Page 56 of Her Bossy Wolf Protector

Feeling overwhelmed, I decide to take a stroll, hoping the fresh air will clear my head. Instead, my feet carry me to Gabriel’s office.

Chapter 21

Gabriel

I’m deep in conversation with Seraphina when the news hits—another attack. Nymphs hit a shopping center close by, and it’s as if a shiver ripples through the room. Seraphina’s voice tightens, her worry evident. “Gabriel, things are getting worse out there. It’s getting harder to contain.”

My fingers hover over the screen, itching to mention Jade, but I swallow the words. I need more information and more assurance before dragging her into this supernatural mess. I have no idea what they will do if they discover that Jade could be the potential threat.

“Have you spoken to your colleague? Any progress?” I ask, hoping for a glimmer of clarity.

“Not yet. Everyone is trying to find out the truth behind this lore, Gabriel. We can’t keep incurring casualties of this multitude. We are covering way too many deaths. It looks suspicious.”

“I know, Seraphina; I will let you know as soon as I learn anything more,” I lie smoothly.

The call wraps up, and Mariya’s message flashes across my screen—Jade’s gone. Panic surges. The edge in my voice slices through her attempt to calm me down as soon as she picks up my call. “Why did you let her leave?”

“Gabriel, what did you want me to do? Tie her to a chair? Let me tell you, the more you think you can exert control over her, the more you will push her away.”

I groan, rubbing a hand over my jaw. “I know that, but this is all so fucking stu-”

Then, my assistant ushers someone in in a flurry of unexpected motion. My eyes snap up, and there’s Jade, walking in behind her. Relief and irritation clash within me, battling for dominance.

Before I can vent my exasperation, she dives into an explanation, her words tumbling out. “I know, I know. You’re upset because I left, but there’s something I need to show you.” Her eyes are wide, filled with urgency and a tinge of fear.

“Listen, Mariya, she just walked in. Let me call you later.” And I hang up the phone

I shake my head slightly, trying to steady my thoughts, but Jade has a way of disrupting all my plans.

“Fucking hell, Jade. Are you hell-bent on giving me a freaking heart attack?”

My assistant awkwardly looks at me and then at Jade, then excuses herself and walks out of the office.

“Stop yelling, and let me explain.”

I take a step towards her, “What is it?”

She turns her palm upwards. On it is my family crest: a grey wolf under a crescent moon. It is so light it is almost clear, like she got a tattoo done in white ink.

“What the hell?” I ask, tracing it with my thumb.

“It just appeared. I was making my way here when I noticed it. Do you know what this is?”

My eyes heat up. This is the mating bond taking effect. It usually takes somewhere between a week and a month to solidify, but I think the unique nature of me and Jade has somehow worked to speed up the process.

“It is my family crest.”

“The bond?” she asks.

“Yes.”

She gasps. “Are we bonded now?”

I lock eyes with hers, watching as her lower lip trembles, “Not yet. We need to complete the ritual for the bond to take effect.”

There is a mischievous, lustful look in her eyes that must match my own because breathily, she whispers, “How?”

“We fuck, and then we bleed.”

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