012

PAIGE’S POV

The rumour had spread wide in the pack like wildfire, and I’d grown really uncomfortable. We still hadn't found the culprit responsible for it. I had my suspicions, but I couldn’t say anything until I was sure of it.

“Why are you curled up all alone by the window?” Azriel's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I sighed as I looked up at him. “Things are not getting better, Azriel. The rumours are still circulating day by day. We need to put an end to this.” I complained.

“I know, Paige. I'm working on it. You need to stop worrying.” Azriel said as he took my hands into his, but I pulled them away.

“You can't tell me to stop worrying, Azriel! Someone is out there destroying my life, and I can't go out without being looked at like some criminal. It's frustrating!” I exclaimed angrily. I stood up to walk away from him, but he pulled me back, turning me to face him. And before I could protest, he moved closer to me, and my breath hitched as he pulled me flush against his chest.

He remained silent as he wrapped his arms around me and lowered his head to suck gently on the sensitive part of my neck. He was aware of all my sweet spots since he took his time to find them. His hold on me became tighter when I tried to pull away from him. He was able to quell my anger, and boy I had to acknowledge his skill.

His lips were still against my neck and he pulled back slowly. My gaze was on his shoulder instead of his face, but I could tell he was angry from the tone of his voice.

“Are you done talking now?”

I reluctantly nodded my head.

“Didn't I promise to get to the root of all these? Why are you stressing yourself out?” He questioned me.

“It's not as easy as it seems. You're not the one they look at with those judgmental eyes all the time.” I stated and sighed softly.

He was oblivious to the weight of others’ disapproving looks, he was the King after all. I could tell his people didn’t want me here.

He waited for a long moment before he spoke again. “Did someone say something to you? You have to tell me if anyone says bad things about you.”

I winced slightly and ran my tongue over my lips. “They didn't speak, but their eyes said it all. Maybe it's better if I just leave and go back to the human town.”

“Don't you dare leave me, Paige! I won't let you.” He growled. “I promise to make things right.”

My hands flattened against his bare chest and he stared at me intensely. I couldn't think of anything else to say.

“I know you have every right to be angry and sad, but don't even say you will leave me, Paige. You are my life and I can't live without you in it. I promise to address the issue and the person spreading this news will be held accountable.”

His words held seriousness, and his eyes showed that he meant everything he said.

He drove his finger into my hair as if he wanted to drill the next point deep into my mind. “You have to trust and believe me on this, love. Since you came into my life I have never felt this happy before. You have to be strong for me and I know we will pass through these trials.”

I stared into his eyes and wrapped my arms around his neck. His gaze shifted to my lips before he kissed me passionately. He gripped my hair tightly and pulled back abruptly.

“We should stop now that I'm still in control,” Azriel said softly.

“Yeah,” I nodded, then I looked at his face. “You look so tired. Why haven't you been sleeping well?”

“I have a lot of work I need to do so sleep is the last thing on my mind right now.” He sat on the bed, pulling me to sit on his lap.

“You need to rest, Azriel, no matter how much work you have. Trevor and I are here to help you all the time.” I said, cupping his cheeks as he stared at me with so much affection.

I pulled away from him and crawled back onto the bed. “Come and catch some sleep. I will be here to wake you up.” I said, patting the bed.

Azriel quickly took off his shoes and joined me on the bed. We lay down facing each other and I started rubbing his arms as he closed his eyes and dozed off.

*******

I snapped my eyes open to see Azriel sleeping peacefully beside me. I couldn't believe I slept off.

With an arm draped over my waist and his head against mine, his scent was the first thing I smelled when I opened my eyes. He was warm to the touch, emanating some body heat that kept me warm too. I almost couldn't help myself as my palm flattened over his abdominal muscles to feel his hard ridges with my fingers.

His breathing was steady until I felt his heart speed up, and I looked up to see that he was still asleep. The only difference was that the frown that seemed to always be on his face whenever he slept was replaced with a soft smile. I brought my hand to his silky strands of dark hair and threaded my fingers through them.

His hair had to be my favourite thing to touch. It was so soft, and it felt like heaven under my fingertips. I could tell that he liked it when my hands were wedged in his hair because he would hold me tightly.

A smile made its way onto my face and when I glanced at him again, I was shocked to see his eyes were open, quietly watching me.

“Have you been awake all this time?” I asked as his finger gently grazed my skin.

He shook his head. ”I love it when you touch me,” he said huskily, his voice sent a shiver down my spine and I dropped my gaze to his shoulder. “How are you feeling?” His hand rested on my stomach.

“I'm good. Hope you slept well?” I asked, stretching my body as I stood up from the bed.

“I have to confess, I needed that rest. I had the best sleep ever.” He winked at me, and I chuckled.

I went to the bathroom to freshen up and start the day since it was noon when we both slept. When I got out of the bathroom, Azriel entered and I went to the kitchen to prepare something quick for us to eat.

We had servants for these things, but I wanted to do it myself, especially with the way things were in the pack.

I was whipping up a simple dinner when his voice echoed through the silent house. “Do you want to go to the pack house with me?”

I turned around, my eyes widened slightly because of his question. “What? You do realise some of your pack members are going to be there, right?”

“Yes, I know, all the more reason we should go because I'm going to address the gossip circulating.” He spoke gently.

“Okay.” I mustered up a grateful smile and returned to the food I was preparing. He stepped closer to me and simply watched me as I cooked for the next fifteen minutes before I handed his meal to him.

“Thank you, love.” He said with a soft smile and began eating his food.

After we finished eating, I went to the room to change into something presentable and went downstairs to meet Azriel. Together we walked to the pack house and my heart started beating pretty fast as we got closer.

The moment we swung open the door, the chattering noise we once heard died down. The people stared, their gaze fixated on me, but Azriel sent a warning growl their way, they averted their eyes and bowed their heads in respect.

“I think it's time we address the issue going on in the pack,” Azriel stated. “But firstly, I would like to know who dares to question the paternity of my child.”

His words hung in the room like a sharpened sword, ready to strike, and no one dared to breathe.

*******