The Wolf Lord's Mate

Chapter Twenty

I awoke with sunlight on my face.

For a moment I forgot where I was, half-expecting to roll over and see Isa dressing for the day. What I was not expecting to see was Lord Nathaniel sitting in the chair opposite me, an obscenely smug look gracing his handsome face.

'"Did you sleep well, my darling?" Nathaniel spoke casually, one arm slung over the back of the chair, "I hope you know that if you ever wish to join me in bed, you would be most welcome. And far more comfortable."

Lurching up, I held the throw tightly to my chest. I was acutely aware of just how little I was wearing. Nathaniel had only ever seen me in my full dress, but underneath the throw I was only wearing a slip, a white nightdress short and light enough for the time of year.

Nathaniel's gaze dropped to where I was clutching the throw tightly against me, his eyes darkening. How long had he been watching me sleep? I had no clue what time it was, but he was fully dressed for the day. His finely cut breeches hugged his thighs tightly, a perfectly tailored vest buttoned up over his crisp linen shirt.

I had not made a single piece, just another clue I should have caught onto earlier—Nathaniel had never needed a seamstress, and I had been too desperate for work to question him despite my suspicions. And where had that landed me? Trapped under the gaze of the Wolf Lord, unable to sleep unless I was wrapped up in his scent.

"Are you hungry? I'm famished, personally." Nathaniel said, although the hunger in his eyes was certainly not for food. His gaze flicked from my face down to where the throw was covering my body. I hugged it even tighter, wrapping it under my arms.

I could feel my nipples poking through the fabric of my nightdress, hard and desperate for his attention, and the last thing I needed was to give Nathaniel any more encouragement. The only way I was going to fight against my desire for him was to keep a safe distance between us. His touch made me weak and he knew it, and I had a feeling that he would use any tool at his disposal to make me fall for him.

But that would not happen.

"I should go," I half-stuttered, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come here—"

"—I already told you, Mira, my only issue with you sleeping here is that you did not come to bed properly." Nathaniel rose to approach me, and I stumbled off the chaise, still somehow managing to keep the throw tight against my chest.

"No," I said, raising a hand towards him, "I have work to do, I don't have time for this."
"Do you?" Nathaniel looked down at my hand with amusement, "I don't believe the Lady of the Manor has to work."

"I am not the Lady of the Manor," I warned. He wasn't planning on announcing that we were mates, was he?

"I am the Lord and you are my mate," There was a mischievous glint in Nathaniel's eyes when he spoke, "I believe it's a simple matter of deduction—You are my Lady, Mira."

"What happened to wanting to keep me safe?" I tilted up my chin, "What about the danger of people finding out you have a mate?"

"It is an inevitable danger, perhaps," Nathaniel took a step forward, and I darted around him to be closer to the door, "Now that I have told you of my claim—now that I've had a taste of you, darling, there is no turning back for me."
"Do not call me that." I said, turning my face in an attempt to hide the flush I could feel on my cheeks.

"Darling?" Nathaniel tilted his head at me, "You don't like it?"

"No." I said, although it was a lie. The truth was that my heart leapt every time he said it, and I needed that to end immediately.

"Perhaps sweetheart would be better?" Nathaniel feigned innocence, taking a step forward with every word, "Or perhaps angel? Dearest, sweetness, pet, love, my adorable little mate?" Nathaniel's voice dipped low and husky, "Do any of those appeal to you? I'd be happy to continue offering alternatives."

"Mira would be suitable," I glared at him.

"Perfect," Nathaniel nodded, "My darling Mira it is."

"Nathaniel." I warned.

"Go on, I do love it when you say my name."

Gods, this male was impossible.

"You said there was a danger in announcing me publicly as your mate," I continued, "That hasn't changed, so don't announce me publicly. Both for the sake of safety and for my own sanity, I'm not ready. I'm—the idea of that is terrifying."

Nathaniel's gaze softened, his hands twitching at his sides, as if he were desperate to reach for me. "I can wait a bit longer to announce it publicly if it makes you feel better. That does not mean, however, that things will revert to how they were before. You are still mine."

"Surely there would be no suspicion if I were to continue on as your seamstress." I adored my work, and no ridiculous Wolf would be taking it from me. "I want to continue to work."

"You can choose to spend your days here however you please," Nathaniel assured me, "Although I have my own proposition."

"Which is?" I dared to ask.

"My solution, darling, is quite simple. If I keep you by my side, or even better—if I keep you in our bed all day, then no-one will ever be able to get anywhere near you."

"You cannot keep me in your bed all day," I scoffed, "I would go mad with boredom."

"Oh, you wouldn't be bored," A sly smirk formed on Nathaniel's lips, "I would have plenty of ways to keep you entertained. And you'll be so thoroughly spent afterwards, you might just collapse then and there—better to already have you in bed, don't you think?"

"I'm going to leave now," I said, back-stepping towards the door, "But you're free to entertain whatever ridiculous fantasies that you'd like."

"Are they fantasies?" Nathaniel asked, "You can't sleep without being near me, I know because I have experienced the same problem. Which means you can deny it all you want, but tonight you will be back here, seeking out my scent."

"No," I said, "I most certainly will not."

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