Page 49 of The Wolf's Mate

Tallie hugs Hettie, and Thorne nods in my direction before they take their leave.

And finally, I’m blissfully and completely alone with my girl.

Chapter 22

Hettie

Ithoroughly enjoy how Rip shows his gratitude. His tongue is quickly becoming the best part about him, not that I will admit that to him. His damn ego is big enough with each orgasm he draws from me. It racks through my body, and when I finally reach my peak, I see stars.

Fucking stars, because my mate knows how to make me scream his name over and over again.

He hasn’t let me take care of him yet, though. I don’t understand why because I know he must be in pain with blue balls. I want to reciprocate, but Rip continually pushes me away. I would almost be insulted if it weren’t for the mind-blowing orgasms he gives. Fuck, can that man eat pussy like it’s going out of style.

But it’s the same treatment every night for the past three nights. He leaves me feeling weightless and satisfied, before locking himself in that bathroom. When he comes out, he looks composed, minus the glazed-over look in his eyes. Part of me wonders if he thinks he’ll lose control over his wolf if he allows me to reciprocate. I never have the opportunity to ask why he’s hidden from me the last few nights because he wraps me in his arms and promptly falls asleep. And in the morning, he’s gone, leaving only a note with a promise to see me later.

This morning starts no differently. I wake up to an empty bed—empty other than Grass, who has taken to Rip’s side of the bed when he leaves. Damn spoiled dog. Grass huffs as I push myself up, having the audacity to glare at me for jostling the bed and waking him.

“Sorry, Oh Great King.” I roll my eyes, but he’s a dog so he doesn’t reply.

I take care of my morning needs, changing into something I hope will keep me warm in the dropping temperatures. I rouse Grass out of bed—he isn’t thrilled about it—and open my door, expecting to see Thorne waiting for me.

Except Thorne isn’t here today. Neither is Tallie. Another guard, one I have only seen in passing, stands there. She gives me a curt smile. “Are you ready, Luna?”

“Yes, but where’s Thorne?”

“Alpha Thorne is in a meeting, filling in for the King Alpha,” she says like she just didn’t make the situation more confusing.

Where the fuck is Rip then?

“Will you take me to Thorne, please?”

“Yes, Luna. I’m instructed to take you to him.”

Well, that’s good at least. The woman then takes off toward the pack meeting rooms, somewhere I rarely go. Grass trots behind me, taking in everything like he hasn’t seen it a dozen times before.

My confusion only mounts when my temporary escort leads me to a closed door, knocking once. From inside, papers rustle and muffled voices speak, but I can’t make out any of them.

After what feels like a century but is probably only thirty seconds later, the door opens, and Thorne’s serene face greets me. He nods at the woman. “Thank you, Alpha Layla. You’re free to go back to your duties.”

Without another word, the woman—Layla—leaves. She clearly doesn’t want to prolong the inevitable.

Once she rounds the corner, leaving me alone with Thorne, I ask, “Where’s Rip?”

“He’s…indisposed at the moment. He wanted me to let you know he’s fine but won’t be back for the next couple of days.”

Thorne isn’t lying to me as much as he’s withholding the truth. “Yeah, that’s not going to cut it. Where is Rip? And why couldn’t he tell me himself?” Just when I thought we were making progress too. Why the hell would he just leave?

“I really can’t say more than that?—”

“Thorne, just tell her,” a familiar voice abruptly cuts Thorne off. Tallie pushes her way past her mate. If Thorne truly wanted to stop her, he could, but he seems almost relieved that Tallie is defying him.

“Where’s Rip?” I parrot, sounding like a broken record, except I don’t care—I want answers.

“Rip is at a cabin not far from here. But he’s going to remain there for a couple days,” Tallie says.

“Why? Did something happen?”

Tallie and Thorne share a glance, communicating without their voices. It’s both amazing to see and annoying as fuck because I don’t know what’s passing between them. It would be incredibly convenient if Rip and I could do the same.