TEMPORARY MATES PERMANENT CRAVINGS novel Chapter 89

Eighty-Nine

Cameron POV

The suite was quiet when I walked in, but the silence felt wrong.

The lamp beside the sofa was on. A cup of tea sat on the table, untouched. Evangeline’s medication tray was pushed to the side like someone had moved it without care.

She stood near the window instead of resting on the couch. That alone told me everything. Her arms wrapped around herself, fingers gripping the fabric of her sweater. She did not turn when I closed the door./

“You love her,” she said before I could speak.

Her voice sounded controlled, but there was strain under it.

“Eva, please let’s not do this. I went to bring her back from the club. I was only being concerned ”

She scoffed. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”

I stepped closer. “Eva-”

“No.” She turned toward me sharply. Her eyes were wet. “You promised me you would take care of me. That you would not leave me while I’m sick and barely holding together. And tonight you were out enjoying yourself with her.”

“I was not enjoying myself.”

“You left without telling anyone where you were going. You hide to see her! To kiss and fuck her! You have people. You have authority. You have a Beta. Unless you wanted to be alone with her.”

I ran my hand through my hair. “You are reading into this.”

“Am I? Because it looks very simple from where I’m standing. I get weaker every day, and you find comfort somewhere else.”

“That is not what this is.”

“Then explain why you keep touching her. Explain why you look at her the way you used to look at me.”

The truth sat in my throat, sharp and uncomfortable.

“It is complicated.”

Her laugh came again. “Men.”

I felt irritation push up under my skin. “I am not replacing you.”

“But you are sleeping with her.”

“That was part of the agreement. You knew that from the beginning.”

“You are enjoying it.”

I stepped closer before I thought about it. “You think I enjoy any of this?”

She stared at me.

“Nothing about this feels right,” I said. “The bond doesn’t feel right anymore. Your scent is off. It has been for a

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while.”

She went still.

“And that’s my fault?”

I rubbed my face. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“No,” she said, voice trembling. “You meant it exactly like that. My scent is wrong. The bond is wrong. That’s what you’re saying.”

“I am saying something has changed. I don’t understand it either.”

Her eyes filled quickly.

“Of course,” she whispered. “Of course this happens now. I get sick, and suddenly I’m not good enough anymore. Suddenly something is wrong with me.”

“That is not what I said.”

“It is exactly what you said,” she snapped. “You’re bored. You’re frustrated. You found a younger body who can give you what I can’t, and now you’re rewriting history so you don’t feel guilty.”

“That’s not fair,” I said, irritation flaring. “You know this situation is not simple.”

“Men will always be men,” she said with a bitter smile. “You make promises, then you find someone new and pretend you were unhappy all along.”

Something in my chest snapped.

“I never said I was unhappy with you,” I said sharply. “And I never said I was in love with Lisa. I am doing what I have to do. I am trying to keep everything stable while you are sick and the pack is watching me for weakness from every direction.”

Her face crumpled.

“So I’m a burden now.”

“That is not what I said.”

“You’re tired of me,” she continued, tears sliding down her cheeks. “You’re tired of taking care of someone who might die. You want something easy instead.”

I felt guilt hit immediately, heavy and familiar.

“I’m not tired of you,” I said, softer. “Eva, you know that.”

She shook her head.

“I’m dying,” she whispered. “And the person who promised to stay with me is running around with another

woman.”

I stepped toward her and reached for her arm.

She pulled away.

“I’m sorry,” I said, even though part of me resisted the words. “Tonight got out of control. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”

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She wiped her face roughly with the back of her hand.

“It’s fine,” she said. “I understand. You don’t need to explain anything. You’ve already chosen.”

“I haven’t chosen anyone,” I replied.

“Of course you haven’t.”

She turned and walked toward the door.

“Eva,” I said, moving after her. “Where are you going?”

“Somewhere you don’t have to look at me and feel disappointed,” she said without turning around. “You should stay here. With your new lover.”

The door opened.

I stood there, the apology still in my mouth, but she did not look back.

The door closed behind her.

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