JAYDEN
The painful guilt of watching Catriona’s reaction to vannesa’s chanting was eating me up to my core. I must’ve been quick or done it incorrectly with the marking process. I marked her in fear of losing her and in anger of her sleeping with the man I had never got along with and never will. Vannesa crouched, vetting her wound. And Pamela on the other side looked perplexed at the empty space that made Catriona react in an ironical way.
The two women stared at each other for quite a moment before reverting their eyes to an empty space.
Is there something that you two would like to fill us in? Vannea asked them. Catriona was the first to nod in contradiction. Her exceptional reaction filled my head with questions.
Ahem, could you guys leave us alone for a moment. I’d like to have a word with her. Catriona said, looking between Pamela and the empty space.
Sure thing, but change that blouse and put on something light that covers up that wound. Vannesa affirmed. I agree, do that first. Pamela conceded. I won’t move an inch. So go on. She added.
Catriona stole a quick glance at the empty space before exiting her old room where I bought her a while ago where things got out of my hands.
I followed her into our shared bedroom and stood in the doorway of my closet room. Fuck, our closet room. She seemed to notice my presence thanks to the strong bond we both share now because the next thing I knew she was standing so close to me, bare-chested. I smoothly rubbed my thumb over her delicate skin so close to where I marked her. She writhed, bashing her body against mine. I steadied her upright, locking myself into her beautiful eyes.
“How do you feel? Do you still have pain?” I asked.
Besides the wound not corking when you assured me it’s momentary, I’m feeling better. I don’t feel any pain. She said, igniting her bare chest on my body again, pricking me with her nipples. My bulge twitched convulsively for attention. However much the attempt of spinning her beneath me was, I still can’t wipe the picture of her sleeping with Gabriel out of my head. That image of his filthy hands on her body. Touching anywhere he wanted as if she was his. God, this woman is mine. How I wish I could erase them out of my head and give myself to my mate because I could feel the longing tension radiating and pulling us close to our parted bodies despite the prevailing circumstances.
I pulled her into a deep kiss that she responded to instantly, but the images of her lips on Gabe’s flooded back. I pulled back and sprinted in the bathroom and splashed cold water to my face. Catriona followed me, her chest covered in a long sleeve shirt.
Can we talk? She asked, her voice barely in a whisper.
Should we save it for later? I asked, trying as much as possible to keep my composure in my tone.
“No, Jayden! Now!”
I didn’t reply.
Jayden, I’m sorry for what I did with Gabriel….
Let’s not talk about it. I said curtly.
Let me finish. She asserted.
I told you about it because you didn’t leave me when I thought you’d as he did. So I didn’t want to have any secrets with me anymore. Now that we are here on this topic, I want to know how long I should wait for you. I know that the thoughts of him and me are affecting you from being with me. Intimately.
Catriona, as I told you before, you’re the one for me. I will never leave a second away from you. I will always be there for you babe. I can’t go away from you. But as for this topic. I’m not in the best mood to talk about it right now. Please, I don’t want to be a bad dick because I could any minute from now if you don’t stop. Okay? She nodded.
Don’t worry about the wound. I caused it and I’ll find a way for it to close. You must be hungry. I’ll tell Sandra to get something to eat. And for your brother, give me some time. I’ll take you there to get them. I have to speak to Jerome. I said, planted a kiss on her forehead and headed out.
I mindlinked Sandra to attend to her.
Jayden was in the long hallway of our wing waiting for me. He gave me the empathy look he always gives me whenever he saw me distressed.
How are you man? He asked.
Let’s talk in my office. I said.
Once in the office, he filled me in with everything that had happened in my absence because I asked.
Jerome I have a problem, not a problem but problems. He looked at me, attentively waiting for me to chunter about my problems.
No, I don’t think it’s the right thing to do. I cannot tell him about my encounter with Edward yet. The man I thought I killed a long time ago. The man that killed the most people I loved in this whole universe. Permitting his people to kill my dad first after raping my mom right in front me and my dad before drained her too to her last breath.
I’ve been dealing with my unending personal matters abandoning my pack to Jerome who never complained but took care of whichever was. Now telling him will only make him tag himself on me whenever I step my foot to. To that I’m certain. The pack was attacked because he wasn’t around. Or got distracted by his mate. I don’t want that to happen again now that catriona is in the house.
I blew a heavy breath out through my nose and looked up at him. Nevermind. I’ll talk to you about what’s bothering me after taking care of it. I have to stop by somewhere real quick.
Outside the office, I stopped when my mind went back to my fight with Edward. Right after my attack, it took less minutes before my body became immobilized with the jamming pain that I couldn’t understand where it came from. Now that I think about it, he tasted like venom.
I need a good plan since I won’t have a backup with me. I won’t be so selfish to put my pack in danger. That’s what any good alpha would do. Isn’t it? He’s my problem that I have to end myself.
Turning around, I glanced through the hallway, my mind briefly on catriona. She became my main perceptive. I don’t know what’s in that bloodsucker’s head now after laying his eyes on my mate. The smug on his mug told me that he’s planning on using my mate for fun and his own glory to tantalize me psychologically.
I raked my hand through my hair and headed for the elevator…
Once I stepped into the entrance foyer I had Edward’s voice echoing in my head.
You must be in a haste to meet me. No, to kill me, son. I’ll make it easier for you. So come out of that mansion and follow my scent to where we must meet. The meeting is going to take place in the woods of your territory, in case you’re scared of me son. You’re free to even bring as much backup as you desire.
He said, his tone full of derision in it. If what he’s saying is true it means the men on the patrol got the whiff of his deathly scent.
I pushed the door open and the intensity grew deep in me as definitely the death scent filled my nostrils.
But it riled me up to see my men wandering around comfortably as if they smell nothing.
Don’t tantalize your mind son, on why your men can’t sense me. You’re my son, not them. I came only for you. Not your people.