His Mate

***************

CHAPTER 8

I entered the elevator heading to the penthouse and immediately the sound signalled a stop, I stepped out while Arianna walked just a step behind me. 

She kept quiet, but I felt her gaze burning into my back, simmering with that familiar defiance she didn’t bother to hide. 

We’d barely crossed the door when a passing servant stopped, head bowed as he said, “Sir, you have a call waiting on line six.”

I gave a slight nod, then turned to Arianna. “Go to your room and stay there. I won’t be long.” My voice was low, leaving no room for argument.

She narrowed her eyes at me, still clearly displeased. But, for once, she didn’t argue, which was good. I didn’t have the energy for that right now. 

With one last pointed look, she turned on her heel and disappeared down the corridor. I watched her go, appreciating the way she held her head high even when she was fuming. Once she was out of sight, I turned and headed for my study.

Once inside, I settled into the leather chair, breathing in the scent of cedar as I reached for the telephone. “Yes?”

The line connected as one of my men reported a delay in our shipment. My fingers tapped the desk impatiently as I listened, my jaw tightening with each word.

“Sort it,” I ordered before rattling off instructions and waited until I was satisfied the issue was resolved before ending the call. 

Leaning back, I rubbed a hand over my jaw, letting my focus shift for the first time since I’d left the club the previous night.

As I turned in the chair, my gaze drifted to the monitor displaying footage from around the estate. 

One feed in particular drew my attention—Arianna, alone in her room, examining the items I’d bought her earlier. 

She held up each piece, studying them with disbelief and curiosity, a faint frown furrowing her brow. 

Suddenly she let the clothing she was holding go and picked up the black lingerie set, her fingers brushing the delicate lace, and my pulse quickened at the sight. 

That set was no accident. I’d chosen it deliberately, pushing her boundaries. The image of her wearing it sparked something primal within me, a need I could barely contain.

I inhaled and exhaled softly, trying my best to school my thoughts. 

A low growl echoed in my mind, pulling me from the thought. 

“Why haven’t you told her about us?” Mars, my wolf, pressed impatiently.

I clenched my jaw, brushing a hand over my face. “Because,” I replied slowly, my irritation evident. He didn’t always get it. “She doesn’t know what she is. She doesn’t know about her wolf, Mars. If I tell her now, it could scare her off.”

I paused, the memory of her defiance flashing in my mind. “She’s already headstrong without bringing our bond into the mix.”

Mars huffed in frustration. “But she’s our mate. The bond is there, Damon. How long are you going to wait?”

My thoughts drifted back to that night at Arthdal Strike, the first time I’d laid eyes on her. 

Mars had recognized her instantly, growling ‘mate’ before I even had a chance to register what was happening. 

I recalled the surge of fury that had torn through me as I’d watched Luca’s hands on her, the way he’d looked at her like she was some cheap prize. 

Rage had simmered just below the surface, and it had taken everything I had to keep it contained. 

Mars had been pushing forward, ready to tear Luca apart then and there. But Arianna hadn’t felt a thing. 

And that ticked something within me. She’d looked right at me, though I was shrouded in darkness but there had been no flicker of recognition. 

Even later in my office, when I’d stood close enough to hear her heartbeat, she hadn’t reacted.

I sighed, fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk. “Can you sense her wolf at all, Mars?” I asked, hoping he might detect something I hadn’t.

“Honestly? No,” Mars replied, his voice tense. “But it’s like she’s there and npot there at the same time, hidden—just out of reach. Like a shadow I can’t grasp. Something’s blocking her, Damon.”

I leaned forward, my eyes fixed on the monitor, as Arianna placed the lingerie back in its box, folding her arms as she mulled over the choices in front of her. 

“This isn’t good,” I thought, my jaw tightening. “I need to find out what’s going on with her wolf.”

But I knew I had to approach carefully. Push too hard, and she’d shut me out completely.

A knock broke the silence, and I turned as the door opened to reveal Xander, strolling in with his usual relaxed grin.

“Hey,” he greeted, dropping into the chair across from me.

I gave him a nod, my gaze lingering on the screen a moment longer before I shifted my focus to Xander. But he’d noticed. As always, his sharp gaze flickered to the monitor, zeroing in on the feed showing Arianna in her room. 

A faint smirk tugged at his lips.

“So…” he began, leaning back, his eyes narrowing playfully. “Why’d you make her an exclusive, hmm?”

I kept my expression neutral, shifting slightly in my chair. “You know the rules. The fewer people involved, the less risk there is.”

He laughed, clearly not buying it. “Really? All business, huh?” He raised an eyebrow, teasing. “Well, if she means that little to you, how about tossing her my way when you’re done? You know, just to—”

He didn’t get the chance to finish. A growl ripped from my throat, cutting him off, my grip tightening on the arms of the chair. Mars surged forward, possessiveness flaring hot and fast. 

“She belongs to me, Xander. Back off.”

Xander held his hands up in mock surrender, his grin unfazed. “Easy, Damon. Just a joke.” He chuckled, leaning back with a knowing glint in his eyes. “Though, I’ll admit, I didn’t expect you to be so… territorial.”

I didn’t bother replying. My glare was enough to silence any further comments. 

He cleared his throat, his tone shifting to something more neutral. “Fine, I get it. You’ve staked your claim.” He shrugged. “Anyway, have you heard about the shipments?”

I gave a slight nod, letting his words pull me back to business, though I felt my mind drifting, back to the girl upstairs and the bond that had already begun to twist itself around my control.

“Good, you need to be with her soon.”

“Mars?”

“Our mate needs us to help wake her wolf.” 

I rolled my eyes internally at him. There he went again.