I plastered on my sweetest smile and strode toward him. "Draven," I purred, my voice honeyed and soft. "You’ve been so distant lately. It’s making me… lonely." My fingertips lightly grazed the back of his neck as I leaned down, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
He flinched ever so slightly before catching himself, and I noticed the stiffness in his shoulders. "Zerra," he said, his voice strained as he turned to face me, offering a weak smile. "I'm sorry. There’s been a lot on my mind lately, with the packs, the wedding…"
"Mm," I murmured, sliding into the chair beside him. "I can imagine. But you don’t need to face any of it alone, Draven. I’m here. We’re supposed to be mates." My eyes met his, searching for any flicker of guilt or hesitation. I found it. He was squirming under my gaze, and I couldn’t help but savor the moment.
"I know," he said, his hand brushing mine in what was probably meant to be a comforting gesture. "You’ve always been strong, Zerra. I… I just want to make sure everything is perfect for us. For the future of the pack."