Chapter 15

Misty

Tsok went tense beside her, coming to a full halt in the middle of the walkway. This place was like a small botanical garden. The flowers were all well-tented and lovely. The air smelled divine. Even the fluffy, floating insects didn't really bother her despite being bugs. As far as she could tell, this was just a party to schmooze and promise money to each other, no charity involved. There was a seating area over that way, with tables and food and music. However, Tsok had decided to take her around the wandering garden paths that encircled the main area so she could appreciate the nature.

And it was nice. It would probably be even better if the company was someone else. Almost literally anyone else – save a few old faces from home that she thought would look best buried at the bottom of the planters that held the flowers.

Whatever. She was still living on Tsok’s property, relying on his charity. She had started saving to maybe get out of there, researching how housing worked on this planet, so she could be ready to bail the first chance she got. But until then, she could continue to at least be polite.

So, when he asked her if she was alright, the response came to her automatically.

She was fine.

Mated and yet somehow alone.

But fine. She didn't need him.

However, her answer got an immediate reaction. Tsok pulled up short, prompting her to do the same, turning back to face him with a frown. Thinking maybe he had seen something, she looked around. But no. His gaze was laser focused on her.

“What is it?” She asked, ignoring how good he looked. That shiny black fur was absolutely beautiful when contrasted with the royal purple robe he had chosen. He paired it with a bright, practically white platinum and shining green gemstones.

It was really unfair how attractive he was. The sound of his voice did something to her now. She just kept hearing him repeating ‘breed’ over and over in her ear, and its effect wasn’t dulling with time. If anything, it was getting worse!

It was so annoying! She was going to punch herself in the twat if her stupid lady bits didn't get their focus away from him! He was not hers! No way!

And after that anaphylaxis thing, he absolutely never would be.

She returned from the healing center to rest and get ready for the next day when she got a message from him. Her stupid ass really thought he had finally decided to check in on her. Maybe he wanted to make sure she was okay. Hell, she would have taken a simple, ‘u gud?’. It would have been annoying, but at least it wasn’t as insulting as what she did receive.

‘ We have a party in three days. Davard will help you get ready. ’

That was it! Nothing about her trip to the healer, almost dying, nothing ! Perfect strangers would have shown her more concern than that.

Nope. No. She was done. She wasn’t going to be involved with this idiot any further. She was going to save the money she needed to get out then bail as soon as she could.

Maybe it had been a mistake to come here. But it wasn’t like she had another choice. The only thing waiting for her back home was a friend that had betrayed her and a cop that was going to see her punished for daring to defy him.

So, screw Tsok. Screw this whole mating nonsense!

She was just fine alone, thank you very much!

And that’s what she told him. She was fine.

So, why was he looking at her like she had just declared she was about to break down?

“What?” She asked again, a bit sharper this time.

“Is there something wrong with the manor?”

“Huh?”

Unprepared for that incredibly random question, all she could do was shake her head. But before she could grasp what the heck that was supposed to mean, he asked another completely nonsensical question.

“Is there a problem with your allowance? Your staff?”

“Wait, calm down,” she waved her hands, trying to ward off any further queries. “What are you talking about?”

“You said you were fine.”

“And I am. Fine.”

He frowned. “I would fix whatever problem you are having if you would just tell me what it is.”

“What are you going on about?” She crossed her arms, trying not to snap at him. Best not to piss off the sugar daddy until she got her own sugar factory producing enough goodies.

“Or is it the party that’s displeasing you?” He looked around, like he was trying to spot something offensive in this absolutely darling garden.

“I’m not displeased,” she said, biting back the urge to say more. Not like he cared. Or even actually noticed anything wrong. She had no idea what set him off so suddenly like that, but it certainly wasn’t her almost dying, so did it really matter?

Tsok gave her a dissecting look. “You sound displeased.”

“I’m displeased with this conversation,” she mumbled. She thought it was under her breath, but she had apparently underestimated how good his hearing was because his ears dropped back in a way that definitely wasn’t cute enough to make her want to squeal. Certainly not enough to soften her annoyance with him.

No way was she getting suckered by a pretty, fuzzy face. No way!

Be strong, ladies, she told her aggravatingly eager vag and ovaries. They were not inclined to listen. If she hadn’t had it turned off, she’d think she was ovulating. Fuck, maybe she still was. Maybe that medicine she got the other day was like antibiotics and birth control.

Or maybe she was a weak hoe who wanted to be ravished by the cat man. Damn it! She hated that she knew it was the second one.

“What have I said that displeased you?” Tsok asked, frowning. “Truly, I don’t think I said anything that bad. But I would ask that you tell me what it is so I can learn.”

“It’s nothing.”

He furrowed his brow. “That is not helpful to either of us.”

“Huh?”

“Refusing to tell me why you’re upset will not facilitate further conversation. Furthermore, I cannot fathom what I’ve done wrong.”

“Oh, really?” She snapped, hackles raising. “You can’t fathom it?”

“No, I cannot.”

He really doubled down on his neglect. The audacity of this kreecharma.

“In that case,” she gave him her most venomous smile. “There must not be anything wrong.”

“I am not so dumb as to believe that,” he said dully.

“I would never suggest otherwise,” she chirped brightly. “You’re an excellent mate, Char Tsok.”

“I know this.”

“Then, what are we arguing about?”

He opened his mouth, but she had successfully run him around in a circle and he wasn’t sure where to go from there. She smiled as she turned, walking off and leaving him behind.

It was only for a moment, however. He gathered himself quickly and his long legs were easily able to catch up. She cursed the fact that aliens were always so much taller than humans. It made her dramatic storm off much less effective when he didn't have to jog to catch up.

“Walking away from the conversation also solves nothing,” he said, falling back into step beside her as they continued down the circular path that looped through the garden.

“Your observational skills are impeccable, honored char,” she tittered.

“Why are you speaking like that?”

“Is there something wrong with the way I’m speaking?”

“I work in politics, and I’ve never heard such a false voice in all my years.”

“I’m flattered,” she beamed.

“And still, you avoid the issue,” he growled, his ear twitching. Like he was getting irritated too. Good. She wanted him to be as frustrated as she was. He had been entirely too satisfied with himself recently. Such a ‘good’ mate.

“Maybe I don’t want to talk about the issue, did you consider that?”

“How can I fix it if you don’t tell me about it.”

“Who said you had to fix it?”

“I am your mate. Of course, I must fix it.”

She let out a short laugh before giving him a cutting look. Her temper was going to get her in trouble one day, because at this moment, she didn't care that she was beholden to his money. She didn't care if he tossed her out of his house. In fact, she hoped he did. Maybe that, finally, would make her pussy stop craving him.

“You mock me?” Tsok’s eyes narrowed.

“How very astute of you, honored char, to pick up on that,” she sneered.

“May I have a reason to why you, with such little attempt at civility, disparage me so?”

“I just find it funny that you think you have the right to call me your mate.”

His eyes widened. She couldn’t tell if it was with surprise or affront or some combination of the two, but he snapped back, “You are my mate.”

“According to what metric?” She smiled. “We certainly haven’t mated. We haven’t bonded. We didn't have so much as a ceremony, perfunctory or grand or in any other way legally binding. So, then, in what possible way, Char Tsok, am I your mate, hm?”

“We have been matched.”

“Indeed. We have been matched,” she inclined her head in acknowledgment. “However, as far as I understand it, that just means we should , or we could, be mates. That doesn’t mean we are actually mated by any measure.”

“That is…” His voice failed him as he realized she was right.

She faced him with a high head, arms crossed. “By my measurements, which I’m going to say are the ones that really matter here, you are not my mate. Therefore, why would it be your responsibility to solve, fix, or otherwise address my problems?”

His jaw tightened, the muscles around his short muzzle going taut.

“Precisely,” she nodded once, accepting his silence as agreement.

Turning, she began walking again. Annoyingly, he immediately fell in step beside her. She deliberately ignored the stare he kept on her face as she tried to, once again, enjoy the pretty garden. It really was a lovely place. The fluffy insects were super cute too.

“I see the pamphlets were not exaggerating,” Tsok said at length, but she refused to turn and pay attention to him again. “You have declared that you are fine. And clearly, there is some underlying problem that makes you say this. I just did not realize that you would be so completely obstinate about not informing me of what I must fix.”

“You don’t have to fix anything,” she assured him with a sweet smile.

“Very well.” He inclined his head. “Keep your secrets, female. I shall figure out what is wrong and fix it on my own.”

She highly doubted it. And even if he did, she was determined that she was not going to forgive him. He really was acting like her near death experience wasn’t even worth considering? No, she was not going to point out something so glaringly obvious. She was not going to beg for his attention. She had no intention of forgiving him either, so why bother telling him?

Let him bump around in ignorance for a while. As far as she was concerned, his worry didn’t matter.

If ads affect your reading experience, click here to remove ads on this page.