A Matter of Convenience

Thirty-Two

~Isis~

I scoot my chair back and stretch my arms above my head. “Just so I’m clear, we will tell the elders that we plan to build a new packhouse in the neutral area.This guarantees that they won’t bother us about that because it isn’t something that can be done quickly. We will alternate whose packhouse we stay in, correct?”

“I mean, yeah, that seems like the best way to go about things. My parents already know about us, so how do you want to handle telling the packs?” I close my eyes and take a few cleansing breaths. It feels like we didn’t plan enough before we got this going.

“Why don’t we have a party, Ericson? We can have a joint party, invite both packs. We can make the announcement during the party. I think that will make it easier.” Ericson leans back, rubbing his face.

“That sounds like a good idea. We can always use a good party.” I nod and jot down a few notes on the paper before me. “So, can I leave you to plan it?” My hand stills and I look up at Ericson. He has a smirk on his face, and I roll my eyes.

“No, you can not leave me to plan it! I have an entire pack to run, and I don’t have time to be the sole planner of a party that will have two packs in attendance.” Ericson holds his hands up in defense.

“I was just joking. We can plan it together, and I will make sure I carry the weight of the planning.” I huff and take a few more notes.

“There’s something else we have to see about.”

“What’s that?”

“We need to figure out what to do about these marks.” Ericson sits up straight and looks at me.

“Marks? I don’t know what you mean.”

“I rejected Jovanni, but he didn’t accept my rejection. He still feels the pull to me, and he’s suspicious.”

“Jovanni? Rejection? What the hell am I missing?” Oh yeah, that’s right. We didn’t discuss our pasts before we agreed to go down this route. It probably would have been the better thing to do.

I stand and start to pace around the room. I feel Ericson’s eyes on me, and I know he’s waiting for me to say what I have to say. “So, Jovanni, the warrior with Alpha Felix, is my fated mate. Well, he’s my former fated mate.” Ericson sits back in his chair and closes his eyes.

“What happened?” I sigh and tell him about our first meeting and our time together. I also tell him about our last visit and what I overheard. Finally, I tell Ericson about his visit to my pack and my rejection. Recounting this story is more than a little embarrassing. How is it that I’m an Alpha female, and I missed any sign there was that Jovanni was a piece of sh.it? I should have been able to sniff it out. I’m meant to lead a group of people, yet I can’t see an ill-intentioned man right in front of my face.

“Basically, I decided to walk away and here we are.” Ericson doesn’t say anything for a while, and I continue to pace. It’s a messed up situation because no one finds their fated mate and expects them to be complete assholes.

“Let me get this straight. You find out that your fated mate has ulterior motives, so you reject him. Then, suddenly, he and his Alpha come to you to ask for your help with rogues? I’m sorry, but something seems off with that.” I stop pacing and walk over to my desk chair. I plop in it and throw my head back.

“I agree with you, especially seeing as how Alpha Felix asked for help with rogues.”

“What do you mean?” I sit up and look at Ericson.

“Alpha Felix is beginning to gain a reputation and if it sticks, he would be one that you go to for rogue help, not one who seeks the help out.”

“What do you think is going on? Do you think that his purpose is to push you back with Jovanni?” I shrug my shoulders.

“I can’t say. I don’t see why an Alpha would do something like that, but everyone is different.”

“What’s your plan?”

“I plan to play the game to and see what happens.”

“I guess that’s all you can do for now.” I sit up and nod my head.

“It looks like we have everything taken care of. I will talk to my witch plug about the mate bond and see if she can help with that. I guess we’re done here.” Ericson clears his throat.

“Uh, not quite.” I sit up and raise an eyebrow at Ericson. “We need to talk about PDA.” I choke on my spit. I didn’t expect that to come out of his mouth.

“PDA?” Ericson chuckles and shifts in his seat.

“Yeah. You know, public displa-”

“I know what PDA stands for, smart guy. I’m trying to figure out what we need to discuss that for.”

“Are you serious?! We are supposed to be a mated couple, chosen mates. We will be in public often enough where it will come up. How can we call ourselves a couple but have no type of physical contact?” I guess, no, I know that Ericson has a point, but PDA?! I don’t want to do it, I don’t want to think about it, and I don’t want any part of it. I swear, I’m questioning my choice to go through with this more and more.

“What do you suggest?” My teeth are clenched, and I wish we could skip over this part of the conversation.

“I suggest you be ready for PDA. It can happen any place, any time. You can’t tense up or try to fight me when it happens.” The ringing of Ericson’s phone interrupts our meeting, and I’m not mad about it. I sit back and wait for him to complete his call. Ericson stands and fixes his clothing. “I have to go, but I will be back later.” I nod, and he walks out of my office.