CHAPTER 255: CHAPTER 255 - [K] SAFE SPACE FOR UNSAFE THOUGHTS

***[POV: Bed Or Business Voss]***

I stared down at the controls like they held the secrets of understanding this woman. instead of just normal bed settings. Punching in my preferences? In her private space. That she prepared for two people...

My wolf was vibrating with a kind of satisfaction under my skin at what she could mean by allowing it. However, my rational mind tried to maintain *some* semblance of distance. I’d been wrong already... this wasn’t about romance.

This was about the apocalypse. About my planning and preparation and... I pressed a button at random, watching the head of the mattress rise slightly. Held it until it was much too high, lowered it back down to what looked right, then adjusted the firmness.

All almost on autopilot, because I couldn’t get the feeling of ’settling in’ our of my head. Like I belonged here, placed and arranged with the rest of her things.

"What are you going to do... in the meantime?"

The question came out only because I wasn’t ready to lie down quite yet. My wolf was making it hard to focus. I couldn’t tell if it wanted me to listen to her or if it was just trying to make another opportunity.

But I also wasn’t leaving. Even if that meant I had to clench my eyes shut and hold it down as I pretended to get some rest.

"I’ll just sit on my rock and keep watch. Play on my phone a little. Answer texts."

She said it so casually - like it was the most natural thing in the world to offer someone your bed while you perched on a piece of landscaping and watched them sleep. I’m not sure I’ve ever even especially *allowed* anyone to do that.

My mouth opened to argue. To suggest that she could just sit on the other side of the bed because it would be more comfortable. That there was no good reason for her to isolate herself when there was plenty of room.

I closed my mouth with an audible click. Because that way lay madness. It’s well and fine to say I could maintain control, but it’s a whole different matter in practice.

This morning, before we parted. At that store, in front of the Stonewater member she somehow made friends with. I felt myself slip. With even my own instincts screaming that I should just claim her.

And I don’t know how I hadn’t. How can I repeat what I don’t know how I did?

"Fine. But I’m only shutting my eyes for a few minutes."

Citra made a noncommittal sound at my answer as I sat onto the mattress. I unhurriedly arranged myself carefully on top of the covers. After not... taking off any clothes other than the jacket.

Maintaining some semblance of boundaries feels important, especially right now. The moment my head rolled back and hit the pillow, I felt more surrounded by her scent. Lavender products and natural forest wildness.

And the person exuding that same scent, though with just a bit more sweat that shows the outfit she wore wasn’t just for show, walked around and hopped up on the rock like she said she would do.

I thought I would react differently, I think. That my wolf would rage and demand. But every stressed, frayed, and tangled nerve from the last two thirds of a day began to uncoil in me instead.

An entire business day spent in something of a crisis management mode began to see a pause, if not an end. I’d thrown myself into trying to verify and solve things because such dynamic behavior felt more natural.

One of the first things I did was call Martha again. To discuss the witches’ concerns about the changing seasons without letting anything on. I claimed that I wanted to start reaching out even farther into the worries of other communities and for her to contact who she could.

Then, I made the plans to redirect three different corporate initiatives toward generic disaster preparedness that the board would accept without much fuss, claiming as many tax write-offs as possible to get the ball rolling.

And started quietly liquidating non-essential assets. Company and private. Anything I could think of that would get me closer... to even beginning to find the sort of solutions she expects I can.

Soon, I’ll have to start delegating for that. Ironically, it’s almost a good thing that the Duskpaw are making bold moves out there. The pack elders aren’t going to cause much fuss if I start stockpiling for defenses and making improvements to the tower.

But I don’t know if there is enough time left for all of that. And honestly, all part of me wants to do is just... be with her until whatever end is coming. Someone who claimed to be from another world entirely.

Someone who’d spent the afternoon happily taking photos in a booth with another woman. For little stickers that I confiscated when the wolf squeaked out that she had digital versions already.

The last one especially irks me, with the heart... but at least it doesn’t look as much like her with all of the filters applied. Still, all my jealousy had been irrational. And so overwhelming.

To me. But she redirected my rage like it was nothing. When was the last time someone had been able to do that?

Luca... he can argue back with me in calmer times. Make me see where I’m being stubborn. But I’d never have listened to him if he was the only one there. If I knew some other wolf... no, any other woman had been touching my mate with...

I sigh and roll over. If I’d only seen a picture after the fact, I might have been able to count to ten and then call her to ask for an explanation. But instead I just showed her that I don’t believe in her.

Not only that, I don’t even understand her! I’d gone to the park after she clearly said the last place we talked... and she knows. My mind had just immediately jumped to the idea that all her touching meant...

"A lot of fidgeting in place and rubbing your nose into that pillow for someone meant to be falling asleep."

"...It’s my process."

She chuckled at me and I wanted to turn around and stare at her. But I forced my breathing to even out. Recognized the unexpected feeling of safety I possessed in this space.

It was actually strange how secure I felt here. I knew there was not as much protection as my penthouse. But maybe it was because here... I wasn’t the CEO or the Alpha of that tower.

Or the one everyone looked to for answers, even though she kind of did hand me the largest test possible. Here? I could just be... tired. And I was.

My eyes drifted closed despite my intention to remain awake. The last thing I remembered was the sound of Citra moving around quietly behind me. The soft glow of her phone screen washing over my face.

The overwhelming rightness of being in her space - or with her anywhere.

Even if I wasn’t supposed to want that as much as I did.

Because the more we meet, the more confident I am that she intends to give me everything...

Except the near-permanence and completeness of the mate bond that the Lunar Goddess dangled in front of me weeks ago.