Page 68 of Chev's Mate

Chev steps forward, swooping me into his arms. “I would be honored, my mate,” he says. My feet dangle off the ground, and Chev twists me side to side before setting me back down. “I’ll carry your desk.”

I didn’t realize he intended to move me into his officeright now. He doesn’t even bother emptying the drawers before picking up the entire piece of furniture.Fuck.Chev is strong.

He easily lifts my desk above his head before storming out of my office and down the busy hallways. I follow, too embarrassedto make eye contact with the people who stop and stare. I’m sure we’re a sight to see. Chev is carrying a desk half his size and I’m following behind with my computer clutched tightly to my chest.

Echo is one of the ones who stares, and she doesn’t bother stifling her cackles.

Chev grunts and kicks a foot in her direction. “You are an ugly, hairless bear.”

Echo gasps and storms away. Chev smiles at her retreating figure, and I roll my eyes. Those two are constantly arguing, and I feel bad for their parents. They must’ve been a handful growing up.

When we enter Chev’s office, I realize he already arranged the space so my desk easily fits inside. He cleared space for me before even asking if I wanted to share.

“A bit presumptuous, don’t you think?” I ask.

Chev only shrugs, clearly not feeling the least bit embarrassed as he sets down my desk and fiddles to get it into the perfect position.

“I gave you the good side,” he says, gesturing to the large window to the left of my desk.

What have I just agreed to?

Chapter Twenty-Seven

VANESSA

AGREEING TO SHARE an office with Chev is the worst decision I’ve ever made.

He doesn’t bother pretending he’s not staring at me, and he’s getting unnecessarily aggressive whenever somebody uses the portal outside his office. He can hear it, and he abruptly stands and stares every time somebody tries to use it. If he doesn’t stop, people will begin exclusively using the one outside Echo’s office, and she’ll sure make a fuss.

The loud squeak of Chev’s chair reaches my ears, causing me to lose focus.

“That’s enough!” I snap.

Chev spins toward me. “No.”

I don’t think Chev has ever told menobefore, and I don’t know how to react. He doesn’t back down, either, and he ignores me entirely as he stalks toward the door to see who just entered.

I’m going to fucking scream.

When he sees that it’s just a random employee—as it is every single time—he relaxes and returns to his desk. I watch the entire thing, my anger continuing to build. I appreciate his concern and desire to protect me, but this is getting out of hand.

“I think it might be better for me to return to my office,” I say.

Chev doesn’t even look in my direction. “No.”

He’s on a roll with that word today.

“Excuse me?” I ask.

If I want to return to my office, I very well have the right to do so. Chev can’t force me to work out of his office, especially if he’s going to be this possessive. I’m busy trying to solve problems caused by the elven facility, and Chev is busy transitioning his work to Echo.

We have a responsibility to the females, and I take that seriously.

“You will work here,” Chev continues, doubling down.

I close my laptop screen and suck in a slow breath.Stay calm, Vanessa. Stay calm.We’ve never argued before, and I’m not mentally prepared for it. I knew better than to engage with an angry ogre, but I don’t want to cower from Chev. If this is going to work between us, I need to be his equal.

“I don’t think you’re in a place to decide that,” I say.

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