Terms of Surrender

Mealtime Warfare: Darian

I half expected Tess to be sitting where I’d left her at the island counter. Maybe crying, or at least red-eyed as if she had been crying. What I didn’t expect was for the elevator to open and see her curled up on one of the sofas. Her legs were tucked under her looking like she belonged there. I felt the pull from the mate bond like a hook under my ribs, tightening the closer I got to her. I had to force myself to take my time though. I couldn’t rush this.

She didn’t bother to look up. She sat on the far end, the sunlight streaming through the window, framing her in a halo of gold. She’d showered and changed, her hair was still wet. a file was propped on the arm of the sofa and she seemed to be studying it meticulously.

Her panic appeared to be gone. My nostrils flared slightly as I took a deep breath, smelling the air around us. The heavy spice of her fear was replaced by something else. Something cold. She’d washed my scent away. The smell of pomegranate and rain was clean now, and my wolf bristled at the deliberate rejection. In pack terms, it was a refusal of shelter.

“I see you made yourself comfortable.”

“You pretty much told me to,” she still didn’t look up, her tone was bored. Dismissive.

My jaw tightened, canines pressing down as I swallowed a growl. “I’m taking you to dinner. Put your shoes on.”

Now she lifted her eyes to me. Her lips were parted and I watched the different emotions flicker behind them. Calculating. “Now.”

She got up, taking the file with her as she disappeared down the hall for the east wing. A few moments later she returned wearing a pair of black Oxfords.

We took the elevator down to the parking garage, and I’m once again approaching the BMW. This time, I had her hand tucked into the crook of my elbow, my opposite hand covering hers to prevent her from bolting. My thumb pressed into the pulse point the wolf tracked without effort. I opened her door and waited for her to get in. Then I was dashing around to the opposite side before she had the chance to act on any crazy ideas.

I considered where to take her for a moment. There was a dining area, a small space akin to a restaurant at the pack house. A place that smelled of meat, warmth, and hierarchy. There was also an actual restaurant, a steakhouse called The Stockyard, just down the street. I ended up choosing the steakhouse, if only because it will likely be more private. I wasn’t ready to show Tess everything yet.

We were seated quickly, in a booth on the far side of the dining room. The lights were dim, piano music filtered in over hidden speakers. The pouring of drinks and the clink of silverware against porcelain mixed with the indecipherable murmurs of the other patrons.

When the server came, Tess refused to order anything. I ended up ordering for both of us. A bottle of Chianti to split, two waters, and two New York strip steaks, both medium rare — rare enough to keep the blood. “I’m vegan,” she stated the moment the server stepped away, and I genuinely wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth or if she was purposely trying to be difficult.

The bottle came uncorked, along with two glasses. I poured for both of us. She didn’t touch the wine or her water. I sipped slowly, watching her over the rim.

“Let’s forget the pleasantries, Mr. Whitmore. You mentioned I was ‘necessary for your survival.’ What are you? What is that supposed to mean?” she asked, jumping straight into it, forcing eye contact.

I had to be careful with what I revealed. How much I revealed. There were also concerns about how much she’d believe. She wasn’t frightened anymore. She was calculating, and she was testing boundaries.

“My life is governed by a power structure that predates human law by a millennia. We…my people…exist in the shadows of this world. And when we find our mate, the one who carries the necessary bond, everything else ceases to matter. You are that bond, Tess.”

“If this bond is so vital to your people,” she started, her voice cold, professional, almost clinical, “and if I’m it’s necessary component, then my well-being is my ultimate leverage. I require immediate communication with my family, or I will make your continued existence as uncomfortable as possible.”

The wine glass nearly slipped from my hand as she made her demand. The Alpha reared back inside me, startled into a temporary stillness. She was weaponizing the bond. For a moment, I was stunned by her brilliance. I wanted to crush her defiance, but now, the wolf only demanded her comfort, its priorities snapping violently into place. I had to concede a small victory to gain her trust.

“Fine,” I sighed, a sound that was heavy with defeat. “One phone call. Supervised. Now eat.” There was more that I wanted to discuss with her. Unfortunately, I wasn’t sure now was the best time.

She still didn’t eat.

Unsurprisingly, Tess remained rigid, unmoving throughout the meal. Still refusing to eat or drink. I paid and didn’t bother with her untouched food.

In the car, I told her, “We are going back to the penthouse. The call will be made on a secure line. You will not mention your location, the circumstances, or use any prearranged signal. I will be in the room. Understand?”

I barely got an affirmative out of her as I pulled onto the street. The car ride was silent. I could feel something building in me. Anxiety, or something worse. Every moment she spoke to the outside world was a risk to my secrets. To my pack. I needed her cooperation though. This was the price of her brilliance. I would monitor every inflection, every breath.

We arrived back at the Whitmore building. Tess radiated cold anger with every step. The elevator was especially suffocating. I almost felt as if I could freeze under her glare. In the penthouse, I led her to my own room. A secure phone sat on the nightstand by my bed.

She stood there, just as rigid as she’s been since we walked into the steakhouse. I sat in an armchair in the corner of the room, one leg crossed over the other, ankle resting on my knee. I tried to appear calm while she dialed, but inside, my heart was racing. The wolf inside paced.

Tess was too calm, too professional. I heard a woman’s voice on the other end of the line, tinny as it filtered through the receiver. Her mom, a sister, an aunt. I wasn’t sure.

Tess told her the assignment had been extended. There was a complaint in response and Tess continued, “He’s difficult, he requires absolute, singular focus.” My jaw clenched tight. Her words came out smooth, but I could hear how frantic her heartbeat was.

“She is telling them she’s being held here, but doing so through layers of human absurdity,” my wolf snarled inside. “She’s warning them.” The wolf’s hackles were rising at the thought of outsiders.

I extended my hand, a silent command for her to surrender the phone. “That’s enough, Tess. Say goodbye.”

She was breathing hard, shaking, but she managed to meet my eyes, even as she ended the call.

“You broke the terms of my concession. You lied. If that information creates a problem for me, I will ensure your family pays the penalty for your recklessness. Understand?” The words tasted like ash as they left my mouth, but the Alpha had to choose survival over mercy.

I watched her throat work, swallowing down whatever she’s feeling. Or whatever comeback was ready on her lips. She just nodded instead, and I seen the brief flash of fear in her eyes now.

The only way to keep her and my people safe was through absolute control — the oldest law of the pack. I would not apologize for protecting her, even if it meant terrifying her into obedience. Her human freedom had become the greatest danger.

I ushered her out of my room, away from the phone, and locked the door behind us.