Intent on His claim (Beauty and the Beast #3)

Chapter 32

When I drifted awake, Warren turned to me. He'd been staring out of the floor length windows at the sunrise and when he turned, his profile lit up by the soft light, my breath caught.

"Good morning, my love," he whispered huskily.

"Hi," I whispered back shyly. I pulled the covers up almost to my eyes as I stared at him. "You stayed in my room?"

"Did you wish for me to have left you?" he teased.

I blushed deeper and whispered, "No. I can't sleep without you."

He walked back to the bed and sat on the edge, tugging at the covers. "I find that rest comes easy with you in my arms," he murmured, then he frowned slightly. "Why do you hide from me?"

I blushed and dropped my eyes. "I'm not sure what will happen if you touch me," I confessed softly.

Warren laughed and his eyes were tender when they returned to me. "Yes, you have developed quite the habit of attacking me," he teased. "And as we have a perimeter to check, I agree that it would be unwise to get distracted." He tugged on the sheet again. "Will you not let me see you?"

When his words registered, the sheet fell from my fingers as I gazed up at him excitement. "We? You're coming with us?"

"Roger is relieved for the day," he responded. "You were quite exhausted from your day yesterday and that made me curious. I'm anxious to know what these runs entail."

I looked away before he could read the guilt in my eyes. Okay, so maybe I hadn't just hung out with Axle all afternoon... Then something occurred to me and I pouted in annoyance. "We have school though, so we can't check the perimeter until after."

Warren gently caressed my cheek, startling me out of my pout. A slight electric buzz sizzled along my skin and I couldn't help leaning into his touch, fighting the urge to purr. "Would you like to run with me this morning?"

I looked up at him hopefully. "Can we?"

His smile was dreamy. "Of course." Then he stood and strode to my door with a smirk. "After all, your alpha commands it."

I giggled as he walked out. There were definite perks to dating the alpha. I quickly got ready, wearing his Tee shirt again, and we were soon streaking through the forest. I braved through my sore muscles for the first few minutes but thankfully the sensation didn't last.

I had gotten used to Roger leading the way while I mindlessly followed, too absorbed in cataloguing the sights and sounds around me to care about direction, so when Warren stayed behind me I got confused.

Without slowing down, I turned to him. "Um, why're you behind me?"

His grin was dazzling and with the wind tugging at his hair and clothes, he was fiercely beautiful. I bit my lip and almost missed his words. "I'm merely enjoying watching you."

Turning back, I realised that he was letting me lead. I gave a squeal of excitement and balled my fists, really getting into it. Okay, I could do this. I could focus and show Warren that I was paying attention during my lessons.

And at some point I'd have to examine this all consuming desire to please him...

As we ran, I pulled up the mental map Roger had taught me to use so I could systematically cover the forest. Between it and making sure that everything was in order, I was so focused that it was a while before I noticed that I was alone.

I instantly stopped running and glanced around me. There was no sign of Warren and his scent wasn't in the area. When had I lost him? Also, how had I lost the alpha?