His Chosen Mate (Complete- Standalone)

Chapter 9

I woke up the next morning with Kingston's strong embrace, feeling contentment radiating throughout my very being. His warmth and hardness pressed into my back. My admiration for him was growing, he was so clear about his intentions, so focused on being honest and open. He didn't want to play games or let unsaid words come between us. When he helped me pack and offered to drive me to the airport, I couldn't deny him.

“I promise not to give you space. I'm going to be texting you every chance I get. “ Kingston smiled as he grabbed my bags from the trunk.

“And I will do my best to respond, but keep in mind I am working and it's definitely crunch time.” I was watching his muscular upper body, in awe of his tattooed muscular forearms. I had never particularly found a man's wrists sexy, but let me tell you, Kingston had the sexiest wrists and forearms on the planet.

My carry on wasn't heavy. So, his intentional flex when he noticed my wandering eyes made me blush.

“I know,” he pulled me in by the waist and kissed my lips, “I am picking you up on Wednesday night and we are having dinner or if you are too tired to go out, I will feed you in bed.” He smiled widely.

“I think you like the idea of that more.” I smiled back.

“Well, we’d both get to eat.” He bit his lip and eyed me up and down playfully .

“Maybe I will have recovered by then,” I swatted him away. Although I loved his company, I was sore. Kingston was an entirely different kind of lover. He was thorough and precise. His endurance was insane. He had spent the night last night offering to take me to the airport today and I felt the effects of his overnight companionship lingering in my bones.

I stood there thinking about my past exes, wondering if any of them had actually ever made me come. If they had, it hadn’t been anything like what Kingston was able to draw out of me. Each one made it feel like the earth was moving around me, literally taking the breath out of me, causing my body to uncontrollably spasm into his.

Standing there thinking about it filled my belly with an intense lust and desire. My legs wobbling beneath me, reminding me of just how spent I was. Kingston inhaled deeply, a low growl rumbled in his chest.

“Ashleigh you got to knock that off," He was biting his lip, staring at me as I stood there flustered, suddenly aware of my arousal.

I grabbed my bags, trying to compose myself. "I'm good, I'm fine. Yup," I said, fidgeting with my purse.

His smile was huge and contagious, "Have a safe trip and I will see you on Wednesday.” He sniffed the air, waving his nose around chasing the scent, “Keep that feeling alive.”

I blushed again and he kissed me, grabbing my ass and pushing our bodies together. “Kingston! I gotta get through security like this.” I whimpered, pulling away.

“It’s not my fault. You’re too sexy.” He kissed my hand and bowed before me, “I’ll excuse myself before I make you late for that flight.”

The flight was quick and as soon as my flight landed I was tied up with work, Maggie, the district manager of the Southern California market, was at the airport to pick me up. I had been working closely with her the past few weeks to prep for this store opening, so I was excited about finally meeting her face to face. We headed straight to the store, took measurements around the store, set up fixtures, making sure everything was compliant for walking space. Making a rough lay out where we wanted everything.

“Is Nick gonna be here today?” She asked.

“I’m not sure, my experience with him is that he works on his own timeline. We agreed to meet at the hotel at 4.” I answered honestly.

“Well, I was hoping to invite you guys to dinner.” Maggie said, not loooking up from her tablet.

“As long as it's casual, I really only brought stuff to work in.” I said with a regretful tone.

"I hope you brought a bathing suit, The Shay has a beautiful pool," She asked, "I almost booked a night for myself, to get away from the husband and kids." The hotel I was staying at The Shay did look beautiful, from the pictures and reviews off of google, it looked amazing, I had noticed the pool and packed accordingly.

"You could always bunk with Nick. I bet he is great company overnight." I giggled.

Maggie started talking about all the things to see and all the restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. I was slightly nervous about this trip and being out in public, I hadn't really thought about being out walking in the city, until Maggie started planning dinner.

The two packs in LA were notorious rivals. Everything south of Interstate 10 had been Venice territory when I was a kid, all the way down to the border of Mexico. Then north of 10 up until Bakersfield had been Ventura packlands. There had always been lots of fighting in and around the city for many years. I knew technically my hotel was in Venice Territory, but it's not like wolves could claim ownership to human cities. Sure, they might be all territorial, but they couldn't prevent other wolves from traveling or working if they needed to.

I didn’t let myself think too much about it. I just hoped not to run into any wolves. As long as I stayed with work acquaintances, I should be okay.

3:30 came upon us quickly and we headed for the hotel. I checked in with no sign of Nick. I sent him a text just asking about his location.

“My guess is he shows up tomorrow after all the heavy lifting is done and maybe swaps a blouse, then compliments himself on all his hard work.” Maggie said.

We both laughed. “How long has he been like this?” I asked.

“Oh gosh, I know I shouldn't speak ill of him. I do adore him, but it has gotten really bad for the past few years. He is bored, I guess. He has had interns for the past few years and now you. So, the actual need for him to be around is pretty minimal with you here.”

"Well, I am gonna go put this stuff in the room. What do you want to do?” I asked.

“Are you hungry?” Maggie asked.

“I could eat.” To be honest, I was really hungry. I had been so caught up with Kingston this morning. I didn't really eat and I exerted a lot of energy last night.

“I’ll wait in the lobby. If Nick gets here we can meet him.” I nodded and head to the elevators to drop of my luggage in my room. When I returned to the lobby, Nick still was MIA and hadn't reutnred either of our calls.

We walked around the shops and looked for a restaurant to eat at. As we walked, I swear I kept smelling a wolf but it was hard to tell with all the scents in the air. We settled at this bistro and I was excited about getting poutine. Some of my Canadian coworkers always raved about it and I wanted to try this beloved dish. We had been laughing, sharing drinks, but I kept smelling wolves and was a little on edge, trying not to act suspicious, but I was keeping my eyes out.

My phone went off several times during dinner. I sent Kingston pictures of food and a selfie of Maggie and I. I told him I thought I could smell wolves and he said, that's probably pretty likely. The packs in Cali were all pretty integrated with human society. He warned me to be safe and call him if I needed anything. Still nothing from Nick.

Maggie walked with me back to the hotel and waited as the valet pulled her car around. She reminded me how early we needed to be at the shop and we both groaned. “See you then!” I called back to her, heading inside the hotel lobby.

As soon as the doors opened there was a very distinct wolf smell. I scanned around the lobby and looked inside the restaurant that was inside the hotel. I decided it was probably not wise to go hunt down the scent, so I headed straight to the elevators.

As the doors were closing, a boot kicked the doors back open, it startled me at first. Instantly, it became very clear this boot belonged to a wolf as his scent filled the elevator. He was about 6’2” darker skin and hair, he was handsome and his eyes a lighter honey colored. He was dressed nicely but casual, dark denim, button up with the sleeves rolled up.

“What floor, he asked?”

I hit 2, even though my room was on the fourth floor.

“I am the Beta of the Venice Pack. When I ask you a question you will answer it.” He said assertively. “What pack are you in?”

“I’m not in a pack.” I answered.

“Nice try. What pack are you in?”

“Like I said, I’m not in a pack, I’ve been rogue for a decade. My work is opening a shop down here and they put me up in this hotel with my boss. If I am in someone's territory, I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I’ll be gone by Wednesday.”

The elevator opened and I walked out. “Is that gonna be a problem?” I turned around holding the elevator open with my hand.

“We’ll see.”

As the door shut, I headed to the stairs and immediately took out my phone.

Ashleigh: Just ran into the beta of the Venice pack.

Kingston: What happened?

Ashleigh: Nothing. I thought I smelled a wolf and there was a strong scent in the lobby when I got back from dinner, he followed me into the elevator.

Kingston: What did he say?

Ashleigh: He asked me my pack and when I told him I was rogue, here for work and asked if that was a problem and he responded ‘We’ll see’

Kingston: Do you want me to come down?

Ashleigh: By the time you get here, I’d be heading into work. I think it will be fine. He just had that Beta vibe.

Kingston: I am worried you may smell like your old pack. I’ve mentioned it before but if they never kicked you out, you may not be rogue. If you smell like Ventura to them...

Ashleigh: Its been almost 11 years though, would I still smell like my pack?

Kingston: I smell like mine, even though I am a proclaimed member of Full Howl, I smell like my old pack.

Ashleigh: I imagine that's a bit different for you. You are an Alpha.

Kingston: Was, Full Howl doesnt do that whole hierarchy stuff.

Ashleigh: But like who is in charge, say if I wanted to suggest a name change. : P

Kingston: You think ur funny?

Ashleigh: I know I am sir.

Kingston: Sir? I like the sound of that.

Ashleigh: Of course you do. What are you doing with the rest of ur night?

Kingston: Gonna head to bed when you do, have a system update that starts at 11, everything should go smoothly but if it doesnt. I’ll get woken up.

Ashleigh: Alright, well I am heading to bed. I’ll talk to you in the morning.

Kingston: Goodnight baby, sweet dreams.