Page 2 of Taming His Mate

“Well,” I fall back into the chair and run my hands over my face and into my hair. “There is only so much a male can take when his mate flaunts and fucks her way through the factions.”

I have been more than patient with my wayward little mate. I’ve tried doing thingsherway, hoping that she’ll come to me willingly. But no more. Now, we do thismy way.

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Jarik concedes.

“Is this all you needed?” I ask, pushing myself up from the chair. “I have an auction to win.”

Jarik watches me and then nods his chin once.

“Bye Luka,” Mercy calls from the couch then adds softly, “and good luck.”

I flash her a grin, “You’re the one who will need all the luck keeping my asshole brother in line. Be sure to give my favorite nephew a squeeze from me.”

I nod to Jarik and then spin on my heel and head for the door to the sound of Mercy’s sweet laughter and my brother’s growls.

As soon as the door closes behind me, my smile slides from my face and my steps become quick and purposeful. I don’t often lie to my brother, but there is no help for it. What I’m about to do goes against just about every faction law, and quite a few human ones.

I slide my phone from my pocket and lift it to my ear. Listening as it rings once…twice. There is a soft click when the call is answered, “Is everything ready?” I ask without waiting for a greeting.

“Damnit Luka,” Yesenia hisses. She and I have been friends since childhood and since I had her back when she took over her faction from her corrupt father, I called in a favor for her to help me with Isabelle. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.Yes. Everything is ready.”

“Good.” Without needing to hear anything else, I hang up.

There is nothing left to do now but wait and see how this plays out.

The Den’s theater is packed for tonight’s auction, more so than usual. Many are here because it’s expected of them to pay their dues. Some are looking for a female for a night of no strings sex. I suspect quite a few are hoping to find their fated mate. It seems word got out that the last several auctions have ended with some of the couples recognizing each other as mates. As such, a new clause was written into the rules. Stating if a fated bond is made, the couple won’t be forced to have their memories wiped and they will be allowed to court one another after the auction night.

The fated mate clause is the main reason I’m here tonight. According to our laws, an auctioned female is ours for a single night, to do with whatever we please. At the end the female is given an amnesic and paid half of her auction price. By auctioning Isabelle, who I already know is my mate, I’m forcing her to give me a chance to bond her to me without worrying about her faction stepping in and taking her from me.

Sitting back in my seat at the back of the theater, with my feet propped on the banister in front of me, I watch as female after female is paraded across the stage. Some strut like they are on a catwalk while others shuffle nervously. One poor female has to be practically dragged from the stage. Her fear scent fills the entire theater, and I hope that the shifter who won her goes easy on the frightened thing.

Finally, there is one last female.

I drop my feet and lean forward as Isabelle is guided across the stage to stand at the center. The moment she comes out, the entire place falls silent. My breath catches, as it always doeswhen I see my mate. Fuck, she’s beautiful. Her blood red hair falls in a curtain of soft curls to the center of her back. The gown they put her in is the same bloody shade and fits her lithe figure like it was painted on.

Her eyes, which I know are a rich chocolate brown, are glossy under the bright lights. Thanks to the drugs I’ve been giving her to keep her compliant, her pupils are blown as they move sluggishly over the audience.

“And finally, we have… Isabelle,” Bethany, a member of a small elvish faction, has her arm hooked around Isabelle but she looks like she’s prepared for her to attack at any moment. “Let’s, uh, start the bidding at one million.”

Stunned silence fills the theater.

Occasionally one of our own will auction themselves, but Isabelle is literally the last female anyone would expect to see up on the stage like this. A smile ghosts my lips at the slightly unfocused look on my female’s face. Tonight, the fierce vampiress that she’s known for is nowhere to be seen.

“Come on now. We can’t go lower…” Bethany says, scanning the crowd.

I can’t help but smirk as the whispers begin.

“Who do you think she finally pissed off?”

“Looks like Isabelle is finally getting what she deserves.”

“Do you think she’s being punished by her own faction?”

I let the silence stretch a bit longer before I lean forward in my seat, “One million.”

The theater is so quiet I don’t even have to raise my voice to be heard.

Bethany glances up at me and a relieved smile brightens her face. Whether she’s relieved that someone finally bid, or she’s just glad to finally be rid of Isabelle, I can only guess.

---