The Alpha’s Pretend Mate: Curvy Nanny Shifter Romance (Starlight Valley Alphas Book 8) by Alexa Griffin

Author:Alexa Griffin [Griffin, Alexa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-12-12T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12 - Alysa

In the quiet darkness, Alysa's breathing was steady, her face soft in the embrace of sleep. For once, the incessant worries that had haunted her since she arrived here faded into the background.

She felt safe and cherished, as if, for one fleeting moment, everything was as it should be. In her slumber, she turned slightly, her lips curving into a small smile as she smelt his scent all around her, tethering her to the memory of something sweet.

For a moment, she basked in the warmth of the memories from the night before—Cassius's touch, his kisses, the way he'd made her feel so alive, the way his hands knew exactly where to touch.

“Good girl.”

Alysa’s eyes fluttered open, and a smile curved her lips as she reached out, expecting to find his solid warmth beside her.

Her hand met cold sheets instead.

Huh?

The smile faded as reality seeped in. Alysa sat up, the blanket falling away as she scanned the empty room. No sign of Cassius. No note, no explanation.

There was no trace but the lingering scent of him in the sheets—a mix of earth, pine, and cedar that made her heart ache.

Maybe he just got up early.

A hollow pit settled in her stomach as she slowly sat up, staring at the spot beside her where he had been. The sheets were still rumpled, and his scent was everywhere—infusing the space with memories she wasn’t ready to let go of.

She trailed her fingers through the empty space, wondering why it already felt like a distant memory. Was it foolish to believe in something that fragile? Was last night an exception, or had she imagined the connection entirely?

She tried to quell the unease rising in her chest. He is the Alpha, after all. He probably had important Pack business to attend to.

But as she slipped out of bed and padded to the bathroom, doubt gnawed at her. The air felt different somehow, charged with an undercurrent of tension that hadn't been there the night before.

Alysa caught sight of herself in the mirror and paused. Her chestnut hair was tousled, her lips still slightly swollen from Cassius's kisses. She touched her neck, remembering the feel of his mouth there.

The day passed in a blur of routine tasks and stolen glances at the clock. Alysa went through the motions of caring for Aurora, her mind constantly wandering to Cassius. Where was he? Why hadn't he come to see them?

Each smile from Aurora ignited warmth within her, but the laughter echoed hollow without Cassius's presence.

By evening, the knot in her stomach had tightened to the point of pain. She put Aurora to bed, her movements mechanical as she sang the baby's favorite lullaby. As the last notes faded, she heard the front door open and close.

Her heart leaped.

Cassius.

Alysa hurried downstairs, a smile already forming on her lips. But as she rounded the corner into the living room, she stopped short. Cassius stood by the fireplace, his back to her, his posture rigid.

"Cassius?" she said softly.

He turned, and the look in his eyes made her breath catch.

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