Chapter 194


    Sinir


    “I’m worried about E.” I confess, pushing away my dinner.


    “You still haven’t been able to connect?” Hugo inquires, looking up from his own meal. We’re on the


    road today, in between territories and enjoying a rare night free of politics – though not free of stress.


    This is the first time I’ve been able to stop moving all day, and I know I have a long night of research


    and preparations for our next destination ahead.


    “Not the way I want.” I confirm. “We talk on the phone but something feels off. It would be different if I


    could actually see her, hold her and feel her emotions for myself. I can’t stand this distance.”


    “Maybe that’s all this is then,” Hugo guesses. “You feel anxious because you’re so far away and don’t


    have the bond to rely on, and the absence of the connection is driving your wolf to distraction”


    “But it’s not just her.” I admit, “Every time I ask Dad or Gabriel about E, it feels like they’re holding


    something back, and it concerns me that she’s noting to our dreams. Every time I reach out for


    her… it’s like she’s not even there.”


    “That’s not unheard of. Dream meetings take more energy than regr sleep -more brain power.”


    Hugo reasons, “Few couples meet that way every night, or even weekly – especially under such


    stressful conditions.”


    “My worry is that she’s too stressed. I can hardly get her to turn on the video function on callstely and


    when I do she’s got great big circles under her eyes.” I grumble, “And if I could get her into a dream


    then I could force her to tell me what’s going on, but my voice alone can only do so much.”


    Not to mention the naughty thing finds an excuse to get off the phone as soon as we get stern with her.


    My wolf adds crankily.


    “You knew that was a risk.” Hugo replies with a sigh, “And if you ask me, she’s not the only one working


    herself into the ground to distract herself from missing her mate.”


    “That’s not why I’m doing it.” I counter grumpily, and he shoots me a disbelieving nce. “At least, it’s


    not the only reason. There’s too much to do. I feel guilty every time I take even the smallest break.”


    “You and E are two sides of the same coin.”


    Hugoughs, “I think you both need to take a day off.”


    “A day off to do what?” I scowl, feeling irrationally annoyed with my Beta even though I know he’s only


    trying to help. “Sightsee? Read a novel? While my people are dying?”


    “So E shouldn’t get one either?” Hugo inquires slyly, finishing his te. “She should keep working


    herself into the ground, until she’spletely burnt out?”


    “That’s different.” I bite, baring my fangs at him.


    “Why?” Hugo demands. “Why is it okay for her to take care of herself, but not you?”


    “Because I don’t have the luxury of burning out! If I do, then Ipromise the entire fvcking war.” I


    burst out angrily.


    “And that’s exactly why you should set some damned boundaries for yourself, Dom.” Hugo growls.


    “Because if you keep this up, you will render yourself useless to us whether you approve of it or not. So


    for the love of the Goddess man, take the night off. Go call your mate and talk it out, take the edge off,


    do whatever you need. Ande back tomorrow recharged.”


    I narrow my eyes at him, annoyance surging through my veins, “You know you can be a bl00dy prick


    sometimes.”


    “Yeah, but I’m right.” Hugo snorts, not the least bit bothered by the insult.


    “Of course you are, that’s why it’s so damn iritating.” I chuckle, standing and pping him on the


    shoulder. “Thank you, brother.”


    I leave the hotel dining room and retreat to my room, pulling out my phone. It’s about 8 o’clock, and


    though E and I normally ta?k muchter than this, I think our brief bedtime calls might be part of the


    problem – they don’t leave us enough time to speak in depth. I dial her number and wait for the line to


    pick up, my wolf sighing with satisfaction when her silky voice fills my ear, ” Dominic?”


    “Hello trouble.” I greet her, “What are you up to?”


    “Just trying to catch up on the summit ns.” She exins. “Is everything okay? You’re early.”


    “Everyth ing is just fine. I decided to take the night off, so you should too.” I order warmly.


    “But I have so much left to do.” E objects, sounding uncertain.


    “It wasn’t a suggestion, little wolf.”I chuckle darkly, “I’m making an executive decision that we both need


    a break.”


    “But -“


    “No buts, this is happening.” Imand, leaving no room for argument. “Have you eaten dinner?”


    “Yes.” E answers, sounding only slightly sullen.


    “Did you have dessert?”I follow up, wishing she would turn on her damn camera so I can see her.


    “No… though the chef did make an especially delicious looking cake today.” She reveals, obvious


    longing in her voice.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.


    “Okay, then you call down to the kitchens and have someone bring you an extrarge slice. Then draw


    yourself a bath, turn on your video, and you and I are going to talk about absolutely anything but work.


    Sound like a n?” I inquire.


    “That depends,” E replies slyly. “Are you actually asking or is this another order?”


    “What do you think?” Iugh, missing her so much my c.hest hurts.


    “I think you’re a bossy tyrant.” She answers tartly.


    But I miss you, so Ill be good just this once.”


    Fifteen minutester her camera clicks on, and I’m granted with the sight of my glorious, n.aked mate


    in a steaming bubble bath, a h.uge b of chocte cake resting on the edge of the tub. I scour her


    beautiful face, frowning at the dark circles looming against her pale skin. E looks as though she’s


    running herself ragged – worse, she looks drawn and anxious. In that instant, I know that this is more


    than stress oI exhaustion and I’m furious with myself for not doing this sooner.


    “Alright, baby. Time toe clean.” My wolf’s instincts are screaming that something is very wrong


    here. “What’s really going on with you?”


    E flushes and averts her eyes, a clear sign of deceit. “This is all just harder than I expected.” She


    says quietly. “Not that I expected any of it really. I just miss you, and working with the refugees is so


    wonderful – it feels so right, but it’s hard. It’s really hard.”


    I tsk gently, hating the fact that she’s on a screen and not in front of me. “I believe it. But we both know


    that’s not all.”I press, and part of me imagines I can feel her tension even at this great distance. E


    sets her jaw, and I can tell she’s determined to stay silent. “Come on, talk to me, mate. Let me help.”


    She shakes her head. “Im fine. Just tired and wishing you were here.” I let a heavy silence hang


    between us, and when I don’t say anything, she peeks up at me from beneath hershes. “Why?


    Did someone say something?”


    My wolf sits up at attention. “Why? What would they have said?” I growl forebodingly.


    E squirms beneath the bubbles, and I increase the force of my growl, trying to send all my power and


    dominance through the phone. I wasn’t sure it would work, but E shudders instinctively. Shè’s still


    fighting me, but I don’t let up, and eventually she breaks. “I lied to you!” She finally bursts, tears


    flooding her eyes.


    “What about?” I ask, trying to keep my voice even.


    “I haven’t been missing our dream dates because I’m tired.” She sniffles. “Ive been having really bad


    nightmares ever since I remembered my wolf being bound. I don’t even have a chance to try to go to


    you because the moment I close my eyes the bad dreamse and then I spend half the night trying


    to avoid going back to sleep but I never seed and then it just happens all over again.”


    Her voice is shaky and her l!ps quiver dangerously. “And I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to


    worry and I made Phil!ppe promise not to tell either – so of course he’s pissed at me.


    And your recording helps but it’s not the same as having you here…and the worst part of all is that


    every time it happens it upsets the baby and I don’t know how to make it stop!”


    As usual, my wolf goes to pieces at the sound of her tears, and I can’t even bring myself to be angry for


    the secret. “Sweetheart, it’s okay.” I croon, and my arms reach for her even though I know she’s not


    really here. A purr takes up in my c.hest, as she buries her face in her hands and begins to sob.


    E, I’m not mad. Please don’t cry.” I beg. “We’ll figure this out. We’ll make it stop. If I have to follow


    you into your dreams and drag you back to safety, I will.”


    She lifts her head meekly, “Is that even possible?”


    “Nothing is impossible when ites to us, baby.”


    I promise, “Not even the goddess will keep me from you now that I know – mark my words. When you


    go to bed tonight I’ll be waiting, and wherever your dreams take you, Ile. I promise I’ll find you – no


    matter what”