All Chapters of TEMPORARY MATES, PERMANENT CRAVINGS : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

LisaI couldn't sleep.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the hurt and betrayal written across Evangeline's face when she'd walked in and found Cameron kissing me.I kept replaying the moment over and over, each iteration making the shame burn hotter in my chest.She was his mate. The woman he loved. The woman who was dying while I let myself get carried away. Let myself forget, even for a moment, that I was nothing more than a transaction. God, I was pathetic.I'd spent the entire day hiding in my room, pacing like a caged animal, trying to convince myself that this wasn't my fault. That Cameron had been the one to kiss me. That I'd tried to maintain boundaries and he'd been the one to cross them.But that was bullshit. I'd wanted him to kiss me. I wanted to feel like I mattered to him as something more than just a womb he was renting.And that made me complicit.That made me the other woman.I thought about calling Sasha and confiding in her and getting her take on the whole mess

LisaI stood outside my bedroom door at five-forty-five in the morning, already dressed in running gear, and seriously considered backing out of the pack run Franklin had invited me to. The thing I'd agreed to in a moment of desperate need for something to fill my days with something other than waiting for Cameron.But now, standing here in leggings and a sports bra with my hair pulled back, the reality of it hit me. I'd be running with Lycans.My hand went to the pendant at my throat. Proof I belonged here, at least technically.What's the worst that could happen?I grabbed my water bottle and headed downstairs before I could change my mind.The gathering point was at the eastern edge of the estate, where the manicured grounds gave way to forest. I could hear voices and laughter and the easy camaraderie of people who'd known each other for years.About thirty wolves were already there, stretching and chatting in small groups. Most were in athletic gear like mine. A few wore casual cl

CameronI hate social gatherings.The politics, the posturing, the endless performance. Hated making small talk with people who were only friendly because they wanted something and the weight of everyone's expectations pressing down on me. And hosting them at my own estate made it infinitely worse.The ball was in two days, and the preparations had taken over the entire house. Servants swarming everywhere. Deliveries arriving hourly. Every surface being polished to a mirror shine.I wanted to escape to the training grounds and let my wolf run until exhaustion made thinking impossible.Instead, I was in Evangeline's sitting room, watching her flip through fabric swatches with an enthusiasm I hadn't seen in months."What do you think?" She held up two samples—one champagne gold, one silver. "I'm leaning toward the gold. It complements my coloring better. And you could wear a matching vest or tie.""Whatever you prefer," I said carefully. "But Eva, you don't need to exhaust yourself ove

Franklin Cameron thought I had feelings for Lisa.The idea was almost funny.Not because Lisa wasn't likable, she was beautiful, kind, stronger than she gave herself credit for. Under different circumstances, maybe I could have developed feelings for her.But that wasn't what was happening here.Far from it. I was merely being her companion. Trying to make her life in this fucked-up situation a little less miserable. Giving her the basic human decency that everyone else seemed determined to withhold.Apparently, that made me suspicious.Cameron's jealousy would be amusing if it wasn't so pathetic. He wanted Lisa but couldn't admit it. He was possessive of her but refused to claim her. He treated her like property while simultaneously acting like a man falling for someone he shouldn't want.And somehow, I was the problem.I shook my head as I left his office, the conversation still ringing in my ears.You're getting blinded by feelings.How do I know the child is mine?As if I'd ever

LisaKade crossed the room and stood too close. Not touching, but invading my space in a way that made my skin crawl."How have you been?" he asked, his voice intimate. "I've been worried about you.""I'm fine.""Are you?" His eyes searched my face. "Because what you're doing can't be easy. If you need anything. If you want to talk. I'm here."The offer sounded genuine.It wasn't.He was positioning himself as my rescuer."I appreciate that," I said, taking a step back. "But I'm managing fine.""You always were strong." Kade smiled. "That's one of the things I always admired about you. We would have made a powerful couple."My throat went tight."It's not too late," he said quietly. "You could still walk away from this. Come back to Creek Keepers. We could—""Kade." Cameron's voice cut through the room.Everyone turned.He was standing in the doorway, his expression thunderous."A word," Cameron said to me. Not a request.I stood immediately, grateful for the escape."Excuse me," I sa