Thrown to the Wolves

Chapter 13

Markus's POV

Sitting back in my chair, I stretched out my arms and sighed. After Quentin refused to mate with me, I locked myself in my office and sulked. Sean was immediately handing me paperwork, telling me that this would be more beneficial than sulking like a child. So, after about an hour or so, I'd finally gone through the huge stack of papers he'd given me. I looked out the window. It was dark, but I knew it wasn't yet the day of the full moon. I still had a good thirty minutes or so before the day started, and even then my heat wouldn't start until the moon was high in the sky. 

It wasn't like I wasn't used to facing my heat without mating, but this time I did have my mate. It would probably be more painful because of that. I'd be able to smell him all over our room, but I wouldn't be able to have him, touch him, kiss him, love him... I shook my head, blushing heavily as I tried to calm myself down. I couldn't think about that, not when I'm trying to hold back.

A knock on the door startled me and I sat up straighter. "Come in."

The door creaked open and Sean peeked his head into the room. Looking around from where he was, he frowned. Stepping inside, he stared at me. "Hello, Alpha. Is Quentin in here?"

"No." Was my reply.

Sean raised a brow. "But... He was here earlier?"

When I shook my head he scowled, crossing his arms. Leaning against the doorway, he peered behind me at the stack of papers on the desk. "I see. How's your work coming?"

"It's done." I stood from my chair, frowning at the way he'd changed the subject. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Sean uncrossed his arms, pushing away from the door. "Just... Came to check up on you." With a final bow of his head, Sean walked off. I tilted my head at the strain in his voice. Was he mad about something? It sounded like it, but it was hard to tell with Sean. Whenever he sounded like this it meant he was either really really mad, or trying really hard not to laugh. It didn't really seem like the kind of atmosphere for holding back laughter, though, so I had to assume he was genuinely mad, which was kind of rare for Sean. Like, super rare. I tilted my head, suddenly curious. 

Stepping into the hallway, I could sense two people having a heated conversation while whispering. Thanks to my Werewolf hearing, I could just barely make out snippets of their hushed fighting. 

"n't you tell him? I tho-... -wanted to!" I could tell the voice was Sean's, because I've never heard his voice sound this annoyed.

"-as going to! I just-... -erve..." The other voice replied. I froze when I realized who it was. Quentin? Sean is arguing with Quentin?! "I'll-... -morrow..." Quentin continued.

Sean sighed heavily. "Fine. But-... Got it?"

I assume Quentin nodded, because two sets of footsteps walked off in different directions and then it was quiet. I leaned against the wall. What was that about? I could only make out parts of it, since they were whispering very lowly and both had a sharp edge to their voices. Sean sounded annoyed, but Quentin seemed more nervous than anything else. I frowned. I thought they were friends. Well, I suppose it's not uncommon for friends to argue, but Sean and Quentin? 

Wandering downstairs, I wanted to find answers. I followed Quentin's delicious scent into the living room, spotting him on the couch with his legs to his chest and his head on his knees as he stared off in thought. He looked adorable and I felt back when I walked over to him and he jumped in surprise. "Wh- What?! Who!... Markus? What's wrong, I thought.... I thought you'd be asleep." Quentin glanced up at me and I couldn't help but notice the slight blush that had started to creep onto his ears.

"I overheard you arguing with Sean. What's wrong?"

Quentin's eyes went wide with panic but he quickly schooled his features. "Arguing? We weren't exactly arguing... Um... How much did you hear, exactly?"

I raised my brow at his very blunt attempt to get information. He may be a Vampire, but he's pretty bad at the poker face expression. Sitting next to him, I placed my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes. I've always believed Vampires were stone cold, and had no heartbeat. Staying with Quentin, I learned this was only true for humans turned into Vampires, since they're killed in the process. True Vampires are living, breathing beings. And I was happy about that, since I could have an excuse to cuddle with Quentin for warmth and listen to his heart speed up as a result. This time, though, his heart was already racing, and I felt his high body temperature immediately. Quentin was nervous. Really nervous. I was about to question whether or not it was from the close contact when I saw his eyes glancing down at me and knew the answer. He was nervous because of me. 

The thought made me super happy. I loved being able to incite reactions like this in my mate. The expression on Quentin's face made me want to lean in close, pull him into my arms, and- shooting to my feet I quickly shook my head to rid myself of the thoughts invading my mind. Quentin doesn't want to mate. He wants to take it slow. I have to respect that. I turned back to a confused and bewildered Quentin and gave him a reassuring smile. "Just... realized I still have some work I need to do. Um... You can go to bed and... I'll see you tomorrow?"

Nodding, Quentin watched my face carefully. "Okay... Good night."

"Yeah... Good night." I watched him go before releasing a sigh. If it was this hard to hold back just from being close to him now, how hard is it going to be for me to hold back tomorrow, when my heat starts?