His Chosen Mate (Complete- Standalone)

Chapter 23

My brain was fried, honestly the past 48 hours was a mess. I think about the tears I shed at the lake with Kingston and that seems like a totally different man then the one rushing me to pack my bags.

The incident with my mark has me shaken, I know I haven’t seen an alpha's aggression in a long time but I know to expect it and I use that knoweldge to try to pacify my anxiety. This is just how wolves are, they are aggressive, dominating, primal and possessive. I know Kingston and I were just in the infancy stage of our relationship but we were connecting. I could feel it, so I excuse that he snapped over the mark on my neck and let him help me. Let him give me the space I need to make a plan, free from panic and fear.

I’m honestly shocked that Troy hasn’t shown up but thankful that I don’t have to confront him right now. I am not certain what I want. I had been so sure about talking with him and trying to make things work but Kingston made me realize I am probably blinded by the bond. Space and time will do the trick. So, I am taking Kingston up on his hospitality, I am heading to his place. He is offering me protection from retaliation from Troy and while I hope I don’t need it, it's better to be safe than sorry. I am not naive to the stereotypes of wolves and their mates but from everything I had gathered about Troy, he might let this go without a fight. Honestly, I don't know. Him knowing about my past in such detail left me with more questions and no means to get answers.

As I grab the last of my toiletries and make up. I realize that I do hope Troy reaches out to me and we can talk, I want to understand his curse. I want to help him and while I don’t feel the greatest about abandoning him, Kingston is right, I don’t want to be held captive and forced into a relationship I am not ready for. A life I don’t want.

I have yet to be inside Kingstons home, its by the waterfront and when we drive into a private parking garage, I am not sure what to expect. We enter through a corridor into a lobby and I realize he has some sort of loft penthouse situation going on. There is a curated collection of artwork on the walls, fresh floral arrangments and modern light fixtures. There are three elevators and each has a keypad to operate.

“This is fancy.” I say as the elevator opens, the entire inside is gold, with mirrored walls. There are two buttons, Kingston hits the top one with a smirk.

My mind is blown when we arrive, he has a massive loft, with high ceilings, oversized windows looking out on the water, there is exposed brick and ductwork and the vibe is trying to lean into an industrial heritage but this is newly constructed. Everything from the stainless steel appliances, to a set of barn doors tells me that. He slowly walks giving me a tour, only offering the obvious as to what each room is.

Its beautiful though, his living space has plush leather sofas and while there isn’t much on the walls, he does have two abstract art pieces that scream the work of an interior designer to me. Beyond the living area, he walks me through the set of sliding barn doors to reveal the sanctuary of his bedroom. A custom-made platform bed takes center stage, adorned with crisp white linens and plump pillows, it looks heavenly. Attached is a sleek, modern bathroom, luxurious marble countertop holds a vessel sink, while the walk-in shower boasts floor-to-ceiling glass. Everything is so open, crisp and clean.

Kingston sets my bags down inside his walk in closet and I put what I am carrying next to it. He takes my hand and walks me through the french doors at the end of his bedroom. The loft extends into an exclusive rooftop terrace. I take in the panoramic views of the city skyline past the water. Its absolutely breathtaking.

“Do you like it?” He comes up behind me, his arms extending to the railing, caging me between the railing and him.

“It’s beautiful, I didn’t realize you could have such a good view of the city here.”

“Mmhmm.” He hums in my ear, “The view is great.” I’m arching back into him on reflex, exposing my neck to him as his nose and lips trail along my neck. I can feel him hardening behind me, the swell of his size pressing into my ass.

“Kingston, I can’t yet. I’m not in a good head space.” I offer apologetically. But he doesn’t stop. He is softly pushing his length against my backside. Then his hand wraps around me and his fingers trail up to the fullness of my breast, he squeezes as he bites down on my neck and sucks at the flesh.

“Please, Kingston. Not right now.” I whimper. It feels amazing but I just can’t not right now. I still lean further into him and can feel my resolve slipping as his lips trail along my earlobe and his breath excites every part of me. “Please, stop.” It’s still coming out in a breathy whisper but I really don’t want to be doing this right now. I step to the side and break contact from him.

“I can’t right now.” I say clearly, with resolve and determination this time. “I need a bit of time, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. Okay.” Kingston appears agitated but only for a moment, “Are you hungry? I haven’t had dinner yet.”

“That would be amazing.”

“What are you in the mood for?” He asks, leading me back inside.

“I can take a peek at your ingredients and make something, if you don’t mind me in your kitchen?” I offer.

“Oh, I hardly use it. I mostly have protein shakes in there. I don’t know how to cook.” He laughs but extends his arm encouraging me to take a look.

He doesn’t know how to cook? Didn’t he make me a whole picnic lunch of his favorites? Weird. But when I open the fridge, I see almond milk, chicken, eggs, some leftover rice and raw broccoli.

“I’ll order us some bowls from down the street.” He suggests.

“That sounds great, thank you. I’m gonna get my stuff out of your closet door.”

“Yeah, take any space you need. Everything on the left hand side of the bathroom is empty and same with the bottom drawers on the dresser. I head back into his bedroom, do I plan on unpacking and staying here? How long will it be before its safe to go back home?

I don’t unpack my suitcase, I just move it out of the way and get it set in corner. I do take my toiletries and situate them in the bathroom. As I am opening drawers to figure the best place to store things without overrunning Kingstons space. I find similar touches I saw in the bathroom at the beach house. Bobby pins, hair ties, tampons. He has two sisters Ashleigh. I shake my head, trying to clear my own insecurities.

When I unpack my laptop and phone, I debate where I can plug them in and I realize quite oblivious apparently that he just has the one bedroom. The one bed. I guess it’s implied I am sharing it with him. Was that bold of him or of I to assume?

Contrary to my actions over the past few weeks. It wasn’t like me to have multiple partners at once. Actually, I had never done that, never had different partners in such a short span of time. I have had a few hook ups but for the most part, I was a serial monogamist. And if I am being honest I never really intended for Kingston to develop into anything outside of a hookup. That first time on the beach was an anomaly, SO outside my comfort zone and not typical behavior. But I was channeling all my pep talks and owning my sexuality or something. Letting Emily’s advice about taking Kingston for a spin, encourage my lack of inhibitions. While initially I only intended to hook up with him, we had some vulnerable moments, he was working with me on my insecurities, I was starting to have feelings for him, wasn't I?

It’s hard to remember after the branding and passion that I had experienced with Troy. I hadn’t intended to sleep with him either but when he marked me. Jesus. My body just took over, my conscious brain left the room and all my better judgements melted away. I had been stripped of everything besides pleasure and desire.

I hear Kingston’s phone ping from the other room, a low growl following.

I needed space and time away from that. Away from the bond clouding my better sense. I hope Kingston can understand my need to give my body and mind a reprieve from the assault of the mate bond. I wonder if taking the Full Howl oath would help, sever the bond, sever my mind from that lustful haze? Another ping.

“Kingston how do I go about taking the oath to Full Howl?” I say walking back into the living space.

“We have a group, who overseas it. Usually there is a ceremony and a celebration afterwards.” His phone pings on the kitchen island again, he looks down at it. “Thats our food. Be right back." As he leaves out the elevator, I go to fetch some cups from the cabinets.

His phone pings again and I can’t help but notice the message that pops up.

Troy: Don’t you f*cking dare, you piece of sh*t.

Oh. He is in contact with Troy? His phone pings again.

Kaylee: If not tonight, tomorrow?

I flush and immediately back away from his phone. That could be a client, a friend. Don’t go straight to the worst case scenario. My trust issues have nothing to do with him, I remind myself.

I realize I haven’t even unlocked my phone since yesterday morning so I head back into the bedroom to grab it. Hoping for a distraction to keep my mind from spiraling. I set the glasses on the table and head to pick iot up off the end table in Kingstons bedroom.

Emily: Party on a yacht with my elders. So, ur people. Come?

Emily: Or ignore me, that’s fine to. I know u fly home today!

Emily: Party is Saturday, I’ll see you at 8, k byyyyyyeee.

Emily: Also text me back b*tch.

Kingston: Are you okay?

Mom: Worried lots, call me when you can.

Shit, I think back to the last conversation I had with my mom. Calling her in a panic for my uncles number.

Ashleigh: Sorry mom. Everything is fine. Been distracted. Will call soon. Love you.

Then I send a quick response to Emily, I hear Kingston come in.

Ashleigh: Party you say? Is this a bikini event or formal attire?

Emily: She’s alive! Alive!!!!!

Emily: It’s cocktail.

“Who you talking to?” Kingston says. Filling the open space from where the door had been slid open.

“My friend Emily invited me to an event tomorrow night. I haven’t talk to her like all week, so I was just checking in with her and letting my mom know I’m okay.

He nods, “Dinner is at the table.”

I follow him to the table, where he takes a seat, I sit at the spot he has a bowl set out for me, across from him.

“I got poke. I got you the vegetarian one minus the pesto.” I open the dish and its a colorful green salad, with sprouts, mushrooms, cucumber, beets, basil, seaweed. It’s good enough to post on i********: but its not something I would ever order for myself.

“You want to go with your friend tomorrow?” He asks, grabbing a jug of water from the fridge.

“I wasn’t planning on it, its some party on a yacht. I figured I would be laying low for awhile. I don’t know what to expect from Troy. Have you heard from him?” He shakes his head no as he fills our cups. Thne sits down and opens his own bowl, that I can’t help but notice is overflowing with shrimp, tuna, salmon, avocado, citrus mayo, egg, there is pineapple, pickles red onion and all sorts of yummies smothered in rich sauces.

“Would you be interested in going to the party tomorrow?” I ask.

“Sure, if its on the waterfront, its probably at the marina, its not even a quarter mile away.”

“I didn’t really pack anything for a cocktail event. So, I either need to go back to my condo or go shopping.”

“I can take you to your condo tomorrow. I have a few training sessions in the morning, if you wanted to come to the gym with me then we can go to your condo afterward?”