The Rebellious Mate

7(iii) The Date

A moment of clarity directed Asena to the path of least resistance. "How about you call on me again to explore whatever this is? You don't have to pay either."

Prince Drach Nassau's lips thinned. "Much obliged," he muttered and enveloped her smaller hand in his. "I'd like us to be exclusive. It is no secret I find you inordinately attractive." A puff of smoke accompanied his huff. "Visit to my lair, my lady. Stay there instead while you decide our fate," he repeated, very much a broken record.

"I'll think about it." Hadn't she already told him so?

"Least allow me to pay off your contract. In no uncertain terms, by no means or form, it implies you're beholden to me. You're free to choose..."

"I can do so myself." She raised her wrist.

He observed her thick bangle and scowled when he understood what it implied.

'So this is what mates do?' Moggie pondered.

Male alphas and betas were said to be overtly possessive and controlling spouses. She'd speculated if it was insecurity, distrust, or just superiority. The attitude towards females had gotten a lot worse during the Revolution, followed by the Great War, and the Exodus because of their dwindling numbers. In Europa, that archaic sexism was the norm.

The Prince's nails pressed into her flesh. "You don't hanker for wealth, advantageous alliance, or favors for your birth pack. Nor are you ambitious. So, what is it you seek, my lady?"

He kept pushing and pushing. Asena had enough. "Stop calling me that. I am no lady, by any measure." His weird diction, best left within the pages of Regency novels, irked her.

When she sidestepped his looming presence, he moved to bar her way to the exit.

"I'd appreciate a straightforward answer, Asena." The edge in his guttural voice reminded her why Zane feared offending a royal. One of the most influential, and formidable shifters in Europa had her alone and cornered, and he presumed to know what was best for her.

'Freeze not working. He's a dog with a bone. Flee and fight are not a possibility. So what's left?'

Except Asena did not fawn. She never had. Wouldn't start now. But she'd never met someone like him before either.

Frustrated, she threw her arms up. "I'm after stupid, crazy love. The mythical version that sustains the soul, outlasts the living realm and sees past the veil of death. Defies reason. It threatens to swallow all you were, yet you dive in and drown. So powerful it destroys who you were... it is my destiny. Maybe it exists. Maybe it doesn't. I didn't find it back home; maybe it's here. Maybe not. Could be a male or a cause. I'll know when it finds me." Her chest rose and fell and her cheeks burned. All she said was ridiculous but conformed to the passionate declarations in love stories.

'If human movies are to be trusted.'

The Prince's scowl deepened. "So you've said before. I must pontificate. You're a terrible liar, but some of that is true. You're a seeker."

Some of it was the truth. Two long years she was torn between self-preservation and the sheer stupidity of her decisions. She'd hurt Papa, risked her life, and ruined her career... all because she loved Vic. In her gut, she knew her sister was in trouble, and nothing except a word from her would change Asena's mind.

"I've upset you." He sighed. "I confess I'm overwhelmed by your company and making many a faux pas."

He placed his hands on her waist to pull her closer. His irises turned red again as he bent. Without realizing it she stood on her toes and clenched his shoulders to steady herself. He was so tall. Her lips parted as his warm breath, perfumed by a hint of mint, fanned her face.