Chapter 49

Ardal

I awake with a start, the sunlight streaming in through the window and casting an ethereal glow over the room. As my eyes adjust to the light, I quickly remember where I am. Jack lays beside me, his chest rising and falling rhythmically in slumber.

I can feel the warmth radiating from his body, and it sends a shiver down my spine. The sheets are soft against her skin, yet they do little to soothe the tempest of emotions brewing within me.

'Last night was... wow,' I whisper to myself, memories of our passionate encounter flooding my mind like a tidal wave.

I remember the way his body felt pressed to mine, starting a fire within me that I hadn't felt in years. Our bodies had melded together as one, and the things he'd said to me – the sweet nothings and fierce declarations – had sent my heart racing like a wild stallion galloping across the plains.

"Jack, you make me feel alive," I’d gasped between breaths, our bodies slick with sweat as we moved in unison.

It occurred to me that I was looking for an escape - a way to keep from thinking about the devastating news about Erbao's health. The nagging voice of my wolf also reminded me that Jack had just happened to be right there, immediately ready to romance me after he'd delivered the gut-punching reality. It occurred to me that I was easy prey. But I’d pushed all those thoughts and instincts away.

The physical desire had called louder, as had the undeniable relief of forgetting about all of it for a while. I would pretend, for just a night, that nothing was wrong - that all of my children were healthy, that I wasn't longing for my mate, Kadeem, that the biggest highlight of my week wasn’t watching a non-kids movie, alone in my bed after the kids had fallen asleep.

"Carpe diem," he'd teased in response, before moaning - before the pleasure became too great for us to utter words.

Carpe diem, indeed.

As the morning light filters in, reality begins to set in. What are Jack's true intentions? What does this mean for my relationship with Kadeem? And why do I care? Things between me and Kadeem are long done. Over. Buried. In the ground.

It’s time to move on.

I can’t deny the powerful connection I share with the alpha werewolf, but now, lying next to Jack, I feel torn.

I pull back the blankets, ready to return home to the kids.

Back to real life.

Thankfully, Hannah had been kind enough to stay the night, to give me this reprieve.

Jack stirrs, his eyes fluttering open to reveal the crystal blue depths behind his sleepy gaze. He blinks, taking in the sight of me beside him, and a smile tugs at the corners of his lips.

"Good morning, beautiful," he murmurs, his voice rough with sleep. "Did you dream about me?"

I chuckle, despite the anxiety gnawing at my insides. "You're awfully presumptuous, Dr. Rayburn."

"Only when I'm around you, Ms. Wilde," Jack says, grinning playfully as he reaches out to brush a lock of hair away from my face. "You weren't sneaking off, were you?"

“Oh, well -”

Without warning, he closes the distance between us, capturing my lips in a tender kiss. Before I know it, his hands are roaming my body, reigniting the flame of desire we shared just hours earlier.

"Jack," I gasp, as his fingers trace tantalizing patterns on my flesh, my mind racing with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty.

"Are you sure this is… I mean, last night was amazing, but—"

"Shh," he whispers against my skin, his breath hot on my neck. "Let's not overthink it. I want you, and you want me. Isn't that enough?"

I hesitate, my heart pounding wildly in my chest as I consider his words. Do I truly want Jack?

Before I can answer, his fingers find my sweet spot. "Ohhh," I groan, throwing my head back. "Wait, wait," I sputter, my voice ragged as I look into his eyes. "What are we doing?"

"Right now,” Jack asks, his lips brushing against mine as he speaks. "This," he says, rubbing his fingers in quicker circles.

"Mmm." I bite my lip, feeling the growing wave of ecstasy.

I’m a woman torn between two worlds. One brimming with excitement and pleasure, where Jack's touch sends shivers down my spine, and the other filled with an emotional connection to Kadeem, whose memories haunt me. I fight to keep from getting lost in the pleasure of the moment.

"I need to know," I say, my voice cracking as I struggle to find the right words. "Is this just... fun for you? Or do you really want something more?"

Jack pauses, his blue eyes searching mine as if he is trying to read my deepest thoughts. "Listen, Ardal," he begins, his face serious but softened by a playful smile. "I can't predict the future, but I know that what we have here feels special. I'm not looking for a fling—I want something real, and I think you do too."

My heart races at his words, my chest swelling with a mixture of hope and trepidation.

"Okay," I whisper, her fingers clutching the sheets beneath her. "So, where do we go from here?"

"Let's take things one day at a time," Jack suggests, his hand tracing tender circles on my arm. "We don't have to rush into anything, but I'm willing to explore this connection and see where it leads us."

"Sounds reasonable,"I say, biting my lip in an attempt to hide my nervousness.

"Besides," Jack says, his grin widening, "aren't you curious to see how well a pediatrician and a fitness trainer would mesh together?"

"Maybe," I admit, chuckling softly. "Or maybe I just want to see you try to keep up with me during a workout."

"Challenge accepted,” Jack proclaims, feigning outrage. "You'll be amazed at my hidden talents."

"Hidden talents?” I raise an eyebrow. "Like what? Diagnosing muscle cramps while doing burpees?"

"Exactly!" Jack’s laughter fills the room. "You'll see—I'm a man of many surprises."

As we banter playfully, I can’t deny the sense of contentment that washes over me. For the first time in ages, I feel truly happy in the moment, despite my lingering thoughts of Kadeem. In Jack's arms, the weight of the world seems to fade away, replaced by a warmth that I hadn't realized I’d been craving.

If only I could stay there - in that headspace. Instead, my head begins to swim again with worries.

"But what about my quintuplets? And Kadeem?" I can’t help but let his name slip from my lips, causing a flicker of confusion to cross Jack's face.

"Kadeem?" Jack arches his eyebrow. "What does he have to do with our relationship?"

"Nothing,” I cry out, too quickly for my own liking. I take a deep breath, attempting to regain my composure. "It's just that he's been... on my mind a lot lately. But you're right, it has nothing to do with us."

"Listen, Ardal," Jack says, taking my hands into his. The warmth of his touch feels like an anchor, grounding me amidst the chaos of her emotions. "Give me a chance," Jack implores, his voice thick with determination. "Let's see where this goes."

"Alright," I say, my voice barely louder than a whisper. "Let's give it a try."

As we seal our decision with a tender kiss, I can’t help but wonder if I’m making a mistake, but I’m grateful, all the same for this chance at a new life.

"Jack," I say quietly. "Thank you... for being here with me."

"Always, Ardal," he says, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "I'm not going anywhere."

His words echo through my mind, resonating with a bittersweet truth that leaves me questioning the path my heart has chosen.

"You seem lost in thought,” Jack says, snapping me back to the present moment. “Everything okay?"

"Of course," I say hastily, attempting to refocus on the man before me. "Just... thinking about how strange life can be sometimes."

"Strange, indeed," Jack says, his laughter like a balm to my conflicted soul. "But sometimes, those unexpected surprises are what make life worth living."

I nod, trying to shove away my tangled, conflicted thoughts, as I surrender to the sensations of Jack's skilled hands mapping her body.

The softness of the sheets beneath me, the gentle hum of the heater providing warmth against the cold, and the delicate sound of our breaths intermingling create a symphony of sensory delight that stirs my deepest desires.

“Oh.” My voice cries out as Jack enters me. His body is gentle and he smells of bergamot. I reach up to push back his fair hair. He locks his eyes with mine, but I can’t keep up the intensity. I shut mine.

He begins to move faster and faster, and I’m spiraling close to orgasm. Kadeem flashes in my mind. I see his deep brown eyes, and I miss him.

Jack groans and shudders as he cums. He slows the motion of his body. I force my eyes open. Jack is looking down at me. “Was it… good for you,” he asks nervously.

“Yes,” I lie.