The Alpha's Silent Bride: Seventh Time's The Charm novel Chapter 75

Chapter 75: 075: Goodbye

~ ROSELLE ~

My eyes prop open when I hear a soft knock on the door. The morning light slams into my eyes, making me squeeze them shut immediately. I slowly rise from the bed, half-blind, as I make my way to the window and shut it.

Hell, how did I end up sleeping without closing the windows?

Oh well, that’s another sign of how much I miss Ronan. He’s always right there, taking care of the little things I need before I even ask. He seems to know me better than I know myself.

My lashes flutter as my eyes finally adjust, relieving the ache from the blinding light. I yawn and stretch before my morning nature calls. My bladder reminds me that I need to relieve myself.

Another knock.

Oh hell, that’s what woke me up. Someone’s at the door.

I drag myself to the door, my hand already reaching for the knob before I even question who’s standing outside or take a second to think.

I almost feel my heart stop when I see Ronan standing there. He’s already dressed, ready to leave the pack.

My heart aches.

I know I stupidly told him I wasn’t going with him when he asked. I know. But that was because I don’t want to be the other woman. I want our situation to be clear. I don’t want to be the woman who ends up claiming a man while depriving him of the chance to have a complete family with his supposed mate... if Mara eventually gets pregnant.

Or worse... I’ll spend every day blaming myself for making such a selfish choice on someone else’s behalf.

"Hey, good morning," I drawl, trying to keep my voice neutral while convincing myself that I’m okay... that I’m doing the right thing.

"Did you sleep well?"

Those gray eyes study me for a full second, and I nod. Even with the dark circles beneath his eyes, I can tell he barely slept... and I miss him. I do. I miss knowing when something is bothering him. I miss the way he’d tell me everything going on with him and the pack after dinner.

"Yes, I did..." I say, stepping aside just in case there’s something he needs to get from the room.

Instead, he leans against the doorframe and reaches for my hand.

The moment his fingers wrap around mine, electricity buzzes through me.

Fuck.

I want to throw my arms around him, pull him close, and tell him I want to go with him... to forget every promise and every ounce of restraint I’ve worked so hard to build. I want to kiss those lips I’ve come to miss so much, breathe him in, and lose myself in his embrace... just for a moment.

The sudden creak of the door beneath my other hand snaps me back to reality.

I jerk my hand out of his grasp immediately, as though the contact burns, and he blinks twice before clearing his throat.

"I’m leaving this morning," Ronan says quietly, and the words feel like they physically compress my chest.

Of course he’s leaving. I already know that. But knowing it in my head and hearing him say it out loud are two entirely different things.

"I know," I whisper, my chest heaving.

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