~ 10

0010

✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧  Redford ✧･ﾟ: ✧ :･ﾟ✧

“I’m not sure I’m in the best place to say anything about the expansion,” Marichuy was quick to start talking.

I ignored her speech until we got to the balcony. Of course, we had to go through my room first. She would not move any further when I held the room door open for her.

“After you,” I was not trying to clear her hesitation. I had absolutely no doubt that she was going to do exactly what I wanted.

It took a few minutes, but she did.

My room had a tall, glass door that opened into a balcony. There was a beautiful view of the entire region from the balcony. I used it to survey the landscape, but it was also beautifully decorated, with a table, two chairs and flower vases for my relaxation.

I pulled out a chair for her and then walked to the mini bar on the balcony.

“Who mounts a bar on a balcony?” she probed, as I picked out a bottle of wine and two glasses to accompany it.

“I guess when you spend most of your time somewhere, it’s only natural that you equip it with everything you might need.” I took a seat directly across from her on the small square table and turned two glasses of wine, handing the first one to her.

“So…”

“I told you before. I know nothing about the expansion.” She interrupted me. I smiled.

“You really think I brought you up here to discuss some expansion?” I chuckled, “very funny.”

Confusion flashed through her eyes. I could see just how confused her soul was.

“Then why am I here? Are you expecting an appreciation from me for saving my life the other day?” Her innocence baffled me, as did my wolf.

‘She really has no idea,’  he said subtly.

‘This is weird. A mate bond goes both ways. I identified her the very second, I saw her. Why does she seem not to know there’s a bond?’

“Alpha Redford,”

I had wandered into my thoughts for a minute, until she called my name.

I cleared my throat and adjusted in my seat.

“At least you acknowledge that you owe me some thanks…” I pushed my chair backwards, placed my wine glass on the table and walked around the table to stand behind her chair. “I would accept your appreciation in the form of a deep kiss though.” I whispered into her ears.

I saw her trying very hard to fight it, but I knew she felt passion run through her.

She pushed the table away from her, since there was no way to push the chair and slipped out, holding the wine glass in her hands which she threw on my face.

“How dare you?” she slammed the glass on the table and stormed away, leaving me covered in wine.

‘Why are you smiling? She just humiliated you?’

‘I’m not sure, but I like her guts.’

I felt my wolf exhausted and placing his head in his palm to express that.

The pain of having a mate that had no recognition the bond was there, but there was something greater than that pain. Something about her that made me feel like I was going to get life right this time.

‘You do realize if she doesn’t recognize the bond we’re screwed right? All of this would have been for nothing and I don’t know if you realize it, but we only have thirty days, and of these thirty, four are already gone.’

Bruce, my wolf, was losing his mind and he had every right too. I couldn’t say I wasn’t panicking too. A small part of me was, but the larger part of me felt like everything was going to be okay.

“Redford,” he knocked on my door and pushed it in before I got the chance to respond.

“Marcus.” I called back.

He navigated through the room to join me in the balcony, beginning his speech from the moment he entered the room and freezing the second he saw me.

“It’s time for you to address the guests. Everyone is…”

“I’ll be down in a minute.” I replied,

“What happened here? How are you covered in wine?” His voice dripping with concern felt like poison to my stomach.

In a previous lifetime, I swore that he was the only one who cared about me. The only one I could count on, but that was before I found out.

“Nothing. I’ll just change and be down there with everyone in a minute.”

“Seriously. Talk to me…” Marcus’ persistence was setting off Bruce, which was what I was trying to avoid by hurrying him off.

‘Please, let me squeeze life out of him already.’  Bruce was almost surfacing. Fur had begun to find its way to the surface of my skin.

‘Easy there. You’ll get your turn.’ I tried to pacify Bruce, but it was difficult, so I yelled at Marcus.

“I’m fine! Go down there and be with everyone else. I’ll join you as soon as I’m changed.”

The fear in his eyes was satisfying.

Marcus had not seen me in such a mood before. He nodded like a defeated puppy and walked out of my room.

“You better be scared.” I said underneath my breath and walked to the wardrobe to change the shirt Marichuy had soiled.

It took five minutes to change my shirt and get back to the crowd.

My eyes caught those of Marichuy from the stage where I was standing and Derek beside her.

“Thank you all for being here.” I began, “As you all know, this occasion is designed to free ourselves of the burdens of running a pack, just for one night. I shouldn’t be doing any work here, but I feel it is important for me to announce that all expansions have been suspended until further notice.”

My eyes were on him and I noticed the immediate fold in Derek’s eyes towards Marichuy. Bruce growled.

“Enjoy the rest of the night.”

I came down from the stage and walked straight to Derek, who could not wait for the music to go back on so he could scold Marichuy.

The both were in a heated conversation by the time I got to them.

“Do we have a problem here?”