ULYSSES
I couldn't believe how beautiful Jody looked in the clothes Iʼd picked out for her. The tension was palpable in her, but she put up a good front. Her gaze met mine and my wolf roared to take my mate and claim her. To make her mine and fill her with my seed.
Soon. Very soon.
I offered her my arm. For a moment, she stared at it, undecided. I scented the sweet fragrance of her desire. She wanted me. I loved knowing that.
Hesitation gone, she took my arm and allowed me to lead her to the dining table. I pulled her chair and waited for her to take a seat. I did the same for Aurora.
We were all in our destined places. Me at the head, Jody to my right, and Aurora to my left. It had been the same way with my parents.
My mom always sat to the right of my father. When I was a boy, I asked my dad why, and his answer told me even more than I realized about their marriage.
“Your mother is my right hand, son. I can live with getting my left hand cut off, but I use my right for everything. Sheʼs my lifeline. The one person I need to make me complete. Sheʼs my best friend and I couldnʼt imagine life without her. She will always sit to my right. As my partner. Your mate will one day, too.”
My wolf wanted her.
Jody. My mate.
She was the only woman who could save my life. I knew she needed time to get to know me, but my birthday was coming up. The date loomed over my head like a sick reminder of how quickly my time was running out.
“Tell me what you did to Ivan,” Jody said with a glare.
I should tell her the truth, but that would get me nowhere.
“It doesnʼt matter. Heʼs alive as long as you stay and do what I ask.”
Her glare turned deadly. The scent of her fury and watching the color ride her cheeks was sexy as hell.
“A baby. A freaking baby! How do you suppose we do that, huh?!” she snapped. “I donʼt sleep with men I donʼt know.”
A slow grin spread over my lips.
“So weʼll get to know each other very soon. And very well.”
“Lux!” Aurora chastised. “Look how uncomfortable you made her.”
There was no more time for talking about how delightfully beautiful Jody looked when angry. Iʼd been worried when she stared at my face earlier in my office and then in the glass room, but at least there hadn't been fear or disgust in her features.
Not that it would have made a difference.
I didnʼt particularly want to die, but I felt it was time to claim what was mine. Ivan Swinson had made the job easier for me. As long as she stayed, the millions owed to Ivan would be forgiven. The deaths of my parents would go on the back burner when it came to revenge.
Only if she stayed.
What Ivan Swinson didnʼt know was I had known from the beginning what he was doing. I simply gave him rope to hang himself.
I glanced at Aurora, her expression murderous.
“He is not embarrassing me. Heʼs the one intent on using me as some kind of breeding machine in exchange for whatever Ivan did.”
Aurora slipped a long blonde curl behind her ear.
“Ivan Swinson is not a very good man.”
“Oh I know,” Jody sighed, her shoulders slumping. “Heʼs not a good father, either.”
Aurora stopped and frowned at her.
“But yet youʼre willing to be here, do as Lux says to ensure he stays alive?”
I watched her fidget in her seat.
“Well I hate it. I hate this situation Iʼm in. But I donʼt want to be responsible for anyone's death.”
Aurora glared at me as if trying to get me to reassure Jody her lowlife father was safe from harm.
Not fucking likely.
“Whatʼs for dinner?” I demanded, the anger over the fact Ivan Swinson had mistreated the one woman I would give my life for spiking my fury.
Aurora rolled her eyes and Jody pressed her lips into a tight line. I couldnʼt wait to watch her wrap those full, sexy lips around my cock.
Fuck, she needed to stop fighting her desire for me.
Iʼd scented it enough times to know she wanted me. I wanted her willing and ready before we did anything. I wouldnʼt be blamed for forcing her.
Yes, I was keeping her in the castle under duress, but I would never gain her love by using force. Besides, she was free to go. I’d always bring her back, but she was free to go.
The doorbell rang at that moment and I raised my brows at Aurora.
“Itʼs Angela,” Aurora told Jody. “Sheʼs my best friend.”
Moments later, Angela waltzed into the dining room, a wide smile on her lips as she glanced at the three of us at the table.
“Iʼm so sorry Iʼm late” Her eyes narrowed when she stopped on Jody. “Hell-o?”
Rodney, the butler, pulled a chair for Angela next to Aurora, where the fourth place was set on the table.
Angela ignored Rodney and kissed Aurora on the cheek then rushed over to give me a kiss and a hug. Angela Adams had been a part of the family since Aurora had been a little girl, so I was used to her displays of affection.
“Itʼs nice to meet you,” Jody muttered, her eyes flashing angrily from me to Angela.
The wolf in me wanted to take my woman then and there. She was jealous. And I fucking loved it.
“Same here,” Angela replied with a smile as she sat in the chair Rodney was still holding out for her. “So, who are you?”
Jody Swinson smiled coldly at me.
“Who me? Iʼm about to be his baby mama.”