Page 16 of Elusive Mate

“Zaiden found us an Airbnb two towns away. Plenty of room for the two of us and a hangar where I can get the plane out of sight. He also arranged for an SUV, and both are under another name.”

Lucian smiled. “My beta is a very thorough man, and as always I am in his debt.”

“I’ll make sure the plane is fueled and ready to go. If it comes down to it and you’re coming in hot, give me a heads up and I’ll be waiting. I can have this plane off the ground too fast for anyone to stop us. I flew combat missions overseas. I can fly with the best of them.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, but good to know if it does. Why don’t you let them know we’ve landed safely, take care of the plane, get something to eat—I’m sure Zaiden had food delivered—and get a little shut eye. I’m not planning to do much for a day or two. I want to know the lay of the land and confirm that it’s Zenya.”

“Thank you, Alpha.”

Lucian nodded and headed out to the SUV. Once inside, he plugged in the address for Zenya’s house. He also had the address of her clinic but wanted to see where she lived first. The small cottage that had been purchased was charming, which was real estate lingo for small. He found a secluded place to park and then made his way unseen to her home.

Defeating her simple alarm system didn’t present much of a challenge, and he walked through the space, studying the things that made it uniquely Zenya. Her scent lingered in the air, and his cock began to throb behind the fly of his jeans. She had made a lot of progress. The house was almost completely furnished and decorated. It was a bit feminine for his taste, but that told him most likely his mate remained a virgin. He would have to remember that when he finally claimed her as his.

It was almost noon. Zaiden said her clinic closed at noon on Saturdays, and it was her turn to work. Most likely she would be home soon. He walked through the space again, ensuring he left it as he found it. He then restored the alarm so no one would be able to tell it had been interrupted and retreated to the SUV.

Lucian headed into town, looking for a place from which he could observe her clinic. She was just coming out the back door when she spotted a beat-up cardboard box. She squatted down and stood back up, returning inside the clinic and emerging wearing what looked like a protective glove. This time when she approached the box, she made a low, reverberating purr as she reached in and pulled out a mangled and severely injured bobcat. At first it hissed and spit at her, but gradually her gentle nature won the wildcat’s trust.

One of the techs came out. “Oh my god, Zenya. That thing will hurt you. I’ll get the tranquilizer gun. You can put him down, and I’ll shoot him in the flank.”

“There’s no need to do that. He’s going to be fine, aren’t you, pretty boy,” she crooned.

The tech laughed. “Do you know how many of the eligible men around here would kill to have you talk to them that way?”

“Far too many. What they haven’t realized is that all he wants is my help. I want nothing in return from him, so he will let me nurse him back to health without getting all tongue-tied and goo-goo eyed.”

“I’m just saying you’d have your choice of men. Do you want me to stay?”

“No, I don’t think anything will require surgery, and it doesn’t appear he’s in danger. I’ll set him up with food and water in the crate in my office. Would you mind meeting me in the morning to do x-rays and a more thorough exam?”

“Not at all, boss lady.” The woman came to her and laid her hand on Zenya’s arm. “You have a kind heart. See you in the morning.”

She was good at her job, and the tech was right. Zenya was kind. Did he really have the right to claim her without her consent? Lucian shook his head. Of course he did; she was his fated mate. If she planned to work on the bobcat in the morning, he could pick up some surveillance equipment and install it in her home while she was out.

He watched until she finally came out of the office, rubbed the back of her neck and got into her Jeep. Lucian followed her back to her home and watched as she let herself in. Once he knew she was safely inside, he headed back to the Airbnb. It wouldn’t be long before he had her in his bed back in their home.

CHAPTER 7

ZENYA

“Zenya,” he purred as he sat in the chair behind his desk. “When we are alone you will call me by my name. I rather think I will like hearing it coming from your pretty mouth.” He dragged his finger across her bottom lip, pulling it down, baring her teeth. He chuckled. “Although I have other uses for your pretty little mouth as well. Take your clothes off now.”

Dropping his hand to his side, he stepped away. Returning to his seat, he leaned back. His hands steepled under his chin as he studied her. It had been a long time—had she changed so much? “Now.”

“Now?” she repeated. Was he actually serious, or was this some kind of test to see whether or not she would really submit and give herself to him?

He nodded silently.

She wasn’t intimidated by him—at least, that’s what she told herself. She shrugged out of the flimsy negligee, a silk gown that clung to her body that she would never have bought for herself. She stripped quickly, letting the thin nightie fall from her shoulders to puddle on the floor at her feet.

Lucian didn’t ask her to put on a strip tease or to slow down, but the way his hard cock tented his jeans said he was wildly aroused and probably eager to get this done. She couldn’t say she disagreed, but she doubted she would be experience the encounter the same way.

“Turn around for me.” He rumbled in command. “Slowly this time. I want to take a good look at what I’ve waited so very long for.”

Zenya took a deep breath and then did as she was told, holding her arms awkwardly away from her body.

“Good girl,” he purred seductively, smiling as her nipples stiffened under his stare.

He continued to look at her, his eyes sweeping over her body as she continued to stand there, unsure of what she should do next. He didn’t leave her standing there for long.

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