Ridian’s POV
“I heard there was commotion down there,” I said to Marlon when he entered my office that afternoon.
“No, it was nothing, just two women fighting because of petty issues. Apparently Cilla Markle was getting tea and Janine Bakers pushed her cup away or something. Cilla turned off the faucet and Janine slapped. They fought and Cilla Markle was pounding that skinny girl when I walked in. for a cat fight, it was quite impressive.”
“Cilla Markle, you say.”
“I wouldn’t have believed it if I had not seen with my two eyes. The girl looks very innocent but she can throw a punch.”
“Did you give any punishment?”
“No, didn’t think it was worth the time. I have more serious things to deal with like those Dahmers who have started hunting in our territory.”
“Good. It’s too trivial to waste time on.”
Hearing about Cilla’s bravery turned me on and I began to feel like seeing her. Clearly, her attitude was one of the things that kept pulling me to her. I remember feeling so turned on when I saw her standing up to my tough mother. She’d always turned me on but at that time it was too much that I couldn’t control myself. I had to have her, which was what I ended up doing.
Now I wanted her again. Sending her back to the slave quarters made it even harder to get to her. When I had done it, I had thought it would be good for both of us. I needed some distance from that woman. Making love to her had made me realize something. She could consume me. She was so damn amazing that I would turn into a spineless simp if I continued to be with her.
The last thing I needed was to be controlled by a woman. Most alphas who are controlled by their women become laughing stocks and I, Ridian Jamison, wasn’t about to turn into that because of some stupid mate bond put in place by a female who clearly wanted all men to go crazy.
“Did you get her off that woman?” I asked Marlon. i was curious.
He shook his head. “Another guy lifted her up. I heard they are friends. Judging by the way he looked at her, he wants more than just friendship.”
My fingers balled into fists under the table and my jaw clenched. Who the hell was this guy?
“What’s the name?”
“He’s called James, works in the rock salt mines. He’s only left with a few months here.”
“Okay,” I said, trying not to appear too interested. I needed to find out who this James person and make sure he stayed away from what belonged to me. I didn’t care that I had had her sent back there. It didn’t matter if we were not together. She was mine, and I was not about to let this James character touch what did not belong to him.
After a lengthy talk with Marlon about pressing security issues, he left my office. As soon as he was outside, I stood up and walked out. I went to the pack house, picked up a jacket and started walking to the mines. My curiosity to see James was too much. I had to know who was making moves on my mate, so that I could stop him before it went too far.
The rock salt mines were not very far from the pack. They were closer than the others. When I got there, everyone was busy working. The foreman had also joined in on the work. When he saw me, he put his tools down and came to meet me.
“Good afternoon, Ben.”
“Good afternoon, alpha Ridian. It’s good to see you out here.”
“I thought of having a tour around and getting to know some of your guys. I heard one was involved in a fight today.”
“Oh, you mean James. He did not fight. He only saved that girl from being beaten to death. My men are good and they try to follow the rules.”
“That’s good. Which one is James?”
“He’s the one carrying a bag of rock salt crystals to the track.”
He was younger and smaller than I had imagined. James was carrying a white bag on his shoulder and hurrying off to the truck. When he reached the truck, he dumped the bag there and turned then started walking back to the huge hole in the ground.
“He seems like a good one.”
“Definitely, he does not like violence of any kind.”
“Anyway, I want to see how deep this thing is.”
“Come, I’ll give you a proper tour.”
I had no interest in touring a small and boring salt mine, but I couldn’t just leave after asking so many questions about one particular person. I greeted the men and spoke to some of them. I did not get to speak to James because he was busy moving up and down.
After observing him enough, I decided he was a good guy. I was going to leave him alone for the meantime. He was not the type to rush things so I knew that Cilla would be safe with him. I didn’t have to delete him from the world yet. Had he been some hot, muscular jerk, I don’t think I would have had the same reaction.
Leaving the mines, I returned back home using a different route. When I got to the living room, I was shocked to find Sandy chatting with Brody. My brow rose. What could they be discussing?
Sandy was Kelly’s sister and the two of them were from Blackwater pack. I had had a number of threesomes with them so seeing her with my brother bothered me.
“Sandy, you didn’t inform me you were coming. Is it because you came to see Brody?”
Sandy chuckled and stood up. She hugged me. “Of course not. Why would I travel all the way to see him? I came to visit you.”
“You may not believe it but you came here at the right time.”
“Did I?” she asked.
“Get a room,” Brody muttered before he stood up.
“What’s his problem?” clueless sandy asked.
“Don’t know, don’t care. Let’s go upstairs.”
I thought Sandy was going to be the perfect distraction for me.