Moon Bound

Chapter 31- She Caught his Scent

I couldn't stop grinning. It was embarrassing, really. I was getting odd looks from passerbys in the hallways as I made my way across the den.  Even when I tried to force my lips into submission, they refused to stay put; the corners would tug back up, and the stupid-looking smile would find its way back into place. I internally scolded myself for acting like a giddy teenager. My brain had clearly forgotten I was a grown-ass female.

It was no use.

I needed to take some lessons from Codrin on how to hide every shred of emotion behind a mask of stoicism. I thought about all the poorly  veiled smiles we exchanged this morning and realized that even he may have struggled to look serious today. I chuckled to myself, then mused about how he could manage to make his smiles look sexy and endearing. I was pretty sure, right now, I just looked unhinged.

The mate bond pulsed with a warmth that radiated outward. My wolf basked in it, her contentment vibrating through me. Like her, I welcomed it, allowing myself to feel the full extent of the affection that had grown for him.

Please don't break my heart, Codrin.

Reaching the door to my lab, I let myself in. I had a little more time to work before I met Codrin for dinner, and I wanted to get started on the protocol for using wolfsbane medicinally.
The Alpha's Council requested it be
ready to distribute among the packs before the conclusion of the summit.

My presentation this morning had gone exceedingly well. I'd been nervous as to how such an unprecedented use of wolfsbane would be received, but I guess when it's been used similarly as a way to torture information out of wolves since practically the beginning of time...the idea wasn't that far-fetched to the Alphas and Betas present.

I grimaced at the thought.

As a doctor, the idea of torture abhorred me, but maybe this was just another step in moving away from the old ways. I had a chance here to help our species make advancements.

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Sitting at my desk, I tapped my pen against my paper absentmindedly, still distracted by the events of the day.

I'd briefly stopped in to see Aster, making sure she took the day off to recover. Grigore had kept his word, checking on her as promised. Aster had blushed a little when she told me he'd brought her breakfast this morning. I smiled, thinking about the surly guardian doing something as thoughtful as making sure she had food.

Thinking about Grigore had my mind circling back to Codrin, naked, with his hard body pressed up next to me while we slept. I buried my flushing face in my hands as my smile grew wider. I groaned into my palms...dear goddess, there was no hope in my getting any more work done today. That male had officially turned my brain to mush.

I sat up straight and blew out a breath. Maybe I would just take another peek in on the rogue girl. They had her in a controlled sleep using the Valerian serum to give her a chance to heal, there really wasn't much I could do for her at this point, but it was a distraction at least.

Without warning, the strangest feeling crept over me, like an outside influence whispering into my mind. I shivered at the eerie sensation, rubbing my arms to try and ward off the chill that came with it.

My thoughts took a sudden turn, heading toward dark places. Feeling like an oppressive force, self-doubt began to make me question if I could ever really be enough for Codrin. Being his meant taking on a position I never could have envisioned myself in. Was I even worthy? What did Codrin really gain from taking me as a mate? If I truly loved him, shouldn't I want what was best for him?

Maybe I wasn't what was best for him.

I couldn't help but think about Selene. Wouldn't she be better suited for him? She clearly had a knowledge and understanding of our politics if he trusted her enough to fill in for his Beta.