His Chosen Mate (Complete- Standalone)

Chapter 25

~Kingston’s POV~

These assholes don’t like to mix their work with thier pleasure. Or maybe they are terrified I might let their secret delinquent kinks slip to one of their darling daughters. My mere presence puts them on edge. I don't mind letting them squirm. Mr. Pirrone, as well as a handful of his associates present tonight have some sordid tastes. I could really care less about what they do in the privacy of their bedrooms but they have the audacity to judge me, to stare me down, they think I am a monster. I have no problem letting them squirm, knowing I hold their secrets.

I felt far removed from this life, but feeling their eyes on me. I am realizing none of my past is truly in the past.

Ashleigh looks stunning in her black dress, I am watching her and Emily dance together, holding champagne flutes as they whisper and giggle back and fourth. Men approaching them every so often to offer a drink or ask Emily for an introduction. Men are so eager to place a unwanted hand on the small of her back or her arm. Leaning in to smell her. I see how uncomfortable some of them make her. I normally don’t mind sharing but I don’t know what it is about Ashleigh, I want to keep her to myself. I gotta regroup though, she has seen too many different masks, its probably confusing her. Hence her comment about being at home. What girl in her right mind, would want to leave my bedroom, my bubble, my sphere of influence. None. I gotta fix that.

I stepped away to take a call. Brendan spotted Vince, Troy’s second, in the marina. They've also scented Venice wolves in the area. So, I am on high alert, the docks are private but the security is dismal, not that it would matter. If Troy wanted to make a show of force, he could do it. He has a pack at his disposal, everything move I make needs to be done with precision. I am under more stress than I am accustomed to. The past 24 hours things have been coming down hard.

We hog tied and beat the sh*t out of the guards that were watching Ashleigh, I left a little love note for Troy. He and I have been going back and fourth via text until I met him this afternoon. He accepted my challenge, Tuesday, its gotta be on the grounds I am seeking to claim. In between trying to hack into Venice holdings and coordinating the challenge; I spent the afternoon rushing an oath ceremony for Ashleigh, its incredibly important that she breaks the bond before the challenge. Its such a crippling pain both mentally and physically, it may just be the edge I need to win the challenge. Of course I am not leaving it to straight up to physical combat. I am not stupid. Troy has been an Alpha for over a decade. I have diminished magic, the only way to win, is to cheat and I have that just about worked out.

Once Venice is mine, I won’t have to placate the filth in this city anymore. Years ago when I sought revenge I didn't know I'd be claiming a crippled worhless pack. I’ve been working my way out from under my old packs financial ruin and have gotten myself nicely situated here. Sure, I had to do some unsavory things to get myself set up. But things have been smooth the past few years but this is what my crew and I need, what we deserve. If I had access to the capital and assets of the Venice pack, I’d have a f*cking empire, taking Troy’s mate is just an added bonus.

"King" I hear from behind me.

"Evening Cartwright," I turn around to meet his extended hand even though it disgusts me to do so. As a state representative, this man will still have an impact on my affairs in southern california. So, I play nice.

"Haven't seen you around in a few years." He smiles and I make sure to direct my eyesight to girls away from Ashleigh and Emily. I don't want him to know what I have my eyes on.

"Been busy."

"Are you here tonight with merchandise?"

"Afraid not. Focusing on other endeavors at the moment."

"That's a shame, you were always such a good handler. Cleanest extraction. Perfect product." What kind of compliment is that? I mean, yeah. I was good at what I did and was impossible to track but I don't want to be reminded of my past, not really. I won't let that, define my legacy.

"Well after that one slims down, Let me know when she is available." He nods down to the lower deck and I know without tracking where his eyes are, he is preying upon Ashleigh. No way in h*ll. She is a personal project, my own prize. But I smile and nod, letting him think whatever he wants. But there is no way in hell, I'll let her near him. I turn back around to look down at Ashleigh, her and Emily are walking towards the stairs. She looks up at me and mouths 'bathroom', as Emily drags her down the stairs and she points in the direction she is heading.

I need to get her out of here, of all the dangers she could run into on this yatch, Troy would probably be the least dangerous.