Chapter Seventeen
CHEV
MY PEOPLE ARE clearly surprised to see me back home, their steps faltering and eyes widening when they notice me storming through the woods.
I smile and nod in their direction, but I don’t stick around for conversation. I’m in too much of a hurry, and I cast a nervous glare at the sun as I rush toward my cabin. I haven’t been home in weeks, all my time spent either in Wrath or at work.
It’s time I begin preparing my home for Vanessa, though.
She’s agreed to give me another chance, to give our mate bond another chance, and I’m not going to screw it up again. I know she’s not ready to live in the shifter lands with me, but my home will be prepared for when she is.
I need to clean. I’ve grown accustomed to my bachelor lifestyle, and I doubt my mate will be impressed by my home in its current state. It’s not terrible, but it sure won’t impress her. My linens need to be washed, and I need to begin my kitchen renovation.
I don’t cook often, so I mistakenly didn’t spend much time on my kitchen when I built my cabin. It’s a mistake I regret. Vanessa loves cooking. I watch her do it all the time in the evenings, and she needs more space than what I’ve given her.
A selfish part of me hopes that if it’s good enough, she’ll be excited to cook for me. I smell her meals when she cooks with open windows, and I’m desperate for a taste.
I reach my cabin, and I cringe as I push open the front door. The air is stale.
I drag my fingers through my hair, fingering my bald spots before hurrying around and opening all my windows and doors. Some fresh air will be good, and once I’ve gotten everything open, I begin tidying up. My leathers are strewn about, and I carefully fold and put them away before reorganizing my drawers so there are empty ones for Vanessa.
I do the same to my closet, moving my things to one half so the other is open for her.
The bed is next. My sheets need washing, and I yank them off my mattress before grabbing the spare set I keep in my hallway closet. I sniff to ensure they still smell fresh, and I make my bed with a happy smile.
I used to hate it when my mom forced me to make my bed and clean my room. She insisted it be done every morning, and she’d love to tell me I’d thank her for it someday. I believe that day is rapidly approaching. Vanessa will be very impressed by how tidy I can be.
My new sheets are dark green and made with soft cotton, and I hope Vanessa likes them. I’ll buy new ones if she doesn’t, but I won’t do it happily. These sheets are the best that can be purchased in the shifter realm, and I love them.
I sink my teeth into my bottom lip as I think about the day I can finally bring her here. She’ll bring life to this home, adding decorations and filling the space with things that bring her the most comfort. Maybe she’ll even fill our home with children. They’ll make a mess and break things, but I’ll love every minute of it.
She said she’d be open to artificial insemination, which is more than I expected. I’ve always wanted a large family, but I’d grown to accept it wouldn’t happen after meeting Vanessa. She clearly doesn’t want intimacy, and I didn’t realize any other options of impregnation were on the table.
I can’t stop smiling as I throw my pillows on my bed, and I unconsciously lick my lips as I imagine what Vanessa would look like splayed out on my mattress. I dream of seeing her naked and waiting for me, her body flushed and sex dripping. My mate is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever encountered, and I’m desperate for her.
She let out the neediest moans when I licked her mark, and it took all of my strength not to rub against her as she wiggled and thrashed in my arms. It was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen or heard, and the memory makes me ache.
Aziel’s begun teasing me for how often I’m masturbating, but I have no control over it. My body aches for Vanessa, and even the littlest things have me incredibly wound up.
I run a hand over my fresh sheets, feeling their softness, before sliding my other hand underneath my leathers. I’m already hard, and I squeeze myself for some relief. Vanessa has agreed to let me take her to a restaurant for dinner tonight, so I only have a few hours before I’m needed back in Wrath.
Still, my body has other ideas. It doesn’t help that I smell like Vanessa. She rubbed her scent into me this morning when I was dropping her off, and I throw my head back as I recall how she so willingly wrapped her arms around me and held me tightly. I kept my arms at my sides, not wanting her to feel trapped, which she seemed to enjoy.
I was tempted to kiss her, but I didn’t want to push my luck.
I’m pushing my luck right now.I groan, releasing myself.
My home isn’t going to ready itself, and there’s no time to waste. Vanessa won’t be impressed if I don’t finish everything within a reasonable time because I was too busy pawing at my cock. I’d be made the laughingstock of the shifters.
Although maybe she would like my distractions.
She seems interested in my body, my female constantly staring. I know she doesn’t like a lot of physical touch, but maybe she’d like to see me pleasure myself. Her arousal was practically tangible when I lifted my skirt and showed myself to her the other day, and I know she likes to look at photos of me when she touches herself.
Maybe I’ll send her private images for when she’s alone. She can grow comfortable seeing my erection without the pressure of me being there.
I gulp, loving the idea of doing just that. I’ll discuss it with her this evening while we’re eating. I’m most excited about the restaurant I’ve picked out for us, and I believe it will put her in a good mood. She’s most interested in my penis when she’s in a good mood.
Forcing my thoughts away from sex, I grab my axe and head outside. I need to remove the exterior wall of my home and set it back almost five feet to make room for the kitchen island I plan to build for Vanessa. It won’t be easy work, but it’s my fault for not putting more effort into my kitchen when I originally constructed my home.
My parents warned me this would happen, but I was young and cocky and chose not to listen. They’ll be pleased to see how I regret my decisions.
“My baby!”
I spin just in time to spot my father’s broad grin. He’s close, and he throws his arms around me and pulls me into a tight hug. He’s been helping manage the pack while I’ve been occupied with the females and Vanessa, and he refuses to release me until I drop my axe and return his hug.
“I’m busy, Dad,” I say, stepping back and gesturing to my home. “I’m expanding my kitchen.”
He laughs, his eyes darting to my axe before returning to me. He knows all about Vanessa, thanks to Echo. She told him everything during our last family dinner night despite my explicit instruction not to.
I don’t want them meddling.
“Would you like help?” Dad asks.
I hesitate, scanning his figure, before nodding.
He’s supposed to be retired, a forced tradition most older males hate. The last thing we need is a bunch of elderly shifters trying to help during fights and wars, the men convinced they’re still strong and valuable. They’re a hindrance, and forced retirements encourage them to accept their role as elderly before they actually grow weak.
I shouldn’t let Dad help me chop the wood, but I’m desperate to complete my home before Vanessa expresses an interest in moving to the shifter lands. I’d be humiliated to bring her to a half-completed house. It would be dishonorable, and she would probably lose all interest in me.
She’d think I can’t provide.
“Let me get my axe!” Dad’s already running toward his house. “Your mom has hidden my good one, but I have a spare she doesn’t know about.”
I watch, hiding a smirk, as I head into the woods. I need thicker trees for my base, and the largest ones are deep in the forest. I’ve already cut down two by the time Dad finds me, and together, we complete another seventeen before it’s time for me to leave.
We’re both covered in sweat, and we pile the logs just outside my home. It’s not nearly enough, but it’s a good start. I’m hoping to complete everything by the end of the month, which is admittedly a lofty goal.
With Dad’s help, though, I think it’s manageable.
Dad wipes his brow. “Will you be back tomorrow?”
“I’m busy tomorrow,” I say, shaking my head. “Maybe the day after.”
My day is full of meetings tomorrow, and my few free hours will be spent escorting Vanessa to and from the Wrath facility. I can’t give that up.
“You’re always busy,” Dad points out. “You’re our alpha, and we need you here. You’re spreading yourself too thin, and we’re growing worried.”
I huff. “Who’s ‘we’?”
“Me, your mom, Echo. Everybody in the pack is worried about you, Chev.”
Guilt eats at my heart, but there’s nothing I can do. I miss my home and family, but I can’t leave my mate alone in Wrath. My bear won’t let me, and even if he did, I still wouldn’t leave her.
“You are my oldest baby,” Dad continues. “But now you’re a stranger.”
At that, I snort and roll my eyes. Now he’s being dramatic. He still sees me every week for family dinner, and we spend hours together. Although now that Vanessa is allowing me to escort her home, I might have to stop attending the dinners.
“I need to go,” I tell Dad.
He hides his secret axe in my shed before leaving, and I rush to the portal in Charlie’s cabin. She doesn’t use it as frequently as she once did, but we’ve all been busy.
I’m a sweaty mess when I return to Wrath, and I hurry to shower and dress for my date. The restaurant I want to go to requires me to wear traditional Wrath clothing, and I frown as I pull up my pants.
I hate these fucking things, and I can’t think of one good reason why it’s required I wear a shirt, pants, and shoes to eat. They don’t help me get food into my mouth, and, if anything, the constricting fabric makes it harder to eat.
Demons have a lot to learn from shifters.
“Silas!” I shout, heading toward the front door. He meets me in the foyer. “Are you ready to go?”
He nods, and I grab his arm so he can teleport me to Vanessa’s workplace.