring into bright hazel eyes.

But that struck me… Bright. Not dull or aching.

He must’ve registered the surprise on my face wrong, because he removed his hands instantly, directing his gaze elsewhere.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled.

“It’s okay,” I whispered, even though I didn’t know if it was.

Leo’s jaw flexed. “You shouldn’t be here.”

I blinked. “What?”

“You should be with him,” he said, and his eyes opened again, sharp and less bright… and I hated that. “With your mate.”

The word hit me in the chest because it was true and not true at the same time, because my bond to Caden was the loudest thing in me and yet he wasn’t here, and because the person who was here was Leo, broken and stubborn and still trying to pretend he didn’t need anyone.

“He’s not here,” I said carefully. “And you’re hurt.” And you’re my mate too, I wanted to add but thought better of it. This was what I was trying so hard to uncomplicate.

Leo’s gaze flicked away. “I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not,” I murmured, keeping my hand in his hair. “And I’m not leaving you alone in this room to pretend you are.”

The silence that followed was thick, and for a moment the only sound was the faint crackle of the dying fire from downstairs filtering through the vents. It was still strange how I could hear so sharply now.

“You slept better, didn’t you?” I asked as I cupped his cheek in my palms. His eyes fluttered close on impact, and he leaned into my touch.

“Maya,” he rasped, sounding almost pained.

“You did, didn’t you?”

His eyes opened, and the light was back. “It’s the best night rest I’ve had in almost five years,” he admitted, and that too me by surprise.

“Oh.” That was all I could manage, honestly.

“I’m feeling better too,” he added as he sat up. “My neck has healed.”

My eyes could have popped out of my head right then as joy and gratitude and every perfect emotion swam through me.

I threw my arms-around him, still being careful as I did.

“Leo, that’s amazing!”

His eyes glazed over, and he looked at me like I was something he needed, but couldn’t have.

“My wolf…my wolf was never injured,” he said, looking away

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Chapter 98

I felt Tylon’s presence lingering near too, and I assumed he was at the door listening. Still, I didn’t look away as Leo spoke.

“Since the grove… since our… bond clicked into place officially when your wolf woke, he’s been heartbroken and sad. It pains him… pains us, that you wear another man’s mark, even if his bond with you, for some reason,

formed first.”

My heart broke at the confession.

Tylon shifted at the door, and I could feel his attention like a blade at my back, but he didn’t interrupt, which in itself felt like a kind of trust.

“So, sleeping next to you last night…”

“It made him happy and calm,” he admitted. “It’s like his rush of dopamine and oxytocin. I’m still weak but the fractures that were healing slowly, almost like human pace, have healed. My broken bones… healed. And even if it was temporary, my broken mind… healed.”

I had no idea.

How was I supposed to continue my everyday life with this type of knowledge? Knowing that I was hurting him so much by simply being fully mated to another man.

Was this how Tylon felt too, but was just too good at hiding? Did his brooding and nonchalance really just cover up what he felt so deeply?

“I’m sorry, Leo,” I whispered as a single teardrop fell from my eye.

He smiled sadly. “No need. It’s just how it is.”

“But it shouldn’t be. What sick universe thought it was wise to mate one female to three males! How did that

make sense?

It just didn’t.

Leo swallowed, then his voice came out quieter, almost unwilling. “When I close my eyes, I always hear it again. The screams… the destructions. But when you’re here it’s… quiet.”

I didn’t ask what, because I knew. I had heard it too, in different ways. I didn’t know what happened to Leo. I still haven’t asked him to tell me about it. But I knew something bothered him at night. Especially since he woke up from that coma.

“I’m here,” I said softly. “You’re not alone.”

Leo’s eyes shut again and his breath trembled. “You shouldn’t be the one doing this.”

“Then who should?” I asked, and the question came out sharper than I meant.

Leo didn’t answer, but his shoulders loosened a fraction.

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