Page 9 of Mating at Midnight: Book 1

The only thing I could do is deny, deny, and deny.

“Mr. Hillard, I think you are mistaken. I am not your mate.” I lie, knowing my words were further from the truth.

Mt. Hillard chuckles as he runs the backside of his hand along mine. “Oh, but you are.” He leisurely runs his fingertips over my arm. “You see that?” He asks. “Just by the mere touch, your body is already welcoming the feel of my skin against it.”

I stood immediately to get away from his sensuous touch. He gave me a mischievous smile. Maybe mate recognition happens faster with males than females. Either way, I didn’t have time in my life to be anyone’s mate. Being General Manager was already going to be a heavy load, so miraculously finding my mate at the same time didn’t fit into the equation.

“Mr. Hillard,” I start, but he interrupts me.

“Please, call me Braxton, seeing that we are mates.”

I take a step back as he takes one closer to me. Holding up my hand, I tell him. “Mr. Hillard, what you just did could be classified as sexual harassment in the work place.”

He raises his brow, tilting his head to the side. “By what, the human law? You can try to deny our bonding, but our wolves know the truth,” Mr. Hillard clarifies. He triumphantly grins. “I can see your wolf trying to come out to play with mine. I can lock the door so they can get acquainted if you’d like.”

Huffing, I respond, “I think they got acquainted enough the other night and you see how she didn’t back down. We are not your typical submissive female.”

Mr. Hillard claps his hands together. “That I do know, and I love it. There’s no room in my life for a soft woman or wolf. The two of you are the Alpha’s, my wolf and I need.”

Letting out an exasperated breath, I honestly tell him, “We may be what you need, but I’m not sure you’re what we need.”His forehead creases as I continue. “You’re the type of man who doesn’t settle into one place. Your life is jet-setting over the globe and that’s not how I see mine. I’m family oriented and my daddy and my sister mean the world to me. I can’t see myself being away from them for extended amounts of time. Especially my daddy. So, with that being said, I acknowledge you as being my mate, but I do not accept the bond.”

If looks could kill, I would have been six feet under from Mr. Hillard’s face of rejection. If he would have come into my life two years ago or two years from now, I would have accepted the bond. But now that I’ve reached one of the milestones in my life, to accept his claim, I would have to walk away from all that I have worked for. I didn’t spend all of that time and hard work to be an Alpha’s trophy wife.

As I walk towards the door, Mr. Hillard asks, “What happened to the fawn?”

Why the Hell is he asking me about Crown? I wanted to ask but my mind and body thought otherwise. The words that I wanted to leave my lips would get us no further. I know he followed us back to the house last night, but what is his motive for inquiring about Crown? Did he plan on going back to try and hunt for him?

Lifting my head high, I reply, “Anyone...and I do mean anyone who fucks with him will have to deal with me.”

My eyes flash to my wolves for more emphasis. You can mess with me, but Crown is innocent and if anyone, Braxton Hillard or anyone else thought they’re brave enough to harm Crown, need to sit with my daddy and find out how many predators and adversaries I’ve taken down. My motto is: Family, Pack, Faith, and abundance. I don’t know if Mr. Hillard shares the same values, but I wasn’t going to turn my back on mine because he’s my mate.

Mr. Hillard laughs, tossing his head back. “That’s the nurturing nature in you. As long as I’m here and after, no one will harm the fawn.”

Frowning, because, how he makes a decree like that when he’s not my Alpha over these lands. My daddy is my Alpha. Braxton Hillard needs to move on to the next city on his list. Even though my bones ache for his touch, I don’t think he’s the type to hang up his bachelor shoes. When I settle down, it will be just like my parents. I’ll proclaim my love to my destined, and we will spend happy years together until the Lord separates us.

Chapter 7

Braxton

Oh, Nyah Lightfeather is going to be a challenge, and I do love a good challenge. She might have thought her little speech about not wanting to be my mate would deter me, but I’m not like any man or wolf she has ever met. One thing my father taught me is if you really wanted something, then you better work your ass off to get it. I have applied that logic into my business life which is why I am so successful. Now, I’m going to work my ass off to make Nyah my mate.

“Knock, knock,” Levi says, standing in the doorway, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I waved him in. He enters, then closes the door.

“So, how did the meeting go with your mate?” he asks, taking the seat where Nyah sat.

“Businesswise, it went extremely well. Nyah has excellent notes and ideas for improving the hotel,” I responded, handing him the copies Fonda made.

Levi nods as he looks over them. “These are very good and detailed. I can see why she was promoted to General Manager.”

“I do too. I think Nyah is going to be one of our best GM’s,” I add.

Levi sat the papers on my desk, then asked, “So, that was the business side of things. On the personal side, does she know you’re her mate?”

“She knows, but she’s denying it,” I growl, not trying to.

“Oh, shit,” Levi whispers. “So, what are you going to do?”

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