Chapter 6
SIX
Camden
“Shit,” I hiss, glaring down at my hard cock.
I’m not used to dealing with this. Before my mate moved to town, I was never turned on, but it’s happened more and more since I first saw her. As the full moon gets closer, fucking Holly is all I seem to be able to think about. Which is a problem because the cult is ramping up to something big.
Mate, my wolf growls.
I sigh. It’s getting harder and harder to ignore the mating bond, and I know it’ll only get worse as the full moon nears.
I think about how pissed Rhodes is at me until my cock goes down and I can zip up my jeans. Patrol and the Alpha meetings have been fun with him glaring at me nonstop and my wolf pacing relentlessly inside me.
I know I can’t go on like this. It’s not good for anyone. I hate having my wolf and best friend pissed at me. I hate how distracted I am. The whole point of avoiding my mate was to be focused, but it’s having the opposite effect.
So claim her, my wolf howls.
I know. I need to talk to her, I tell him, and he perks up a bit.
Maybe I can have my fated mate on my terms. I’ll claim her, then get back to work, focusing on the cult and how best to serve my Pack.
With that plan in place, I finish getting dressed and head over to Rhodes’ house. I don’t see his car in the driveway and wonder if they went out. I’m about to call him when I see movement inside.
It’s her.
Holly walks by the front window, a steaming cup of something in her hand. I watch as she curls up on the couch, pulls out a book, and smiles as she opens it and starts to read.
Fuck her now, my wolf orders.
I ignore him and knock on the front door, waiting impatiently for her to answer.
Holly stares at me through the glass, and I try to smile and look charming. Based on her reaction, it doesn’t do the trick.
“Rhodes isn’t home,” she says as she swings the door open.
“I know. I’m here to see you.”
“Great,” she says flatly.
I frown. “I wanted to introduce myself. I’m Camden. Your fated mate.”
“I know,” she says, her tone still flat and annoyed. She doesn’t seem to care.
Shifting on my feet, I wonder what to do now. I’m not sure what I expected. I guessed she’d have questions or be excited to know we belong together. Not… this. She’s so standoffish, so uninterested in me.
I take a deep breath… and smell her anger.
We should have marked her days ago, my wolf snarls at me.
“Rhodes told you about shifters and fated mates?” I ask, wondering if that’s the issue.
“Adeline did.”
“Right… So you know we’re fated to be together.”
“Sure.”
“Well, I think we should talk. How about we grab dinner tonight?” I ask, giving her my best smile.
She doesn’t even blink. “No, thanks.”
Before I can react, she slams the door closed in my face.
“What the—”
Fix this! my wolf screams.
I knock again.
She yanks the door open. “Yes?” she demands, clearly annoyed.
“Maybe I need to explain fated mates and shifters better to you.”
“No, I get it.”
“I don’t think you do.” I force the words through gritted teeth.
“Trust me, I do. But I don’t want to be with someone who doesn’t want to be with me.”
I wince. My wolf scratches at me, his claws tearing me up inside.
“I’m sorry about the other day, but I’m here now.”
“That’s not remotely good enough.”
I slap my hand against the door before she can slam it in my face again. “Give me a chance.”
She glares at me. “Maybe I would if you apologized for being a dick! But nooooo! Instead, you act like talking to me is a chore, some task you need to cross off your list! Like talking to me is a huge favor!”
She shoves on the door, trying to close it, but I’m stronger than she is.
Damn, she’s feisty, I think.
My wolf licks his lips. I know. She’s perfect, he sighs dreamily.
“Please give me a chance,” I grind out.
“No.”
“Goddammit, woman!” I shout.
She doesn’t even flinch, just keeps trying to shove the door closed.
“Uh, is everything okay here?” Rhodes asks behind me.
I jump, spinning to face him. The door slams behind me, and I curse under my breath, trying the handle. “Of course she locked it,” I mutter.
Adeline giggles behind me.
I turn to glare at Rhodes. “Unlock it.”
Rhodes looks at Adeline. She nods, and he tosses me the keys. I waste no time shoving the key in the lock and stomping inside.
“Get out,” Holly spits at me.
I ignore her. I’m done with talking. Walking up to her, I grab her and throw her over my shoulder.
She tenses as I stalk outside, but it doesn’t take her long to react. By the time I’m walking down the steps, she’s squirming on my shoulder, shouting at me to put her down. I ignore her, toss the keys back to a laughing Rhodes, and march off with my mate.