Jackson was sitting at his desk, reviewing paperwork, well, he was trying to; and daydreaming about his Mate. The stack of documents before him held little interest compared to thoughts of her, and his mind kept wandering to her beautiful face.
Celine had warned him that he needed to take his time with her. Zoe could not feel the mate bond like he could, and it was a fact that tested his patience daily. Celine, with her years of experience, believed they had to awaken her Fey powers before she could fully experience their mate bond in all its intensity. If he had his way, he would have claimed her immediately, marking her as his for all to see. However, he knew she needed time to adjust to this new world she had been thrust into. He had to respect her journey of discovery, allowing her to explore their connection at her own pace, no matter how much it tested his control.
His Mate had no comprehension of the immense power that lay dormant within her. More frustratingly, she seemed completely unaware of how devastatingly attractive she was. It had shocked him to his core when he learned she had told her sister that men like him wouldn't be interested in her. The very thought was preposterous. She was perfect in every conceivable way. Her dark brown hair cascaded down to her waist like a silk curtain, begging to be touched. Those eyes of hers were the most vibrant shade of green he had ever encountered, reminiscent of fresh spring leaves in morning sunlight. Her smile oh, that smile could illuminate the darkest room, warming even the coldest heart. She possessed curves in all the right places, a fact that drove him wild with desire. He had never been attracted to overly thin women; he preferred the soft, welcoming curves that his Mate possessed in abundance. The mere thought of removing her clothes to explore those enticing curves made his blood run hot. He vowed to kiss away every single one of her insecurities, to worship every magnificent inch of her body until she understood just how precious she was.
His rather inappropriate thoughts were interrupted by a sharp knock on the door.
"Enter," he commanded, straightening in his chair.
Max strode in wearing a knowing grin that stretched across his face.
"Is she settled in?" he asked his visitor, trying to maintain a professional demeanor.
"Yeah, but that one will give you a run for your money," Max replied, amusement evident in his voice.
He raised an eyebrow at his Gamma, curiosity piqued. "What are you talking about?"
"She wanted to stay with her brothers in the single men's dorm."
A fierce growl ripped from his throat, causing Max to immediately bare his neck in submission.
"Did you tell her no?" he roared at Max, his protective instincts flaring.
Max held up his hands in surrender. "I did," he assured quickly. "But she stomped and demanded that I tell her where they were. When I left her in her room, she was settling in there."
He relaxed back into his chair, relieved to know his Mate was safe in his room. He had given her his bedroom and moved himself into a spare bedroom on his floor, wanting to ensure her comfort. The thought of his room being saturated with her scent pleased his wolf immensely. He had even instructed Rebecca, his head maid, to procure some clothes for her. Once she was more settled, he planned to take her shopping for whatever else she might need or want.
Max cleared his throat conspicuously.
Looking up, he noticed Max rubbing the back of his neck a telltale sign that he was hesitant to share something unpleasant.
"What is it, Max?" he demanded, his voice thunderous.
"Dustin just mind-linked; your Mate was headed to the single men's dorm."
"WHAT?" he exploded, leaping from his seat with such force that the chair nearly toppled over. "My mate is not staying with them," he growled menacingly at Max.
"Calm down, big fella, she just wanted to see her brothers," Max attempted to placate him, though the situation was far from calming.
The news did nothing to soothe his agitated nerves. He wanted his Mate safe and back in his room, where she belonged.
Her intoxicating scent wafted through the air a delectable mixture of chocolate and roses. His wolf, Aries, was going wild within him, desperately yearning for his Mate. The way her sweet fragrance mingled with the scents of numerous single wolves in the vicinity drove Aries to the brink of madness. A deep, threatening growl erupted from his throat, causing every male in the room to instinctively bare their necks in submission to their Alpha.
There she was, perched on her brother Tyler's bed, wearing tantalizingly short pink shorts paired with a matching tank top. Her legs were a sight to behold perfectly toned and sculpted, making his mind wander to thoughts of those magnificent limbs wrapped around him while she writhed beneath him, breathlessly pleading for more. The tank top she wore did little to conceal her assets; the absence of a bra was evident as her hardened nipples pressed against the thin fabric. The sight pushed Aries to the edge of his control, causing him to howl and thrash within his mind, desperate to take charge. He must have looked positively murderous as he approached her brother, but he couldn't help himself. His wolf was consumed by an overwhelming need to claim his Mate and remove her from this inappropriate situation. Tyler, protective as ever, positioned himself between them.
"You will not touch her," Tyler declared, his voice rising with protective fury.
"Move, Boy," he snarled in response, his patience wearing dangerously thin.
Tyler's defiance was pushing Aries to his absolute limit. However, he knew that harming her brother would destroy any chance of earning her trust or forgiveness.
The standoff intensified as Tyler stood his ground, refusing to yield until Ryker and Jason joined the fray, positioning themselves between him and Tyler. While they likely intended to diffuse the situation, their intervention only served to further enrage Aries. His wolf's possessive nature couldn't bear the separation from his Mate for another moment. The confrontation escalated, voices rising and bodies pushing against each other, creating a chaotic scene. His Mate found herself trapped between her brother and the bed, her distress going unnoticed until Max's urgent voice cut through the chaos, "Umm, guys, the girl." The sight of her beginning to lose consciousness spurred him into immediate action. Without hesitation, he shoved Tyler onto the adjacent bed and caught her just before she collapsed.
She was in the midst of a severe panic attack, tears streaming down her face as she struggled to remain conscious. Instantly, he began rubbing soothing circles on her back, offering comfort and cursing himself for his thoughtless behavior. Jason had specifically warned him about her aversion to male confrontation and shouting. The reason behind this fear intrigued him, though he knew now wasn't the time to pursue that particular line of questioning.
As her panic gradually subsided, Tyler settled beside them on the bed, gently stroking her arm in a brotherly gesture of comfort.
"You didn't have to throw me; I would have caught her," Tyler remarked, his tone tinged with mild reproach.
The sight of another man touching his Mate, even her brother, sparked his possessive instincts. He pulled her closer, nuzzling her protectively as he muttered "mine" under his breath. She belonged to him completely his to protect, his to love, his to cherish for all eternity.
She slowly lifted her head from his chest, her tear-stained face turning toward Tyler as he apologized for his role in frightening her. The genuine remorse in her brother's voice was evident as he expressed his regret for contributing to her distress. Despite the tension that still lingered in the air, the immediate crisis had passed, though his wolf remained on high alert, ready to protect their precious Mate from any potential threat.
She told him she understood; he hadn't intended to cause the situation intentionally.
Her cheeks began to flush a delicate shade of pink, the color spreading across her porcelain skin like watercolor on canvas. As she attempted to extricate herself from his lap, he instinctively tightened his grip around her waist. His wolf was adamant—she wouldn't be released until she was safely away from this room. She pressed her palms against his chest in an attempt to create distance, but he only held her closer, rising to his feet with her cradled in his arms.
The rosy hue on her cheeks deepened to a darker shade as he carried her from the room. Her embarrassment was evident, but he found her blushing utterly enchanting. His attention was drawn back to his Mate when she spoke softly, "You can put me down; I'm sure I'm heavy." A protective growl rumbled from deep within his chest, unbidden and fierce.
His arms tightened around her protectively. "You are never too heavy; don't ever say that again," he growled, his tone brooking no argument.
The very notion that she considered herself heavy troubled him deeply. She was absolute perfection, every curve and line of her body a masterpiece he cherished. The anticipation of their complete mating bond made his wolf restless with desire. He would gladly carry her everywhere, worship every inch of her beautiful form. She belonged to him, completely and irrevocably. Upon reaching his room, he gently laid her on the bed. His gaze traveled deliberately from her delicate feet to her expressive eyes, memorizing every detail of her form. His body ached with need, and his wolf yearned to mark her as their own. The sacred ritual of marking was fundamental to werewolf mating the spot above her collarbone would soon bear his mark, a permanent declaration of their bond. It would serve as an unmistakable warning to all other males that she was claimed, cherished, and eternally his. The mere thought of another man attempting to touch what belonged to him sparked a primal rage within his chest. He would tear apart any fool who dared to covet what was rightfully his.
Recognizing the dangerous path his thoughts were taking, he quickly reined in his possessive instincts. With gentle movements, he drew the blanket over her form, a smile tugging at his lips as she instinctively inhaled the familiar scent of the fabric and nestled deeper into the pillow, seeking comfort in his scent.
"I said goodnight, Angel," he murmured, his voice softening with affection as he extinguished the lights in their shared space.
He retreated to his own room, already knowing that sleep would prove elusive this night. His thoughts were consumed by her presence just beyond the wall, her sweet scent lingering in his consciousness, and the promise of their future together. The wolf within him paced restlessly, both protective and possessive of their precious Mate who slumbered nearby, yet still felt too far away for comfort.