Chapter 31 PREPARING TO OBEY SUMMONS
My throat constricts and I release the photo letting it fall easily onto the desk. He is there the entire time, just watching me. The thoughts of him being so close to me sends unwelcome shivers up my spine."What do I do?" I ask shakily.
Samuel goes round the desk and grasps my shoulders. "We don't do anything. I'll handle it."
"Handle it? Handle it how?"
"Let me worry about that. The less you know the better," he says, hoping to ward me off the subject.
"You said you wouldn't keep things from me and I'd like to know."
He just stares back at me, unmoving and silent.
I place my arms on his and walk into them leaving our faces only inches apart. "What are you going to do?
Please tell me it's not killing Noah.
That will only make things worse. Grog will revenge.
He remains unmoved as he speaks. "But this is only the start of my revenge. He threatened you and killed my parents. He has it coming to him."
I run my hands through my blonde lengths, letting out a sigh of frustration. He is acting out in anger from the threat. He isn't thinking straight. He is letting whatever he is feeling for me cloud his judgment.
I gently place my hands on his face and bring our heads together. Living with my parents for all of my life I have learned a few things about mates. Calming my dad down was something that I witnessed my mom do multiple times over the years and it shouldn't be hard to mimic it. It always seemed to work for her. Though, they were true mates. I am not sure if that makes a difference or not, but I know I have to try.
"Find another way," I say gently stroking his face. "You're acting in the heat of the moment. Don't make it worse by doing something you may regret later. The last thing we need to do is act prematurely in this situation. We'll figure this out together. And if it makes you feel any better I won't leave today. I'll stay here."
He does little to mask his surprise at my words. "You won't?"
"No. Not after a threat like that. He could just be waiting on me. Besides I don't think your wolf could handle it."
Nor can I. A familiar voice says.
I freeze. My wolf. I can feel her again. She is coming back.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Samuel questions worriedly. His eyes roam over my face looking for any sign of what could be wrong.
I shake my head and smile. "No. It's not- It's nothing. I just- I think I heard my wolf."
I had felt her another time before, but this time she has spoken to me so clearly. It has been weeks since I heard anything from her.
Samuel looks surprised then pleased. "You think she's back?"
I can't even begin to explain how happy I am."I don't know, maybe." I throw my arms around him and grin before placing a kiss on his lips. "Thank you."
He chuckles, his eyes slowly turning back to it familiar color. "For what?"
"Everything. It's because of you that she's coming back. I couldn't have done it alone."
His hands travel through my hair and he smiles back at me. "You have more strength than you think you do. Give yourself more credit. You're the one who didn't give up on yourself."
Hmm. I hadn't ever thought of it like that. I guess he is right in a way. He still helps me though. I may have come out of my depression, but he is the one who brought me out. Since then I've just been taking it a day at a time.
"She likes you, you know. My wolf. She's grateful. I could feel it in her words and presence however brief."
"She's not alone. My wolf likes her too. He likes all of you."
I blush. I can tell.
"Every day he pushes me to mate you. That's why I have to leave so early this morning. I can't bear to be in the room when you got ready. I'm not sure I can control myself. It gets harder every day. He's had a taste of you and now he wants more. I've thought about leaving you for a while to give us some space, but I know it would only make it worse."
My heart clenches. He'd leave me? His confession sends a pain through me. I have experienced worse, but the panic is unsettling. I don't want him to leave me. It is the bond that is making him this way. It is driving us both crazy. Him more than me though. He has his wolf back. I don't.
"What should we do?"
I know that is a dumb question. I know what we need to do; I just hope that he could offer up a better alternative. I still want to know him better before taking that next step in our relationship. I don't want to give that up to him just yet.
"I've actually been thinking about that," he admits. "I know you're still not ready to do what in expected of us so I've came up with an idea."
"What?" I am all too eager to hear.
"I don't know if it will work or not, but we could try it."
I nod. "Sure. Anything."
"Well, it's my wolf who wants more. He wants a better claim on you. He feels like you might try reject us like Josephine did and he can't have that. Mating you is the only thing that will ensure that."
I sigh. Are we back to that again? "I'm not going anywhere. I've told you this."
"I know," he explains. "My wolf isn't as trusting though. I'm sure you can understand why."
I do actually. Josephine did irreparable damage and that's enough to mess up anyone. I would know firsthand. I have seen it in Samuel and myself. No one comes out of a rejection completely unscathed.
"So what do you suggest?"
He lifts his index finger to my neck and traces the claim he had placed on me and causes my whole body to shiver.
"Another marking."
It is hard to focus on anything when he is touching the mark so he pulls his hand away. I don't like the emptiness I feel at that, but I try to ignore it the best that I can.
"So you'll just bite me again. But won't that send my emotions into overdrive again?" I ask.
"It shouldn't. Your body should have fully adjusted to change by now. You're familiar with it. It'll just make my claim on you a little stronger. Though there's just one possible downside to it."
I tense. Of course. There is always something bad that comes with the good.
"What?"
"It may cause us to be more- well... more hormonal. It could increase the want between us that came with the marking the first time and have then opposite effect. There is no way to be certain. We'll just have to see. But on a positive note, it could calm our wolves. Or more specifically mine. It might give us more time."
"I don't know. It all just seems a little risky." I say.
He nods in understanding and gently grabs my shoulders. "It's your choice, but just remember everyday is a risk for us. We never know what will happen. The bond can be unpredictable."
"Okay. I'll think about it," I agree. "Can I go find Doreen now?"
"Yeah, but don't be out past dark. It's not safe with Grog on the loose. You and Doreen can hang out inside."
I agree with him, not putting up any argument because he is right. He is just trying to protect me and he knows what is best for me. I have to learn to choose my battles and this isn't one. I won't lie, that picture Grog sent still has me freaking out inside. Samuel is reacting rationally here.
I joined Dylan, Kyle and Doreen on the pack grounds near the holding cells. I am not sure if they have told her that Noah was inside so I don't bring it up. Perhaps the less she knows about him the better. I am happy to see my new friends keeping her company. They seem to get along well despite her still not being her usual self. I'm sure they will still like her when she returns to her more natural state too.
When dusk begins to settle in we make it back to the house and join the pack for dinner. I take my usual seat next to Samuel on the end and Doreen on my opposite side. She and Dylan automatically dive into a conversation.
"I think, Dylan is taken with Doreen," Samuel teases, watching them laugh as they talk. Well, Dylan laughs, Doreen just smiles and giggles a little bit. She has not completely let go of what happened to her yet, and I don't know if she ever will.
"Yeah. They seem to have a lot in common." After all he is her opposite sex personality twin. They are both completely the same in how they view having a good time without any risk. It is a surprise they are not mates. Maybe she will end up finding hers here.
"Luka is returning tomorrow night. We'll leave for your former pack as soon he's back. I've arranged for our best fighters to come with us along with my third in command Dominic."
"Great," I mumble under my breath before placing a piece of chicken in my mouth.
He quickly notices my poorly hidden sarcasm and frowns. "What?"
"Nothing," I lie.
He crosses his arms over my chest, deepening his frown. "I detect a problem. Tell me."
I sigh and drop my fork taking a look around the table where Dominic sits midway down. I turn my attention back to Samuel. I don't want to have this conversation here. "Later. Okay? I promise."
He studies me for a moment before forcing himself to nod his head and drops the subject. Thankfully the rest of the dinner goes by pleasantly, and soon we find ourselves inside our room while Dylan escorts Doreen to hers. He is certainly being extremely hospitable this evening and It doesn't go unnoticed.
"Care to tell me what's up?" he asks once we are both ready for bed.
I crawl into bed placing the red sheets over my legs and plug up my phone to charge. "What do you mean?"
"Earlier at dinner. You're not happy with who I've chosen to take with us tomorrow?"
Oh.
"No," I clarify. "I think you chose well. Taking the best fighters is the way I would have gone."
"But?" He urges me to go on.
I suppose I'd have to get this out sooner or later. I had just hoped I could avoid it."It's just..."
He stands in front of me in a pair of loose comfortable looking shorts and a t-shirt with his arms crossed waiting expectantly. "Yes..."
"I don't think Dominic likes me very much," I confess. "He just seems so...I don't know....aloof."
I silently hope Samuel won't be offended by what I think about his third in command.
An unexpected smile spreads across his face and he chuckles. "Aloof?"
I frown. Did he find me amusing? He's the one who wanted to know.
"Yes," I confirms. "He's always so serious, distant and standoffish. I just feel like he doesn't like me very much."
"He doesn't know you."
"So. That's not a reason. I don't know him either, but I still remain polite."
"He's never been rude to you," he argues finally getting into bed next to me.
It is shocking at how comfortable I am becoming sharing the same bed with him. I suppose that is also because of the growing bond.
"How about I try to fix your differences?" he asks.
I raise an eyebrow at him. "Not that I think that's possible, but how?"
"You'll just have to spend some time together and get to know each other."
Somehow I doubt Dominic would be too keen on that idea. Maybe if he thought it was an assignment for Samuel he'd agree. For someone who seems to be all business that seems logical.
"I don't know." My apprehension is palpable.
"I'll arrange it. Just give it a chance, at least for me. If it doesn't work then I promise I'll butt out and let you handle it however you'd like. Just try. He's my third in command and you're my mate. Okay?"
His emerald green eyes bore into mine, silently persuading me with his impossibly good looks and our growing bond. It isn't fair. I want to give into him so easily. With the gentle trace of his finger tip up my arm I crumble before him just like I knew I would.
"Alright, fine. You can arrange it. I'll spend some time with Dominic. Just don't be disappointed if it doesn't go as well as you hope."
"Good." He smiles at me and reaches over my body as he turns the lamp off next to us. Planting a soft gentle kiss on my lips then follows it by one on my nose. I scrunch it up at him. "I knew you'd eventually see it my way. Good night, baby. I'll see you in the morning."
I feel his arms around my waist pulling my body to him and my mouth falls open. He knows all along he can persuade me to do what he wants. He just plays me like a fiddle. How can I have be so blind to his tactics? I swear, if he isn't so good looking and I am not so drawn to him I'd be a little more upset right now. Lucky for him he has that advantage.
I yawn and close my eyes, resting my back against his heaving chest and let his breathing be my lullaby to get to sleep. As the sparks between us continue I drift off into a peaceful and dreamless sleep for the first time in nearly a month.