Chapter Six
CHEV
GREEDY. FUCKING. BASTARDS.
I shove at the hand on my chest, angry my guards are again rejecting my attempt to see my mate. It’s been almost three weeks. Three excruciatingly long weeks since I laid eyes on Vanessa, and it’s eating me up inside.
The guards act as if I’m some horrible monster for daring to ask if my ban has been lifted. I do it every morning—it’s the first thing on my agenda when I arrive at work. I’d rather embarrass myself and look desperate than miss the day Vanessa decides to lift my ban.
“Not today, Chev,” Tony says.
I smack at his hand, only slightly settled when he winces and removes it from my chest. Tony’s a demon, so he doesn’t understand what having a mate bond is like. He’ll never feel the pull, so he’s in no place to judge.
Shifters used to monitor the portal near my office, but Echo had them replaced with demons. Tony’s from Wrath, and I can tell by looking at him that he’d be harder to fight than the shifters who were here before. That’s probably the point.
I stare at the portal, desperate to walk through it, before returning to my office. I’ll try again tomorrow.
It’s only a matter of time before Vanessa allows me to see her.
I fully understand how badly I messed up when we first met. I’ve heard it from my family and friends, and I’ve even received a visit from a worked-up incubus I’ve never met before. Word spreads quickly, and nobody is pleased with my actions.
I came on too strongly and ruined everything. I’ve imagined what it would be like to meet my mate hundreds, if not thousands, of times over the years, and in none of those fantasies did I imagine she’d be frightened of me.
Her rejection of the mate bond was a complete shock, and I was a fool to think showing her my mate mark would help things. I didn’t even realize I was partially erect or exposing myself, and by the time I did, it was much too late to take it back.
And, fuck, do I wish I could.
I just need the opportunity to fix things.
Vanessa’s my mate, the female who is perfect for me in every way. Once I speak with her, I’m sure she’ll understand and forgive me. I know she has severe trauma, and I have no intention of rushing her into something she’s not ready for.
I’m not a very patient man, but I will be for her. My days and nights are haunted by the sight and smell of her fear, and I’ll never be the cause of it again.
I’m no better than the men who abused her, and I didn’t even find pleasure in hunting down and executing the ogres who once owned her. Echo tried locking Vanessa’s files, denying me access to valuable information regarding my mate, but she wasn’t fast enough.
I haven’t looked through any of the notes uploaded from her therapy sessions or health assessments, but I’ve diligently read everything else. I immensely enjoy learning about her.
She’ll be pleased to learn the ogres who once harmed her are dead. It messes with the process my people have worked tirelessly to implement, but I don’t care. The bodies have already been found, and nothing came of it. A few dead ogres are nothing new, and they hardly turn any heads.
I push open my office door and sit behind my desk. Echo will undoubtedly be here soon to yell at me about something or other, and I hum quietly to myself as I turn on my computer and look up Vanessa’s name in our system.
I’ve been blocked from messaging her, and it seems that hasn’t been changed.
My mate still doesn’t wish to see me. She’s a blessed breed, so I know she feels the bond as I do. It’s only a matter of time before her urge to seek me out overshadows her fear. I can’t wait, and I snatch my newest hobby off my desk before rising and heading toward her old office.
Shifters sidestep around me, all too nervous to meet my eye. I’m happy not to have the distraction of their conversation.
Vanessa’s office still smells faintly of her, and I shut the door to keep the air in before sitting at her desk and flipping open my book. I don’t know much about nymphs, but I found a wonderful book on them in Silas’s library. I’m determined to get through it before he notices I’ve stolen from him and comes to collect.
I find the page I last left off on, already giddy. The more I learn about my mate, the more my excitement grows.
The nymphs are a fun breed.
I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never paid too much attention to them before finding Vanessa. They’re not physically strong—even the males weak and small—but now I find the nymphs to be nothing less than fascinating. They love nature, which is ideal, considering my home is in the middle of wooded shifter lands.
The females are occasionally gifted with affinities, too. They usually tie into emotions or nature, and I wonder if Vanessa has any. I’m sure she’ll tell me everything there is to know about her once she realizes I’m the man she’s meant to be with.
The next section offers a physical description of nymphs, but I skip over it. The author of this book clearly has a sexual interest in them, and I don’t want to read something that’s going to make me angry. I’m sure he’ll have written something crude about the nymph female’s shape or size, and I don’t care to read it.
Nymph women have always been highly sought-after. Their delicate nature and giving personalities were a perverse fascination for many of the males who purchased females for pleasure. The thought of Vanessa being abused by them fills me with an uncontrollable rage, but I do my best not to let it consume me. That’s best done by avoiding the sections of the book that objectify them.
Nymphs don’t like violence, so I will be calm for my mate.
A knock on the office door draws my attention, but I ignore it. It’s probably Echo coming to lecture me about being in Vanessa’s office. I’m going to pretend I’m not here until she goes away. Sometimes it works.
The door slams open, the thick wood smacking against the wall.
It’s Aziel, and I smoothly hide away the book I stole from Silas. Aziel welcomes himself inside Vanessa’s office, and he pretends not to have noticed the book as he shuts the door behind him and looks around.
“How’s she doing?” I ask.
Aziel cocks a brow. “Hello to you, too.”
Vanessa’s office has a pretty view, and Aziel peers out her window. The view from my office is even better, and I think Vanessa will love it. She can sit on my lap and admire it while I work. Then she can admire me.
“Well?” I ask. “How is she?”
Aziel rolls his eyes. “She’s adjusting well,” he finally says. “She’s been busy, and the women seem to like her.”
I nod, happy to hear it, as I trail my fingers aimlessly over my mate mark. It’s slowly darkening, but not nearly as quickly as I’d like. Had I made a better first impression, there’s a chance it’d be black by now. Vanessa and I would be in a good place, and instead of the news talking about my mistreatment of my mate, they’d be celebrating us.
“Has she asked about me?” I ask.
I have a feeling I already know the answer, but I’m a glutton for punishment.
Aziel shakes his head, giving me my answer even before his lips form the word no.
My bear urges me to seek Vanessa out and hide away with her, and it’s getting harder to fight the urge. What if she’s in danger and I can’t reach her in time? Despite my trust in Aziel, a part of me is angry with his involvement in keeping her from me—even if I know he’s doing it at her request.
Aziel steps closer to me, and I frown when I catch a hint of my mate on his clothing.
He visits his facility most days, but my bear doesn’t seem to understand or care that he’s not doing it to spite me. I’m starting to see my dearest friend as competition, and for once, I’m grateful Aziel is stronger than I am. I’d hate to lose control and accidentally kill him.
Aziel seems to sense my growing anger as his nostrils flare and his eyes narrow. His body grows rigid as he prepares for a fight, and a second later, the full extent of his power fills my lungs. It doesn’t intimidate me the way he wants it to.
If anything, it only seems to worsen my misplaced fury.
I stand to match his height. “She’s my mate.”
Aziel nods, quickly agreeing. “I have no interest in her, Chev.”
The part of me that knows and trusts Aziel believes him, but the irrational part of me that seems to grow with each day does not. He’s a threat, the male keeping me separated from the woman I’m destined to be with.
“Let me into Wrath.” I grab my stolen book and drop it onto the desk. It lands with a heavy thud, and I quickly open it and point to the section on nymph abilities. “Nymphs have bad ears and eyes. Not as bad as humans’, but not as good as mine or yours. I will watch from a distance. She won’t see me.” I’m practically begging. “I’ll stay outside the facility gates, and I won’t bother her.”
Aziel sighs and shakes his head, but I continue before he fully rejects me.
“I’ll wear the Wrath clothing,” I say.
I prefer my leathers, but I’ll do anything for Vanessa. I’m confident she won’t see me if I watch from the woods beyond the facility. Even if she does happen to look in my direction, my clothing will blend in and she’ll think I’m a guard. I’ll stay far enough away that she won’t be able to tell it’s me.
I’d never do anything to make her uncomfortable, but I need to be near her to focus. I’m not effective when my bear and I are at such ends, and this will help me get my mind back on track.
And ensure Vanessa is safe.
Nobody is better equipped to protect her than I am.
“Chev…” Aziel sighs, visibly conflicted. “You’re asking a lot from me. She doesn’t want to see you.”
I know she doesn’t, but I also know Aziel is going to give me what I want. I’m his only friend, and as much as he likes to put on his tough exterior, I know he has a soft spot for me. He wants to see me happy, and I will only be happy when I can watch my mate.
“I’m very sneaky,” I assure him. “I’m not going to interfere with her life or work. I just want to be in the area.”
Aziel laughs as if I’ve just told him the best joke, but I don’t see what’s so funny. I gave Charlie refuge when she came to the shifter lands, and I found her very interesting. I spent most of my days spying on her, and she never noticed me.
“I would do it for you,” I continue.
It’s a lie. I wouldn’t, but Aziel doesn’t need to know that. If Charlie came to my lands asking for refuge, I’d do everything in my power to assure Aziel never saw her again. I’d be successful, too.
Aziel pinches his nose, and I know he’s giving in. He’s weak. “You have to promise not to be inappropriate. Your dick stays in your pants, even if you think nobody can see, and no trying to sneak into her house while she’s at work.”
I work my jaw side to side, angry with what he’s insinuating, before nodding. I made mistakes during my first meeting with Vanessa, but I would never be so callous around her again. I’d never invade her space like that, especially when I know how scared she is of me.
And to bring up my penis feels like a slap to the face. It’s common for shifters to relieve themselves in the woods, and I’m tired of Aziel acting holier-than-thou because he prefers to do it in the privacy of his home.
“I would never dream of doing those things,” I say. “I will have my belongings brought to Wrath this evening.” Aziel opens his mouth, but I continue before he can reject me. “Have the shadows ready a bedroom for me. I want to be in the one with the window that faces the facility. I will be living with you until Vanessa decides to come home with me.”
This is what’s best for everybody involved.
I clear my throat. “If you try to deny me, I’ll never speak to you again.”
Aziel rolls his eyes and runs a hand through his hair. He can pretend not to care all he wants, but we both know I’m his only friend. He needs me.
“Yes?” I ask.
I trail my fingers over the surface of Vanessa’s desk, nervous as I wait for Aziel’s response. I need to be close to Vanessa, and I have no intention of intruding or forcing myself into her life. Watching from a distance will be enough for me. I’ll wait until she’s ready.
Aziel nods, and I rush to grab his arms so he can teleport me to Wrath.
He instinctively smacks my hands away, but I quickly return them to his shoulders. He’s tense, and I squeeze his muscles before remembering that demons don’t like touch as much as shifters do. My people love intimacy, even if it’s non-sexual. Aziel doesn’t enjoy it.
“Don’t make me regret this,” Aziel threatens.
I give him another squeeze. “I won’t.”