Page 38 of Tracking His True Mate

Jess and I discussed the details of how to pull off my idea over breakfast. She knew Trace well enough, but I offered a different perspective and some ideas of what might drive him wild.

“Submit to him, but not right away. I get the feeling that he likes a little bit of a fight,” I said. “He seems to thrive on a power struggle to a point.”

She nodded, taking mental notes with a blush on her cheeks. No doubt, she was a virgin, and this was new territory for her.

While being with Trace had conjured up some unique desires in me, the things he enjoyed weren't too different from some of the shit Patrick and Lance tried to talk me into. I smiled, remembering Lance's excitement when I agreed to light bondage during sex one night. I had to admit that I enjoyed it, too.

"What if he still isn't interested, even if I put all this out there?" Jess's voice broke a little. She seemed self-conscious, just imagining being turned down by her alpha. It must have been heartbreaking for her the first time it happened. Being half-dressed and vulnerable would no doubt makehis rejection much more painful if it occurred again.

I reached over and gave her a reassuring touch. "Trace has been really sexually frustrated. I don't think that's going to be a problem at all. Besides, you're gorgeous, and you both have feelings for each other already."

My wolf whined, not wanting to believe that our mate might enjoy the comforts of anyone besides us.

Well, if he does, maybe he isn't our true mate, I said to her. She considered my point, tilting her head in thought. Finally, she seemed to agree. For her, this would be a test of his worthiness for us. Though our reasoning was different, it felt good to finally agree with her over something. Arguing with the animal was exhausting.

"Can I ask why you don't want to be with Trace? I'm far from the only one interested in him in Tumblewild. Most women here would jump at the chance to have him for a mate," Jess asked, genuinely intrigued.

I sighed. "I don't doubt it. I think most she-wolves would love to have someone like Trace."

"Then why?" Her eyes widened slightly as a new idea occurred to her. "Do you have an interest in another man? Someone from your former pack?"

"Yep. That's it," I said, wanting to end the conversation. Trying to explain my motivations for not wanting to bond with him wouldn't do any good. It wouldn't have made any sense to her, anyway.

That explanation seemed to satisfy her and end the line of questioning. By the time Jess left the house, we had a firm plan in place for transferring Trace's affection to her. I walked her to the door, excited to put it into motion that evening.

I wrapped my arms around myself and wandered the main floor, once again all alone. I busied myself cleaning up the kitchen and scrubbing the griddle. When I was finished, I stood back and admired the gleaming countertops and stack of clean dishes. That had been my job back home with Ella; she cooked, and I cleaned in order to keep the house in working order.

The clock on the wall said it was already almost eleven. Trace had all but forbade me from going back to work at the school, and Gabe was undoubtedly busy working at town hall. I pulled the new smartphone from my pocket and scrolled through the contacts.

Trace had added himself, Randy, and Justine. There was also Jared and a few other men that were probably members of the babysitter’s club that had taken us to Flagstaff. I hovered over Trace’s name before pushing it. He answered right away.

“Mariam,” he said. I couldn’t help but frown at the way he said my name. It felt icy and formal.

“Trace,” I answered. “Jess just left. I know you don’t want me going to the school, but can you tell me what it is I can do while I’m here at the house?”

He paused, considering my request. “You can always come up and help me in the office.”

“What do you need help with?” I asked, suspicious that he was really just looking to continue what we had started in the bedroom.

“Filing. Maybe making some calls for me. You know, personal assistant stuff,” he said. “I had one, but she’s out on maternity leave, so I’ve honestly been a little swamped.”

My wolf bristled at the thought of Trace working withanother woman so closely, which almost made me laugh out loud. She was on board with helping Jess seduce our mate but him working with another woman in a professional capacity was crossing the line for her.

Trace must have anticipated her getting her back up, and I could feel his grin through the phone. “Tell your wolf that my assistant doesn’t possess a fraction of your allure.”

His words seemed to appease her, and she curled back up in the corner.

“I don’t even know where your office is,” I pointed out. The house had at least ten doors on the second floor alone. Trace gave me quick directions, and I soon found myself standing next to him in front of a leaning stack of papers.

“You need to give your assistant a raise,” I said, eyeing the mess.

Trace barked a laugh and ran a finger down my back. “She is compensated well, but with you as an assistant, I might include a few special bonuses.”

His lips found the sensitive spot on the back of my neck. He sucked there gently, sending shivers down my spine. I put up my hands to push him away, but he caught me by the wrist before I could touch him.

“I think it’s time to start establishing some rules for you, mate,” he said, giving me a light squeeze. His voice was serious, causing my pride to prickle.

“I’m fine, thanks.”

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