MAID BY DAY, MATE BY NIGHT

CHAPTER 4;Things i don't do

BRAD'S POV

Night came faster than I expected.

I stood outside my chambers for a moment before turning in the opposite direction.

I told myself I was only making rounds.

That was the lie.

My feet always stopped at the servants’ quarters.

Ever since I brought Camilla into this pack, I had checked on her every night. Quietly. Carefully. Never long enough to attract attention.

No one knew.

And no one would.

I didn’t do it because I cared.

I did it because she looked like the kind of person who carried storms inside her and smiled through them.

And storms like that could become dangerous.

That was all.

At least that was what I kept telling myself.

I reached her door and pushed it open quietly.

The room was dark except for pale moonlight spilling through the window.

Camilla was asleep.

No.

Not asleep.

Her body twisted beneath the thin blanket. Her breathing was uneven. Her face looked tense.

Her lips moved.

“No…”

Her fingers tightened around the sheets.

Another nightmare.

I frowned.

I had never seen her like this before.

I stepped closer.

“Camilla.”

No response.

Her forehead glistened with sweat.

I touched her shoulder gently.

Her eyes didn’t open.

Instead, her hand suddenly wrapped around my wrist.

I froze.

Her grip wasn’t strong.

It felt desperate.

Like she was reaching for something before she drowned.

Before I could think better of it, I sat beside her.

“Camilla.”

Her breathing hitched.

Without thinking, I pulled her against me.

Her body stiffened for a second, then relaxed.

Her face pressed lightly against my chest.

I should have moved.

I didn’t.

“You’re safe.”

The words left my mouth quietly.

Her breathing slowed.

Her fingers loosened.

A few seconds later,

She drifted back to sleep.

I looked down at her.

Ridiculous.

I came here to check on her.

Not hold her.

Not stay.

Definitely not notice how small she looked curled against me.

My wolf stirred.

Mate.

I shut him out immediately.

No.

She was Camilla.

That was all.

I leaned back carefully and stayed there longer than I should have.

When dawn started breaking, I slipped away before she woke.

I had barely entered my chambers when I stopped.

Someone was in my bed.

Linda.

I stared.

Then irritation settled in my chest.

“Linda.”

She blinked awake.

“Brad…”

I crossed my arms.

“What are you doing?”

She smiled weakly.

“I got sleepy.”

I looked at her.

Then at my bed.

Then back at her.

“Get out.”

Her smile disappeared.

“Brad....what....why...”

“Now.”

She stared.

Then asked quietly

“Where did you spend the night?”

My jaw tightened.

“That’s none of your business.”

I dragged her by the arms and locked the door behind her.

After taking a shower i headed to the dinning area.

Breakfast was usually peaceful.

Today wasn’t.

I sat in silence until I felt it.

A scent.

Soft.

Warm.

Sweet.

My wolf woke instantly.

Mate.

My eyes lifted.

Camilla.

She walked in carrying my breakfast tray.

For a second

The room felt smaller.

She lowered her head.

“Good morning, Alpha.”

I wanted to answer.

Instead, I stayed silent.

She moved around the table setting everything in place.

I watched.

Not intentionally.

She finished arranging the plates and looked up.

Our eyes met.

I should have looked away.

I didn’t.

Her eyes held mine for one second.

Two.

Three.

My wolf became restless.

I broke first.

“Slept okay?”

Her expression changed.

Confused.

Almost startled.

“I beg your pardon, Alpha?”

I looked away.

Cold.

Controlled.

“Never mind.”

She nodded and left.

But not before I noticed something.

She looked rested.

For the first time since she arrived.

The realization stayed with me all day.

I avoided her.

Which meant I thought about her constantly.

By evening, my patience snapped.

I found Sarah in the kitchen.

She smiled.

“What do you need, Alpha?”

I answered too quickly.

“Send someone to clean my chambers.”

She blinked.

“But Alpha… your chambers were cleaned this morning.”

Silence.

“Send Camilla.”

Her eyebrows rose slightly.

I looked away.

“Her work needs improvement.”

Sarah nodded slowly.

I turned to leave.

But before I reached the doorway

I stopped.

Tonight.

Camilla would come to my room.

And this time

I wouldn’t pretend it happened by accident.