Page 21 of Bound to the Dragon
“We have some pack members who have a little bit too much free time on their hands,” I inform him. “They apparently don’t have enough work to do, so they stand around talking about my mate and me. I’ll get you a list of names to deal with them accordingly.”
Vigo blinks, surprise coloring his face. “I haven’t heard anything like that, Blaze.”
“I don’t think you have,” I reassure him. “It’s idle chitchat, but I want to make sure they’re made examples of.”
Vigo sinks into the wingchair Madison had been using earlier. “What do we make of the new Luna?”
I’d like to make out with the new Luna.
“Can she be trusted?”
A shiver of worry rushes through me at the question. “For now, I don’t have much of a choice, do I? Until we know who was behind this attack, all we can do is keep investigating. I don’t understand how they got through our security.”
I eye him deliberately, and Vigo looks properly ashamed by the question. “As you said, Alpha, this is still an intensive investigation, but it will be solved. You can count on that.”
“Fine.” I stand and rub my temples. “We’re going to need to redo this ceremony.”
Vigo laughs dubiously. “What?”
I gesture vaguely around the room. “This wasn’t much of a mating reception. I don’t think it fares well for the future of the pack if this is how we’re starting things, do you?”
Vigo’s eyes shade more, and he picks his next words carefully. “I see what you’re saying, but Blaze…” He trails off as if he’s trying diplomatically to think of a way to tell me I’m crazy.
“I’m not saying we’re doing it tomorrow. It’s legal and binding, anyway. I’ll deal with it. Actually, I’ll have Madison deal with it. She can probably use a project to keep herself occupied so she stays out of my business.”
Vigo shrugs and stands, too. “If that’s what you want, Alpha.”
“It’s not what I want, Vigo; it’s what’s necessary for appearances. It’s what the pack demands, and I have to adhere to certain norms.”
He doesn’t understand. No one ever does. Being an Alpha comes with all kinds of unpleasant tasks that no one wants to do. It’s a thankless job. Someone is always trying to kill you. And then you get mated with the one person who hates you most in the world.
CHAPTER 7
MADISON
Ilock the door to my suite, more to keep myself in than anyone out. The feeling of helplessness over this power, the connection to Blaze, is unparalleled by anything I’ve ever experienced in my life. It’s not merely the sexual pull, my body physically calling out to him, but the emotional need to be in his space, his scent still lingering in my nose. There’s no control over my own body, the yearning inside me feral, like I’m some wild animal without any free will of my own.
I desperately need a distraction, something to keep my mind off this man… my fated mate.
I still can’t believe this is happening.
There’s still no word from Virginia or my mother, but they must be getting close to Silver Glade territory by now. But if Virginia is still in the car, I can’t tell her about this discreetly without my mother hearing about it. I’m crawling out of my skin, and I need to do something, but if I step foot out the door, I’m going to head right back into Blaze’s space, and I’m sure this time, neither one of us will be able to resist. I won’t be able to help myself. At the same time, if I stay, I’m going to tear the wallpaper off the walls.
Will it be so bad if we consummate our mating right now, like this?
As if in tune with my internal agony, my phone chimes from where it’s charging on the writing desk. I hurry to answer it as a knock echoes from across the sitting room.
Oh, gods, please don’t let it be Blaze. I have no willpower left to fight now. Simultaneously, I hope it is him. I’m ready to succumb to him fully.
The text is from Virginia, announcing her arrival home, and I exhale as I call out, “Who is it?”
“It’s Lillian. I came to see if you need anything, Luna.”
Cautiously, I amble toward the door to let the assistant inside, my lips pursing. Did Blaze send her, or is she just being a good assistant?
Throwing open the door, I look at the shy-looking staff member. Can she sense our bond yet? There’s no doubt everyone will be able to the minute they see us together. I can feel it pulsating within me.
“I don’t need anything. Was any of the staff harmed during the attack?”
