The Beta's Missing Mate (Book 16 Of The Regal Eclipse Pack Series)

Chapter 37

Aidan was still having a hard time wrapping his head around the fact that Ana was here. He frankly wasn't sure what to think about it. He'd almost marked Bianca earlier, but he'd been stopped by a mind link from his great, great grandfather, asking him for help with something. He'd decided to wait a bit longer then, as he didn't want to just walk away from her the moment he'd marked her. If he was doing it properly, actually mating her, he most definitely wouldn't walk away. 

As it was, he'd already felt guilty about the way he was doing it, even though he'd never be able to mark her the proper way initially. But still, she deserved his full attention, not for him to be distracted. He'd needed to give her that at least. 

But the last thing he'd expected when he'd walked into that meeting room with Xavier was to find his fated mate inside. The connection between them was still incredibly strong, even after all of their time apart, and it was quite obvious that Ana had missed him just as much as he'd missed her. She'd barely taken her eyes off of him, and she was completely aroused, which was driving him insane with his need to mate and mark her. Something he couldn't do with her either, or at least not yet. 

He knew he'd hurt her with his words, and his outward show of indifference. He wasn't indifferent. He was hurt as well, and angry with her for leaving him. It had made him want to lash out at her, which was a horrible way for him to feel. He'd been an ass to her and he'd be lying if he said he didn't feel guilty about it. If his mother ever found out, she'd kick his ass.

But he also needed to find out how Ana truly felt about him, how badly she'd missed him and if she was willing to be in a relationship with him. It wasn't going to be easy either because she was human, and he was running out of time. That had been driven home for him when he'd been standing there so close to her, the scent of her arousal calling to him and turning him on. He'd had the worst time keeping his canines retracted when all his body wanted to do was rip her clothes off and claim her as his own in the most primal way possible.

He'd been an asshole for making her take her shirt off too, but that had just been too tempting. The sight of her perfect tits had made him even harder, and he'd barely been able to pull his eyes off of them. He'd missed every inch of her way too much. 

Xavier had told him straight out how awkward it was, being in the room alone with the two of them. She most definitely still wants you.

I'm aware. Was he. He wanted her too. 

You really haven't seen her in five months?

No. I'd given up on finding her. 

Why don't you just take her over to the couch and mate her already? She'd be just fine with it, probably let me watch if I wanted to.  

Fuck off, Xavier. 

Happily. 

Finding out that she knew all of the details about what had happened to Xavier had been shocking, but not as shocking as knowing that her father was involved. He wasn't quite sure what to think about that, but given the fact that she had come all this way to bring Xavier his things and apologize spoke volumes. She could have easily mailed them. Though he still found it hard to believe she'd pulled her gun on Malachi. What had she been thinking? 

He'd relayed everything she told him to Trevor, filling in some of the mysteries they'd been wondering about. Trevor wanted the second laptop, and Aidan promised him he'd ask Ana about it and see if she was willing to give it up. Not now though. The situation was too screwy for him to ask for that. But Trevor would be patient. Xavier was home safe, and that had been the biggest concern. 

Xavier had returned with her bag, and that's when Aidan had asked him to take care of Bianca for the time being. 

Why? 

She's here to be my Chosen Mate. 

What?

I will come talk to her as soon as I figure out what to do with Ana. I don't know if my life can get any more complicated. I can't decide if I want to choke Ana or mate her. 

Maybe a little bit of both, Xavier suggested. 

He knew that mating Bianca wasn't an option anymore. He could reject Ana now, which would break the bond and allow him to wait for a second chance. Instead he'd get Bianca home. Or, maybe he could find out about her staying. If she joined Regal Eclipse, she would also get a second chance mate. A fated mate, who would be able to give her everything she needed. One she deserved so much more than him. He'd talk to Malachi and see if that was an option. 

Don't forget that Zane wants to talk to you, Xavier reminded him on his way out the door. 

Aidan groaned internally. He'd completely forgotten about that. And now, he was going to be as much a prisoner with Ana as she was with him. He damn well wasn't about to let her out of his sight. Not when she might disappear at any second. She was good at that, though he'd memorized her address, and now he knew her full name. You can run Ana, but you can't hide. He wondered how she'd feel about him handcuffing her to him. He definitely was going to be searching her bag. 

Aidan realized he'd never answered her question about him being a werewolf, and wondered what all she knew. Enough, given that she'd arrived with silver bullets and wolfsbane. And now she knew what he was even though he hadn't confirmed it with her. But if she was a detective, finding things out was her specialty. 

His little Ana was a detective. He had to admit he was rather impressed by that. It made her even more sexy to him. And he'd been patting her down. He smirked to himself. She was probably used to being on the other end of that. But it had definitely aroused the hell out of her. And him, though he'd hidden it from her. 

He had a feeling she thought he was completely unaffected by her, which couldn't be further from the truth. That he'd forgotten about her. Like he could ever do so. She was completely ingrained in him. He hadn't forgotten about her, his body hadn't forgotten about her, and his dick had most definitely hadn't forgotten about her. 

Neither had Ghost, who sat back quietly watching her, his curiosity completely piqued by the sudden appearance of his mate. He hadn't been thrilled at all by Aidan's outward show of indifference towards her, and watched the situation unfold with mild curiosity. 

Aidan knew better though. He could feel Ghost's excitement. He knew his wolf hadn't really been thrilled with marking Bianca, even though he'd agreed to it. Ana showing back up had sparked some life back into him, but Aidan also knew he wasn't completely off the hook yet. Ghost was still very quiet, wanting to see how this entire mess was going to play out. They would both hope for the best way possible. 

Are you done with your meeting? 

Zane's voice in his head surprised him as he gathered Ana's things. Just about. But if you want to talk to me, you need to come to my apartment. 

I don't want to talk to you in front of Bianca. 

He wondered why that was. She won't be there. Give me a half hour and we can talk. 

Have you marked her? 

Zane's question surprised him. No. She's been indecisive about it. He'd seen the look of relief that had crossed her face earlier when he'd stopped. He'd gotten the impression then that she still hadn't fully made up her mind about it.  

Oh?

Yeah. I'll explain when I see you, Aidan told him. 

Okay. I'll see you in thirty.