The redhead bowed her head, as did several of the other women who’d filed in to find out what was happening.
“Austin will oversee things here. Kris is on his way. You’re coming home with me, River. Cancel your dinner date with Desi.”
“What?” She’d forgotten the fictitious meal. “I’ll call her.” And she would, but to bring the young woman up to date. There was nothing to give her reason to think that rogue leader knew about this place, but Desi had been here on a couple of occasions…
“Quit worrying, River. I have it under control.”
“Sure.” She threw Moira a glance and tried to smile before following her mate out to the vehicle. It felt as though hidden eyes watched her every move and she hurried along beside him.
He drove while she called Desiree, first apologizing for canceling on such short notice—to a confused response—and then sharing the latest. Their conversation took up the entire drive home and spared her further conversation with Jett.
“I’ll be in my office. I need to oversee this. I’ve set the alarm. Stay inside and don’t open the door.”
Nodding, she rushed to the kitchen to make him something to eat and took the sandwiches and coffee in, setting it on the desk. He acknowledged her with a smile, and she refused to let it mean anything other than what he meant it to be. There was nothing wrong with an affectionate, mutually satisfying relationship. Apparently, shifters had them all the time—unless they didn’t.
She made do with a glass of juice and a piece of toast at the island, her appetite gone. Poor Denise. Claimed by a monster. She shivered then squared her shoulders. She had a job to do.
Clearing her dishes away, she went to the meeting room where her files were spread out over the long table. She got everything in order, taking a couple of hours to do so, before heading up to bed. Jett’s voice could be heard periodically and she wondered how long it would take to move everyone and get them safe. She sent out positive vibes and wished she had said goodbye.
Finding a pair of her old pajamas, she pulled them on and finished her nightly ritual of cleaning up. Once she was under the covers, her mind refused to be distracted any longer and reverted to considering her own issue. She pressed hard against the middle of her chest and thought about how selfish she was to allow something as stupid as a bruised ego to color her thinking. There were far worse things in life, as she’d just discovered.
So instead of the maudlin, she thought about her sister and how nice it would be to talk with her on a regular basis. She’d arrange for Austin to take her to see Marlene to discuss a business plan, perhaps tomorrow. Then there was the option of installing a new accounting program on the laptop she’d purchased. She had already called the employer she had lined up when she’d planned to run, and also the landlord of the small apartment, and couldn’t think of anything else she’d missed.
Her brain ran down like a windup toy and time dragged. She heard Jett mounting the stairs, his tread heavier than usual. He was likely tired and she wouldn’t give him any further angst to deal with tonight. That was what a good mate did.
Feigning sleep, she kept her breaths slow and measured as he moved around the room getting undressed and ready for bed. When he slid in behind her, and didn’t draw her against him the way he always did when they prepared for sleep, she was profoundly grateful. The hollow feeling in her belly was simply that of hunger—she should have had more to eat for her makeshift dinner.
She knew the moment he fell into a deep slumber, attuned to so many of his behaviors. Dry-eyed, she stared into the dark and put her mind into solving equations until it was exhausted enough to quit chipping away at whatever it was that kept him from loving her.
Waking a short while later, she eased out of bed and made her way downstairs. The fridge didn’t offer any helpful ideas as to what might help her sleep, and neither did the pantry. Dragging out the files again determined nothing to address, but at least enough time had passed that she could shower and get dressed and get on with her day.
****
His mate hadn’t been in their bed most of the night. His wolf heard her slip out in the early hours and go downstairs to the kitchen and the meeting room. Jett supposed she was unsettled by the events of the day, not that he allowed himself to think about his perfidy. He couldn’t feel what he didn’t, and he wouldn’t lie to her. There was no doubt, as evidenced by her marked pallor and wide eyes, that learning the Regent was Denise’s mate had upset and worried her. The news had fucking well terrified him to know River was in the goddamn house and that rogue male could well be within stalking distance if not closer.
But she was fine, and the plan had unfolded perfectly, though had taken most of the evening to accomplish everything under his direction. Normally a hands-on kind of man, witness his participation in routing the rogue pack, he’d delegated the tasks and merely overseen the move of those female shifters. Kris had willingly taken on the most dangerous role, that of relocating Denise. Jett had stayed home to ensure River’s safety.
Not that he’d spent any time in her company. He’d eaten the meal she’d brought him and waited a long time after completing his phone calls in the hope she’d be asleep when he went up to bed. It had killed him to keep his distance from her sleeping form, but it didn’t feel right to take comfort from her when he hadn’t offered her any earlier.
She moved quietly through their room, already dressed, and passed through the doorway. He opened his mouth to tell her good morning, and then swallowed the greeting. Time enough to put a good face on it once he’d showered the lack of sleep away. His wolf and his cock, both animals at heart, missed her physically, while the man wanted to hold her close and talk.
Awkward didn’t cover it when he finally made it downstairs. River had made breakfast and he found his plate in the oven. Her dishes were in the dishwasher and she was in the meeting room poring over files and alternately peering at her computer screen.
“Thanks for breakfast.” He saluted her with a piece of toast. “I see you’re busy.”
“I am.” She spared him a glance before returning to her work. “I’ve called Austin. I have your mother’s business plan ready, and she’s expecting me.”
“Good. That’s great.”
“Everything taken care of from yesterday?”
“Yes. All under control.” Their easy, teasing way of relating had gone by the wayside. It bothered him more than he could explain. “River—”
A heavy hand rapped on the front door, and she jumped to her feet, stowing her laptop in its case. Gathering up her purse, she took the long way around the table—skirting him—and nearly fled to check the peephole, and then opened up to Austin.
“Morning!” The other male sounded enthusiastic and appeared as though he’d had plenty of rest, when Jett knew the opposite to be true. Austin had ferried at least four of the women to their meeting points. If he’d bothered to have a conversation with River instead of avoiding her, he could have told her that and arranged for someone else to drive her. She would never burden someone else.
“Sorry you drew taxi duty, Austin.” His attempt at a humorous apology fell vastly short. River looked stricken and stammered her own apologies.
“It’s fine.” The male gave him a look fraught with numerous emotions, and smiled widely at River. “All set?”
“If you’re sure…”
“Absolutely.”
Flapping a hand in his direction, she rushed out with Austin right on her heels.
Refraining from punching his fist clear through the drywall, Jett slammed the door shut and locked it, before reversing the procedure and stepping out on to the porch. River was already in the SUV and Austin had one foot inside the vehicle. Jett scanned the yard, cursing his stupid reaction—his hurt—at being left without a backward glance.
Seeing no sign of anything untoward, he watched as they drove away, before retreating inside. Knowing he’d never get anything accomplished, he sat at his desk and brooded before
banishing his bad mood. He needed a strategy to rebuild a bridge with his mate, and set to making plans.
****
Two blonde heads bowed over his mother’s cluttered desk. His parent’s hair was shot with silver, of course, but she and River shared a similar shade. Maybe it was true one claimed a mate similar to their mother, because Marlene and River also shared a number of superlative qualities. Caring, thoughtful, kind, intelligent, loving… “Hard at work?”
Both heads came up and a pair of eyes so similar to his own speared through him. He wondered what he’d done to deserve his mother’s ire before catching River’s brown-eyed stare. He tried a smile and she returned it, but there was something missing. A certain lack of warmth and a definite caution behind it.
“Morning, Jett. What can we do for you?” Marlene watched him steadily.
“I came to take my mate for lunch.”
“I’m going with your mom and Desi. Seeing as I had to cancel our dinner date.” Not a hint of regret infused River’s tone. “Sorry.”
“You’re welcome to join us.” His mother wasn’t offering a welcome.
“Another time. I’ve brought two new males to replace Austin. Mikyle and Stephen.” He’d seen Austin hovering in the shadows, vigilant as ever, but the man needed to be relieved. “They’re to accompany you to lunch and bring River home. For dinner.”
Complete and utter silence followed his autocratic response before both women nodded. He could tell his mother wanted to say something by the way her eyes narrowed, but she refrained. About to leave, he moved around the desk to his mate instead, and drew her to her feet.
Stiff as a board in his arms, she stared at him, then closed her eyes when he bent his head to take her mouth in a searing kiss. After an initial resistance, she softened and opened to him. When he released her, she swayed, her face slack and her eyes dazed. Satisfaction coursed through his veins and he shifted his hips to ease his hard cock. Their physical connection was as strong as ever and they’d soon be back on track.
Lowering her back into her seat, he chanced a look at his mother whose pleasant features were carefully blank. He knew that face, but he wasn’t ten years old any longer. With a nod, he left the small office and wound his way through the various displays. Color and fine fabrics surrounded him, the sparkle of jewelry catching the eye and the air imbued with sultry scents. He hoped River spent more of his money here, because she was his to provide for and surely many of these items would make her happy.
He conveniently ignored the nagging voice in the back of his head suggesting things were far from joyful.
Chapter Twelve
She hadn’t said anything to Marlene about the determination that Jett didn’t feel the same way as she did, but the older woman intuited something wrong as soon as she entered the boutique.
“What’s wrong, River?”
“Yesterday was a shock. To think that the rogue leader could be searching for his mate.”
“Certainly. Though I understand Jett dealt with it.”
“The women are moved,” River agreed. “But if he wants Denise, he won’t be far, right?”
Marlene pursed her lips. “If he’s connected as with the usual style of claiming, he’ll be around. And looking.”
“Is there more than one style?” Like she didn’t know.
“Every relationship is different, despite nature dictating the events following a claiming.”
Marlene was doubtless referring to the sexuality piece, but River wanted to know more. The older woman had already told her that human-style love didn’t necessarily follow a claim, but she wanted to torture herself further. “So you think that rogue will be attached?”
“She’s his mate, no matter how he bent the rules. And so he’s committed, and bound to her for life. If he strays, I fear for his soul.”
“It doesn’t sound as though he has one.”
“Perhaps not, but even a rogue such as him can’t circumvent nature.”
So Jett would stay committed and loyal to her. She already knew that, so why keep picking? “Here’s hoping he’s found soon, then. Because everyone will be anxious until then, especially Denise.”
“Are you sure that’s all that’s bothering you, honey?”
“Yes.” She manufactured a breezy laugh. “You can’t say it hasn’t been a wild experience, me coming to this pack.”
“And Jett is treating you well?”
“Absolutely.” No lie. It wasn’t his fault she wanted something he didn’t have to give.
Marlene hesitated, and then gestured toward her office. “Then show me this plan of yours. Desi will be by later and we’ll go for lunch. When do you have to be home?”
“No specific time. I mean, there’s nothing there waiting for me.” Realizing how that sounded, she hurriedly added, “Jett is busy and I’d rather stay busy than worry.” And fret.
Marlene was a quick study and asked intelligent questions about the business plan. River wondered if the other woman truly needed her input, but soldiered ahead. Jett’s arrival took her off guard, but she thought she carried it off, remaining calm and polite, hiding her pain—until he kissed her. He might as well have scooped her insides out with a spoon.
Gutted, she grimly rebuilt the new River, but not before her mother-in-law took notice.
“There is something wrong. Between you and Jett.”
“There’s nothing wrong, Marlene. We’re both under a lot of stress and—”
“Bullshit. You’re like Desi, all surface, no heart. What did my son do?”
“Nothing. Honest.” True. And she put it out there with utter sincerity. He’d done nothing. It was all on her.
“Then I suggest you go home for dinner and fix that nothing.”
She closed down the program after saving their input. “I’ll send you the final outline tonight.”
“Tomorrow is fine. You need to spend some time with Jett, seeing as you blew him off for lunch.”
Couldn’t the woman let it go? “Sure.”
Desi waltzed in, wafting a delicate flower scent and modeling a slender sheath in azure blue. “You ready? I saw Mik and Stephen. Austin not around?”
“The others relieved him. He worked long hours yesterday.”
“That makes sense. I’m glad most everything is taken care of, though Kris will be tied up for the foreseeable future.”
“At least until they catch that rogue leader,” River agreed.
They went for lunch to the same place as before, trailed by the big males Jett assigned. Over tall glasses of ice water, they perused the menu and almost as one decided on an exotic salad with grilled chicken.
“So, am I going to be an aunt?” Desi’s smile seemed thin.
“Not this time.” River’s smile matched her sister-in-law’s.
“She and Jett are having a problem.”
Assailed on both sides, she whirled on the older woman. “I told you, Marlene. He didn’t do anything wrong. It’s all me and there’s nothing to be done about it. Can you please leave it alone?”
Shaking her head, Marlene picked up her glass and took a sip. Desi stared. Aghast that she’d lost it, and on her mother-in-law, River scoured her brain for something further to say.
Marlene spoke first. “You too are a pair. Allowing a male to get the best of you.”
“Mom.” Desi glared, and her hand gripped the tablecloth.
“Tahl’s gone, dear. Probably mated by now. You need to—”
“Don’t tell me what I need, Mother. You weren’t the best role model.” The younger woman crumpled up her napkin and tossed it on the table. “Sorry, River. For whatever’s going on and for cutting lunch short. But I get to hear it at home and I sure don’t need it repeated in public.”
Desi strode out, and Mik levered up from his seat beside Stephen at a table by the door to follow her, presumably to her vehicle. Marlene calmly drank water.
“It’s only been a few weeks you know.” River had to say something in defense
of Desi, seeing as she knew precisely how the younger woman felt.
“She’s shut down, honey. Oh, the public face is perfect, but my baby girl is bone. And I can’t have that. And I won’t have it where you’re concerned. You’re both worth far more than moping because of a male.”
“I can’t—and won’t—speak for Desi, but I will speak for myself. I’m claimed, Marlene. For life. And I’ll have to figure a way to get through it. Me.”
“You’re not alone, River,” she said quietly, her eyes now soft and gentle.
Oh, but I am. “I know that.”
“Good.”
Seeing Mik return, she said, “I’m not hungry. I think I’ll head home and give these guys a break from babysitting me. Check your email for the plan—if you still want it.”
“Of course, I want it, honey. I’m not angry with you, but I am concerned.”
“You’ll have it today.” She forced a smile and headed over to the males’ table. “Sorry to interrupt your meal, but I really need to head home.”
“No worries, River. Jett will be happy to see you.” Stephen’s broad face radiated nothing but good will.
She walked between them to their SUV and climbed into the back. Arriving home, Mik walked her to the door and Jett pulled it open. “You’re home early.”
Mik sketched a salute and headed back to the car as she went into the house. “Desi had to leave and your mother and I were … finished.” That sounded about right. She hadn’t been bossed around or pressured by a mother in nearly fifteen years, and she wasn’t about to start now. No matter how well-meaning Marlene was.
“I’ve just eaten lunch. I’ve missed you. I have some business to deal with but we can spend the afternoon together.”
“Sure. I have a couple of things to do first.” It was easier if she didn’t look directly at him. If he sort of hovered out there, barely within her line of vision, she could cope.
“I vote for a movie then. You look tired and need to relax.”
Bound by Destiny (Blue Star Shifters Book 1) Page 15