I half expected Tess to be sitting where I’d left her at the island counter. Maybe crying, or at least red-eyed as if she had been crying. What I didn’t expect was for the elevator to open and see her curled up on one of the sofas. Her legs were tucked under her looking like she belonged there. I felt the pull from the mate bond. I had to take my time though. I couldn’t rush this.
She didn’t bother to look up. She sat on the far end, the sunlight streaming through the window, framing her in a halo of gold. She’d showered and changed, her hair was still wet. a file was propped on the arm of the sofa and she seemed to be studying it meticulously.
Her panic appeared to be gone. My nostrils flared slightly as I took a deep breath, smelling the air around us. The heavy spice of her fear was replaced by something else. Something cold. She’d washed my scent away. The smell of pomegranate and rain was clean now, and my wolf was insulted by the deliberate rejection.
“I see you made yourself comfortable.”
“You pretty much told me to,” she still didn’t look up, her tone was bored. Dismissive.
“I am taking you to dinner. Put your shoes on.”
Now she lifted her eyes to me. Her lips were parted and I watched the different emotions flicker behind them. Calculating. “Now.”
She got up, taking the file with her as she disappeared down the hall for the east wing. A few moments later she returned wearing a pair of black Oxfords.
We took the elevator down to the parking garage, and I’m once again approaching the BMW. This time, I had her hand tucked into the crook of my elbow, my opposite hand covering hers to prevent her from bolting. I opened her door and waited for her to get in. Then I was dashing around to the opposite side before she had the chance to act on any crazy ideas.
I considered where to take her for a moment. There was a dining area, a small space akin to a restaurant at the pack house. There was also an actual restaurant, a steakhouse, just down the street. I ended up choosing the steakhouse, if only because it will likely be more private.
We were seated quickly, in a booth on the far side of the dining room. The lights were dim, piano music filtered in over hidden speakers. The pouring of drinks and the clink of silverware against porcelain mixed with the indecipherable murmurs of the other patrons.
When the server came, Tess refused to order anything. I ended up ordering for both of us. A bottle of Chianti to split, two waters, and two New York strip steaks, both medium rare. “I’m vegan,” she stated the moment the server stepped away, and I genuinely wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth or if she was purposely trying to be difficult.
The bottle came uncorked, along with two glasses. I poured for both of us. She didn’t touch the wine or her water. I sipped slowly, watching her over the rim.
“Let’s forget the pleasantries, Mr. Whitmore. You mentioned I was ‘necessary for your survival.’ What are you? What is that supposed to mean?” she asked, jumping straight into it, forcing eye contact.
I had to be careful with what I revealed. How much I revealed. There were also concerns about how much she’d believe. She wasn’t frightened anymore. She was calculating, and she was testing boundaries.
“My life is governed by a power structure that predates human law by a millennia. We…my people…exist in the shadows of this world. And when we find our mate, the one who carries the necessary bond, everything else ceases to matter. You are that bond, Tess.”
“If this bond is so vital to your people,” she started, her voice cold, professional, almost clinical, “and if I’m it’s necessary component, then my well-being is my ultimate leverage. I require immediate communication with my family, or I will make your continued existence as uncomfortable as possible.”
The wine glass nearly slipped from my hand as she made her demand. She was weaponizing the bond. For a moment, I was stunned by her brilliance. I wanted to crush her defiance, but now, the wolf only demanded her comfort. I had to concede a small victory to gain her trust.
“Fine,” I sighed, a sound that was heavy with defeat. “One phone call. Supervised. Now eat.” There was more that I wanted to discuss with her. Unfortunately, I wasn’t sure now was the best time.
She still didn’t eat.