Page 19 of Chev's Mate

This is the most focused I’ve been in weeks, and I know it’s because I’m finally getting to see Vanessa. My bear has been a wreck for weeks, and he’s finally quiet. Mates put our animals at ease.

Even if our relationship is unstable, my bear is pleased knowing she’s alive and only a few miles away.

I find myself tapping my fingers to the beat of the song she was humming earlier as I respond to my messages. Some are over a week old, which is unforgivable. Mammon might be correct in saying I should step down. It’s hard dividing my time between my pack and the females, and now that Vanessa is part of the mix, my productivity is at an all-time low.

I’m not adequately fulfilling either of my responsibilities.

My computer begins to ring, and a request for a video chat pops up with my sister’s name. I purse my lips, my chest deflating as I accept the call. Echo’s ugly face covers my screen a second later, and she’s already scowling as she launches immediately into one of her lectures. I feel bad for the mate she ends up with.

“Chev…” She pauses and pinches the bridge of her nose. “Where are you?”

I shrug, not wanting to tell her the truth. She’s been exceptionally protective over Vanessa, and she’ll kill me if she learns I’m in Wrath.

“I will ask this one more time, Chev. Where the fuck are you?” Echo repeats, seething.

My spine straightens, my bear not appreciating the challenge. Echo may be my dearest sister, but I’m still in charge. Shewillshow me respect.

“I am in Wrath,” I say, “and unless you have something important to discuss, I have work to return to.”

I can practically taste Echo’s anger. She scoffs, and her eyes dart toward something— or someone—behind the computer. My lips curl, furious she’s tricking me.

“Who’s there?”

Echo seems taken aback by the sharpness in my voice, and she rolls her eyes before spinning the computer around. I relax once I see it’s just Aziel and Gray. They’re sitting in the chairs on the other side of her desk. Gray winks and gives me a tiny wave, and Aziel offers a slight nod.

“Why have you called me?” I ask as Echo reappears on my screen.

Instead of answering, she shares her screen to show me a message I sent out only minutes prior. I’m increasing the clothing budget for the remainder of the year, a decision I’ve carefully considered. The females still living in the facilities are issued essential, everyday wear, but I think they should be allowed to purchase a few additional items they pick out themselves. They will be given an annual budget that will cover four or five moderately priced items.

I frown. “Yes? What’s wrong with this?”

“Where do you expect this money to come from?” Echo asks. “It’s not sustainable.”

It doesn’t need to be. Wrath and Lust have been footing the bill for almost the entire cost of the rehabilitation programs. The trade programs do generate some revenue, but the organization as a whole is operating at a loss. No part of it is sustainable, but we aren’t anticipating it will run indefinitely.

The goal is to reach a point where the facilities are no longer needed. The day we shut down will be a happy day because that means females are safe and comfortable to exist in the world again. My mate is an excellent example of how far they can come.

“Lust will pay,” I say. I haven’t spoken to Gray about it, but he’s never turned down my budgeting decisions before. His kingdom is beyond wealthy, and he believes in offering the females pleasures just as much as I do.

We spend the next forty-three minutes arguing, the four of us divided. Aziel takes Echo’s side in the issue, but Gray is on mine. I can always count on the horny incubus to take my side, and I end the call feeling victorious.

Gray’s willing to pay,andmy plan allows us to employ more females. People will have to design and make the additional clothing, and we have an entire fashion-related trade program ending in a few weeks. Those females will be ecstatic to have a job so soon after finishing.

I return to work with a giddy smile, and I make it through a sizable portion of my inbox before Aziel wanders into my office. He looks tired, and he reeks of my mate.

“You look like shit,” I say.

Aziel wordlessly tugs off his shirt and tosses it in my direction. I don’t enjoy how he saturates the fabric, but it will settle my bear to sleep with something that smells of Vanessa.

“Your mate is quite outspoken,” he says, sitting opposite my desk.

I grin.

“She practically bullied my assistant into putting a meeting on my calendar,” he continues, running a hand through his hair. “Then she spent the entirety of it lecturing me on how busy I am.”

I bark out a laugh, pleased to hear it.

“Youarebusy,” I point out.

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