Chapter 9: Lance

Between the murderous thoughts running through my head, thinking how dare these mutts threaten my mate, and the nauseating indignation as to how she could think I couldn't protect her myself, deep down, I knew what Chiara was doing.

Still, when the shifters moved closer to our position, I couldn't stop the snarl that ripped from my throat. My wolf pushed against the confines of my body, begging to be let out and lay havoc. Elongated canines dug deep into my lips, and claws slipped from my fingertips.

Depending on the Alpha, the effect of his dominance could vary. Adrian's dominance was a toe-curling chill that sunk deep into a person's bones. It was designed to instill fear, immobilize, and bend others to his will. Fitting for someone of his designation.

As for mine?

I didn't need the theatrics. Out in the woods, where I had no one to rule, and everyone else was my enemy, it was better to keep things straight to the point.

The shifters gasped and fell to the ground like puppets with their strings cut. They didn't even have the chance to react to their Madam's appearance before all fell unconscious.

It was a useful trick, especially when I was cornered. Being inebriated lessens the effect, however.

My mate stared at the scene, slack-jawed and wide-eyed. Somehow, her utter surprise sent a thrill down my spine. My wolf felt smug as he finally settled within me, snout raised in pride and tail swishing. I couldn't blame him, though. Who knew it would feel this good to show off to your mate?

Slowly, I walked in front of my mate and blocked her view of the unconscious shifters. Then, carefully, I hooked my thumb on her chin and shut her open mouth.

Chiara frowned up at me. "That was unnecessary."

I smirked at her, shrugging. "I think the right words would be 'thank you, oh knight in shining fur.'"

"I had it," she insisted. "They wouldn't lay a finger on me. Adrian would've skinned them alive if they did."

I pursed my lips, the thrill of winning vanishing into thin air. It sucked that she would've been safe not because of me but because of another wolf. Worse, it was because of the same man that had hurt her.

My eyes roamed her body, searching for any new wounds. She was wearing a long-sleeved dress today, and her arms were hidden. I had no way of knowing if her injuries from last night had already been taken care of. Weeeell, I could probably just grab her and inspect it. Why not, right? Except I was still trying to lay low, which meant keeping things professional.

And professional bodyguards didn't go around acting feral over simple welts.

Fuck my life. No. Fuck Adrian, specifically.

"It's done. They're dead to the world, at least for a few hours," I finally replied as I gestured at the unconscious mutts. "Besides, I am THE bodyguard. I'm supposed to be the one protecting you."

Chiara's frown deepened, and her eyes slid back to my lips. I raised my hand to touch it, feeling tender skin and blood.

Did it bother her just as much as her wounds worried me?

I was about to ask her that question, but she suddenly turned around and started walking away.

"I need to go. I have a lot to do," she said, her voice clipped. Then, she looked back at me with a sly look. "As my bodyguard, you need to stick with me."

Glancing discreetly at Connor, I saw him maintaining his distance from us and trying to look busy. I guess I could appreciate the gesture, although he wasn't being good about it. Even from afar, I could see how much he was straining to hear what we were saying.

The poor pup, I snickered. I should make his job a bit more... exciting.

My mate was already at the entrance of the hedge maze. I watched her disappear among the towering bushes, and then I called out to my babysitter.

"Hey, Connor!"

The pup jolted and immediately jogged towards me. "Are you and the Madam done? I still need to brief you with —"

I grabbed his cheeks with one hand and squeezed, shutting him up. "The Madam is... acting up," I said, imitating how he described her earlier. "Need to follow her."

Connor looked at the hedge maze. He would've frowned if his face wasn't being mushed up by me.

"Wut we weally weeed wo winish we wour..."

"What?"

"We wour. Wiwish wit!"

"Whaaat?"

Growling, Connor finally slapped my hand away. My eyes twinkled at his annoyed expression. Who would have thought the pup had it in him? "Pretty ballsy," I said.

"We really need to finish the tour ASAP so I can brief you afterward," Connor said, glaring at me.

"I need to follow the Madam," I repeated.

"And I need to follow you," he sighed, exasperated.

"Of course."

Connor and I walked together inside the hedge maze. No one could accuse me of being suspicious since I had the Pack Alpha's first cousin with me. The fun part? Losing the puppy in the maze didn't even take me that long.

I finally found my mate a few minutes later at a small clearing near the edge of the maze. The space was bracketed with tall hedges, and there was only one small marble bench, mostly hidden by rose bushes. My mate sat there, waiting while toying with one of the roses. I sat quietly next to her.

My wolf was on cloud nine. The roses around us only amplified my mate's natural scent. Her pheromones were everywhere. I felt like being smothered with it, overstimulating, but I was addicted.

Would it be a sin to yearn for her? To reach out and touch her?

Your mate was already married, the voice in my mind whispered.

All at once, reality crashed on me, and I was back in the present with the Pack Alpha's wife sitting next to me while we hid in the corner of a fucking hedge maze. Her wolf wasn't even responding to mine.

Things should not have to be this way.

"It's a mistake," Chiara said. Her voice was soft, its sound caressing my ears. "Picking up fights will only bring you further in the spotlight. Attention from anyone, especially the Pack Alpha, is dangerous."

"What do you want me to do, then?" I asked. I tried to match her tone and kept my voice even and devoid of any emotions. "Hide? Is that what you do?"

My mate sighed. "I know it goes against an Alpha's instinct to submit, but it's necessary."

I looked at her, then. Really looked at her. Her appearance was almost perfect, but I couldn't help but notice the strategic use of her make-up. They were mostly placed around her neck, her chin, and jaw. What else was she hiding underneath the veneer of the obedient Pack Alpha's wife?

"Adrian can go fuck himself for all I care," I snapped.

Somehow, the slight smirk that graced her face felt like a small win for me.

"Connor might hear us," she said, quieter.

"I lost the pup pretty easily. Don't worry about him."

My mate leaned back, face upturned towards the morning sun. "Connor is sort of... the pack's errand boy. He's several years younger than the Pack Alpha and mostly gets jobs no one wants. He's decent, all things considered, but loyal to Adrian."

So, someone I shouldn't be too worried about but still need to be careful around with. Noted. "Why are we talking about another guy right now?"

My mate's smirk widened. The sly look in her eyes came back, and she looked at me from beneath her soft lashes. "Who do you think should we talk about?"

I leaned closer to her, close enough that I could easily touch her but still far enough that she could move away if she wanted. "I don't know. Maybe the guy right next to you."

"Who's this guy? I'm afraid I don't know him."

"Nooo," I pouted. "Have you forgotten my name already?"

"Perhaps you're just that forgettable."

I reached out and tilted her chin towards me, our breaths mixing with how close we were. "How can I make you remember me?"

She smiled, her lips ghosting above mine. "Tell me what Adrian needs from you."

"Tell me your name first."

"But you already know me."

"Well, I want to meet you properly."

We stared at each other, a silent challenge coursing between us. My mate looked equal parts annoyed and appalled. Closing her eyes, she shook her head and finally, FINALLY, relented.

"Chiara Galway," she said, sighing.

I grinned at Chiara, heart soaring just at the sound of her name. I grasped her hand gently. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Chiara. Let's drop the last name, though."

I placed a chaste kiss on her knuckles. Her skin was supple against my skin. I almost fucking came undone just at the simple contact. My tongue chaste the sweet taste of her on my lips, and when I looked up at Chiara's face, her cheeks were flushed. A blushing red, the same color as the roses around us.

My wolf yipped inside me, chanting one of my deepest desires in my head.

Go for the kiss.

Go for the kiss.

Just go for it.

I tightened my grip on Chiara's hand and pulled her toward me. She yelped and braced her other arm on my shoulder. The movement brought us even closer, our foreheads touching now.

Do it.

Do it.

Do it.

My eyes honed on her lips, slightly parted and pinkish. They looked soft and pillowy. They looked so fucking good to ravish.

I canted my head, tongue darting out to eagerly devour her. If she could feel my devotion, her wolf would finally recognize me. I knew it. I just had... to... kiss her...

Panting, heart galloping, I almost did kiss her. The operative word being "almost."

"There you are!"

Connor's voice broke the fragile bubble surrounding Chiara and me, and we both jerked away from each other like two fucking kids caught red-handed stealing from the cookie jar. The infuriating pup approached us with his usual preppy energy, completely oblivious to the scene he just crashed into.

Completely oblivious that he just fucking cock-blocked me.

I looked up at the early morning sky, praying to whoever was listening to give me enough patience not to choke the damned puppy.