Chapter 15
Kai POV
As soon as she left my study, I slumped in my chair, running a hand through my hair in frustration. My wolf – Hud was howling in disappointment, angry at letting our mate leave.
“Patience,” I muttered to myself. “We can’t rush this. She’s not ready p>
But even as I tried to convince myself, I couldn’t ignore the ache in my chest and my pants. The mate bond was there – so powerful… so undeniable. Yet Lily seemed oblivious to it. Why couldn’t she feel it too? And more importantly, how long could I resist the pull before it drives me mad?
Leaning back in my chair, I exhaled slowly trying to regain my composure. The conversation with Lily had left me as aroused as I’ve ever been. Even right now, with her scent still in my office, I was as hard as a rock and I knew it was Hud’s way of punishing me.
He kept throwing her image to my subconscious, filling me with lust.
“Damned animal!” I muttered under my breath “Can you stop playing these games. We can’t just do with her as we want p>
I sat silently recalling the conversation we just had. Lily’s pleading eyes, the softness of her voice. The subtle scent that had gone straight through me when I had approached her and how it seemed to linger on my hand that had touched her shoulder.
I wanted nothing more than to keep her close, to have her report to me daily, to know her every move – to bury my seed deep inside her womb… but faced with those imploring eyes, I had no other option but to yield.
“Stay with Celeste!” I had agreed, the words felt foreign on my tongue as I said them now. “You don’t need to report to me every day p>
The relief and gratitude that had washed over her face stirred something within me – a mixture of satisfaction and an unfamiliar warmth that settled in my chest. It was a feeling I wasn’t entirely comfortable with, yet I couldn’t bring myself to dismiss it.
As my body finally began to calm, I reached for my phone, my fingers hovered over the screen for a moment before I made the call.
“Liam,” I said curtly when he answered. “We need to discuss Lily’s accommodations p>
There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Lily? The Alpha’s rogue daughter p>
“Yes,” I replied feeling annoyed by the tag he appended to Lily’s name. “She’ll be staying with my sister for now. So, I want her treated as our most honoured guest – as you would treat a Luna. Anything she wants – clothes, shoes, treats… I paused trying to think of what women loved most “Anything at all… let the bill be directed to me. I’ll pay for it all. So spare no expense p>
The silence that followed was heavy with a surprise for me too and I also knew for Liam. I could almost hear the wheels turning in his head.
“Does she have something on you?” Liam finally broke the silence “You’re treating her better than you’ve ever treated your sister or even me. I mean we’ve been best friends since we were in the cradle and you’ve made me pay back all the loans I took with you with interest. There’s no way, the rogue girl is not blackmailing you p>
“Can you stop calling her the rogue girl? She’s not a rogue and… well I was at a loss for words.
“Well, well,” Liam chuckled, “I never thought I’d see the day when you’d fawn over a woman. Are you thinking of making her your mate? Are you sure you’re feeling alright, Alpha p>
My jaws clenched. “Watch your words, Liam. My decisions are not up for debate just do what I’ve instructed you to do. Understood p>
“Of course, Emp – Alpha,” Liam teased but his tone sobered up. “But… if I may speak freely p>
I grunted my assent rolling my eyes.
“This is quite serious, isn’t it?” Liam continued. “I mean, we’ve – I for one have heard you say more than once that you might not accept your mate when the time came. But now… well, it seems like things might be different with Lily. Do you like her p>
My fingers tightened around my phone. Since last night, I’ve been ashamed to admit that I felt the mate stirrings for Lily. Partly because I was so determined to die a bachelor and wasn’t interested in the mate thing. I wanted to deny it, to brush off Liam’s observations as nonsense but I knew I was already acting out of character… and it was all the Mate bond.
“Well… the mate appeal is…significant,” I admitted grudgingly “And Lily… she’s I wanted to say she’s my mate but I changed my mind.
“She’s what?” Liam prodded gently.
I closed my eyes picturing Lily’s face. “She’s cute,” I said with a fond smile “Inside and out p>
The words hung in the air between us, heavy with implication. I could practically hear Liam’s eyebrows shooting up in surprise.
“Well, that’s certainly a development. Far from what I expected but certainly a development and from the sound of your voice, it seems you’re determined to make her your mate even though she’s not your fated,” Liam said carefully. “But Alpha, have you considered how your mother will react? You know she has…strong opinion about your choice of mate p>
I didn’t say anything. I didn’t know what to say.
There was a pause, and then Liam chuckled softly. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he said. “I never thought I’d see the day when a woman would have you standing up to your mother. As much as it sounds fun, I wish you’d consider what you’re doing carefully and… you just met her p>
I felt a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth despite myself. “I never thought I would too, Liam,” I admitted “But here we are p>
“In the long run, you have to put duty, the people and our pack before p>
My eyes snapped open, a low growl of annoyance rumbling through my chest as I interrupted him. “And who, exactly is the Alpha, here, Liam p>
“You are, of course,” Liam said quickly.
“And who has the final say in pack matters p>
“You do, Alpha p>
“Then my mother’s opinions, while noted, are ultimately irrelevant,” I said firmly. “I will choose my mates as I see fit p>