I really fucked up.
Ugh I'm not good at this mate thing! I haven't known him for more than an hour and it already angered him. With reason! I basically made it seem like I would ditch him for someone of higher ranking. Fuck Sam, way to go! I wouldn't be surprised if he rejected me.
Ugh.
Why does the thought of that hurt so much? Goddess this is going too fast. I don't even know his family name! Shit.
I still have time to go to the human city before anyone notices I'm gone. Though my heart throbs at the thought of leaving this stranger.
No. Not a stranger, Kieran my mate. My body softens at the thought, but quickly I recover. Shoving my emotions into little boxes and hiding them away hoping they never resurface or leave lasting damage.
I let go of his face, and started to turn away. He reaches out and grabs my hand. I gasp. Looking up at him in confusion.
He brings me close to his chest once more. His eyes darkened with something I cannot name.
"Where do you think you are going mate?" Biting my lower lip with uncertainty, my heart starts racing. He leans down into my neck again like earlier and inhales, scenting once again.
"Mmmhhh, delicious. I won't be able to get enough of your scent, little wolf."
He leaves me breathless. "Ahh Kieran" I whimper. He rubs his nose on the crock on my neck where it meets my shoulder.
"Shhh mate. I am sorry for assuming the worst. You do not know nor do you owe me an explanation. I should have listened to my wolf more closely. Trusted his instincts." He whispers into my neck sending shivers down my spine. He wells back slightly and just holds me to his chest. I do not understand the unquestionable trust I have for this male I just met. Any sane person would be yelling at me to run. But i cant, is this how everyone feels with the mate bond? Even before the marking and bonding ceremony? Also did he say his wolf? Has his wolf been egging him like Emma was me? I feel even more guilty for not trusting that part of me that is supposed to come naturally.
He pulls back slightly, brushing a strand of hair around my ear, as I hold on to his elbows. His face is set in determination. "This is how it's going to go. You will come back with me to the ball. You will take all your belongings, not just one lousy bag. I will protect you. From everyone. And I mean everyone. You do not have to worry about the King." I try to pull away. Usually if any tries to command me like that Emma would start growling and stretching at my mental walls. Even with the Alpha, but no she is perfectly content. Actually she's purring, enjoying his show of dominance. If I could give her an internal eye roll I would, but that's not what's bothering me most. This male is going to get himself killed and for what?
Me?
"Kieran, you can't, the King–" I try to get the words out, but I am interrupted by Kieran pressing his lips to mine ever so gently. Completely captivated, I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the taste and feel of him pulling back slightly rubbing his nose against mine. " Do not worry about the King. I have it on good authority he will not mate with the Alphas daughter. Now we must go, my beta keeps mindlinking me. I am needed at the ball. He straightens, takes my hand, we walk to where I left my bag , then head back. Back to the pack house where everyone I was running away from is. Back to a nightmare, but this time I'm not alone. In complete shock, I do as he says and follow.
This is not how tonight was supposed to go.
Kieran, still holding onto my hand gently pulls me into the pack house through a side door that opens to the back bathrooms off the ballroom. Beyond the door waiting is a male. He's tall, probably two inches shorter than Kieran, handsome like a shifter male usually is. Light scruffy brown hair, green eyes wearing an expensive business suit just as Kieran. He looks up at us to say something and halts when he sees are intertwined fingers. He gives a curious smile at me and bows. Confusion rolling through me, why would this male bow in greeting? I look at Kieran who's holding a perfect stance of dominance, that alone sends a thrill of excitement rolling through me.
"Callen this is my fated mate Samantha." He says smiling then looks down at me, "Sam this is Callen my Beta". A shimmer twinkles in his eyes as he looks at me, or am I imagining? Goddess he has me melting all over again. On the other hand, Callen, the male he introduced me to, is wide eyed, mouth gaping staring at me. I look at the male slightly uncomfortable, and I believe Kieran sees the discomfort. "Stop staring at my mate Callen unless you want to return to Mayla without your eyes." He growls out. The male blinks a couple times as if trying to shake his shock. "My apologies Sir, when you mentioned in the mindlink about finding a female you found interesting, I thought you meant as in"
*GRRRRRR*
Kieran growls angrily at the male and lets go of my hand to step in front of him. Clearly stopping him from saying anything further. Not wanting to be the center of an altercation, I touch Kieran's arm.
"Hey, aren't they waiting for you? Are you going to get in trouble for anything?"
"Trouble? Who dares scowl at him for anything, unless they want death?" Callen answered me instead.
"What?" Shocked by his words, I asked, but was interrupted by Kieran's command. " There's no need to stay here for a few days, we leave immediately. Sam will collect her things while I'll address the Alphas. Prepare the jet, have everything done in 40 minutes." He deadpanned at Callen as he adjusted his cufflinks and collar. I'm just standing there trying to figure out the whole dynamic, he has a jet? Address the other Alphas, why would he do that? Callen interrupted my thoughts " Yes, Alpha." Looking a bit nervous he added "I might have slipped and told Alpha Jered you found a female from his pack interesting, after you mindlinked."
Kieran's expression was unbothered, "That is fine, no need to hide it. Everyone should know the beautiful she-wolf who shall stand by my side." He looks at me with desire in his and my breath catches. He thinks too highly of me, once he knows who I am, the train wreck that is my life, I don't think he would think that. I look away blushing, but also hiding my worry. He grabs my face and kisses my forehead, "I'll see you in a few, let me deal with this first and we will head home."
Home? A few hours ago I didn't even know what that looked like for me.
"Callen, you know what to do." He tells the male and walks away into the ballroom.
"Yes, Alpha."