The bedroom door was pushed open, and before my thoughts could settle, I quickly grabbed a duvet to cover my naked body.
Ashton, my mate, walked into the room. His clothes were very damp from the rain. He walked straight into the bathroom. I shut the door behind him. He did not look at me, even for once, as if I did not even exist in that space.
I felt a bit relieved because any attention drawn to me would make him crush me with his wild words.
Sleep was impossible, not that he had returned, so I sat up on my bed and put on my nightwear.
I opened his wardrobe and carefully took out his pajamas, like I always did every single night. I neatly placed it by the bathroom door and then stepped onto the balcony to look at the rain pouring on the floor.
It has been raining for hours now. The sky was heavy and dark. The scenery of the wet grass and earth drifted up into the air. I suddenly felt restless, like something was about to happen. I quickly pushed the thoughts away when I heard the water from the shower stop. Ashton was done bathing.
I turned into the room just as Ashton walked out of the bathroom, a clean white towel wrapped around his waist. His hair was still wet, and drops of water were sliding down his neck and shoulders. He looked powerful, even like this, fresh from the shower, the alpha aura clinging to him without any effort, and he knew this.
I must have stared too long cos he noticed my eyes immediately.
His brows drew together slightly. "Come here," he said, commanding me like he always did.
I walked over at once, and he tossed the towel toward me, and I caught it without thinking.
"Dry my hair," he said.
I was used to this. Used to following his lead. Used to place myself behind him without question. He sat on the edge of the bed, and I climbed up, kneeling as I gently rubbed the towel through his hair.
"Grandpa's funeral is tomorrow," I said quietly. "We should go to the family home early."
I was not trying to talk his ear off; I just did not want him to forget.
"Mm," he replied, nothing more.
I stayed silent after that. When I finished, I laid the towel aside and returned to my side of the bed. Lately, I have been tired all the time. Heavy Sleep pulled at me more than usual. I told myself it was normal, it was just the pregnancy.
Usually, Ashton would leave for his study after his shower. He would stay there until late, keeping his distance like always.
So when the mattress dipped beside me, I immediately stiffened.
He lay down, scooting closer to me
I didn't ask why he was still here; I just stayed still and did not move.
Then his arm slid around my waist, pulling me back against his chest. His warmth seeped into me, making me catch my breath. A light kiss brushed my lips, barely there but enough to wake every nerve in my body.
I turned my head slowly, confused.
"Ashton, I'm… "
"Unwilling?" he asked, his eyes were dark when I met them. Sharp. Intense. Something restless burned in them, like a hunger he hadn't decided whether to release or restrain.
My heart began to race, not with excitement but because with Ashton, nothing ever came without a price.
I immediately lowered my eyes.
I was unwilling, but in this bond with my mate, my wants had never mattered.
"Can you… be gentler?" I asked quietly.
My hand moved instinctively to my lower stomach. The life there was fragile and very new; it was barely holding on to life, and that made fear tighten my chest.
His expression darkened.
Without answering or saying another word, he turned me over, grabbing my breast and pressing it softly. This was the only affection I got from him. He got on top of me, heavy and urgent, leaving no room to resist him. I melted instantly, but focused on just one thing: protecting my growing child.
Outside, the rain grew louder, as if the sky itself had lost control the way my Mate did. Thunder cracked loudly over us, and lightning spilling into the room, illuminating briefly before plunging it back into darkness.
When he was done, he pulled away without a word and went into the bathroom.
I lay there, shaking and cursing at him.
Cold sweat clung to my skin, plain seeping through my skin in slow waves. I thought about getting up, but the dull ache in my stomach made me stay put.
The room was quiet except for the rain.
Then his phone rang.
I turned my head weakly toward the bedside table. The screen lit up. It was Ashton's phone. I glanced at the clock.
Eleven.
Only one person ever called him that late.
Rebecca.
The water stopped in the bathroom, and Ashton stepped out, towel around his waist, already reaching for the phone. His tone shifted the moment he spoke.
"Rebecca," he said sharply. "Stop messing around."
He ended the call quickly.
Then he dressed up very fast. Like he was already gone.
In the past, I would have said nothing, I would have turned my face away, and pretended not to care about whatever he did.
But tonight I reached out and caught his arm.
"Can you stay?" I asked softly. "Just tonight, please l."
He looked at me like I had said something ridiculous.
"Did I satisfy you that much," he said coldly, "that you're starting to forget your place?"
The sarcasm stung more than the pain in my body.
I took a breath and lifted my gaze. "Tomorrow is Grandpa's funeral, " I said. "Even if you can't let her go… shouldn't you show some restraint just for tonight and some respect to your grandfather?"
His eyes narrowed sharply.
In a split second, his hand was on my chin, his fingers tight enough to force me to look up. His wolf surged forward, sharp and dangerous, making the air feel thin.
"Are you threatening me?" he asked quietly.
Then, in a low voice that sent a chill through me, he said, "You have grown bold, Scarlett Stovall. Too too bold."
And in that moment, I knew
Something had changed.