Chapter 9 She’s My Mate
1154 Words
Eros’ Point of View
After the second moving truck arrived, I moved the last few boxes into this subpar condo—far beneath my usual standards—I kept finding my eyes drawn back to the window across the courtyard. Her room.
Harmony. My mate.
She was in there. With him, that damn bear.
He’s been around far too long. Touching what doesn’t belong to him. Kissing what’s mine.
I clenched my jaw, balancing a crate of rare spirits and ancient scrolls. My gaze flicked back up just in time to catch her silhouette—her body moving in rhythm with his. My fists tightened around the box.
Her mouth... no. Her mouth should never be on anyone but me.
I sucked in a sharp breath, trying to center myself. She was young. Unclaimed. I had to remind myself that I’ve lived millennia, touched more lovers than she’s had birthdays. My past is paved with the sins of seduction. Who was I to begrudge her one... maybe two flings?
But this? This bear of a man she keeps clinging to—he's a problem.
She doesn’t even know who she is yet. She doesn’t know what it means to be mine.
Not yet.
I stood there too long, watching her. The way she moved—naked, confident, wet and willing—and not for me. My dragon rumbled under my skin.
I had to go inside.
I slammed the door behind me just a little too hard. The air inside the condo was cooler. Sterile. Forgettable. But Ross was here, unpacking, organizing with the precision of someone who’d served me in many lifetimes.
He glanced up from the kitchen. “Sir, everything’s already been taken to your room. Hung and pressed. Suitcases put away. I’m now organizing the pantry. Anything else?”
“No,” I muttered, voice tight. “You’re doing fine. Just... listen for Tina. One of the royal guards is escorting her. She should be here soon.”
“Yes, sir,” Ross nodded, bowing slightly.
I walked over to the bar and poured myself a neat glass of small-batch bourbon. The flavor was rich—oak, caramel, a bite of heat. Alcohol never did anything to dull my senses, not anymore. Not even when spiked with wolfsbane or silver. I drank for flavor. Not escape.
I’d just taken a second sip when the doorbell rang.
Ross started to move. “I’ll—”
“No,” I cut in. “Finish the pantry. I’ve got it.”
I walked to the door and peered through the peephole. Standing on the other side, bowing slightly and holding a small travel bag, was Tina.
I opened it.
“Sir,” she smiled brightly. “How are you?”
“You look good,” I replied smoothly. “It’s a pleasure to see you again. I’m glad they sent you. We’re going to get along well. I’ll make sure to collect your banking info—want you paid properly.”
She bowed again. “Thank you, sir. It’ll be a pleasure working for you.”
I turned to lead her toward the guest wing, but halfway there, she stopped.
Frozen. Stiff. Her nose lifted and twitched. Her breathing changed.
Ross came running from the kitchen, eyes wide, breath caught in his throat.
“Beloved?” he whispered.
Tina turned slowly, locking eyes with him.
“Mate,” she breathed.
I sighed and chuckled under my breath. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.”
I stepped between them, placing a gentle but firm hand on Tina’s back and keeping my drink steady in the other.
“Ross,” I said, “meet Tina. She's a lycan omega. Power-level wise? She might rank low in her pack, but don’t be fooled—she could wipe out an entire squad of alpha werewolves if she wanted. Tina, this is Ross. A dragon. He’s my right hand, my assistant, my estate manager, my strategist... and apparently, your mate.”
They stared at each other, overwhelmed, hearts pulsing in rhythm.
I softened my tone. “Please don’t reject each other. You’re both powerful, both worthy. Let yourselves feel.”
Tina nodded, blush rising in her cheeks. “Thank you, sir.”
Ross, always the stoic one, just bowed his head reverently, eyes never leaving hers.
“I’ll take your bag,” I said, giving them space. “You two get acquainted.”
I dropped her things off in the guest room, then made my way to my own quarters. The moment I shut the door, I collapsed onto the massive bed with a groan.
I couldn’t stop seeing her. Harmony. On her knees. Lips wrapped around that damn werebear's c**k like he was her salvation.
Teddy Ruxpin-ass bastard.
I needed to prepare for Monday—my first lecture. Teaching business wasn’t hard. Manage capital, avoid losses, don’t scam the wrong people... easy. But I needed focus. Professionalism. I needed to stop picturing my mate with another man’s d**k in her mouth.
I stood up abruptly.
Shower. Cold water. Now.
I peeled off my clothes and stepped into the steaming rainfall shower. The water did nothing to cool the heat between my legs. The ache wouldn’t fade. My dragon growled restlessly beneath my skin, flicking through flashes of her—those lips, her curves, the way she arched her back...
Get it together, Eros. She doesn’t even know she’s yours yet.
I leaned one hand against the wall, chest heaving. My hand drifted downward. Even as I worked through the tension, the image of her—the sound of her moaning someone else’s name—only made it worse.
“Fuck.”
I came harder than I expected, my roar swallowed by the running water.
Still hard.
Still angry.
Still hers.
I stayed in the shower longer than necessary. When I finally emerged, toweling off slowly, my body was clean, but my soul was still restless.
A knock at the door.
“Sir?” Ross’s voice. “Dinner in two hours.”
“Thanks,” I called. “I’ll nap until then. Spend some time with your mate.”
He chuckled softly. “She’s already helping me cook. Says she’s been searching for five years.”
I smiled faintly. “Then you caught her at the right time, comrade. She’s a great catch.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Enjoy,” I said. “Now let me sleep.”
He closed the door behind him.
I dimmed the lights until the room was pitch black, exactly how I liked it, and lay back on the massive bed. But sleep didn’t come easy. Not when my mind was still tangled around my mate’s moans, another man’s name on her lips.
I closed my eyes.
Just a nap.
But one day soon?
That bear is going to learn what happens when you touch what belongs to a dragon.
- Writer
