TEMPORARY MATES PERMANENT CRAVINGS novel Chapter 84

Eighty-Four

+15 Bchus

Cameron

The pack health center had been rearranged for the ceremony.

Chairs formed two rows along the walls, leaving an open space in the middle where the healer stood beside a low. table draped with a white sheet. Small bowls of crushed herbs and dark oil sat on top, along with folded strips of cloth. The air smelled clean, mixed with the bitter smoke they always used during blessings.

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Pregnant females filled most of the seats. Some sat relaxed. Others kept shifting in their chairs or rubbing their stomachs. A few had partners standing behind them with hands resting on their shoulders.

When I walked in, conversations dipped for a second.

Respect, curiosity, and relief moved through the room at the same time.

Franklin stood near the door, scanning the room. Nadia leaned against the wall with her arms folded, her face unreadable. Matthias stood across the room with his wife, one hand spread wide across her stomach like he wanted everyone to notice it.

Then I saw Evangeline near the front. Her hair was styled and her dress fitted perfectly. She stood straight, shoulders back.

For a moment I stopped walking.

I had not expected her here.

I moved toward her anyway.

“You came,” I said quietly.

She smiled and reached for my arm. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss our child’s blessing.”

The word our settled heavily in my chest.

I nodded. That was the expected reaction. Politically, her presence was perfect. Still, my chest felt tight.

“Are you feeling strong enough for this?” I asked.

“I’m fine,” she said. “This matters.”

Her fingers stayed wrapped around my arm.

I followed her gaze across the room.

Lisa sat in the second row. Her hands rested over her stomach. She wore something loose and simple. When she noticed me looking, she straightened in her chair and pressed her lips together.

My wolf reacted before I moved. Awareness hit first, then focus, then the pull toward her.

I ignored it and guided Evangeline closer to the front where the healer expected us.

Matthias stepped forward as we passed.

“Congratulations, Alpha,” he said with a grin. “An heir changes everything.”

I gave him a small nod and kept walking. I gave him no reaction and no opening. That was what he wanted.

1/3

+15 Behus

We stopped near the blessing space.

The healer greeted us formally and began the ceremony with the others first. I watched each female step forward when her name was called. A hand placed over her stomach. A few words spoken. Oil brushed lightly across skin.

It was routine.

Then the healer said Lisa’s name.

The room shifted. Not dramatically. Just enough that I felt it.

Lisa stood slowly and walked forward.

When she stopped in front of me, her scent hit harder than before. Warmer, deeper. My wolf pushed forward inside my chest with immediate recognition.

I inhaled slowly through my nose and forced control over my breathing.

She looked up at me.

There was nervousness in her eyes, but also something else. I could not tell if it was trust or expectation.

I placed my hand on her stomach.

The healer brushed a drop of oil over the back of my hand before I spoke, part of the ritual.

The contact sent a strong reaction through my body. Heat moved from my palm up my arm. It was not sexual. It was instinct. Protection. My wolf focused completely on the life under my hand.

I reminded myself where I was. Who was watching.

For a moment I forgot the rest of the room existed.

Lisa smiled at me, small and soft, like it was meant only for me, not for the crowd around us.

I spoke the blessing words.

“May this child grow strong. May they live in health. May they carry the protection of this pack.”

My voice stayed steady.

My hand did not want to move.

I forced myself to lift it away after a few seconds.

Her fingers brushed mine briefly before falling back to her sides,

Low whispers started behind us. Quiet enough not to interrupt the ceremony, but noticeable.

Matthias spoke clearly enough for those nearby to hear.

“Our Alpha secured an heir,” he said, his arm still around his wife. “The territory stands firm.”

Agreement murmured through the room.

If he said it out loud, others were thinking it.

I did not respond.

The healer moved on to the next female.

2/3

+158chus

Lisa stepped back toward her chair.

My wolf stayed focused on her even after distance returned.

Evangeline’s hand slipped into mine.

I looked down at her.

She was smiling, calm and proud.

“You were wonderful,” she said softly.

Her fingers tightened slightly on my arm.

Then she leaned up and kissed me.

It was deliberate. Public. A statement.

The room saw it.

Approval moved through the space almost immediately. This was what they wanted to witness. Alpha and Luna united. Future secure.

I placed my hand against her back and returned the gesture enough to maintain appearances.

Inside, the pressure kept rising.

When the ceremony ended, small groups formed around the room. Conversations started again. Congratulations. Speculation.

Eyangeline stayed close to my side, her hand resting on my arm.

I glanced across the room.

Lisa sat again with her hands over her stomach, speaking quietly with Nadia. From where I stood, I could see the stiffness in her shoulders.

My wolf pulled toward her again.

I forced my attention back to the people speaking to me.

Control.

Always control.

This ceremony was supposed to settle the pack. I nstead, it confirmed something I was trying not to examine. The more I ignored it, the stronger it felt.

The smell of herbs still clung to my hand.

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