Chapter 2

"I’m sure..."

"Stop it, Nina.”He cut in.“Stop making rubbish stories in your head. There is nothing going on between us. Anyways, Let me sleep.”

He hopped back onto the bed.

“Tomorrow morning, I have an urgent meeting. Rogues has attacked the pack's borders, and two wolves have already died. I have a lot to handle and have no energy to argue about these meaningless things. “

When he mentioned the pack's crisis, my anger was doused with cold water.

I regretted doubting him. He was not just my mate; he was the leader of the Shadowbite pack, and the weight of responsibility on his shoulders was heavy.

Blake pulled the blanket over him and turned away while I kept tossing and turning all night.

The following day , as dawn broke, I drove Ava to the hospital.

"Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious. The bruise will fade in a few days,” the doctor said, and I sighed with relief.

"Mom won’t let you get hurt again, no matter what happens," I whispered as I looked down at her in my arms.

Her tiny hand gripped my clothes as though responding to my promise.

Although I never wanted to be apart from her, I had to visit Ivy every Monday for my session.

I sent Ava home, handed her to the nanny, and then drove to Ivy's office.

But this time, I wasn’t there for therapy. I was going to confront Ivy face to face and ask her what she and Blake were doing at 3 PM yesterday.

When I reached, Ivy greeted me warmly. Her smile was as bright as ever as if nothing had happened.

"Hi, Nina, how was your trip? Did you enjoy it?" she asked, hugging me.

"I shouldn’t have listened to your suggestion to go on that trip. Ava got hurt. Did you know?" I tried to keep my anger in check.

"Oh, yes, I know, but it’s just a small injury. You’re overreacting. Kids fall all the time. " she said, her voice calm and measured, just like Blake's words last night, which made me furious.

"So you’re saying it’s no big deal?" I controlled my voice.

"Fine. But there’s one more thing you need to explain! That day, what were you and Blake doing in the bedroom at 3 PM? Why didn’t you come out when Ava was crying?"

A flash of panic appeared in her eyes, but it disappeared as quickly as it came.

"Sweetie, we were just discussing your condition. That’s all."

"Really? Just discussing my condition for an hour? Was that really necessary?" I retorted sarcastically.

"Yes, because I had to explain a lot of medical terms to Blake. He’s very concerned about you. I wanted to make sure he understood everything clearly."

She pulled out a book on postnatal depression from her desk.

"I even bought Blake a book on it. Look, I was planning to ask you to take it back for him today."

I didn’t know how to respond. These reasons sounded so perfect!

"Can we start today's session?" She skillfully changed the subject when I was at a loss for words.

I reluctantly nodded.

"You didn’t sleep last night, did you?" she asked.

"Yeah, I was too worried about Ava."

"I’ll prescribe you some more sleeping pills," she said.

I nodded again, but her next question caught me off guard.

"Do you and Blake still have a sexual relationship?"

My face immediately flushed. That question was far too invasive.

"Why would you ask that?" I blurted out, slightly irritated.

"I’m asking because I want to understand your situation. Many women with postpartum depression lose their libido, which affects their intimacy. I want to make sure I can help you as much as possible."

"I’ve been taking care of Ava," my voice trailed off, "I’m always so tired. I don’t have time, I don’t have the energy to... with Blake."

"You’re a new mother. It’s very common."

I felt a slight release of tension, but it wasn’t enough to fully shake off the embarrassment. Ivy remained calm, professional, and focused. Then she reached into the desk drawer.

Ivy pulled out a bottle of pills and placed it on the table.

"This medication is specially designed for werewolves. It helps with anxiety... and also..." Ivy gave a mysterious smile.

"...helps with increasing your libido."