Chapter 6 His Dark Promise

• Jade was too adorable for her own good. She stared at me as I worked, and distracted me by doing so.
• The work I would have finished in under an hour took me two hours.
• Admittedly, when the food came, knowing that my mate was hungry, and that I’d get to see her eat in front of me, made me halt reading mid-phrase.
• I dismissed my PA with a tilt of my head. She knew not to argue. Then, I rose off the chair and went to sit next to Jade on the sofa, in order to eat – or so I kept telling myself.
• She looked at me with surprise in her eyes, but didn’t dare utter a word of objection.
• Truth be told, I would be her shadow if I could be. Sadly enough, I wasn’t some lower-ranked wolf. I was the alpha, and I had many responsibilities.
• I was also seven years her senior.
• Considering her lack of wolf, I wasn’t entirely sure she’d accept me readily, and that was the only reason why I was keeping our fated bond a secret.
• But heavens have mercy, how it pained me to do so!
• As I ate, I pictured myself feeding her, pampering her, doting on her, like any sensible werewolf would his mate, like an alpha would his luna.
• She ate in silence, and I couldn’t help but wish she’d be a little bit more of a chatter box. I wanted to know more than just her name and age.
• I reasoned, however, that I needed to hold my horses. She was young, had been bullied by her peers for her lack of wolf, who was to say she’d believe my claim at all?
• I could sense that she wasn’t some pushover who allowed all and anyone to trample over her, and that she was stronger than she let on.
• Should I? Dare I?
• I wonder who’s the pushover right now, my wolf quipped in my head.
• I mentally rolled my eyes at him and chose to ignore his words. I’d rather focus on my mate who was sitting next to me, savoring her food.
• “Is it to your liking, Jade?” I asked.
• She looked up, nodded at me, her mouth full, and then once she swallowed, she spoke, “Yes, it’s quite tasty, alpha.”
• “Stop calling me alpha,” I all but growled at her, “unless it’s a punishment you want.”
• My dark sensual promise didn’t have the desired effect.
• “Y-Y-You wouldn’t ban us, alp… Alex?” She stuttered in fright, her distress for her family endearing. She was born to be a luna – my luna. “I’m sorry. I have yet to learn the pack’s traditions well, but I will learn, and fast. I’m sorry…”
• “I didn’t mean it that way, Jade,” I cut in, wishing she’d stop fretting over something that wasn’t going to happen.
• “There’s worse punishment than banning us?” Her eyes bulged out as she placed her boxed food on the table.
• I chuckled at that. She was totally missing the point. Oblivious as she was to my raging desire for her, she completely mistook my intentions.
• “Do you think I’d be so heartless as to throw you out of the pack?” I shot back after a while.
• Seeing the tears shining in her eyes, I couldn’t help but lean over and put my forehead against hers.
• “Relax, little wolf,” I said softly. “I wouldn’t dream of hurting you.”
• She sniffled at that, closing her eyes. “You almost sound like you care about me,” she let out in a tone that was half disbelieving half in awe.
• Now could be my chance to come clean to my mate about everything.
• It would have been the perfect timing to tell her how much I did indeed care about her, but I didn’t think she was ready just yet to hear that.
• Besides, we weren’t in the best location for such a confession. Should she not take it well, my office was hardly the best place for her to blow some steam on me.
• “I care about all my pack members,” I told her. You more so than others because you’re my fated mate.
• It took all my willpower not to allow those words out of my mouth.
• I swallowed hard and then resumed eating.
• It was going to be hard to court, woo, and mark my mate, it would seem. Not only was she oblivious to a fault, but also not in a trusting mood, I’d dare say.
• Once I finished my box, I went to the adjoined bathroom and washed my hands reflexively.
• I invited Jade to do the same once she finished. She agreed with a nod and a “Yes, Alex,” which made me smile.
• I went back to my desk, and began to read the document I had stopped at earlier all over again.
• Twenty minutes later, I smelled a scent I knew only too well, fast approaching, and I mentally groaned.
• Soon enough, a she-wolf barged into my office, like she owned the place, startling Jade.
• I growled at her in warning, but she didn’t stop.
• I dismissed my PA who was apologizing for the intrusion, and then turned around to the angry blonde.
• “What is going on, Alexander?” She cried out in mock anguish. “Do you not like me anymore? Did I do something wrong?”
• Jade’s expression was one of utter confusion at first. Then, it morphed into mortification, and she rose to her feet, ready to bolt out of the office, when I instructed her in a calm voice, “Stay, Jade.”
• “Who’s Jade?” Jessica spun around and glared openly at her – my mate, my luna.
• I growled louder this time around, and Jessica focused back on me.
• “I know you, Alexander. You have a pattern. You call me on Wednesdays, and take me to your bed on Fridays. What happened? What went wrong?”
• “It’s Alpha to you, Jessica,” I said dismissively.
• Her eyes widened, and I steeled my resolve not to go to her, should she start to cry.
• No matter if she had been the woman I have bedded the longest, I could not – and would not – carry on seeing her now that I have met my mate.
• “What?” She let out in a strangled voice, clearly taken aback.
• “You heard me,” I told her as I focused my gaze back on the papers in front of me. “You may now leave.”
• I offered her no explanation as to why the pattern had changed. I didn’t feel the need to. She wasn’t my mate, and was now no more than old partner I regretted ever taking to bed.
• She soon enough left, slamming the door behind her, and I just hoped this would be the last time she sought me out.