Page 13 of Abel

“Abel, I can’t.”Emotion filled her voice.So much pain and sorrow that the sound hurt his soul.“It’s not for you to worry about.”

“You can’t go through with this marriage, Es.You know it’s a death sentence.”

“I can, and I will go through with it.And I am very well aware of the consequences.”

Abel pulled back and stalked back to his bed.“Why are you so quick to end your life?”

“It’s not a life worth living, wolf.We are merely surviving and barely succeeding in that.All things end, Abel.Magic might be real, but fairy tales aren’t.”

“I don’t even know what that means.”

She nodded her head to the bathroom.“Weren’t you supposed to take a shower?”

“Are you going to join me?”

“Honey, a shower isn’t going to change my mind.I’ve already seen, tested, and returned the goods.”

Abel headed to the bathroom, “I think you’re just afraid you won’t be able to resist.”He turned on the shower and then peeked his head out of the doorway, “Do you want to make it a bet?”

She laughed.“A bet?Sure, what’s the winner getting?”

“If you win, I might stop trying to change your mind.If I win, you sleep the remainder of your nights before the wedding in my bed.”

Her cheeks flushed.“Just sleeping?”

“If that’s what you want.”

“God, you are a cocky, man.”

His grin widened.“Is that a yes?”

“Fine.”Esme rolled her eyes and stripped off her clothes.“But don’t pout when you don’t win.”

He’d memorized every curve of her body long ago.He knew every inch of her like the back of his hand.But he couldn’t help instantly being drawn to her, admiring the sight before him and not bothering to hide it.

Abel stepped into the shower, holding out his hand to her.She took it and stepped into the steaming stream of water.Abel pulled her into his arms, locking his arms around her.She melted against him, and he could feel the tension in her body slowly start to fade away.She laid her head against his chest, and for the longest time they just stood there.Silent and barely breathing.

“Esme, you can’t go through with this.You know that.”Abel whispered as he rested his chin against her head.

“I have to,” she said softly.“There’s nothing anyone can do to change my mind.”

“Just tell me why.You haven’t given me one good reason for you to give up your life for some ridiculous land war.”

Esme pulled away from him, but he gripped her tight and spun her back to him.She locked eyes with him, the look of defiance told him she wasn’t going to budge.She was too stubborn to give up her secrets.

He sighed, “Es, we’re supposed to be together.We are supposed to have pups and expand our pack—”

She yanked away from him, tears streaming down her cheeks.“We can’t ever have that, Abel.”

“I know I fucked up, I will fix it.I will earn your trust back.I will show you I’m not who I pretended to be.”

She swallowed hard and reached for the shower door.“It’s not you, Abel.”

He frowned.“Sure it is.I messed up.”

Her shoulders stiffened as she bit out the words.“It’s not you, it’s me.”

“What?”He shook his head.“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

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