AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What are you going to do?”
“Find Ree. But, fuck.” He snarled. “I don’t know where she lives.”
“You could call Barron.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because he mated Ree’s sister last night. Or at least, that’s what he said he was going to do. After you and Ree headed up here, Barron pulled me aside and said that Mercy was his heart-match and he was going to take her home. He asked for the weekend off so he could fully explain mating to her. I asked him if he understood that he might be exiled from the pride by choosing her, and he said he didn’t care, that he’d make a pride on his own with his mate.”
Duke had been planning the same thing. “Exile isn’t automatic. My father may opt to let him stay in the pride, and regardless, his job isn’t in jeopardy.”
Titus arched a brow. “Do you think your dad will exile you? Your situation is different since you’re the alpha’s son.”
“I don’t know. I had to leave in a hurry.”
“Do you want me to come with you to get Ree?”
“Thanks, but no. I have a feeling I’m going to be doing a lot of begging and groveling and I don’t really want an audience for that.”
With a chuckle, Titus clapped him on the back. “Good luck.”
Duke scrolled through his contacts and found Barron, pressing the button to start a call. The call was sent to voice mail immediately. As he was about to press the redial button, a text came through.
“Ree is in her apartment at 23 Woodberry Court, Apartment Four.”
“Thanks,” Duke typed hastily as he headed for the door.
He found her building quickly, bounding up the stairs, and banging on her door. He called to her, asking her to open the door, and with his sensitive hearing he heard her reply to someone, most likely Mercy, that she wanted Duke to leave.
Like hell he was going anywhere without her.
“There isn’t anything for you here,” Mercy said through the door.
“I need to explain.”
“Those women in your apartment explained things really well to my sister. You broke her heart. Go away or I’ll call the cops.”
There was a low conversation that he couldn’t make out, until Mercy said, “You promise?”
Barron answered, “Yes.”
The door unlocked and swung open, and a very annoyed Mercy stood in the doorway with Barron at her back. “Barron said that it wasn’t right for us to interfere with whatever’s going on between you and my sister. I don’t really agree, because she’s my best friend and I hate you a lot right now. But I trust my mate, and he trusts you, and that’s good enough for me.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank Barron. If it were up to me, you’d be standing out there all day.”
Mercy took Barron’s hand and led him out of Ree’s apartment and to the one across the hall. Duke shut the door and leaned against it, giving himself a moment to settle his pacing lion. He could hear the shower running, and the thought of his mate all naked and wet made a purr rumble in his chest. Following the sound, he reached a locked door. Taking a chance that there was a hidden key over the door, he ran his fingers along the ledge and found one, sticking the thin metal into the hole in the center of the knob. It unlocked, and he kept hold of the key just in case she’d also locked the bathroom door.
He glanced at the bed, his mind traipsing into sexy territory, but then the shower turned off and he forced himself to focus on the matter at hand – winning back their mate.
“Ree?” he said as he stood at the bathroom door. He didn’t bother testing it, fairly certain it was locked.
There was a pause, and then she said, “Where is my sister?”
“Barron took her home. Will you please hear me out? There’s been a huge misunderstanding, and I know you’re angry but I’m not going anywhere until you talk to me.”
“I could just stay in here until you get bored and leave.”
