Page 31 of The Silent Mate

What the hell was wrong with me? This female was one of Malik’s soldiers. They’d likely known each other and fought alongside one another for years. Still, I envied her for the time she’d gotten to spend beside my mate.

Even more, I wasn’t foolish enough to believe that most shifters remain abstinent prior to finding their mate. Most sought relief with other unmated wolves when the need arose…

Admiration and intimacy sparkled in Freya’s gaze as she gazed up at Malik, and the traitorous, insecure parts of myself wondered if perhaps their relationship extended beyond mere colleagues. Standing side by side, the pair made a startlingly powerful match. It wouldn’t have been such a surprise.

The thought hurt far more than I’d ever admit out loud.

MALIK

The back of my neck tingled, and a now-familiar tug plucked at the fibers at the center of my body. I turned my head, following the direction of the tug toward the clinic overlooking the training grounds.

The sun glared against the windows, preventing me from seeing inside, but I knew who watched me from within. I felt it in my bones. In the way my blood warmed and my spine straightened, and my feet longed to carry me away from my duty as General to reunite with my little dove.

This morning, I awoke with Aria in my arms. We were curled around one another, our foreheads touching as we shared the same breath. Her legs tangled with mine, and a soft mewl of displeasure escaped her parted lips when I forced myself to slip away.

It had taken everything in me to leave her there. Last night, she’d been so patient. Like an angel sent from the Moon Goddess to guide me through the uncharted waters of allowing another person into my life.

Every soft word and tentative touch melted away a fraction of the steely wall I’d built around my heart over the past two decades. Aria was slowly saving me from myself, and, for that, I was eternally grateful.

General?Freya’s voice echoed in my mind.

My gaze snapped back to my captain. She looked up at me with a furrowed brow, and, when I didn’t immediately respond, she repeated the question she must’ve asked moments ago.What do you want me to do with the recruits?

Right.We’d been discussing the recruits, the shifters from across our territory that had recently come of age and hoped to earn a spot in our army. Though a handful showed potential, most would die the moment they saw true battle.

I sighed.Send them all back to basic training. Even those with solid technique. They’re no use to me until they’re all stronger and faster.

Though my brother would see all of the recruits thrown into the army at the lowest ranks, allowing the strong to rise and the weak to fall, I refused to sign their death warrants. Whereas Roman wanted sheer numbers in his army, I only wanted the best fighting alongside me in battle. Fortunately, more often than not, Roman paid no attention to my choices as General.

Freya dipped her chin and turned to heed my command, but she didn’t make it more than two steps before turning back.

Malik?She prompted, her voice softer than before. I recognized the imploring tone, and it set my teeth on edge.What of your mate? The alpha’s daughter. Willshebe gracing the army with her presence?

I stiffened, discomfort lining my spine.

There was a poorly-veiled edge to Freya’s words. One that I recognized from the countless times I’d refused her advances in the past. She was a fine warrior and objectively beautiful, certain to bear strong pups to whatever male she chose, but I’d never once been tempted to accept her offer.

She only wanted me for my position and the blood pumping through my veins, but I refused to be a commodity for yet another. Not when I’d already surrendered myself to Roman long ago.

When at first I did not respond, Freya continued, eyes trailing down my bare chest, lingering on my neck.I couldn’t help but notice that you have yet to cement the bond… Is there something wrong with the girl?

Unadulterated anger roiled through me, and I shifted to face one of my best warriors. My head cocked to one side, a silent snarl forming on my lips.Careful, Freya. You may be a captain, but you’re far from irreplaceable.

She blinked, dark brown eyes going wide as she took a step backward. The scent of her fear seeped into the air between us.Forgive me, General. I only asked?—

You will not speak of Aria again. You will not eventhinkher name,I warned, allowing a sliver of innate alpha’s authority to slip into the command.

When my father named Roman heir, I surrendered my right to use the primal ability that allowed an alpha to give unbreakable orders. That did not mean that I lost the skill completely, though Roman would punish me if he knew I dared to use it on one of his subjects.

Even so, I would not allow Aria to be dishonored. Not by this female. Not byanyone.

Freya retreated without another word, and I turned my gazeback to the clinic atop the hill and the blonde she-wolf hidden inside. A strange cocktail of desire and unease churned in my chest, for, though I’d dismissed Freya’s words, the audacity of her statement served as a reminder that I needed to mark my little dove, and soon.

Aria wouldn’t be mine, not truly, until I did.

14

MALIK

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