Surrogate for My Brother-in-law - Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Leo's grip held me in place for a brief moment before he snarled and shoved me away. I stumbled back and quickly ducked my head.
“Can't you watch where you're going?” he demanded.
“I-I'm sorry,” I stammered.
Leo growled. “I know what you're trying to do, and it won't work.”
“I don't understand,” I protested.
“You pretended you didn't see me so you could throw yourself in my arms,” Leo said. He shook his head and crossed his arms. “I'm telling you, it won't work. I'm loyal to my mate. I always will be.”
If it wasn't so awful, it would almost be funny. Leo wanted to be faithful to Eva, but he'd only slept with me. And Eva wasn't loyal to him at all. If he knew he would be crushed.
I backed out of his reach and shook my head. “No, really, it's not like that. I'm wolf-less; I don't have heightened senses like you do. I really didn't know you were there.”
Leo snorted. He clearly didn't believe me.
“Stay away from me and my rooms,” Leo ordered.
I bowed and fled the area. I couldn't convince him of the truth. Maybe it was for the best. If he noticed Tessa the maid too often, he might notice how much I looked like Eva. That would be a disaster.
I worked hard for the rest of the day. I had to hide frequently to take breaks and earned several smacks from the other servants for being lazy. I didn't dare defend myself.
When night fell, though, I was able to return to my rooms. Because Eva had decided to spend the night with Leo, I had the evening to myself. I finally had a chance to study healing.
Time to myself was so rare I cherished every moment. Before the Rogue attack, I'd spent that time with my mother. Now I spent it learning how to heal her.
I had gotten several copies of the healer's tomes from the pack's archives. The old wolf who ran the archive had allowed me to take copies so long as I worked for her for six months. She'd made me catalog every book in the archive, dust the shelves, and help restore damaged volumes. It was hard work but satisfying.
And the archivist was kind, too. She hadn't told anyone about our bargain, or what books I'd wanted. And sometimes she'd sneak me snacks after our work was done. I wished I had more time to spend in the archives but Eva worked me too hard as a maid.
I pulled out my notebook and one of the heaviest tomes from its hiding place in my room. I kept some books in the laundry, some in the store rooms for the cleaning supplies, and just the one book in my own room. That way, if Eva found and destroyed one stash, my studies wouldn't be completely stopped.
I opened the book to the last chapter I'd been working through. I dedicated as much time as I could spare to studying the healing arts, although I knew it was probably futile. I was wolf-less. Without a wolf, I'd never be a true healer. The books were clear about that.
But I could learn the skills. I could become a medic, if nothing else. And I was half wolf, so maybe with enough effort and enough study I could come up with some kind of work around. It was my mother's only hope.
I read for a while, making quick notes in my book anytime I ran across something that looked useful for my mother's case. The books weren't well organized. Trauma care instructions were followed by remedies for common ailments. One page told how to close a bleeding wound and the next listed ingredients to soothe nausea.
I copied the nausea recipe into my booklet. I thought I could find the ingredients in the kitchen garden. I would check my notes on pregnancy in werewolves, and if the components were safe for a baby I would try the recipe out.
Just as I was really settling in to my study session, someone pounded on my door. I didn't get the chance to stand up before Eva had crashed through it, skidding to a stop in front of my bed.
I stashed my books under my blanket. Eva didn't notice, she was panting and looking over her shoulder.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
It was rare to see Eva display any emotion other than smug superiority and anger. Now she looked upset and afraid. What could have happened?
She grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the bed.
“Go to Leo. His wolf has gone mad!”
“What?” I asked.
What did that even mean? Leo's wolf was gone; everyone knew that. But then again, his eyes had healed. Maybe his wolf had, too.
“Hurry up!” Eva pushed me towards the door.
“I... he'll know I'm not you,” I protested.
“Oh. Yeah. You're right.” Eva tore off her nightgown and threw it at me. She peered at my face. “You haven't washed off your make up yet?”
I switched my gown for hers. “I, uh, hadn't gotten around to it yet.”
“Whatever. Hurry up.” She rubbed her wrist against my throat to smear her scent and the remains of her perfume on me. “That'll have to do.”
She shoved me out the door and down the hall. I rushed to Leo's rooms. What was going on? Was he okay?
When I reached his door, I barely had a chance to tap it before he tore it open and wrapped me in his arms. He pulled me into the room without saying a word.
“Leo?” I asked.
He bent down and kissed me, still not speaking. I melted into the kiss despite my worry. I just couldn't resist those kisses. For just one moment they made everything right.
Between spine melting kisses, Leo tugged me into the bedroom. I went willingly, baffled by his wordless passion.
Leo tossed me onto the bed and followed. The way he acted I expected to have my nightgown torn off. I was a little scared; this was not the gentle, caring Alpha I had been with before.
But fortunately all Leo did was curl up around me, holding me tightly to his chest. I relaxed into his hold and pressed my ear to his chest. It was nice to snuggle up and listen to his heart.
After several minutes, when I honestly thought Leo had fallen asleep, he spoke. His hold on me didn't loosen at all.
“I'm sorry,” he said.
“For what?” I asked.
“I frightened you, didn't I? You ran from me.”
“I was startled,” I said, trying to come up with an excuse. “I just needed a moment. To collect myself.”
That was closer to the truth than anything else, really.
“Oh. I am so, so sorry,” Leo said, burying his face in my hair. “My wolf isn't gone, like everyone thinks. It's healing, but the process is slow.”
“Your wolf is still there?” I asked, amazed.
“Yes. The Rogue's attack wounded it, but it's still with me.” He nuzzled my neck. “Being with you calms it. I think you even speed up the healing process somehow.”
“Really?” I asked.
I wished that could be true. It would be wonderful if I was able to make him whole again. After all, this was the Alpha who had unknowingly avenged my mother. I'd do anything for him.
“Really,” Leo said.
His hand brushed my face and I shuddered. His touch lingered dangerously close to my scars. They were faded but he would feel them if he touched them.
I leaned up and caught his lips in a kiss. I needed to keep him from noticing the scars. And I wanted another kiss.
Leo sighed as the kiss ended. “I prefer the you I see at night,” he said, “Do you still need to play your role during the day? I promise I can protect you.”