TEMPORARY MATES PERMANENT CRAVINGS novel Chapter 54

Fifty-Four

Cameron

I found Luna Catherine near one of the tall windows watching the dance floor.

“Can we talk?” I asked.

She turned from the glass. “Of course.”

We stepped into a small alcove where the curtains muted the noise from the ballroom.

“Evangeline’s scent is changing.”

Catherine’s gaze sharpened. “Changing how?”

“She smells wrong.” The words sat heavy in my mouth. “Rotten eggs. Sulfur. It’s getting stronger. My wolf/ struggles to stay near her.”

Color drained from Catherine’s face.

“This has happened before,” she said after a moment. “Not often, but it happens. Mated couples forced into arrangements like this sometimes feel strain in the bond. The body reacts. The connection destabilizes.”

My chest tightened. “So this is normal?”

“I wouldn’t call it normal,” Catherine said. “But it isn’t unheard of.” She rested a hand on my arm. “Cameron, you have to hold on to her. You must love her more than ever. The Moon Goddess may be testing your commitment.”

We both looked toward the dance floor.

Evangeline stood across the room speaking with another Alpha. She laughed at something he said, her posture relaxed, her gown catching the ballroom light.

“Look how happy she is,” Catherine replied. Pride warmed her voice. “She even made me promise I wouldn’t rush her home unless there was an emergency. She wants one evening where illness doesn’t dictate everything.”

“I need to understand the smell,” I said. “Whether it’s medical or something happening to the bond.”

“I’ll speak to our physicians,” Catherine said. “We’ll review every possibility.” She studied me closely. “Do not let this arrangement with Lisa weaken your marriage.”

“It won’t.”

Her gaze held mine. “Are you certain? I need honesty from you. Where is your heart right now?”

“My heart is with Evangeline. It always has been.”

Catherine slowly withdrew her hand.

“Then we’ll endure this together.”

I nodded.

“Kade has been bothering Lisa,” I added. “Offering to pull her out of the contract. Suggesting I release her.”

Catherine’s expression hardened.

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“I’ll deal with him,” she said. “Lisa is not his responsibility. He can pursue someone else.”

“Thank you.”

“We’re leaving tomorrow morning,” Catherine continued. “We’ve stayed long enough.”

Relief moved through me, but I kept my face neutral.

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The next morning I met with Franklin and the senior officials for a post-ball debriefing.

We reviewed security reports, discussed which visiting Alphas left satisfied, and noted which alliances required further attention. The event had strengthened several political relationships, which mattered more than most of the guests would ever realize.

Without an heir, every rival used that weakness to question my authority.

Once Lisa conceived and produced a healthy son, those whispers would vanish.

Matthias would lose his leverage overnight.

All I needed was for Lisa’s body to cooperate.

At breakfast Nadia was already irritated.

“Desmond proposed,” she said, stabbing her eggs with unnecessary force. “Just like that. ‘Nadia, I think we’d make an excellent match. Will you marry me?’ As if that’s a reasonable opening line.”

Franklin cleared his throat and took a slow drink of juice.

“Desmond isn’t a poor political match,” Evangeline said calmly. “He seemed genuinely interested in you.”

“I know,” Nadia replied. She placed her fork beside the plate. “But I don’t even know him.”

“You push away every man who shows interest,” Evangeline said. “What exactly are you waiting for?Romeo?”

Franklin abruptly pushed back from the table.

“Excuse me. I remembered something I need to handle.”

He left before anyone could question him.

Before I had time to consider Franklin’s strange exit, Kade entered the dining room.

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“Morning,” he said.

They were leaving today.

I kept my expression controlled. Inside, I counted the hours until he was gone from my territory.

Later that afternoon, after Catherine, Marcus, and Kade departed, I found Evangeline in her sitting room.

She looked up from the sofa when I entered.

“Eva?”

“Yes?”

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I stopped beside her chair.

“Lisa isn’t pregnant yet. I’ll need to visit her tonight.”

The words felt heavier than they should have.

Evangeline’s smile remained steady. “Of course. You should continue trying.”

“I’ll keep it clinical,” I said. “Strictly for conception.”

“I know you will.” She closed her book and walked over to me. “You’re a good man, Cameron. I trust you.”

She kissed me.

Guilt settled deep in my chest. Because clinical was the last word that came to mind when I thought about Lisa and we both knew it.

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