Page 20 of Crescent Warrior

Totally fucking over him.

CHAPTER FOUR

Knowing the layout of the compound like the back of his hand had its advantages and Cole was going to use every single one. He put his bags in the suite next to Hippolyta’s, knowing that he could keep an eye on the cameras that were liberally dispersed throughout their home to monitor her whereabouts.

Not that she wasn’t a creature of habit. She was. She stuck to a rigid schedule that everyone knew and were given full access to in case they needed to meet with her to discuss any part of their training.

She left open slots in her calendar for those times and he knew he was going to fill every single one. She would be bombarded with his presence, he would make sure of it. Hopefully, he could grovel his way into forgiveness, eventually.

Staring at his mate’s door on the huge screen above the fireplace while he lay on his bed was a new pleasure. He knew it wasn’t right and he should be giving her space, but now that he was near her, after all these years, he couldn’t find the strength in himself to keep his distance. Wanting her was a burning in his gut that was only getting stronger with proximity.

He watched the screen out of the corner of his eye while pulling up her schedule to see when she would be free. He growled as he realized that the slots were now filled with ‘Personal Errands’.

Damn it.

After a quick shower, he settled himself in to see when she would go down to dinner. He was going to escort her there even if he needed to follow after her like a lost puppy. He wasn’t living another moment of his life without her.

When movement fluttered on the screen in the corner of his eye, he looked up to see her exiting the door. He froze, staring at her, confusion and arousal flaring inside him. Hippolyta was wearing a short red dress, something he had never seen her wear before ever, and her hair was falling around her face instead of being in a thick braid like it usually was.

What the actual fuck?

Standing, he straightened his clothes and hurried outside just as she was walking off.

“Lyta,” he called, and she stilled, turning incredulous eyes his way.

Her gaze flickered to the door he had just exited. She gave an exasperated sigh before turning away from him again.

He leisurely surveyed her long, toned legs that led to her tight ass, showcased to perfection in that dress and couldn’t help the growl that escaped his throat. “Are you going somewhere?”

She ignored him, continuing to the stairs and he hurried forward, matching her pace. She glanced at him and rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything. When she was at the bottom of the stairs, Pearce sent a shrill whistle her way and he received a grin for his effort.

“Off the clock?” he called, waggling his eyebrows. “Or going out with Cole?”

“Off the clock.” Her smile was tight as she continued to the garage without a backward glance.

Pearce winked at him and then continued toward the dining room.

“Where are you going?” Cole whispered, but she didn’t bother responding to him. “Lyta, please.”

That made her stop, turning to pin him with a hostile glare.

“Don’t. Call. Me. That.” Each word was gritted and she looked like she barely held back from throttling him. “My name is Hippolyta. Use it or don’t talk to me. Your choice.”

She turned, but he grabbed her wrist.

“Lyta—” he barely had a moment to deflect the punch that came his way, but he did, having anticipated her reaction.

She excelled in combat, but her basics remained the same. It helped that they trained together growing up, learning each other’s weaknesses and strengths.

“Please listen to me.” He held her fist in his hand.

“I’m busy.” Her voice brooked no room for argument, letting him know that she was done with this conversation.

“Where are you going right now?” he asked, quietly, his gaze dipping to her cleavage. The dress plunged too low for his comfort, exposing too much of her creamy skin. “Dressed like this?”

“Oh, I didn’t realize I needed your permission to do anything,” she said sweetly before kicking him hard in the shin with her sky-high heels. “Asshole.”

He grunted, gritting his teeth, but he didn’t release his grip. “Where are you going?”

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