Beyond and Wild

Chapter 15

I lean back in my chair, the weight of exhaustion pressing heavily on my eyelids. It's been years since I've had a proper night's rest. The responsibilities of being King aren't something you can put on hold. The endless meetings, border disputes, and preparations for the Senior Wolves' arrival have all taken their toll. My body screams for sleep, but my mind refuses to let go.

Finally, I decide to give in. 

I'll allow myself a few hours, just enough to keep going. As I lay down on the bed, the moment my head hits the pillow, a sharp knock interrupts the silence. I groan inwardly, rolling over to ignore it, but the knocking persists, growing louder and more insistent. 

When I opened the door, there stood Cole's sister, a small, tentative smile on her face. She started talking, but I was too groggy to make sense of whatever she was saying. My mind was still tangled in sleep, struggling to process her words.

Then, a voice, smooth and sexy, cut through the haze. It jolted me awake instantly. 

I glanced to my right and found Aderyn standing near the corner, dressed in short jeans and a black top. She looked hot so damn sexy that I couldn't help but stare.

Damn.

I frowned. 

How did I not sense her presence earlier? Weren't mates supposed to feel and smell each other's presence easily? 

The thought lingered at the back of my mind, but I pushed it aside, focusing instead on what she was saying.

Shopping. They were going shopping.

I hated the idea of her going alone, even though Bell a warrior as strong as Cole would be with her. But still, the thought of anything happening to her twisted my gut. I discreetly mind-linked two of my guards, instructing them to follow at a safe distance.

Like it or not, Aderyn was my responsibility. I'd be damned if anything happened to her.

Then, I did something completely out of character. Before I could stop myself, I told Aderyn to wait. I went back into my room, fished out my credit card from my pant pocket, and handed it to her. It was meant as a kind gesture, but she took it the wrong was more like screamed at me that she had her own money and didn't need mine. 

Still, she eventually accepted the card.

As they were about to leave, I began closing the door, but once again, something came over me. I couldn't stop myself.

Spank.

The sound of the spank was so loud and sharp.

I spanked her.

I spanked her sexy butt, and for a moment, all I felt was satisfaction. But as soon as my brain registered what I had done, disbelief hit me like a ton of bricks.

"You perverted wolf! What the hell did you do that for?" I snapped at my wolf, shutting the door in Aderyn's face. She banged on it like a caveman, furious.

"She's my mate. I have every right to her. You weren't making a move, so I did. You got a problem with her? Not me," he retorted.

"How am I supposed to make her understand this?" I cursed, relieved when the banging finally stopped. But I knew it wasn't over. Aderyn was stubborn and hot-headed, she'd hunt me down in my dreams if she had to.

"She's my mate," my wolf screamed in my head.

"Go back to your cave, you mutt," I snapped back.

"How dare you! I'm no mutt. I'm the King," he howled in my mind, puffing up with pride.