Chapter Fifteen
Apersistent pounding jolts me from sleep. I blink in confusion at my dark bedroom, trying to orient myself. Soot's deep barks echo through my apartment, followed by the shrill sound of my doorbell being attacked.
The doorbell rings again, an endless buzz that sets my teeth on edge. Soot's barking grows more intense.
“I'm coming! Fucker,” I shout, stumbling out of bed.
My head throbs slightly from my abrupt awakening, and irritation burns through my veins. I don't bother grabbing a robe—whoever's disturbing me at this ungodly hour can deal with my state of undress.
“Sit,” I command as I reach the front door. The massive Doberman immediately drops his haunches to the floor, though his glowing eyes remain fixed on the door.
I yank it open, ready to tear into whoever's on the other side. The words die in my throat as I find Dohwan glowering on my doorstep, looking even more thunderous than usual.
“What?” I snap, noting how he's pushed his sleeves down to cover the mate marks. His whole body radiates tension, jaw clenched tight.
His eyes lock onto mine, then freeze. His gaze drops, traveling slowly down my body. The muscle in his jaw ticks.
“What the hell are you wearing?” His voice comes out strangled.
I glance down at my red matching set—a lacy bra and panties. It's one of my nicer sets, the kind that's almost see-through in the front and nothing but a strip of fabric in the back. “I just rolled out of bed.”
“You sleep in that?” The words drip with cynicism.
A wicked smile curves my lips as I meet his gaze. “No. Usually I sleep naked.”
Dohwan's irises flare with light for a moment, glowing luminously in a way that makes my fae instincts brace for what follows. He squeezes his eyes shut, drawing in a deep breath through his nose. The tendons in his neck stand out with strain.
Without opening his eyes, he grits out, “Go. Get. Dressed.”
I plant my feet and cross my arms, unimpressed. “Why?”
“We have somewhere to be.” His tone leaves no room for argument, but I've never been good at following orders.
I scoff, rolling my eyes. “I don't plan on going anywhere with you.”
Dohwan releases a long-suffering sigh and opens his eyes. The luminous glow of his irises hasn't dimmed, but I notice how he deliberately fixes his gaze on my face, jaw working as he maintains control.
“I need to formally introduce you to my family.”
I gawk at him, momentarily stunned into silence. “Why on earth would you want to do that?”
A growl of frustration rumbles in his chest. “I don't want to. I have to. Whether we like it or not, I'm wearing your mate marks now and it's expected etiquette to meet with the families. Since you don't have one, our only option is Ruby Hall so you can be properly presented to mine.”
“Presented?” I snort at the pretentious word choice. “Why can't you just keep hiding your mate marks like you're already doing and we can pretend nothing happened?”
His expression darkens and he jabs a finger toward his face, at those ominously glowing eyes. “How exactly am I supposed to hide this?”
I shrug, lips curving into a cheeky smile. “Wear sunglasses.”
The snarl that tears from his throat sends a shiver of excitement down my spine. He steps forward, crowding me against the doorframe. I stand my ground even as heat radiates off his skin in waves.
His voice drops to a dangerous rumble. “And how am I supposed to hide it when I go feral and set this whole complex on fire to get to you?”
“Good thing we live in a fireproof building then.” I flash him an insolent smile, enjoying how his control visibly frays.
Dohwan braces his hand against the doorframe above my head, fisting it tight as he breathes out slowly through his nose. His eyes squeeze shut, jaw working as he searches for composure.
I inhale deeply, drinking in his scent—like a wildfire tearing through a forest, smoky and dangerous. Heat pools in my belly and arousal shoots through my veins. I try to keep my expression neutral even as my body betrays me with its response.
“Go. Get. Something. On.” Each word comes out strained through gritted teeth, his eyes still firmly closed. “That thin piece of fabric is doing nothing to contain your scent.”
A laugh bubbles up from my chest. “You're going to have to figure out how to deal with it. I don't have any intention of getting under you anytime soon.”
“I never asked you to,” he growls. “But this needs to happen eventually, and it will only make the situation worse with my family if we don't do things properly.”
“Why should I care about your family's feelings?”
“Because they can make life very difficult when they're displeased.”
I arch an eyebrow. “You mean they can make your life difficult. Not mine.”
Dohwan's shoulders rise and fall as he takes another steadying breath. When he speaks again, his voice carries a strained patience. “What can I say to convince you to come with me?”
I study him for a long moment, taking in the rigid set of his shoulders, the tension in his jaw, the way his hand still grips the doorframe like it's the only thing keeping him anchored. A smile tugs at my lips.
“You could ask nicely.”
Dohwan's glowing eyes bore into mine, his jaw working as he visibly struggles with his pride. I keep my smirk firmly in place, enjoying his discomfort far too much.
Finally, he exhales a long breath through his nose. “Would you…” He stops, looking like he's swallowing glass. “Come with me to meet my family. Please?”
My grin widens. “Well, since you asked so nicely.” I tap my chin thoughtfully. “I suppose I could make time. But you'll owe me a favor.”
His eyes narrow. “What kind of favor?”
“I'll let you know when I decide.” I wave my hand dismissively. “And next time? Try texting first instead of assaulting my door at the ass crack of dawn.”
“I don't have your number,” he grits out.
I arch an eyebrow. “You can somehow track my location at all times but getting my phone number is beyond your capabilities?”
A muscle ticks in his jaw. “My family expects us in an hour.”
“Fine, fine.” I step back from the doorway. “Meet me downstairs.”
As I turn away, I make sure to put an extra sway in my hips, giving him a perfect view of my barely-there panties. The thin strip of lace does nothing to hide the curves of my ass.
A feral snarl rips through the air behind me. I close the door with a satisfied smile, then burst into laughter when I hear what's unmistakably the sound of a fist connecting with the wall outside.
Still chuckling, I head for the shower. Soot trots after me, black eyes watching curiously as I gather my clothes.
This actually might turn out to be fun. I can't wait to dream up new ways of making that surly asshole squirm.
The leather seat creaks as I shift, trying to find a comfortable position that doesn't involve brushing against Dohwan. The car's smooth ride does nothing to ease the tension crackling between us.
I peek at him from the corner of my eye. His knee bounces in an uncharacteristically nervous rhythm, fingers drumming against his thigh. Every few seconds, he adjusts his collar or tugs at his sleeves, movements sharp and agitated.
The heavy cologne he's wearing fills the enclosed space—sandalwood and spice layered thick enough to make my nose twitch.
It's obviously meant to mask his scent. The mating bond is starting to take effect and he no doubt knows all other fae can smell his reaction to me and is trying to cover it, but the unnatural smell of the cologne grates at my senses.
It's not him, and something inside of me cringes away from it.
But occasional whiffs of that scorched forest smell still break through, making heat pool in my belly.
His eyes dart around the car's interior, looking anywhere but at me.
His irises have stopped glowing, but I can still detect the simmering edge running through him.
The muscle in his jaw works overtime as he clenches and unclenches it repeatedly.
I've never seen him this unsettled before; it's a far cry from his usual composed arrogance.
I cross my legs, letting my dress ride up slightly. His gaze snaps to the movement before he jerks it away, nostrils flaring. A smirk tugs at my lips.
The neckline of my dress dips low enough to show a hint of cleavage while still being appropriate for meeting his family. I notice how his eyes keep straying there when he thinks I'm not looking, lingering for half-seconds before he forces them away again.
I bite my lip to hold back a laugh as he shifts in his seat for the hundredth time, tugging at his collar. The mate bond is clearly affecting him more strongly than he'd like to admit. His carefully maintained control is starting to fray at the edges.
I'm dying to see how he's going to get through a lunch with his family like this.
The car slows to a stop, and my stomach clenches with nerves as I take in Ruby Hall through the window.
Dohwan exits first and comes around to my door. I'm surprised when he opens it with an almost gentlemanly air, extending his arm to help me out. His expression carries a clear warning when I hesitate—this isn't optional. Swallowing my pride, I slip my arm through his.
He immediately pulls me closer against his side, his grip firm but not rough. The heat of him seeps through my dress where our bodies touch. That wildfire scent wraps around me, making my head swim slightly despite the cologne trying to mask it.
We cross the grounds in tense silence. Instead of heading toward the main building, Dohwan steers us toward what looks like a private residence off to the side.
My steps falter as I take in the sheer size of it—nearly rivaling the main hall itself.
The architecture mimics the classic lines of Ruby Hall but with more ornate details, speaking of old money and influence.