BEAUTY & THE BRUTE

Four

"How do people react when they meet their mates?"

"Isn't it obvious boss? They cling on to them and never let them go. Remember last month when Saul met Faith? They didn't want to be apart for more than two seconds. It's disgusting but I also can't wait to meet mine and experience the pull. I imagine I'd want to screw them every hour of the day"

"Is everyone like that?"

"I think so" Shaw said narrowing his eyes "Why?"

"I was curious" more like perplexed. Why hadn't he felt that way? He'd stayed with her all night and aside from liking the way she smelled -minus the blood- he didn't feel anything else. There was no doubt Beverly was his mate. So why didn't he feel the pull? Why had she killed those two men? Who were they? There were rumors circulating around about how crazy she was. Had the goddess thought they would be a perfect match? In his eyes, her looks were average. Judging by how sleek her hair was and how well manicured her nails were, he was sure she'd never lifted a finger to do anything in her life. Aside from killing, of course. There was no way she was fit to be Hell Manes Luna. The right thing to do would have been to reject her but every time he opened his mouth to say the words, they wouldn't come out. Which was even stranger than his reaction.

"You have a weird look on your face boss. Is there a problem?"

"Shaw"

"Yes boss"

"Do you have nothing to do?"

"Keeping you company is also my job, boss" he answered, grinning

"Is it?" Roman asked glaring at him.

"I will see if there's any news from the control room" he'd only taken two steps when Roman called him back "Yes boss?"

"Did I ask you to leave?" He had spotted Adelina coming their way and was in no mood to entertain her. She expected him to go straight to her after he'd returned but his mind had been on Anson. So much so that he didn't think his d**k would respond to her even if he shoved it down her throat "Where are we on our next target?"

"We just start..."

"Make something up. The longer the report the better" he told him through the link. Luckily, Shaw didn't need any explanation

"My guess is that he's two stars. The only problem is that he gets rids of the bad guys the way we do so I'm kind of conflicted about him. Oh hey, Adelina, give me an hour and I'll be done with my report" he said without missing a beat.

"All you do is work. Don't you have some b***h to screw? Parella is single and horny these days"

"Thank you. I will talk to her after I'm done with the boss"

"Adelina" Roman said, his voice sharper than he'd intended it to be.

"Fine. Come find me when you're done" she huffed, stomping away. They waited until she was completely gone then turned to each other. Roman realized his mistake. He shouldn't have asked Shaw to lie because now the motherfucker was wanting to know the reason. And he wouldn't stop until he found out.

"Boss man..."

"Shut it"

"I'm surprised you're being so considerate of her feelings. It's not like you, boss"

"You're right" why hadn't he told her directly that he was bored with her? They weren't mates and he hadn't promised her anything. She knew what she was getting herself into. Knew how he was when he was tired of a lover. Why was he treating her differently? "Have I lost my mind?" He murmured to himself

"Maybe you, I don't know, developed feelings for her?"

"What feelings? Do you think she's fit to be the Luna?"

"Oh hell naw. Don't even think about it, boss"

But compared to Anson, Adelina was more qualified. At least she was a member of Hell Manes and knew how they did things around there. No matter how hard he thought about it, he just couldn't see a future with her. They would both be better off without each other. Yet the thought of her belonging to someone else didn't sit well with him. He didn't want her but he also didn't want anyone else to have her. All throughout the day, his thoughts remained on her. Bombarding him to the point where he up and went in search of her. Blue Moon pack was two hours away by car but if he shifted, he could get there in an hour. However, that would mean approaching her smelling all sweaty and dirty. She'd probably think he missed her and couldn't wait to see her. Definitely not the message he wanted to send. So he got in his car and drove there.

Of course, Shaw followed him in the name of protecting him. Nigel was a fussy b***h who wouldn't let him out of the pack without protection so Roman suspected he was the one who sent them. Instead of sending them back, he let them be. Acknowledging that their presence didn't bother him. Now that he was on his way to see her, anticipation made him edgy. How would she react when she saw him? What excuse could he give for looking for her? Did he even need one? She was his mate. There were rules about mates and the first one was that no Alpha could prohibit someone from looking for their mate. Unmated males or females could ask for permission to enter a territory and see if their mate resided there. Those who found them were allowed to come and go as they pleased.

Should anyone try something illegal or underhanded, pack members were allowed to kill them on the spot. While he wasn't afraid of barging into Blue Moon, he wondered what Alpha Anson was like. He'd met the man on numerous occasions but had never bothered to strike a conversation with him since they had nothing in common. He had only one daughter which meant, he expected her and her future mate to take over Blue Moon. He had no problem merging his pack with another one. What he wouldn't do was abandon Hell Manes for Blue Moon. He'd spent most of his life claiming his territory and turning the pack into what it was today. It could be seen as his life's work. His legacy.

"State your name and purpose of visiting" the guard at the entrance said. Roman thought of making up something like meeting Alpha Anson for business but discarded that idea.

"Roman Vance. I'm here to meet my mate"

"Her name?"

"Miss Anson" the guard froze, his eyes going wide with shock "Does she not exist? Was she a figment of my imagination?" He asked sarcastically

"No" the man snapped out of it "I'll have someone notify her of your arrival" even as the man was speaking, Roman noticed that another one had already left. Why go through the trouble when they could just mind link her? Although, with her reputation, he didn't believe anyone would want her inside their heads. Whatever had she done to herself that reputation anyway?

"Open the gate" he ordered, his voice full of authority. There was no hesitation from the guard this time. After parking his car, he strolled towards the pack house, appreciating the layout. It was like a medieval castle minus the drawbridge. Only one road led to the house. Should anyone try to sneak up on them, they would need an inside man to tell them where the weak spots were. Otherwise, it was a suicide mission. But come to think of it, he'd never heard of other packs attacking Blue Moon. It wasn't the largest, and now that he was inside, he could tell their security was lax but not once did he hear anyone coveting their land. Was there a reason or did people just like them?

"...Roman Vance"

"I don't think I've ever met him. Why is he here?"

"Now, now, darling. I can't believe you already forgot about me" Roman said, coming into view. Had she gotten prettier?

"Who let him in without my permission?"

"I would need permission to enter if I was here for other business but if I came to see my mate, believe me, no one would dare stop me" she changed. Everything about her changed. Suddenly, she was glaring at him, the murderous look in her eyes unmistakable. From his peripheral vision, he noticed the guard take a few steps back and the people passing by increase their speed. Her claws had started coming out when another woman struck her on the side of her neck. Her knees buckled and Roman had to remind himself to stay where he was instead of rushing forward to catch her.

"Don't piss her off if you don't intend on taking the responsibility for the aftermath"

"Excuse me?"

"Help me carry her inside" Roman couldn't believe the woman was ordering him or that no other soul was around. They'd all left. Disappeared. Why? "Hurry up" he moved forward, lifted her into his arms and followed the other woman inside "My name is Gail. Her assistant. Whatever happens, don't ever try to rile her up again"

"Woman, what gives you the right to tell me what to do? And as her assistant, how dare you lay a hand on her?"

"I don't care who you are or what your relationship with her is" she stopped and turned around to look at him "Unless you're tired of living and want an easy way out, never provoke her"

"Is this pack run by women?" He asked then raised his voice an octave "Where are the men?"

"Place her on the couch"

Because he was done taking orders from an assistant, he sat down with Beverly still in arms. The assistant shrugged and left. A few minutes later, she came back carrying a small bag which she placed on the table. Then she left and this time brought a tray with different glasses perched on top. One had water the other freshly squeezed juice, wine, whiskey, scotch and two other liquids he couldn't identify. She placed them on the table and stood in front him. Waiting for what? He didn't know. Roman glared at her but she didn't seem fazed so eventually he settled on ignoring her. Ten minutes later, the woman in his arms stirred. She nuzzled her nose in his neck, took a deep breath then slowly opened her eyes. He knew the moment she remembered who he was and what had happened. Because she scrambled out of his arms. He secretly mourned the loss of her weight. She'd felt so right being there.

"Gail"

"Yes ma'am. What would you like? Do you have a headache?" She asked handing Beverly a glass. As if she was sure that was what she would ask for. Without questions, Beverly threw her head back and downed the liquid.

"Get me another one" instead of complying, she handed her the glass of juice

"You can't get drunk in front of him"

"Why is he still here? I'm in no mood to see him"

"I wasn't expecting a welcome party but the least you can do..."

"Is nothing. I'm not obligated to do anything. If you're done with your visit, please leave" to his astonishment, she sat down and the secretary opened the bag she'd brought earlier. Out came a hair brush and make-up. She got to work, fixing everything that was out of place. Roman watched them, wondering what was happening. Was she planning on going out? Or... f**k. It came to him then. She was a neat freak "You have five minutes to leave or I'll have the enforcers drag you out. By the hair" she added, making him smile. He was about to tell her what would happen to anyone who laid their hands on him but someone interrupted them.

"Vance, I heard you were here. To what do we owe the surprise?"

He noticed that Miss perfect had gone pale and she sat so straight he worried her spine might snap. Her assistant cleared the table and scurried away.

"I came to see your daughter"

"I see"

"We're just friends" she rushed to say, her eyes on him. It was a message. For him to keep his mouth and go along with her story. And he would have done that. If she had been nice and not tried to kick him out "I didn't know you knew each other"

"She's my mate and I'm here to take her with me"

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