Chapter 24: Chapter 24

SLOAN

A sense of relief washed over Sloan as the house came into view. He was ready to relax with his angel and enjoy a nice, steamy night in.

He pulled the car to a stop and climbed out. Tristan rounded the hood of the car to park it in the garage for him. When Sloan entered the house, he was greeted by Leanne waiting dutifully in the foyer.

“Status report?”

“Nothing to report, sir. It was a quiet day,” she answered, “Myra spent most of the day in the bedroom working on school stuff, then Megan came by for a visit.”

“Oh, that’s great news. Anything else?”

She shook her head, “No, Alpha.”

“And Declan? Is he still in the office?” he asked, and Sloan noticed that she seemed a bit uneasy and that she shifted uncomfortably.

“He was locked away in the den most of the day, but after Megan left, he…um, stormed out without a word,” she confessed, looking guilty.

“It’s okay, Leanne. Thanks. That’ll be all. Take the rest of the night. You deserve it.” He dismissed her, and she nodded in agreement.

Sloan glanced up at the second floor and sighed. ~I can’t believe I’m conflicted.~ He wanted to go straight up, but he wanted to talk to Declan first.

He chose to head to the den before calling it a day. With the door shut, he pulled out his phone and dialed Declan’s number.

His friend answered on the first ring. “Hey!”

“Is there a problem?” Sloan said, smirking as he crossed the room.

“Your mate’s friend is going to be the death of me,” Declan growled.

Sloan grinned and shook his head, sitting down behind his desk. “What has Megan done now?”

“I’ve been trying to explain to the hard-headed pain in my ass that it’s dangerous for her to be alone, especially with both Elizabeth and the rogues running free somewhere in the state,” he explained.

“I’m guessing her response wasn’t to your liking?”

Declan snorted. “‘I can take care of myself.’ That’s what she said. Like, what the fuck! If she dies on my watch, Myra will kill me.”

“Dec, I’m going to give it to you straight. You like the human. Don’t deny it. Just accept the inevitable.”

“But she’s human. One wrong move and I could kill her in a heartbeat.”

“If she’s your mate, you wouldn’t,” Sloan said, looking over the massive mound of papers on his desk.

He picked up the note they’d found in Elizabeth’s apartment and sighed heavily. They were no closer to figuring out what the thirty-three meant.

“Hey, HEY! Hold up, Romeo. Just because you’ve found your mate and are ridiculously, if not nauseatingly happy, doesn’t mean that goes for the rest of us. I like being unmarked and unattached.”

“I was like that too, but the mate bond is strong. The more you avoid it, the harder it will blindside you,” Sloan advised. He chuckled when a warning growl came across the line.

“Did you want something, ~Alpha~?”

Sloan recognized he’d hit a nerve, and he backed off. He decided to pursue friendlier talking points.

“Have you discovered anything new today?” he asked, pressing the button on his desk to reveal the screen with the map.

There were several new dots on the screen. Red dots indicated murdered victims, and yellow dots depicted the locations of some of the survivors they’d identified.

There was a change in Declan’s voice when he started talking. “Nothing new. I’ve just been reviewing the animal prints to pinpoint what type of species we might be dealing with.”

Sloan nodded, picking up another piece of paper, and his eyes skipped over the numbered list. “Jesus! There are over seventeen species here.”

“And I’m not done with the list. I’d planned on investigating the mystery note today, but, uh, unfortunately, I got distracted.”

“Take care of Megan, and I’ll see you in the morning for training.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, so get ready for an ass-kicking in the morning.”

Sloan laughed at him. Declan, however, had hung up. Still laughing, Sloan slipped his phone back into his pocket.

~Like I don’t know he’s going to stalk her at her job tonight.~

Sloan looked at the list once more and exhaled loudly. He tossed the paper back onto his desk and hid the screen. As he was about to leave the room, Tristan entered.

“Weren’t you the guy who couldn’t wait to see his woman?”

“Fuck off. I needed updates before calling it a night. Declan’s out chasing Megan tonight.”

“That human has him twisted around her little finger, and he doesn’t even know it,” Tristan barked out, laughing.

“Oh, he knows it. He’s just denying it. But for now, he’s keeping her safe for Myra’s sake. Speaking of my angel, I have to go,” Sloan said, licking his lips.

“No, don’t mind me. I’ll solve this rogue problem on my own,” Tristan said sarcastically.

“That’s the spirit.” Sloan clapped him on the back on his way out of the den.

Tristan had left the flowers on the side table, from which Sloan picked them up on his way up the stairs.

He could already feel her calming energy as he neared their bedroom. He yanked at his tie, pulled it loose, and pocketed it. ~I may need that later.~ He then unbuttoned the first two buttons of his white shirt.

He got to the door and paused.

~Should I knock and pretend to be a house member or just go in?~

However, his decision was taken away from him when he saw Arthur coming off the service elevator, wheeling a covered tray and some red wine in a decanter.

~Joke’s on me.~

“Good evening, Alpha.”

“Arthur, my good man. What brings you up here?”

“Per the omega’s request. Would you like me to bring it in, or would you rather do it yourself?” Arthur asked.

“I’ll take it,” Sloan decided, and he knocked on the door and waited patiently. Seconds later, Myra appeared, smiling from ear to ear, her smile widening when she gazed upon him.

“You’re home,” she excitedly greeted him, then paused and looked guiltily at him

“Music to my ears. And yes, you’re in big trouble, little one.” He winked, and her eyes flashed honey-bright, signaling her arousal.

“These are for you,” he said, handing her the bouquet and taking the tray from Arthur. “Thanks.”

“Thank you so much, Arthur.” Myra smiled, smelling the flowers.

“Do enjoy your meal and night.” He departed, returning to the service elevator.

“There’s an elevator?” she gasped, stepping aside to let Sloan enter. He took in the soft lights, drawn curtains, and on the ground near the couch, her setup with the tea candles and fairy lights.

He heard the door being closed and locked behind him, followed by the wisp of clothing dropping to the floor. He turned to find her dressed in her silky sleepwear.

“I know you had a stressful day, so I thought a nice night in would be just what you need.”

He smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her up for a deep, passionate kiss. The bouquet she was holding fell to the ground next to her robe.

“You’ve been a naughty one today, haven’t you?” he mumbled against her lips, cupping her silk-covered butt.

“I’m not sorry.” She smirked, wrapping her arms around his neck as he lifted her off the ground. He felt her legs wrap around his waist, and she kissed him again.

He grinned when he felt her start to grind against him. Taking careful steps, he walked over to the bed and unceremoniously dropped her onto it.

He loved the look of pure lust and confusion on her face. He shrugged off his jacket and discarded it on the bed next to her.

Her eyes brightened some more when he continued unbuttoning his shirt. He shrugged out of that too, and he watched her bite her lower lip while squirming in anticipation.

~“I can’t wait to hear you beg, baby.”~ He tossed the shirt into her face and walked off toward the bathroom.

“Um, hello?” she gasped in shock.

“Did you want something, my love?” He continued teasing by unbuckling his belt and undoing his pants.

“Yes, get your butt back here, now!” she demanded, and Sloan arched an eyebrow at her.

“Sucks to be teased, doesn’t it?” He laughed. “Now be a dear and open up whatever Arthur brought up for us, because it smells heavenly,” he instructed, entering the bathroom.

Sloan chuckled to himself when he heard her frustrated scream through the closed door. He quickly stripped and hopped into the shower.

His hard member was pulsing with need against his belly, angry that he’d left her. Even his wolf was growling in his head.

~Oh, cool it,~ Sloan snapped at his wolf.~ You know we’ll be buried balls-deep inside her at some point tonight. She just has to learn the consequences of teasing me—of teasing ~us.

After a brisk shower, he dried his skin and pulled on a pair of long pajama pants. He roughly dried his hair and left it loose to fall onto his shoulders.

Before exiting the bathroom, he grabbed his discarded pants, pulled out his tie, and pocketed it. He then tossed the piece of clothing into the laundry hamper and rejoined her.

She’d laid a serving tray piled with potatoes, asparagus, and grilled steak out on the duvet, but it was her expression that made him have to bite back laughter.

She sat on the couch, legs crossed, and she was already nursing a glass of wine. Her eyes slowly caressed his body before she huffed and started shaking her leg impatiently.

~God, I love this woman~, he thought, filling his own glass and joining her on the couch. “What’s the matter, angel?” he teased again, pulling her reluctant body onto his lap.

“Nothing.”

“Angel, you don’t like being denied, do you?” he asked, and she pouted, childishly shaking her head.

“Well, that’s too bad. You were a naughty girl today. Now, because of your little stunt, you deserve to be punished somehow. I was thinking about denying you countless mind-numbing orgasms.”

“But…?”

“But you’ve proven to me that you’re quite adept at that type of sexual frustration.” He shrugged. “So, tell me, did you have fun with your egg today?”

“I…um…,” she started to explain, but Sloan silenced her by placing a finger on her lip.

“Actually, I don’t want to know,” he stated, running his finger along her jaw, and she shivered on his lap.

She closed her eyes and purred at his touch, especially when he lightly caressed her ear with the tip of his index finger.

“Sweetheart, what’s rule number one?” he asked her. When she hesitated, he raked his hand into her hair and gripped it tightly.

“Um, all my sexual releases belong to you?” she said, but it sounded like a question.

He pulled gently on her hair to bend her neck and look deep into her eyes. “Are you asking me or telling me?”

“Telling?” she tried again.

“Angel?”

“Telling,” she said, with more confidence.

“That’s right. And you broke that rule—”

“But I didn’t.” She tried cutting him off, but he applied a bit of pressure to her hair.

He watched as she winced and immediately stopped talking.

“No excuses, Angel. Now, let’s eat, because I’m longing for some honey-vanilla dessert,” he ordered, kissing her nose.