6

ALEXANDER THORNE

She had her walls up, and was skeptical around me. That much I could tell.

She was quiet throughout the entire ride, never once glancing my way and instead opting to stare out watching the trees as we drive past them. I on the other hand, stole more than a few looks in her direction, none of which she acknowledged even if she had noticed it.

Aira Valerius. That was her name, written next to mine now on our marriage certificate.

Of course, the name rang a bell.

"Aira Valerius. Your Highness, that's Alpha Rico's supposed to be wife." Callum had mindlinked, his gaze finding mine through the rearview mirror, concern etched on his features. He had been wary around her right from the beginning, it was in his nature to do so, so i could not quite blame him. "I do not believe this is as easy as it appears."

I hummed, shifting my gaze from him and staring ahead as I leaned back in my seat. He must have pondered his words for a while before he finally vocalized it.

He then added through the mindlink. "I have gotten word from Rhys, the wedding had been called off because of the missing bride. Details had not been disclosed yet."

Well, of course the wedding had been called off. She is my bride now. 

"--I am afraid this is not as simple as it appears, Your Highness." And it appears Callum had suddenly become a bit too talkative today. "I suggest you keep your guards up and tread carefully around her." He was not exactly trusting or welcoming of strangers. He is like that with everyone.

"I understand." I mindlinked him back, "Look into it, and find out everything you can about her." I glanced at her through the corner of my eyes, before I added. "Make sure you dig deeply. I want to know everything." And it so happens that I am not as trusting either. Just because I married her does not mean I would blindly put my trust in her.

I am not that stupid. Getting the mate I have been waiting for for so long is one thing. It is more like ticking off a responsiblity saddled on me. Accepting and trusting her though? Yeah...that is something else.

"Noted, Your Highness." He breathed out, seemingly relieved I wasn;t blinding accepting her. "Should we head to the packhouse or..."

"Let's head to the penthouse." I traced my brow with my index finger, "It's too early to meet the pack members."

"Noted, Your Highness."

"Also, inform Rhys that I want to see him later. We still need to go over what happened at Cresant Wane. I want a full report." I have a High Council of old wolves interested in this as well. It was not something I could just ignore just because something came up for me.

"Right away, Your Highness. I will inform him now."

He did not say anything to me again throughout the rest of the drive, and neither did I. It took a bit longer than it usually would since we were not headed to the packhouse, but rather one of the penthouses I own in the human world, where I usually stay when I am there for business.

As the car pulled up in the underground parking lot, my gaze shifted in the direction of the woman beside me, whom finally tore her gaze from the window and turned to look at me, her brows drawn in and lips curving into a slight frown in question.

"Where are we?"

"My penthouse." I replied simply, then gestured to the door. "Let's go."

She blinked, her lips parting as if she wanted to say something but I did not give her the chance to. Instead, I pushed the door open and stepped out, intending to round her side and pull the door open for her but she beat me to it. Just as I reached her door, she had already stepped out, one hand pulling my jacket to cover her more, and the other holding onto her copy of our marriage certificate, along with the purse that had been with her all along.

I pretended not to be aware of it. "Shall we?" 

She nodded slowly, her lips folding in. 

I led the way to the elevator, leaving Callum and the driver behind. We got into the elevator quietly, and I tapped the button that would take us to the top floor where the penthouse was. Some soft music played in the background, and when I glanced at her again, she was looking anywhere but me. I guess she found the elevator buttons more interesting.

A ding sound came, cutting through the awkward tensed air im the elevator just as it arrived at the penthouse, and the doors pulled open, revealing our destination. I stepped out first, and she followed quietly behind me as we stepped into my private space, and my tensed shoulders slumped a bit.

However, before we could stop and say anything to each other, the sound of footsteps approaching came, and my head turned in the direction of the sound just in time to see my housekeeper approaching, her lips curved into a warm smile.

"Mr. Thorne, welcome back home." The older housekeeper that had been working for me for the longest time greeted, coming to stand in front of us.

"Brenda." I acknowledged with a nod.

Her smile widened a bit, but it faltered moment upon sighting my company. "Sir, this is..."

"Brenda, meet Aira." I gestured, my body half turning in her direction, a hand pulled out. "My wife." I added.

The look that took over Brenda's face instantly was almost comical. Her eyes widened almost the size of saucers, and her mouth hung open.

"Wife?" She repeated, more to herself in disbelief. She was quick to recover though--blinking a couple of times to regain her composure.

Aira stepped closer, offering Brenda a small, warm smile. "Hello. I am Aira." She extended her hand out for a handshake which Brenda took and shook, her own smile reflecting hers.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Thorne." She greeted.

"Call me Aira, please." Aira was quick to add, her tone soft, her smile wavering. "I prefer Aira."

Brenda glanced at me, almost as if she needed a go-ahead to do that. I gave her a nod. It was up to the woman what she wanted to be addressed as really, but Brenda was a person of her own, and she made most of her decisions regarding the people she meets.

So, I was not surprised when she found Aira's gaze again, and then said. "We will get there eventually, Mrs. Thorne." 

Aira simply nodded, though I could tell she was still not fully comfortable.

I exhaled a breath, cutting in. "Brenda, show Aira to the room and help her get settled in for now. I am sure she is in need of a shower, some change of clothes, and food as well." I gave her a onceover, then nodded to myself before finding Brenda's gaze again. "You know what to do."

"Of course," Brenda gave me an assuring nod. "I will handle it."

"Good."

"This way, Mrs. Thorne." Brenda gestured to the path they would head to. 

Aira glanced at me, as if she had something she wanted to say. When I arched a brow, she shook her head and quietly followed Brenda, getting lost down the long corridors that led to the master bedroom. 

And as I watched her walk away, never once turning back, my head tilted to the side as one question ran through my head.

Aira Valerius--would you be a true mate, or a mate in name only?