22: The Caveman Act

I’d hardly sat down when Luke burst back through the door of HQ. “Is Dr Bauer ready to go, Luke?”

“Yes, alpha. She has everything to start working on something to counteract the psychoactive components and even the cyanide, but she really needs the samples to fully get up and running.”

“Thanks, Luke.”

“Just doing my job, alpha,” he gave me a small smile. “I know it’s not my place… but I can smell him all over you.”

I sighed, closing my eyes. “If he’d had his way, it’d be stronger.”

“Wait, what?”

“He wanted me to mark him, Luke.”

“But you didn’t?”

“I said no. One problem at a time. I can’t start working out what to do about Nathaniel whilst we’re in the middle of orchestrating a hostile takeover and dealing with a biological threat.”

“I understand that, Effie. But what did he say?”

“He said he understands, but I know he’s hurt.”

“That explains the look he gave me. He thinks you rejected him because of me.”

I sighed. “I told him it was too soon and I needed to work out what I was going to do. The bond is undeniable, and starting to get unavoidable. It’s getting so strong, when he was trapped by Edward, I could feel the wolfsbane in his system.”

Luke winced. “You’ll have to make a decision soon, Effie. I know you want to wait, but the moon goddess will force your hand before then. There’s so much strength and power between the two of you that I’m surprised you’ve lasted this long. Matches amongst alphas are so much stronger and harder to avoid than any other.”

Annoyingly, Luke was right. But I wasn’t going to tell him that.

“Is there any hope for us, Effie?” He whispered, voice low.

The door burst open with a snarl before I could respond. “She’s mine.” Nathaniel. Of course. His wolf was at the surface, showing in his eyes. He was stalking towards us, hands in fists.

“Nathaniel, that’s enough.” When he didn’t stop, I threw more power behind the words. “Nathaniel! Stop.”

He stopped dead in his tracks, wolf slinking back and body relaxing.

“Nathaniel, regardless of what happens, Luke is my head of security. I cannot have pissing contests between you two all day everyday. Whatever happens, you two need to at least be civil.”

Luke’s head was bowed, “yes, alpha.”

I directed my attention to Nathaniel. “Well? The caveman act needs to stop, Nathaniel.”

“I’ll be civil,” he replied, voice low.

“Good. Luke, if you’re done, get some sleep. You’re meant to be at the club in six hours and I happen to know you’ve not had any sleep in the last two days.”

“Are you going to be okay, alpha?” He very pointedly looked over at Nathaniel, who snarled.

“Gentleman! We’re being civil. I’ll be fine, Luke. I’ll see you at the club this afternoon.”

He nodded, turning in his heel and leaving me alone with Nathaniel.

“I’m going to get some sleep too, Nathaniel. If you’re done briefing Lyla, you should do the same. You’re welcome to any of the empty suites down below.” I didn’t wait for him to respond, I just turned on my heel and left him stewing in his thoughts.

Of course that didn’t last long. I had only just got to the end of the corridor when I heard him running after me.

“Effie, don’t leave it like this.”

“Like what, Nathaniel? I told you I needed time, and that this isn’t goodbye.”

“I hate to think of Luke’s hands all over you.”

I sighed, apparently we were doing this now.

“Effie, I need you. I need you beside me. I can’t hide that anymore.”

“Fine, if we’re having this conversation now, we can at least have it in my quarters where everyone else won’t hear every word.”

Once we got through my door, I sank into the armchair, leaving him to pace.

“Tell me what you need, Effie. What do you need to choose me?”

“Time, Nathaniel. I need time. This doesn’t have anything to do with Luke.” I sighed. “Don’t forget, I’m not all wolf. It isn’t as cut and dry for me as it is for the rest of the pack. I don’t even know if anything will change with my succubus half if my wolf does take a mate. There are a lot of unknowns here, Nathaniel. That’s why I need time.”

He fell to his knees in front of me, head in his hands. Without even realising what was happening, my hands ended up running through his hair, nails teasing his scalp. “I don’t think the goddess wants me to wait that long,” he whispered.

“I know,” I replied, voice low. “She doesn’t want me to wait either.”

He looked up at me, brown eyes wide. “You feel it?”

“Of course I feel it, Nathaniel. I said I need time and not no, remember.”

He smiled. “I guess I haven’t lost after all.”

I returned his smile. “You haven’t lost, no. I know it’s hard, but I need answers to questions before we do anything more permanent.”

“Okay,” he replied, sounding slightly happier, relieved. “What do you need from me?”

“Just your company, Nathaniel. Stay the night. Well, day. I need to be at the club in about six hours, no rest for the wicked.”