Chapter 6 - André

Isis was excited to get inside and find Kurt. I could tell based on how her body was buzzing. Oh, to have a mate that wants you.

I’ve seen how Kurt looks at Isis. It’s like she’s his everything. Isis is his sun, moon, and every star in the sky, all in one. She’s his universe, and it’s so painfully obvious it makes the rest of us envious.

I know I am. I wasn’t before, but I am now the way my mate looked at me. Though he did get jealous earlier when I was in the parking lot with Alexander.

‘We are not using jealousy of your cousin to entice our mate.’ Duilio warned as we walked into the town hall.

‘I would not use my cousin to make our mate jealous.’ I scoffed, offended that he’d believe I would use Alexander like that.

‘Don’t think about using Piero either. Or any of your lovers in this pack. I swear to you now if one of your ex’s touches you in a more than platonic way, I will rip their dicks off.’ Duilio threatened. 

I rolled my eyes. ‘So violent. You take after papa Chesed. No need for such drastic measures. Goddess. Though honestly, what am I supposed to say. Sorry, no kissing or touching, I found my mate, but he doesn’t want me? Yeah, no.’ I shook my head.

“André! Hey cousin.” Zoe waved a hand, shoving a bucket into the hand of the male I had seen with my mate.

The one who had his arm around him in a very friendly manner. It doesn’t matter that the male is mated; my wolf feels extra territorial. Duilio was already growling.

“Ciao, Zoe.” I gave her a bright smile, throwing my arms out for a hug.

“So I hear I missed some excitement. Alexander told me, but you know I love gossip, even more, when it’s straight from the source. So dish, girl.” I laughed as Zoe hugged me.

Zoe laughed too and shook her head. “Oh, you missed the excitement after the incident. But fine, I’ll start from the stop. Oh, hey, Isis. Your mate went upstairs to my papa’s office.” Zoe grinned, her attention briefly deviating to Isis. 

“Oh, okay. André, do you mind if I go up without you?” Isis questioned. I could tell she was eager to see Kurt.

“Go on, sweetie. Get your man.” I winked, shooing her away. Isis giggled, blushing as she hurried to the elevators. 

“Now, dish Zoe. I want to hear all about it before I have to put on my Alpha shoes and be well behaved and broadly… so channel my inner papa Chesed.” I grinned.

I mainly was delaying because I could smell my mate strongly here, and I wanted to just revel in it without him actually being there to look at me with those judgy eyes.

“Oh, never change André. You’re perfect just as you are. And that includes being an Alpha.” Zoe laughed, shaking her head.

“Now for what happened. I’m sure Alexander told you about how a Bloodmoon warrior foolishly grabbed my ass and got turned to stone.” 

I nodded. “Yes, that’s the gist of what Alexander said. Where is the statue? Was he at least cute?” I glanced around, trying to find the statue. I didn’t see one or anything that indicated where he would be. Perhaps he was further in. I don’t know.

“Oh, they already moved and locked him in his room. And I guess he wasn’t bad-looking. But he had that smugness to him I can’t stand. You know I like a humble man.” Zoe smiled.

“You like them to be humble, so long as they’d otherwise have something worth bragging about.” I laughed, teasing her. I adore my cousin. We have very similar tastes in men. 

We have occasionally had the same lover, never at the same time, mind you. Neither of us is the sort who would share like that.

I was like that with my toys, too. If I wasn’t playing with it, I didn’t mind if Katrina and Zoe or even Alexander played with them but not while I was playing with them.

“So true. And I don’t think the statue had much worth bragging about. But dumbass’s Captain….” Zoe whistled. I raised a brow of interest. ‘We aren’t interested.’ Duilio growled.

‘I have to play along, or she will see right through me. And maybe this Captain is her mate. I would love to hear all about it.’ I countered, shutting him up. “Dish cousin.” I egged her on.

“Okay, so after I turned dumbass to a statue Kurt and another wolf… oh that one.” Zoe pointed to the dark-haired man she’d given the bucket to. He froze and arched an eyebrow. “Yes, Miss Petridis?” He cautiously asked.

“Oh, sorry, I was just telling my cousin about your Captain Darren. And was pointing you out as one of the people he came in with.” Zoe explained. The male relaxed that he wasn’t being asked to do anything. Instead, he nodded and walked away.

I froze. That was the male who walked in with my mate and Kurt. Oh shit. Oh shit. Is my mate this Captain Darren?

The male, my cousin, is about to gush about? Oh, fuck my life. I gritted my teeth and grinned at my cousin, hoping maybe I was wrong and it was someone else.

“Anyways. Captain Darren is so our type. Tall, dark hair kept short on the sides but long enough on top for a good tug. And the muscles. Oh, André, the muscles. He folded his arms, and I about creamed my panties. From what the shorts showed, he’s got something worth bragging about.” Zoe waggled her eyebrow.

‘She’s describing our mate. She needs to shut up. I don’t like her talking about our mate.’ Duilio started to growl, trying to come forward. Oh crap. He can’t just attack Zoe.

‘Stay back. That’s Zoe. She’s my cousin. I don’t care if she fucked our mate, okay, so that’s a lie. I would care. But I would take it out of our mate’s tight perfect… I would take it out of his ass, not Zoe. She doesn’t know he has a mate let alone that it’s me.’ I shoved Duilio back.

“And André …. His face. So handsome. A strong jaw with stubble that we both enjoy. And these beautiful Caribbean blue eyes I wanted to swim in. Too bad he’s not my mate. I could have easily seen having a handsome male like that to call mine.” Zoe sighed. 

I bit my tongue and just smiled. I have to think before I speak. Not something I do very often.

“This Captain Darren sounds delicious. And I know what you mean. Everyone’s finding love. Papa found Crista. And I’m sure Alexander told you my sister is Tiberius’s mate. So she gets sleeping beauty.” I sighed forlornly.

Zoe pouted and hugged me. “We will find our mates. I just know it. And they are going to be amazing. Especially yours. He must be to deserve someone as fabulous as you.” She grinned, kissing my cheeks. 

“Now, go up to papa. Captain Darren is waiting to be introduced to you. Show him what amazing Alphas the D’Amore men are. And get an eyeful of his hotness.” She winked, slapping my ass as she shooed me.

“I’ve going to help the rest of the Bloodmoon wolves get settled in. They sent some female warriors, so I want to ensure the she-wolves have all they need.” She waved, disappearing down a hall.

I let out a ragged breath after she left. I bet Darren didn’t look at her the way he did me. Oh, goddess, what if that’s why he looked at me like that!? What if he’s bisexual and not entirely out about the being into guys part? 

I groaned as I got into the elevator. Just what I need is a closet bi mate. Duilio was eerily quiet as I walked to Zio Damon’s office on the top floor.

I clenched my jaw as that smokey woodsy scent started to grow stronger with each step. As I stepped into the room, everyone fell quiet.

I could tell I had interrupted a conversation based on how everyone’s eyes turned to me. Everyone, including my mate… Captain Darren. Fuck I want to jump him.

I want to kiss those lips and sink my teeth into his neck. I want to claim him and mark him so no one, especially my beloved cousin, can ever mistake him as single.

I clench my jaw to keep my canines in as I shut the door. “Don’t stop talking on my count.” I teased, walking over to sit on my uncle’s desk.

Doing my best to act as casual and normal as possible. Alexander and Zio Damon weren’t buying it. They were both giving me a concerned look.

“Hey, André. Thanks for bringing Isis back.” Kurt smiled with his arm around his mate. That goofy lovesick smile on his face and in his eyes.

Goddess, I want my mate to look at me like that. I want my mate’s arm around me. Instead, he’s standing stiffly across the room next to Isis.

“Who’s the stiff? I thought the statue warrior was downstairs.” I teased because it’s my default.

Alexander snickered while Darren’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly at me. Kurt even chuckled and removed his hand from Isis’s waist long enough to poke Darren’s side.

“Relax, Delaney.” Kurt rolled his eyes. “André, meet Captain Darren Delaney. Alpha Logan sent him here to be in charge of the warriors since he has military training. He was a Navy SEAL along with his two brothers.” Kurt humble bragged.

My mate was military? A Navy SEAL at that. I’ve read about them. They are special forces.

He must have some impressive moves and skills then. Explains the stiff posture and all the muscles. And brothers? Lord help the world if they look like him. 

“Darren, meet André D’Amore Alpha Heir and the acting Incubi Alpha.” Kurt finished his introduction as he gestured to me.

There was this tense moment. I could feel the electricity in the air. Electricity or sexual tension, maybe both. Either way, it was crackling in the air between Darren and me.

I hopped off the desk and stepped to stand eye to eye with him. I hadn’t gotten this close before. Fuck he’s gorgeous.

I find myself looking into those eyes, sinking into them, drowning in them. He smells so damn good. I want him. I don’t care that we are in a room full of people. I want him here and now.

Deep in those eyes, I saw a wolf. That handsome fellow from the battlefield. He was edging forward, expressive eyes looking at me with excitement. ‘His wolf wants us.’ Duilio proclaimed or rather cheered.

“Nice to meet you, Alpha André.” Darren finally spoke, extending a beefy hand out to me. Oh, goddess, his voice. It’s as smoky as his scent. 

I want to record him reading anything, ingredients on a cereal box. I don’t care. I only ever want to fall asleep to the sound of his voice. I need a recording of that voice, it can replace my sleep sound machine. 

“The pleasure is all mine, Captain Darren.” I smirked, putting emphasis on the words ‘all mine’. Because, like it or not, handsome, you are all mine. I took his hand and felt my entire body shiver as the spark of the mate bond coursed through my veins with more power than any bit of lightning I control.