I shook my head. "I don't think so. Lily hasn't given me any signs."
"Then make the first move, "Eileen said. "Invite him to spend the night with you. It doesn't have to be complicated. When it's right, it'll happen."
She gave me a teasing look. "Picture it: you're lying there, looking at each other, and boom—sparks. Like a match catching fire."
I rolled my eyes but I couldn't help thinking about it. "Maybe. Raymond did ask me out to the city this Saturday."
Eileen's face lit up. "Perfect! Just go for it." She leaned in, telling me things that made me flush.
When I got home, my nerves were all over the place.
Dinner was the same as usual. I tried to keep up the conversation, but my mind kept wandering, and I missed half of what Raymond said.
He asked about the school schedule, but I didn't catch it. "You seem distracted," he said, looking at me. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," I quickly replied.
After dinner, he went to his study. I wandered outside the door, pacing and second-guessing myself, until the door suddenly opened.
"You've been acting weird all evening," he said.
I froze, then took a deep breath. "So, uh… are we sleeping together tonight?"
He looked surprised for a moment, then he smiled. "Of course. I should've asked you before. Sorry about that. Would you like to come to my room?"
I felt a weight lift off my chest as he said yes. I nodded, my heart beating a little faster.
His room was neat and simple, all dark gray and metallic tones. It had a modern feel but also seemed a bit cold.
After a shower, I lay on the bed in a short nightgown—the closest thing I had to what Eileen might call lingerie.
After a few minutes, Raymond came in and laid down next to me, his calmness easing the tension.
The subtle scent of his soap filled the air, drawing me in. Without thinking, I moved closer to him until our bodies touched.
His arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me against him, steady and reassuring.
"If you keep moving like that," he said, his voice low and rough, "I can't promise I'll behave."
I froze. His tone wasn't gentle or teasing—it was commanding.
And I felt it, the heat of his body pressing against mine, strong and undeniable.
My face burned and my thoughts were scattered. I didn't dare move. But I didn't want to pull away, either.
I felt something hard press against me, his breaths stirring my hair with each exhale. That size… I couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like when—no, I stopped myself, my face heating.
In Raymond's arms, my thoughts quieted. For the first time, I felt completely safe. Before I knew it, I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
The next two days flew by. On Friday, Raymond texted to say he'd pick me up in the evening.
Even during training with Blake, I felt lighter and sharper. My punches were faster than usual.
"Something good happened today?" Blake asked.
"Maybe," I said.
"A secret, huh? Fine, keep it to yourself," he said with a playful glint in his eye, shaking his head.
I couldn't help but smile and stick out my tongue. "No, I'm not."
Blake chuckled. "Alright, let's wrap up for the day. I'll walk you to the gate."
He didn't ask more and walked me to the school gate. Before leaving, he patted my head. "You've got talent. Just keep going, and you'll do great."
"Thanks," I said and walked toward the car waiting nearby.
"Tired?" Raymond asked, handing me a glass of orange juice as I entered the car.
"Not really," I replied. My excitement for tomorrow was on my face.
"Who's that?" Raymond asked.
"Who?" I blinked, a bit confused, but soon understood. "Oh, Professor Blake. He's my physical training coach."
"Hmm." His response was short and plain, but his tone sounded a little off.
I glanced at him, wondering if it was my imagination. His face was unreadable, so I figured it was probably nothing.
Raymond's POV
Jealousy burned within me, and my wolf, Lucas, shared the same anger.
Seeing that blond man touch Caitlyn's head, his gaze possessive, tightened something in my chest. I knew what that look meant.
Caitlyn didn't seem to notice.
A thought hit me: What if, one day, someone took advantage of her innocence? She might never realize it.
During dinner, that image kept replaying. Looking at Caitlyn, I wondered if it was time to stop hiding it. I could let her wolf sense who I was—her alpha.
But I held back. I wasn't ready yet.
Last night, when her body brushed against mine, it took everything I had to stay in control.
Caitlyn is polite and considerate but strong in her way.
She tests people sometimes, awkwardly—like she did yesterday.
I held back my desires, not wanting to rush her, especially since we were newly married.
After the shower, I found her pretending to sleep.
I left the bedside lamp on.
She seemed to want to cuddle into my arms again. This time, I wasn't going to let her pull away.
Caitlyn's POV
I wanted to be close to Raymond again, like yesterday. It felt so comforting, so secure.
But today felt different.
His hand slid up, brushing over my chest. My nightgown barely covered me, and it took only a moment for him to lift it, his touch exploring gently.
Then, his warm lips pressed against the back of my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.