Page 208 of His White Moonlight
“Every day we were apart cut deeper than the last.I could barely think straight some days.
“You said I was perfect, but I’m not.I mastered everything I set my mind to because I had to.It was the only way to survive wanting you.I pushed myself to become the mate who could protect you in both our worlds.I could run Wulf Enterprises or challenge for Alpha without hesitation.But when it comes to you…I’ve never known how to stop needing you.
“I’m good at everything I’ve set my mind to, except you.I promised I would do better, but every time I try, I fail.I thought I was listening, but I wasn’t.”
He finally looked up and met my gaze.“I won’t stop you from going to Coalwell.No strings.No conditions.I’ll stay in the apartment—not to watch you, just to be close, in case you need me.”
I should have been elated, jumping with joy.Instead, it felt like a hollow victory.Maybe that was just the stitches and my throbbing arm talking, though.
He continued to watch me, waiting for a response, but I wasn’t sure what one to give.I could tell him I’d be safer without him around, but my time at school proved that was a lie.I could thank him for finally listening, but he wasn’t actually letting me go.At least, not fully.He would still be close by.
The words he’d whispered last night rose in my mind.
I’m not going to survive.
My heart gave an uncomfortable lurch.
No matter what, I couldn’t say the truth—that the thought of him living alone after he admitted each day without me hurt him left me feeling empty and selfish.Hating that feeling, I looked down at my arm.
Don’t go soft now, Wrenly.Tell him you're safer without him.You earned your freedom.
When I lifted my gaze again, he was a little too slow masking his anguish.
Dammit.
“Can we agree to stop worrying about tomorrow and focus on each day as it comes?At least until the stitches are out?”I asked.
He nodded as his mask slipped back into place.
“Good.I need some food, a pain reliever, and my laptop at the dining table for some study time.”
I didn’t ask him what he needed because I already knew.Me.He just needed me.
He handed me the medicine he had left for me the night before, along with the glass of water.
“Do you want to shower again?I can wrap your arm.”
“No, I think I’ll skip that for now.Would you mind carrying my laptop downstairs while I get dressed?”
He hesitated, his gaze flicking to my closet.
“Would you mind if I picked out some clothes for you again?I’d rather you not go into your closet until I fix the door.”
“Okay.”
While he went to the closet, I got out of bed and used the bathroom.My laptop was gone, and the bed was made by the time I walked out again.The set of clothes he’d selected was comfortably loose and easy enough to pull on left-handed.Worming my way into a sports bra was a little more difficult and took some time.
The scent of something mouthwatering drew me downstairs to the dining room.
“What is that?”I asked, looking at the pool of whitish-grey gravy on the plate next to my waiting laptop.
“Biscuits and gravy.It wasn’t something the school ever served, so I thought you might?—“
My ass was in the chair before he could finish, and I could feel him watching me messily scooping up a bite with my left hand.Half of it fell back onto the plate before I could get it to my mouth, but what did make it in was divine.
I moaned in appreciation and wiggled in my chair as I chewed.How long had it been since I’d tasted anything like this?I scooped up another bite, losing another portion of it, and shoved it into my mouth.
Bennett held out his hand, interrupting my bliss.
