64. Luna.

"My love, are you awake yet?" Eros smiled, opening the bedroom curtains. His eyes roamed over the horizon, enjoying the chilly looking weather outside. They had spent the last two weeks of heat in their apartment. Eros left only to deal with Balthazar's demands, taking in his possible position. He wasn't sure whether he wanted to become a King, nor was it a question of importance. Eve, on the other hand, spent her days mostly locked in, calling her family, and having hours-long phone calls with Luna. Both women had bonded lately, making the human girl feel less lonely when Eros had to deal with whatever duty he had.

"Five more minutes," she groaned, hiding under the blanket like a child trying to avoid getting ready for school. Eros turned around to look at his mate, chuckling in amusement.

"Kitten, you seem to become more tired each day. It's almost lunchtime, and you're still sleeping. Don't mind me when I point this out, but you went to bed earlier than I did yesterday. You've gotten enough sleep, get that cute butt out of my bed and take a shower," he teased Eve, approaching the bed and sitting down.

"Are you trying to tell me that I stink?" Eve laughed, kicking the sheets off her body.

"No, not at all. I'm trying to remind you that you were too tired to shower before bed yesterday, so you have to take one now. I went to the gym while you were asleep, and I'm quite sweaty myself. I could cook you some waffles while you're in the shower, but if it doesn't sound good enough- I can shower first," Eros smiled, placing a hand on her cheek and leaning in. Before Eros got to kiss Eve, she bolted up from the bed and ran for the bathroom.

"Shotgun!" she yelled, opening the bathroom door. Eros laughed, his eyes following her frenetic movements.

"I like strawberry jam on my waffles, just to make it clear," Eve added, closing the door behind her. She could still hear him laughing, an image of Eros shaking his head from side to side popped in her mind. As his laugher faded, Eve stripped out of her pyjamas, observing her reflection in the mirror. The dark circles under her eyes became more visible- dark violet, at this point. Her locks had lost their shine and started tangling more often. Even her body was changing. She had lost quite a lot of weight while eating the same as usual. Eve frowned, feeling displeased by how the heat had affected her body.

"The heat seems to affect werewolves differently; all they have is an urge to breed," Eve whispered to herself, wondering why she looked so abnormal compared to others. Was it because she's human?

"Just forget it, Eve, focus on the waffles," she groaned, getting into the shower. She did catch herself wondering what Eros would think of her little rant but decided to avoid that thought. Her mate was praising her beauty more than ever. He never mentioned how she was changing. When he did say anything, it was about her sleeping habits. Eve didn't rush herself- rubbing her body carefully, washing her hair, and then brushing it. She wrapped her body in a large towel and styled hair in a messy bun. Eros always knew the exact moment when to call for her. Just as Eve stepped out of the bathroom, she heard him talking.

"Almost done with your waffles, love. I left a t-shirt and a pair of joggers on the bed for you," he announced, sounding a little too proud. Eve smiled, her eyes landing on the clothing he had left for her. Eros knew her better than people who had known her for years. She didn’t want to admit it, but even her parents had no idea what Eve loved the most. Her mother used to nag her about clothing, while Eros just gave her his just for Eve to feel comfortable. She slipped on the clothes, completely forgetting the need to wear undergarments. Why would she? Eros had destroyed more than half of her bras and panties during the heat, and it wasn't like he was calming down. Shifters' sex drive had always been a lot stronger than humans, but Eve started to think that Eros was in the heat twenty-four-seven.

"Oh Gosh, those smell so delicious!" Eve said, entering the kitchen. Her eyes set on the prize, and this time her main attraction wasn't Eros. It was all about those waffles he had made for her.

"Easy tiger, no need to act like a predator. Sit down, and I will serve you some, just let me find that strawberry jam you were talking about," Eros winked at her, rather pleased that his mate wasn't losing that childish nature of hers. Eros had genuinely fallen in love with Eve. Whatever she did or said, no matter how she acted or looked, she was the perfect woman in his eyes. He had taken some time in observing Eve's behaviour lately. She had become more apathetic and tired. Her body was changing, losing the curves, Eros adored. Her skin was paler, and the dim circles under her eyes growing darker with each day. He was sure that the heat wouldn't be the most relaxed time in her life, yet Eros couldn't imagine such significant change even in his wildest nightmares. He watched how Eve sat down, eyeing him suspiciously as if she knew what was bothering him.

"Here." Eros placed the plate with waffles in front of Eve, turning around to head for the fridge.
Of course, she dug into the food like a starving animal, forgetting about the little extra she had demanded earlier. Eros chuckled, crossing his arms in front of his broad chest.

"So, what's the agenda for today?" he asked, leaning against the kitchen counter.

"Not sure yet. How about you? Any plans?"

"Yes. I need to meet Balthazar later on today. It seems that he's facing some difficulties in the Kingdom, and I will try to help. There was something he wanted to tell me about his mate, so I assume we will spend a little more time together. That is if you don't mind. I promise I will make it all up to you, give me time to deal with all the legal stuff," Eros smiled rather sadly. He knew that Eve often felt lonely if he was away, so leaving her again pained him. Then again, this was his responsibility; he had to find courage and act. If he accepts the throne, he will never fail in providing for his mate. That was one of the most significant reasons why he considered taking it- Eve. She would live in a castle like a real Queen deserves to. She would have people bow at her feet, admire her beauty, and pure nature, while only Eros would be allowed to touch her. When their pups arrived, those would be the luckiest kids alive. They would have loving parents, and all of their wishes would come true- a Royal family.

"Eros, I'm tired of repeating myself- do what you have to do, I can manage on my own. I might go out to meet your mom since the heat is over for everyone- it's safer now. We spoke yesterday, and she invited me over for tea and I couldn't resist the offer: tea, cookies, and some gossip." Eve smiled nervously, looking up at not-so-happy Eros.

"You know what I think about you being a friend to my mother. That woman might have given life to me, yet she won't hesitate to take away everything I love. And there is nothing in this world I love more than you, Eve. You have to understand that I might be unreachable for a couple of hours, and if something happens to you, I will never forgive myself for not being there. I can protect you only when I'm near, or you listen to what I say. Your stubborn mind must be cursing me silently now, but please try to look at the situation from my perspective. I’d rather die than let anyone hurt you, even if we’re speaking about my mother," Eros almost growled at the word 'mother.' His breathing became ragged, anger filling him. Yes, Eros knew that Eve had spent a lot of time talking to his mother. Yes, he had heard a couple of her monologues about how amazing Luna seemed to be. He had to listen to how Eve cried over misunderstanding Lunas' intentions. Eve wasn't as naive as she was when they first met, but her constant need to find the best in people, forgetting all the pain, drove Eros crazy. All he wanted was for her to understand that the world isn't all rainbows and unicorns- it's cruel, full of hate and people who will stop at nothing to hurt her.

"Eros, I'll be fine. We're meeting in the packhouse, so there will be plenty of other shifters. It's not like we're staying alone, or she will lock me in the basement. I just want some quality time with your mum. Trust me- she isn't as bad as you think." Eve was pleased, dropping the waffle on the plate and standing up.

"Of course, it's not like I have known that woman for my whole life. You're right, Evangeline, you know her better," Eros stomped out of the kitchen, heading towards the bedroom.
Eve knew that he would grab his jacket and leave without a word if she didn't stop him. She did the only reasonable thing coming to her mind. She stood in the doorway, crossed arms in front of her chest, and tried to look as scary as possible.

"Love, you don't look intimidating at all. Stop it, don't waste your energy on a temper tantrum," Eros stood with his back to her, looking out of the window.

"I'm not the one who's having a temper tantrum, you are!" She nearly started screaming, angry for his uncaring attitude. Eve had lost her best friend; she didn't have Claudia anymore. Despite how much she needed to talk to someone, Eve would never call that red-haired woman. She brought nothing but trouble. Since Eve had to leave her house- her parents hadn't bothered to call much, or even pick up her calls. So, the only two people Eve could talk to were Eros and his mother. Eros, was her mate and the thought of talking about period cramps with him was a little disgusting. His mother is a shifter and the only female she could talk to. Eve would head over to the packhouse, drink tea and talk about all the nasty female problems she can think of.

"Well, I am not screaming now, am I? I might have lost a little patience in the kitchen, but you can't blame me for that. My mother and I don't mix into anything other than disaster. If there is one thing, I can ask- I'll have to ask you to stay away from my mother." Eros sighed, turning around to face Eve.

"One chance. Give me one chance to prove that she isn't that bad. I will set your phone number as my emergency one, and if something, anything seems off- I'll call you. If I have to call you, I'll admit that I was wrong and will never meet her again. But IF I don’t, you'll have to put a little more trust in her and me. Deal?" Eve outstretched her hand for Eros to shake, a slight smile of victory appeared on her lips. Eros grabbed her hand and pulled her into his embrace. He kissed her forehead and whispered a barely audible "deal."