My Alpha Mate Is A Jerk

Chapter 5

Ghosts

Viktor stared at the file Marcus had just handed him, his claws puncturing the leather arms of his office chair.

"You're certain?" His voice was deathly calm.

"Multiple witnesses placed James Cooper in Toronto last week." Marcus kept his distance, aware of his Alpha's mounting rage. "The accident was staged. Dental records switched. He's been tracking her movements ever since, waiting for the investigation into her injuries to go cold."

Viktor's eyes flashed gold. The mate bond had strengthened over the past two days, ever since he'd let his wolf comfort her. Now it thrummed with Aria's peaceful contentment as she slept upstairs, unaware that her nightmares were very much alive. He hated that he had to tell her her stepfather was still alive.

"The timing of his disappearance," Viktor said carefully, "coincides with a doctor filing a formal report about suspicious patterns in her medical history?"

"Yes. He had help covering his tracks – professional help." Marcus hesitated. "There's more. We found his current location. He's here in the city. Has been for three days, since right after the mating ball. He's been watching her."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop. "He's in my territory?"

"At the Red Pine Motel on Fifth. Security footage shows him following her to that coffee shop she likes. To her old apartment. To the bookstore—"

The desk splintered under Viktor's hands.

"Get her old address. I want to know exactly what he's been planning." His voice had dropped to a wolf's growl. "And Marcus? No one speaks a word of this to her. Not yet."

---

Aria woke to soft sheets and Viktor's lingering scent. He'd stayed with her through most of the past two nights, his presence keeping the nightmares at bay. It was confusing – this gentler version of her mate who still wouldn't fully claim her, who touched her with careful hands while maintaining emotional distance.He probably still messed with other women.

A knock at the door made her sit up. "Come in?"

Instead of Viktor, a petite woman in a lab coat entered. The doctor from before.

"Alpha Volkov asked me to check on you while he handles some business." She smiled kindly. "I'm Dr. Chen. How are you feeling?"

"Better." Aria fought the urge to wrap herself in Viktor's nearby suit jacket. "The sleeping helps."

"And the bond? Any pain?"

"Not as much, since..." She blushed. "Since he started staying with me."

Dr. Chen made some notes. "That's normal. Prolonged mate contact helps stabilize—" She broke off as shouting erupted from somewhere below.

"Get the f**k out of my way!" An achingly familiar voice. One that featured in Aria's nightmares. She froze as fear filled her.

The color drained from her face. "No. No, no, no..."

Dr. Chen reached for her phone, but the door burst open before she could use it. James Cooper stood there, older but exactly as Aria remembered. Same cold eyes. Same cruel smile.

"There's my little bitch." He grinned. "Miss me?"

Aria couldn't breathe. Couldn't move. Her wolf was paralyzed with old terror.

"Security breach in the east wing," Dr. Chen barked into her phone. "Code—"

James moved with shocking speed for a human, backhanding the doctor into the wall. She crumpled, unconscious or worse.

"You caused me a lot of trouble, running away." He pulled out a syringe. "Had to fake my own death because of you. But now we can finish what we started. Breaking that spirit of yours once and for all."

"How..." Aria managed through numb lips.

"How did I get in? Money opens all doors, sweetheart. Even in a place like this. Though I have to admit," he glanced around the opulent room, "you've moved up in the world. All these years hunting you down, and here you are playing kept woman to some rich asshole."

A growl echoed from the doorway. Not Aria's – she was still frozen. James turned.

Viktor filled the entrance, his eyes solid gold, claws extended. The sight of him snapped Aria's wolf out of its terror.

"Mate," she whimpered.

James's eyes widened. "*Mate?* You're telling me my little punching bag is mated to—"

He didn't finish. Viktor crossed the room faster than human eyes could track, lifting James by the throat.

"You put your hands on what's mine." Viktor's voice was pure predator. "*Touched* what belongs to me."

Despite his closing airway, James laughed. "Belongs to you? I *made* her what she is. Every scar, every broken bone... I taught her fear. Taught her she was worthless. Taught her women are only good for breaking. That's not something you can undo, *mate*."

Viktor's other hand shot out, catching the syringe James tried to plunge into his arm. He crushed it, letting the glass and liquid drip to the floor.

"You're right." Viktor smiled, and it was terrible to behold. "I can't undo it. But I can make you suffer for every single mark you left on her."

He turned to where Marcus had appeared in the doorway. "Clear my schedule. And find out who let this *thing* into my house. I want names." His gaze shifted to Dr. Chen, who was stirring. "Doctor. Take my mate to the secure wing. Sedate her if needed."

"No!" Aria found her voice. "Viktor, please—"

"Shhh, little wolf." His eyes gentled fractionally when they met hers. "You don't need to see this. And I need to focus without worrying about you."

"You can't just—"

"I can. I will." He squeezed James's throat harder, making him gag. "This creature hurt what's mine. That requires a very specific response." His smile showed too many teeth. "A very *lengthy* response."

"At least let me—"

"The only thing you're going to do," Viktor's voice brooked no argument, "is go with the doctor, take whatever she gives you to help you sleep, and know that when you wake up, the monster from your past will never trouble you again."

His eyes locked with hers, and for the first time, he let her see everything – rage, possessiveness, and something deeper that made her wolf whine with need.

"You're mine now, little mate," he said softly. "Mine to protect. Mine to avenge. The only one allowed to break you is me, and I find I've lost the taste for it."

Dr. Chen touched Aria's arm gently. "Come on. Let's get you somewhere quiet."

The last thing Aria saw as the doctor led her away was Viktor carrying her stepfather toward the basement, Marcus following with an array of concerning tools.

She should have been horrified. Instead, her wolf purred.

*Mate protects*, it whispered. *Mate loves*.

And for the first time since the mating ball, Aria wondered if perhaps it was right.