Chapter 9
DECLAN
W ell, wasn’t this all a mind fuck.
My mate was being hunted.
She was the last remaining heir to the shifter throne, Trystan had been her personal guard as a child, and apparently Jericho was a part of the old shifter family who guarded the throne.
How in the hell was I supposed to protect her? I couldn’t even protect my mother and sister.
“Declan, can you not squeeze so tight, please?”
That slightly breathless voice sent shivers up my spine.
Fuck, I was still holding her in my arms.
I reluctantly released my hold and took a much needed step back.
Her delicate lavender scent was invading my whole being.
Ever since we got her back to the house and into Jericho’s office, that shifter Lucas hadn’t taken his eyes off her.
I could tell something was going on between them, or had been, and I didn’t like it one fucking bit.
Neither did my wolf.
Now the asshole wanted to go and call her sweetheart in front of me? Fuck that shit.
She was mine.
Before I could go rip this Lucas guy a new asshole, Jericho decided to speak up.
“Declan she may be your fated mate, but she is like a daughter to me.
We need a solid plan to keep her out of harm’s way.”
Jericho was sitting behind his desk with an exhausted look on his face.
I could only imagine what was going through his head at this very moment.
He had spent years trying to shield and protect her, and now these assassins had found her anyway.
Mine.
My wolf agreed, he made his thoughts known that I would be dumb as fuck if we let our fated mate get away, even with my uncertainty on keeping her protected.
He growled, “We are an Alpha.
We can protect our mate.”
“We have enemies.
I was one of those enemies!" I growled back.
Silence filled my ears for a moment before he whispered, “You are not anymore.
Train her.
Protect her.
She is Ours.”
I sighed, “We first need to convince her to accept us, our past discretions and fails as well.”
He huffed, “I like to hunt.”
a small chuckle left me as I replied,“Then let’s hunt and hope our past doesn’t rip her from our life.”
Clearing my throat, I spoke, “Well we had intended to head back to my pack lands and introduce Talia as my mate.”
Talia shifted her gaze back to mine, eye widening at my words.
A slight glow appeared in her eyes, her beautiful caramel eyes.
She was upset.
“I don’t need your protection.”
She hissed.
The corner of my lip quirked up as I deepened my voice and hummed, “I do love a woman with a fiery attitude, little wolf.”
She rolled her eyes and said, “You took care of that man from earlier anyways.”
The male shifter who had been eyeing her all night scoffed, ”He didn’t kill the man like you are probably assuming.
He has his down in the dungeons.”
He told her, still staring at my mate in a way that made me want to rip out his throat.
He took a step towards her.
A growl ripped from my throat.
I clenched my fists, “Don’t take another step towards my mate.”
That fucking male shifter.
What was his name again? Lucas.
I fucking hated that name.
It was such a pretty boy name.
Did she have a thing for pretty boys? “What do you mean he’s in the dungeons?”
Panic laced her tone as her eyes darted between the two of us.
She shouted, “For all you know, they have a pack link and are communicating right now!”
Her eyes widened in fear, pupils dilated, heart pounding in her chest.
Her breathes coming out in short gasps.
“He’s in a silver infused cell.
Pack links won’t work in there.”
I told her.
She began to pace.
Her movements quickening with her panic.
I stepped closer to her.
I put my hand under her chin and slowly tilted her face towards mine.
Her body immediately relaxed against my hand, our bond already strengthening.
I held her gaze, hoping to portray the confidence I wasn’t feeling now, I said, “You are mine, mate.
I will protect you at all costs.
You have my word.”
My vision sharpened at the edges, my wolf was making his appearance known.
She bit her lower lip and looked up, meeting my gaze with glowing caramel eyes, and said, “I need to get out of here.”
She blinked, her eyes returning to normal and cleared her throat, “Can I speak with you alone for a moment?”
She looked around the room, eyes landing on Jericho and said, “We will be right back, I need a word with my mate alone.”
Mate? She was accepting the bond.
I followed her through the open door, down the hallway, and into a room to the right.
A large black leather sofa sat in front of a fireplace, mahogany bookshelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling, and a large map of The Scarlet Vales hung above the fireplace mantle.
“Let’s be clear about something right now, I am not accepting this bond.
Not now.
Probably not ever.”
She growled.
My head snapped in her direction, my body began to shake as anger consumed me.
I took a step towards her, she threw her hand up, effectively stopping me, and continued, “I however need to leave Jericho’s pack.
I will not continue to endanger them all.
If I am being hunted, I need to go into hiding.”
She thought she could reject me.
“I will go back to your pack lands with you, play the part of a loving mate, but once the threat is cleared.
I am gone.”
My heart pounded in my chest.
My jaw tightened.
She was going to leave.
Fuck this.
I strode towards her and backed her against the bookshelves.
I placed my arms on either side of her head and pushed my body into hers.
Loud thudding surrounded us as books fell to the ground.
“The fuck you will.”
I growled.
Leaning down I placed my mouth on her and ran my teeth up the side of her neck.
Closing my mouth around her warm skin and bit down slightly.
A loud moan slipped from her lips as I pressed my knee between her thighs.
I couldn’t mark her now, but that doesn’t mean I can’t make her want this.
Do I want this? I dropped my hold, took a step back and took in her appearance.
Her eyes were glossed over, breathing quickened, and a blush crept up the side of her face.
I smirked and said, “You will come to my territory.
I will keep you safe.
And we will get to know each other. Mate.”