The Luna's Vow

Chapter 5. The Bodyguard

Steinar didn't return to the Gateway overnight, Blake reported first thing in the morning, and an uneasy feeling stirred in my gut. Seattle was only a two or three-hour drive away, but Blake wouldn't be with me, and every fiber of my being would hurt from this separation. Mate sickness they called it.

On top of it, Blake acted sullen in our shared office too. He paced so much; I glanced at the new set of chains on the wall, pondering if I should give my mate an Alpha time-out, and a pang of guilt tugged on my gut. What did you expect? You made him go. He never wanted to.

Somehow, we muddled through the morning shackling no one to the wall or to their desk, mostly thanks to Mie. She cleared the long list of Alpha's duties for the next two days like a champ.

"Two days," I whispered, staring at the empty slots in the calendar. Somehow, it made it more real. On one hand, it was good to know that I'd eat, sleep and rule on my own for only two days, on the other... "Just two days, Blake?"

"That should be enough," Blake replied. His tone was carefully neutral, but tension was unmistakable in his scent.

"Good to know the exact value you're willing to allocate to my past. What if you don't find Dad in that timeframe?"

He winced when I called Steinar Dad. I wasn't even sure I said it because I actually felt the kinship, or to get a rise out of my mate. We were doing it a lot since Steinar walked through the Olympian's doors. "Then he doesn't want to be found."

"Fine." I stared at my calendar, opened at the screen, to avoid locking gazes with Blake. The engagements I took over filled it to bursting. "I better finish my uni assignment before I have to pull double duty."

"Suit yourself. Your bodyguard is coming at two, then come to see me off...if you feel like it." Blake walked to the exit to pack a few things.

"Will do," I said to his back just before he disappeared in the elevator.

His refusal to argue made me more miserable than if he did. Despite my huffy declaration, my thoughts refused to stick to math and the celestial bodies' movement. They circled like crows around three subjects: Steinar and Mom's relationship; Scarlett and her ties to Steinar's disappearance; and, finally, this new precarious balance of Blake's and mine relationship.

It was like Steinar shook up our union—union, not marriage. Rocking the boat was almost desirable after a year in calm waters. It brought some items from under the benches, things we pushed aside for the sake of harmony within the pack.

Alpha's and Luna's relationship echoed down the ranks, and our pack needed healing. I understood that better than ever, but love, even fated and everlasting, isn't a walk in the park when the lovers live together. Little things crop up, and the big ones. Plus, make-up sex was addictive, and, gosh, I hoped it was a good thing. For the pack, I mean. Definitely for the pack.

When the elevator stopped at the executive floor again, I lifted my head, sure it was Blake, but the scent just before the door opened wasn't his.

"Hello," the visitor said.

The naughty smile melted from my lips. "Harold, what the hell are you doing here?"

"Thrilled to see me, I see." His voice could never shed the note of disdain for the world and everyone in it. "This appointment was already a highlight of my day, and now, basking in your glorious presence, I'm overwhelmed with bliss."

An appointment? "Goddess! You are...did Alpha in his infinite wisdom make you my bodyguard?"

"Come on, we can call him Blake between us. Seeing we'll be best friends for two days. Or, at the very least, inseparable. Because, yes, yes, I'm to protect Blake's precious mate with my life and yada-yada-yada."