Page 18 of Chev's Mate

I stand deep in the woods, hiding partially behind the thick trunk of a tree. I’m sure Aziel has dozens of guards watching me, the nosy fuckers probably under strict orders to ensure I’m not pushing any of the boundaries Aziel and I agreed to.

I’m giving them nothing to report back on.

My mate hums under her breath as she steps out of her house with a ring of keys swinging around her thin finger. She’s wearing loose clothing, but they do little to hide her frame. She has generous curves, and everything she wears displays them. I know it’s not her intention, though, so I don’t look. Her long blonde hair is tied up behind her head, which I like because it better lets me see her face.

Nymphs have delicate features, and my mate is no different. I love her.

I can’t help but anxiously fist the bottom of my shirt as she approaches and climbs into her golf cart. I hate that fucking vehicle, and I hate even more that Aziel gave it to her with no regulations. She always drives it at full speed, and my heart physically stops every time she turns too quickly and the wheels leave the ground.

I’m beginning to worry she’s never driven before, and the delighted squeals she releases whenever she almost crashes the cart are the only thing keeping me from going to Aziel and demanding that he take it away. He can say it needs maintenance—and then conveniently never return it.

Vanessa full lips pull into a wide smile as she climbs in the cart and turns it on. I tug at the uncomfortable Wrath clothing I’m forced to wear before stripping bare. This is the only time I’m allowed to expose myself, but it’s for a purpose. I don’t want to rip my clothing, and I set them on the ground before shifting into my animal form.

It’s freeing, and I allow myself a few moments to stretch my limbs and lower back. It feels good, and a low grumble pours from my throat as I pick up the clothes with my teeth and begin following Vanessa.

I keep far enough away that I won’t be seen, and I happily trot along the fence as she makes her way to work. She continues humming to herself, my female finding a love for the music I hear blaring out of her home every night.

Aziel forces me to stop watching her when it grows dark, so I don’t hear too much of it, but I love the few minutes of her scream-singing I get most nights. She didn’t close her curtains last night, and I got to watch her dance around her kitchen while cooking.

She cooks frequently, and I’ve already made plans to expand my kitchen. I want her to be pleased with my home, and after seeing her move around the kitchen here, I know mine is lacking. I don’t have enough counterspace or cabinets, but those are things I can fix easily.

I’m also relieved she eats meat. The book I studied said many nymphs are vegetarian, but after watching my mate prepare and devour a large chunk of thigh yesterday, I’m confident she willlove ucka. I’ll catch the biggest one I can find, and she will be quite pleased.

Maybe if I’m lucky, she’ll even let me feed the meat to her.

The thought excites me, so I force myself to stop thinking it. I’ve been trying my hardest not to let my arousal get the best of me. I don’t think Vanessa would appreciate the physical reactions I have to the thought of her. Shifters place significant value on physical intimacy, but I’ve already accepted we won’t have that type of relationship. I’m okay with it.

Aziel’s guards pointedly avoid looking in my direction as I follow my mate through the woods, but I can tell they know I’m here. They stiffen when I grow too close, and a few even go as far as to shoot me warning looks behind my mate’s back. I’m not intimidated.

Aziel might be stronger than I am, but the guards are nothing more than chew toys.

Wrath is unbearably hot, and I pant into the air as Vanessa slows to a stop outside the back doors of the facility. She haphazardly parks her ungodly vehicle off to the side before hurrying inside, her pace fast. She’s always in a rush, but I don’t feel bad for her. She spends a lot of time on her phone in the mornings, constantly distracted by the small device as she gets ready for the day.

My mate makes herself late.

Naughty girl.

She spent almost an hour on her phone this morning. I’d kill to know what she was looking at, her nose scrunched and lips pursed as she glared at the screen. It was unbearably cute, even if she was clearly upset. I like to think she was playing a game, and that little pout is the face she makes when losing.

Vanessa greets the guards by the back entrance, her friendly smile growing as they open the doors for her. I watch as she disappears into them, already dreading the long wait untilshe leaves for the day. The doors are shut behind her, and I wait several more minutes to ensure she’s not returning before dropping my clothes and shifting back into my skin form.

I hate the Wrath clothing, and I huff as I tug the insufferable items on. I know I agreed to this, but I still hate it. I hate feeling constricted, and I hate how my entire day revolves around secretly watching my mate travel to and from work. I want more. I want to talk to her, to hear her friendly greetings and see her smile directed toward me.

The guards openly stare at me now that Vanessa is gone, and I shoot the ones at the back door a dirty look before turning and beginning my walk to Aziel’s home.

Charlie wasn’t happy when she heard Aziel had agreed to let me stay with them, but I think she’s warming up to me again. I don’t like it when she’s angry with me, even though I know I deserve it. Still, she’s been kind enough to let me work out of her office while I’m here. It’s especially great because I don’t have to travel to the headquarters and see Echo.

My sister is too meddlesome.

Children scream as I push open the front door to Aziel’s home. The house is large, but their voices bounce off the walls and echo down the hallways. I barely step foot inside the foyer when I’m attacked by Cassia. The tiny wrath wraps her stubby limbs around my leg, and she sinks her teeth into the outside of my thigh as I head to Charlie’s office.

The woman in question is making breakfast in the kitchen, and I tiptoe through the room. Cassia continues chewing my leg, and I shake her off before setting her on the table along the way.

“A deposit for you,” I joke to Charlie.

She’s still angry with me, but the corners of her lips twitch upward as she fights back a smile. I stare at her stomach, evaluating her growing bump, before grabbing an apple off the counter and continuing to her office. I’m behind on work, and Ido my best to push thoughts of Vanessa aside so I can focus. It’s nearly impossible, but I manage to get a good amount of work done before lunch.

A shadow brings me a plate of ucka, and I mindlessly eat while I continue working.

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