6. His Dark Promise

Jade was too adorable for her own good. She stared at me as I worked, and distracted me by doing so.

The work I would have finished in under an hour took me two hours.

Admittedly, when the food came, knowing that my mate was hungry, and that I’d get to see her eat in front of me, made me halt reading mid-phrase.

I dismissed my PA with a tilt of my head. She knew not to argue. Then, I rose off the chair and went to sit next to Jade on the sofa, in order to eat – or so I kept telling myself.

She looked at me with surprise in her eyes, but didn’t dare utter a word of objection.

Truth be told, I would be her shadow if I could be. Sadly enough, I wasn’t some lower-ranked wolf. I was the alpha, and I had many responsibilities.

I was also seven years her senior.

Considering her lack of a wolf, I wasn’t entirely sure she’d accept me readily, and that was the only reason why I was keeping our fated bond a secret.

But heavens have mercy, how it pained me to do so!

As I ate, I pictured myself feeding her, pampering her, doting on her, like any sensible werewolf would his mate, like an alpha would his luna.

She ate in silence, and I couldn’t help but wish she’d be a little bit more of a chatter box. I wanted to know more than just her name and age.

I reasoned, however, that I needed to hold my horses. She was young, had been bullied by her peers for her lack of wolf, who was to say she’d believe my claim at all?

I could sense that she wasn’t some pushover who allowed all and anyone to trample over her, and that she was stronger than she let on.

Should I? Dare I?

I wonder who’s the pushover right now, my wolf quipped in my head.

I mentally rolled my eyes at him and chose to ignore his words. I’d rather focus on my mate who was sitting next to me, savoring her food.

“Is it to your liking, Jade?” I asked.

She looked up, nodded at me, her mouth full, and then once she swallowed, she spoke, “Yes, it’s quite tasty, alpha.”

“Stop calling me alpha,” I all but growled at her, “unless it’s a punishment you want.”

My dark sensual promise didn’t have the desired effect.

“Y-Y-You wouldn’t ban us, alp… Alex?” She stuttered in fright, her distress for her family endearing. She was born to be a luna – my luna. “I’m sorry. I have yet to learn the pack’s traditions well, but I will learn, and fast. I’m sorry…”

“I didn’t mean it that way, Jade,” I cut in, wishing she’d stop fretting over something that wasn’t going to happen.

“There’s worse punishment than banning us?” Her eyes bulged out as she placed her boxed food on the table.

I chuckled at that. She was totally missing the point. Oblivious as she was to my raging desire for her, she completely mistook my intentions.

“Do you think I’d be so heartless as to throw you out of the pack?” I shot back after a while.

Seeing the tears shining in her eyes, I couldn’t help but lean over and put my forehead against hers.

“Relax, little wolf,” I said softly. “I wouldn’t dream of hurting you.”

She sniffled at that, closing her eyes. “You almost sound like you care about me,” she let out in a tone that was half disbelieving half in awe.

Now could be my chance to come clean to my mate about everything.

It would have been the perfect timing to tell her how much I did indeed care about her, but I didn’t think she was ready just yet to hear that.

Besides, we weren’t in the best location for such a confession. Should she not take it well, my office was hardly the best place for her to blow some steam on me.

“I care about all my pack members,” I told her. You more so than others because you’re my fated mate.

It took all my willpower not to allow those words out of my mouth.

I swallowed hard and then resumed eating.

It was going to be hard to court, woo, and mark my mate, it would seem. Not only was she oblivious to a fault, but also not in a trusting mood, I’d dare say.

Once I finished my box, I went to the adjoined bathroom and washed my hands reflexively.

I invited Jade to do the same once she finished. She agreed with a nod and a “Yes, Alex,” which made me smile.

I went back to my desk, and began to read the document I had stopped at earlier all over again.

Twenty minutes later, I smelled a scent I knew only too well, fast approaching, and I mentally groaned.

Soon enough, a she-wolf barged into my office, like she owned the place, startling Jade.

I growled at her in warning, but she didn’t stop.

I dismissed my PA who was apologizing for the intrusion, and then turned around to the angry blonde.

“What is going on, Alexander?” She cried out in mock anguish. “Do you not like me anymore? Did I do something wrong?”

Jade’s expression was one of utter confusion at first. Then, it morphed into mortification, and she rose to her feet, ready to bolt out of the office, when I instructed her in a calm voice, “Stay, Jade.”

“Who’s Jade?” Jessica spun around and glared openly at her – my mate, my luna.

I growled louder this time around, and Jessica focused back on me.

“I know you, Alexander. You have a pattern. You call me on Wednesdays, and take me to your bed on Fridays. What happened? What went wrong?”

“It’s Alpha to you, Jessica,” I said dismissively.

Her eyes widened, and I steeled my resolve not to go to her, should she start to cry.

No matter if she had been the woman I have bedded the longest, I could not – and would not – carry on seeing her now that I have met my mate.

“What?” She let out in a strangled voice, clearly taken aback.

“You heard me,” I told her as I focused my gaze back on the papers in front of me. “You may now leave.”

I offered her no explanation as to why the pattern had changed. I didn’t feel the need to. She wasn’t my mate, and was now no more than old partner I regretted ever taking to bed.

She soon enough left, slamming the door behind her, and I just hoped this would be the last time she sought me out.