Four

Genevieve's POV

I managed to make it back to the palace unseen and revealed myself to Jamie before he tore the whole place down. I managed to convince him that I had gone for a walk to clear my head and after a lot of fuss from Cara, I was finally left alone.

But I couldn't sleep.

I tried, desperately. But all I could think about was the salty taste of his skin against my tongue when I had sucked on his Adam's apple. His scent invades my every being.

So this was the power of a true mate bond. This was true desire. At twenty years old, when it became quite clear that I would never have a mate, I decided to get married instead. I had quite a lot of suitors. Every wolf wanted a bond with the child of the goddess herself. A white wolf was rare. Getting married to one was even rarer.

I sat up on my bed, a frown etched on my face. My mate had a white wolf as well. His black hair was rather misleading but I had seen him when he attacked the rogue. White fur. Exactly like mine was. Was that why we were mates?

"Fuck," I hissed, falling back on the bed. I needed to sleep. Now that I knew I had a mate, I had to figure out what to do. I couldn't leave Jamie. He needed me. Not to brag, but the pack would crumble without me by his side.

I knew what I had to do. I just wasn't sure I wanted to do that.

Not yet.

Morning came by quickly. I made my way to the council room dressed in brown Combat pants and a tucked-in shirt much to Cara's disappointment. She had wanted me to wear some silly dress and I couldn't care less.

I was attacked the day before. Heaven forbid I wear a dress! Being attacked meant we had to confirm two things. Had the guards in the frontier grown weak? How had four rogues slipped past them into the inner circles? We also needed to confirm if they were sent to kill me or if it had simply been a coincidence.

"That wolf had silver on his claws," I muttered, as the doors to the council opened. "it doesn't seem coincidental to me."

The scent of pine wood assailed me and I snapped my head up to see my mate, kneeling, and Jamie who sat on a chair before him.

My eyes widened and I marched to Jamie's side. What the hell was happening?! Had he found out about the night before?

"Ah good," Jamie said placidly offering me his hand. I took it and sat on a chair beside him. "You're here. I was thanking Thorn for saving you yesterday and asked him to name a price."

"Thorn," I whispered testing his name on my tongue.

I saw him shudder and bit on my lip to hide a grin. My mate was responsive. I could see him tied down to my bed, groaning as I took care of him. His name was perfect.

"Thorn," I said again, and the sound of him gritting his teeth filled the air. He glanced up at me, green eyes flashing with desire and instinctively I arched my back, suddenly wishing I was wearing a dress like Cara had suggested.

"Yes Thorn," Jamie continued speaking, oblivious to brewing tension in the air. His oblivious nature was a bit annoying, but I had never been more grateful for it at the moment. "State your price, what do you want?"

Thorn tore his gaze away from mine and glared at the Alpha. "I want to work as a guard. I'd appreciate it if I was posted to the sites of the ancient temple."

I frowned at his words. Why would anyone want to guard the ancient temple? It was a piece of land that contained more rubble than buildings and hadn't been used in over 500 years. It made no sense.

"Nonsense," I commented, feeling every cell in my body when he directed his glare at me. "For someone with immense talent and skill you, surely you're befitting of an even better position. I saw this man fight Jamie. He's amazing."

Thorn growled, his eyes blazing in anger. Why the hell was he mad at me?! I was trying to help him! Who wanted to sit around guarding a piece of useless land?!

"I told you," Jamie leaned in to whisper in my ear. "To call me Alpha when we're before people, Genevieve,"

"Oops!" I chuckled, flashing him a grin. "Sorry."

He shook his head and leaned back in his seat. "The Luna is right. Your skills are needed elsewhere. For now, you'll serve as her private guard. I need someone who can protect her and if yesterday is any consideration, you seem to be the only one who can do that."

"I do-"

"That is my decision," Jamie said with a note of finality and rose to his feet.

"I'll be going for an inspection," he told me, "Wanna come?"

My eyes drifted to Thorn who had a hateful look on his face as he glared at Jamie. His hands were curled into fists on his knees. I could imagine he was holding himself back. All that anger. All that power is bottled up in one hot delicious male. I wanted to see him lose control. Feel his mouth ravaging mine as he thrusted deep and wild into me.

Yes, please!

"No," I told Jamie trying not to sound aroused. "I believe I'll have a chat with my bodyguard for a bit."

He gave a brisk nod, patted my hair, and walked out of the council room. The minute the door closed behind him, Thorn lunged for me, gripping my neck while breathing furiously.

"Easy," I whispered, grabbing him by the belt around his waist and pulling him even closer. A tent rose in his pants and licking my lips, I ran my fingers over it. His cock throbbed against my hands and I moaned, wanting to touch him, to taste him.

His breath hitched and he growled, tightening his fingers around my neck. He was being merciless and yet I fucking loved it.

"This has to stop," He hissed, nose flaring as he stared down at me. "You cannot keep affecting me this way. If you won't end this, I will!"

"You'll reject me?" I snarled, shrugging out of his chokehold, and rose to my feet. "What makes you think you can?"

"I, Thorn Blackwood, reject-"

I growled, grabbed his hair, and smashed my lips against his.