-Hunter-
When I woke up the next morning, the terrible migraine had faded, but waking up on the floor was far from pleasant. My entire body protested from lying on the hard surface. I reached out, grasped the edge of my desk, and pulled myself up.
My cane still rested against the desk as I sat down in my chair, groaning deeply and rubbing my tired eyes. How much time has passed? I wondered, turning to look at the clock perched over the fireplace behind me.
Goddess, I have been out all night.
It seemed to take longer and longer for me to recover, but I wasn’t surprised. I had been warned, and I knew what was coming. I sighed, leaning my head in my hand as I stared out the window. The sun had risen, signaling the start of a new day. I closed my eyes, savoring the quiet, but then I heard someone running past my office.
She wouldn’t be so foolish, would she? I asked myself, already knowing the answer. I sighed as I grabbed my cane and helped myself up, taking my time to walk over to the door and step outside. I couldn’t see her, but she was likely already on the ground floor, given how fast she was moving. I wasn’t in a hurry, though. Where could she go?
I took my time descending the many stairs, but before I reached the last set, I heard voices. A cruel smile spread across my lips. I recognized that voice.
Elijah.
He had arrived. I quietly stepped out of the hallway where I had been hiding and walked around the balcony that overlooked the grand entrance hall until I stood at the top of the stairs. There, I saw a delightful sight: Angela in Elijah’s arms, clearly unable to resist her. It was perfect. Better than perfect, because I could see the desire in his eyes. He didn’t just find her breathtaking—he wanted her.
“I see you two have met,” I said, making them both look at me. “Let me introduce you: Angela, meet Elijah. Elijah, meet Angela… my mate.”
Elijah stared at me, looking confused, before turning to Angela and quickly releasing her as I descended the stairs. I understood his confusion, but I would explain everything once we were alone. I grabbed her arm before Angela had a chance to run, looking down at her as she shot me a hard glare.
“Isn’t she something?” I inquired, gazing at her.
Angela really was something else. She made it incredibly hard for me to stay in control and not just take her the way I wanted to.
“Come, Elijah, I need to talk to you,” I said, turning around and pulling Angela with me.
I had no doubt Elijah would follow. He needed an explanation, and I would gladly provide one once
As we walked up the stairs, I leaned down to Angela’s ear. “I suggest you don’t run again, unless you want my handprint on your bare arse.”
She looked up at me, appearing shocked, as I pulled back, but I just smiled at her. She tried to pull away, but she wasn’t going anywhere. It was amusing to watch her struggle.
“What exactly is going on?” I heard Elijah ask behind us.
I glanced over my shoulder, smiling at him as he followed closely behind.
“I’ll explain everything soon enough. I just need to bring this one back to my room,” I told him.
Angela hissed and pulled back again, looking at Elijah, likely hoping for his help.
“He has k!dnapped me!” she exclaimed.
Oh, she was good. Her voice was high-pitched and pleading, but we both knew she had come with me willingly—or sort of. She was the favor the king owed me. Semi-willingly, but how would anyone know that if she claimed I had k!dnapped her?
I stopped, and so did Elijah. He and Angela exchanged glances, and I looked between them. I knew Elijah wouldn’t come to her rescue. He might play the good guy, but I knew who he really was. When he merely looked at me and arched an eyebrow, I knew I had been right.
“K!dnapped?” he inquired.
I shrugged. “Something like that,” I joked.
He shook his head, crossing his arms and sighing. “What have I walked into?”
“Trust me, everything will make sense soon enough,” I assured him.
He didn’t reply, but I heard him follow as I ascended the last set of stairs. I walked into my room, pulling Angela inside and positioning her away from the door so we were facing each other.
“Now, be a good little mate and stay here until I come back,” I said.
She bared her small canines and hissed at me, clearly displeased with my tone. I reached up and stroked her cheek with my thumb. She looked surprised by my touch, then back at me.
“Save the fire, love. You’ll need it later.”
She quickly backed away, not liking the double meaning in my words. It only made my smile grow wider. I turned around and walked over to my friend in the doorway, who was watching me and shaking his head.
I stepped outside and closed the door behind me, catching a glimpse of Angela running towards me, hoping to reach the door in time. She didn’t make it, and I heard her slam her hands against it before screaming at me to let her out as I locked the door.
“Should I be worried?” Elijah inquired.
I shook my head and walked a little further down the hallway, opening another door and nodding towards it. He didn’t seem thrilled but walked inside with his things and came back out again, closing the door behind him.
I turned to the stairs, walking down to the next floor and over to my office. Elijah followed me inside. I sat behind my desk and sighed, feeling even more exhausted than yesterday. Elijah stood on the other side, arms crossed again.
“Okay, start talking,” he said.
“And I’m glad to see you too, Lahje,” I joked.
“Not the time,” he replied, shaking his head. “Did you really k!dnap her?”
I leaned back in my seat with a smile. “Feeling a little protective?”
“Hunt!”
That only made me laugh. “I knew you would like her,” I said.
“What is going on?”
“Okay,” I said, holding up a hand. “The truth. You remember the king owing me a favor, right?”
He nodded.
“Well, that little female is my favor.”
“What? The king gave her to you?”
“Well… yes,” I said, folding my hands on my desk.
“Who is she?” he asked.
“Angela Adler. Chris’s younger sister. She’s been missing for almost a year. Her psycho father apparently k!dnapped her, and she somehow found her way back. I just met her yesterday.”
“Sh*t,” Elijah whispered, running a hand through his hair.
“Yes, it’s been quite the adventure.”
“And now she’s here… as your prisoner or mate?” he inquired.
I laughed at his words, even though he was dead serious. It was clear I had been right when I said he was feeling a bit protective of her.
“Mate. I was on the lookout for one, remember? I just… didn’t think I’d find my real mate, but f*ck, I’m glad I did. She’s stunning, huh?”
He didn’t respond, clearly fearing he might be treading on dangerous ground.
“So, you found her. Now what?” he inquired.
“Now I claim her, make her mine, and get her heat started so we can start making some pups,” I said.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, his body tense, as if he were ready to fight me over her. This was more than perfect.
“But I expect you to do the same,” I added.
“Sorry… what?” he inquired, clearly shocked.
I smiled, finding his surprise amusing. He obviously thought I would keep her all to myself.
“Elijah, I want you to claim her too.”