AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My mouth drops open. “You would just leave the entire faction behind? Because if we did that, we’d be on the run forever.”
Jacob’s hands go to his head, and he rocks forward. “I can’t be like this. I need her,” his eyes lift to me, “and you. I need both of you.”
“Ok.” I push myself to my feet and grab Jacob by his arm, pulling him up after me. Seeing him like this is freaking me out. Watching him lose it, is chipping away at own carefully built up resolve. “Ok, let’s go.”
I have no idea if Jarik is even here. Ever since his mate had a baby, he doesn’t like to leave her side, not that I can blame him. An image of Ivy, flushed and swollen with our child floats through my mind. Incubus or bear shifter, I couldn’t care less and suddenly I want that with an ache that is physically painful.
We follow the maze of hallways until we’re standing in front of Jarik’s office door. It’s only partially closed, with the soft lilt of voices coming from the other side.
Clearing my throat, I lift my arm to rap my knuckles on the door. But before my hand can make contact, Jacob pounds the side of his fist against the heavy door, pushing it open with enough force that it slams into the opposite wall.
“Godsdamnit, bear.” I grit under my breath as I follow him into the room.
“Jacob? What the fuck!” Jarik snarls, jumping to his feet. He steps out from behind his desk and in front of a curvy female with a small baby strapped to her chest.
“Ah, sorry, Alpha.” I grimace. “Could we have a word? It’s kind of important.”
Jarik’s eyes are narrowed as they dart between Jacob and me. Then he glances over his shoulder at his mate who shrugs. Before he has a chance to ask why we’re here Jacob storms forward.
“You can’t take her from us.” The bear bellows.
“Ah. I—” Jarik’s eyebrows lift into his hairline, and he glances to me for help.
“We won an auction last night and we’ve determined that the female, Ivy, is our mate.” I fill him in.
Jariks face scrunches up and he falls back into his chair. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Is this going to be a problem with every auction, now?”
“I can’t let her go,” Jacob continues his tirade, stalking toward our Alpha’s desk and planting his hands on the smooth surface. “My grizzly won’t let her go.”
“And what about you, Incubus?” Jarik asks me.
“Yeah. Me too.” I square my shoulders and meet his eyes. “We’re prepared to take her and leave.”
“Look, the rules are in place for a reason.” Jarik says even as he glances nervously between me and Jacob.
Behind him, his mate steps up and places a small hand on his shoulder. “And how well did that turn out for you?”
“Mercy,” he warns. Then his face softens when he looks up at her. “I did the right thing! I let you go.”
Mercy tips her head back and laughs. “And then you raised hell to get me back.” Her attention turns to me, and she grows serious. “Seeing as she’s not here to ask, what would this woman say to these claims you’re making?”
“She feels the same.” I answer honestly. “She asked us not to take her memories of us.”
“That’s not the same thing as admitting a mate claim,” Jarik grumbles.
“It’s only been a day,” Mercy argues with a roll of her blue eyes. “If this girl is their mate, then it would be cruel to send her away. And since they’ll only go after her anyway, it would be a waste.” Once more the alpha’s mate is a voice of reason.
Jarik blows out a long sigh as he reaches out to cup his mate’s cheek. “I should just make you Alpha of Alphas. You make all the decisions when it comes to my factions anyway.”
Her face lights up with her grin. “Tempting, but no. I’ve got my hands full with this little guy, anyway.” She strokes a finger down her son’s baby soft hair and then gives her mate an equally soft look, filled with the obvious love she has for him.
“Alright. You have your answer.” Jarik growls at us. “But so help me, if you tell anyone about this I’ll deny it.” Then he grumbles under his breath, “Can’t have everyone thinking that they are going to find their godsdamned fated mates at every fucking auction.”
Jacob sags against our Alpha’s desk. “Thank you,” he breathes.
“Anytime, friend.” Jarik replies softly. “Now, get the fuck out of here so I can take my mate and son home.”
Grabbing Jacob by his shoulders, I pull him out of the office and then we’re running back to the room where we left Ivy.
