Chapter 21
Something is wrong. Or so my instincts keep demanding.
I’m sure it is the separation from my Fate-matched mate that is causing my increased irritation and growing anxiety, but I cannot bring myself to visit her.
I’m afraid. Terrified to realize that maybe, just maybe, I belong in her pack after all.
Because what happens when they change their minds? When I am yet again tossed to the curb?
I poured my heart and soul into my career after Cedes and her mates cast me aside, but if Bea were to do the same… What outlet exists to save me from being rejected by the mate Fate chose for me?
My inability to be in Bea’s presence does not mean I am not actively trying to make her life easier. I’ve moved all of her work tasks to other managers and spoken regularly with human resources to ensure her time off is approved and paid for by the label.
The biggest issue, and the one I am struggling the most to fix, is the lack of space for her mates.
I’ve seen Bea’s apartment. It may have two bedrooms, but it is still tiny.
Built for Omegas, who prefer compact spaces.
Unleashing four Alphas in her space will be stressful for her instincts, even if those Alphas are her Fate-matched mates.
A little digging has shown me that none of her other mates has the space she needs, either.
Orion rents a one-bedroom flat. Creed owns his home, but it is only marginally larger than Bea’s apartment, and her other mates share a mid-sized two-bedroom duplex.
Which is still not large enough to house all four of them, Bea, and a proper nest.
The solutions I’ve considered so far are to buy her a house, but that requires moving her out of the city. She loves being in the midst of the chaos here.
I also briefly considered buying the property next to her best friend’s pack, but the thought of living out by the lake didn’t fit right either. Not to say Bea isn’t an outdoorsy Omega, I just cannot picture her enjoying life in a home where she cannot start her day with a chain store coffee.
Crossing those options off my list, that leaves finding a way for her to live in the city.
Which brings to light the risks of housing her in an insecure building.
I cannot settle for her living somewhere with lackluster security.
Even with her other mates to protect her, all it takes is one night alone for something terrible to happen.
Unfortunately, the safest apartment building in the city is the one where I live, and it is currently unavailable to new renters.
Many of the packs living there are opting to expand their square footage instead of renting out the other apartments on their floors. A plan that the building owner supports because it allows him to triple or quadruple their monthly rent, while also charging them the reconstruction costs.
Theoretically, I could buy out the neighbors beside and below me, and expand my apartment to two floors. But could I handle having Bea live so closely without giving in to the need to bond that constantly pulses through my veins?
The painful throb behind my eyes tells me I need to focus on other tasks. I have yet to accomplish a single task, and it is nearing lunchtime.
Raised voices in the hallway have my brows pull together. I push my chair back and cross the room, intending to find out what the issue is.
Anger chases shock when I see Bea in a standoff with Ridley. What the fuck is she doing here?
“You are not returning to work,” Ridley growls, taking a step toward her. She instinctively steps back, wincing when she puts pressure on her ankle. An ankle that is not wrapped in its brace as it is supposed to be.
“Managing bands is not more important than your health. You can’t walk without wincing, and your stitches haven’t dissolved yet. You need to rest and heal, Bea.”
“I can decide for myself!” Bea crosses her arms over her chest, glaring at the other Alpha. “Sitting at my desk, filling out paperwork, and calling venues will not be any more stressful than being cooped up in my apartment for another day!”
Ridley throws his arms up, head tilted back, as she stubbornly refuses to listen. “We can visit your parents, Omen, or even Foster! Or we could see a movie! Anything but working! Why are you pushing yourself?”
“Because I need to be here!” Bea yells, her arms dropping to her sides.
I study her closely, noting the increasing rise and fall of her chest and the tremor in her hands. She’s on the verge of panicking, something Ridley must also sense. His body relaxes, expression smoothing out as he takes a small step forward.
When Bea turns away from him, head shaking, I realize what is happening.
And it guts me. She was working when she was taken.
Not here specifically, but I think in her mind it is the same.
My mate wants to prove to herself that she’s strong enough to handle returning to a career that inadvertently led to her abduction.
Fates, how hadn’t I considered the mental repercussions being at Soulbound would have on her?
Ridley looks lost, a hand running through his messy hair as he watches her. His eyes meet mine over her shoulder, and he jerks his head toward her.
Stepping closer, I watch Bea tense when my scent reaches her. “Sabine,” I rumble, stepping to her side. “In my office. Please.”
She huffs out a shaky breath, lips pursing together as she nods sharply.
I hang back for a moment, letting Ridley know he can return to pick her up this afternoon.
He readies to fight, but I do not wait for his response.
Given the mark I can now see shimmering on his jaw, he should be able to feel her tumultuous emotions.
I do not need to explain that she needs this. He already knows.
Closing my office door behind me, I click the lock shut before crossing to settle into my seat. I email Jane, asking her to move any appointments I have for the next few hours, and I request not to be disturbed.
Once I am sure no one will interrupt us, I slide my chair back and meet Bea’s eyes.
The growing anxiety and rebellion I see written in their depths brings a smirk to my lips.
As reluctant as my mate may be to admit it, we both know she needs my brand of attention to help break the foothold her fear has on her mind.
“Come here, Omega.” I point to the spot between me and the desk.
“I’d rather not, thanks,” she bites back, pacing before my desk.
Reaching out, I catch her wrist gently but firmly between my fingers. “That wasn’t a request.” My scent flares into the room, full of dominance and desire. Her pupils dilate, legs shifting restlessly as she breathes me in.
I ignore the fact that I cannot drown myself in her scent, focused solely on getting my Omega out of her head.
Reluctantly, she scoots around the edge of my desk and perches her peachy ass against the corner. There’s my favorite brat, ready to come out to play.
“Closer.”
She shifts forward half an inch, smirking when I give her an unimpressed look.
“Omega,” I warn.
Rolling her eyes, she finally moves to stand where I asked her to. I let my eyes trail up her body, soaking in the delicious curve of her waist in her long skirt. When I finally raise them to look at her face, she has her bottom lip caught between her teeth.
“Tapping my thigh three times will act as your safe word.”
Her brows pinch, head tilting slightly and showing off the top of Ridley’s mark on her neck.
I wait for the spark of jealousy my brain has convinced me I should feel, but it never comes.
If anything, I am relieved one of her mates has claimed her.
Protecting her will be easier with that connection between them.
“You regularly push me away and refuse to become a part of my pack, yet you call me here to get your dick wet?”
Growling, I push to my feet and wrap one hand around her throat, squeezing in warning. “No, Omega , I did not call you in here to get my dick wet . My cock stretching your tight little pussy isn’t what you need, and we both know it.”
“And what do I need, Alpha ?”
“To surrender.” Her lips part, a soft breath accompanying the needy sound she tries to swallow. “You need to give up control. To have your mind shut off.”
“I-” She trails off, interest shining in her eyes, but also a wariness I know I have caused. She is afraid I will push her away again.
“My actions were never meant to hurt you. The opposite, in fact. I was trying to protect you from my selfishness. There is more to the story, something I will explain, but not right now. Not when you are overwhelmed by your senses and pushing yourself to overcome new fears.”
Brushing my thumb along her jaw, I lean in closer, my lips brushing against hers as I stare deeply into the midnight galaxy swirling in her eyes.
“Yes or no, Sabine. If you consent, I am going to use your bratty mouth for my pleasure while refusing your own.”
I can feel her swallow beneath my palm. A motion I want to recreate with my cock buried in her throat.
“Yes,” she whispers.
With a smirk once again plastered on my face, I lean in close to ear and whisper the words I know are her kryptonite. “Good girl.”
I let her go, and sink down onto my seat, legs spread wide to accommodate her. “On your knees.”
She complies, sinking slowly to the hardwood.
“Take out my cock,” I instruct her, leaning back in my chair so she can unbuckle my belt. Her fingers work quickly, unclasping the leather and dragging my zipper down. She silently requests I lift my hips before working my slacks down to my thighs.
A single finger traces the vein along the underside, swiping the bead of pre-cum gathered on my tip. When she goes to pop it into her mouth, I catch her forearm.
“If you want to taste me, you will do so from the source. Place your hands behind your back. Only move them if you need me to pause or stop.”