Page 32 of The Bookseller and the Alpha
Yes, we’ve established that.
Bring her to our den.Beast and I were in complete agreement on that. We needed to have our mate safe, in our den.
Mate her tonight. Bite her. Make her ours. I just about ground my teeth together in frustration. I wanted to do just that. I wanted her in my bed, underneath me, screaming my name as I came deep inside her. As I bit her, solidifying the bond that would mate us forever. My cock hardened on the thought.
Ahead of me the light turned orange. I accelerated, speeding through the intersection, the need to be with her making me reckless.
Not yet. She will be angry at me if we bond her now.
She won’t be angry after you have pleasured her as a mate should.
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. I had to think of something else or I was going to crash the car.
Chapter 35
Calypso
Pompy give a small bark. I half-woke, sensing someone in my room. Before I could panic, react to the fact that someone was in my room, beside my bed, I smelled Luc’s unique scent. Again, I had that sense of rightness that I’d sensed before. With my brain mostly out of action, my body knew, absolutely knew, without a doubt, that Luc wouldn’t hurt me. I couldn’t summon up any panic or fear that he was in my room. The instinctive, primitive part of my brain knew that he would keep me safe. I wasn’t even angry with him anymore. He was here, now, and my sub-conscious was happy about that.
“Come to bed,” I said. It was probably something I’d regret in the morning, but there was an emptiness in my chest.
The bed dipped with his weight. I rolled over, reaching for his hand. I got a warm chest instead. Mmmm. He gathered me into his arms and a feeling of warm contentment filled me. I felt as though I belonged there. I had felt the same way when I’d been in his arms earlier. It had been wonderful and strange and absolutely overwhelming. From the moment I’d failed my Testing, I hadn’t belonged. Not a Witch, but with too much knowledge of the supernatural world to be a normal person. I’d made myself a place on the fringe of supernatural society and Iwas proud of the life I’d built, but no matter how hard I tried there was a core of hurt, buried deep, that I couldn’t have what my sister had. That she’d been born with all the power and I had none.
“Sleep,” Luc said, his voice so deep it rumbled in his chest.
I started to slip into dreamland. I could feel Luc’s hands on my back, rubbing gentle circles. “’S’nice,” I mumbled. Perhaps taking that as encouragement, one hand moved to my hair, stroking it gently.
My body relaxed into sleep. I dreamed that he whispered into my ear. “Safe. I have you, my mate. You are safe.”
Chapter 36
Luc
I was woken by the buzz of my phone. It was still dark. I was in Caly’s bed, her body snuggled against mine. My cock was as hard as steel.
I glanced at the caller ID. Billy. Fuck. I scrubbed my hand over my face. I hadn’t had an opportunity to apologise. To explain. But I had to go. Fuck. I declined the call. Rolling out of bed, as quietly as I could, I pulled on my pants from yesterday. I didn’t look back at Caly. If I looked back, I’d want to kiss her. If I kissed her I wouldn’t be able to leave her. But if Billy had a lead on the threat, I needed to follow it up. First though, I needed to look after my mate. I texted him as I walked down the darkened corridor, Beast lending me his night vision.Be there as soon as I can. Then I dialled the number for the café next door, placing an order. My go-bag, which I’d dropped in the living room last night, had a spare shirt and I dressed while I waited, my eyes roaming the room. Caly’s coat hung on a hook by the door. It was too thin for this weather. She needed a better one.
I heard the ding of the elevator and footsteps coming down the corridor. Now that I’d upgraded building security, no-one could get into the building without being vetted by the guard on duty. But I still tensed as the footsteps came to thedoor. I smelled a human. A young male if the ridiculous amount of body spray he’d smothered himself in was any indication. I suppressed a cough at the stench. A glance out the peephole confirmed my guess. A pimply-faced teenager, earbuds in place, looking bored. I heard the rustle of paper as he put down the parcel, then retreating footsteps.
Easing the door open, I collected my mate’s breakfast. I left it on the counter, with a note. Then I went out the door, feeling like I was leaving part of my heart behind.
Chapter 37
Calypso
When I woke it was barely dawn. My body was rested, invigorated. I sat up and stretched. There was no-one beside me in the bed, but there was an indentation in the pillow. I put out my hand. No longer warm. Pompy was still snoring gently at the foot of the bed. I drew a breath, and Luc’s scent filled my lungs. And I remembered. I had asked him to come to bed. And he had held me in his arms, as though I was precious to him. I’d spent the second night sleeping with an Alpha who had given me an expensive couch. I was afraid to consider what it meant. I was afraid to hope.
When I got out of bed and padded to the kitchen in my robe, he was nowhere to be seen. But there was a paper bag on the bench and a note beside it.
Didn’t want to wake you. Got called into the office. Be safe today. Akira’s number is in your phone. She is on call. She and Leylani will take you to your store. Eat first. I’ll see you here tonight.
My heart did a funny little flip inside my chest as I read the note. It was just like him. Bossy and arrogant. But also, protective. I looked inside the paper bag.Flip. There it wentagain. An almond croissant. Did he know how much I liked these?
The day at work passed quickly. I was extra busy with students gearing up for the new school semester and with the two days of lost business, everyone had come at once. It was busy enough that I forgot about my two guards, until Akira took my arm and practically dragged me away from the counter to my tiny kitchen, the moment there was a lull.
She pushed me into a chair, frowning. Startled, I let her. “Eat. Drink,” she ordered, pointing to a take-out container and a glass of water. My stomach gurgled at the scent of meat.
“Did you pick this up for me? How much do I owe you?” I grabbed a fork and started to eat. I couldn’t really afford a meal like this, but I’d pay her back.
