CHAPTER 4

In response to her question, Jasson nodded to a grinning Michael who switched on the coffee machine and retrieved a mug from the cupboard. Jasson tilted his head as he considered her. "You know, you're not what I'd expected."

"Is that right?" she said flatly.

"Reynald usually likes airheads and submissives." Blonde as she was, she didn't have that bimbo look about her. There was no missing the sharp, keen mind behind those charcoal-grey eyes. "Funny how a person's true mate can be the opposite of what they go for."

"He's not my true mate." It came out snappier than she had intended.

"If you haven't found your true mate yet, why would you mate with someone else? It's not like you haven't got plenty of time to find him. You can't be much older than twenty-four, twenty-five."

"My mate's dead. He died when we were kids."

"Well then that's something you and I have in common. I also lost my mate a long time ago before I was able to claim her."

Angelina took in his solemn expression and felt a pang of sympathy for him. The loss of a mate wasn't something anyone could understand unless they had experienced that kind of pain themselves. "Sorry."

He simply shrugged a little. "Hmm, now you and Reynald as a couple make even less sense. If you're not true mates, then that means he's chosen a spitfire. It really must be love."

"Huh." Angelina had to bite back a snort. Love? Yeah, right. The reason Reynald was so determined to fuck her was simply because she hadn't responded to his charm and apparently his ego couldn't handle the blow. As for why he wanted to take her as his mate…The only thing she could figure was that he wanted an alliance with her dad.

"When's the mating ceremony scheduled for?" asked Jasson.

Oh there would be no mating ceremony. Reynald was keen to get it over with because her dad had insisted on there being one before he would hand her over completely – only so he had an excuse to have a get-together with all his alliances and look the big man. No way would she bind herself to someone she didn't care for or even like. Then there was the matter of Reynald being a control freak; she had picked that up from his interactions with his enforcers, all of whom were intimidated by him. She didn't believe they were scared of him in a physical sense. It was as though he had some sort of hold over them, like he held their secrets in the palm of his hand or something like that.

Also, if the rumors were right, Reynald got his kicks from inflicting pain on women. Considering he had forced his mark on her in the middle of a night club, she had no problem believing that. She had expected him to strike her after she practically crushed his balls with her hand in retaliation, but when he could finally stand and had finished panting, he merely smiled. It was a creepy smile that swore revenge, but he hadn't stopped her from walking away. Apparently he was biding his time.

To escape the mating, her first stop had been her dad. As he wanted the alliance, she wasn't getting any help from that corner. Her next stop should be her Guardian, but as her dad was the Guardian, that avenue was closed to her. She could try leaving the pack but that wouldn't improve her situation. As a lone wolf without any protection, pack, or territory she would be easy pickings, and Reynald would undoubtedly be the picker.

The only other person she had was her uncle – her deceased mother's youngest brother – who she hadn't seen since he mated into another pack ten years ago. Her plan was to ask him to approach his Guardian with the idea of accepting her into his pack, but she wasn't optimistic. Although she was a healer, she was also latent and she couldn't envision any Guardian being particularly interested in taking in a latent wolf. The question was, even if the Guardian did take her in, would he be prepared to challenge Reynald if he – angry at being thwarted as only a control freak could be – came to bring her back?

She thought about telling Jasson that she liked Reynald even less than he did, but sometimes it was a case of 'better the devil you know' – and this particular devil was possibly worse than Reynald. Instead of answering his question, she got herself comfy on the seat, crossing her legs yoga-like, and sipped the coffee that Smiley had placed in front of her.

"Does your silence mean you haven't set a date yet?"

"Oh, didn't I answer? That's probably because it's none of your business."

He felt his mouth twitch into a smile. "You must be looking forward to soon becoming an Guardian Female of a pack."

Something about his tone had her frowning. "Are power hungry females the only type you've known?"

He shrugged. "Isn't it what every female wolf dreams of?"

"Oh yes, and I'm bowled over with excitement at my upcoming position."

Strangely he found that he liked her sarcastic streak. "I thought you were a healer."

"I am."

"Typically they have gentle natures."

"I fall flat there."

"I heard you're quite a powerful healer."

She was. There were three different types of healers. Some worked on an emotional level, neutralising or healing emotional wounds. Others drew the aches and pains into themselves, acting more as a sedative and ensuring a speedy recovery. Then there those like Angelina who could heal the actual wounds within minutes, guaranteeing a recovery.

"Do you always sit in odd positions?"

"Just be thankful I'm not sitting on your countertop. That's where I usually sit when I'm in the kitchen." Maybe because it reminded her of all the times her mom had sat her there while they baked together, maybe not.

"What about in the bedroom?" he asked with what he knew was a wicked, suggestive grin. "Do you get in odd positions in there too?"

"Depends if the male can succeed in pinning me down."

"Ah, of course. You're an Guardian." And Guardians, whether they were leaders of their own pack or just Guardian by nature, didn't surrender without the male proving their dominance. Just the idea of fighting to have Angelina submit to him had his cock throbbing and his balls aching. He knew she'd fight him like a wildcat.

He liked his women strong and feisty, but they were often too intimidated by him to challenge him. If they weren't intimidated by his unapproachable air, it was the heavy dominant vibe he gave off. If it wasn't either of those that intimidated them, it was how close his wolf was to the surface. That was if they weren't scared enough initially by his reputation. The only female who had ever stood up to him – and still did on a regular basis – was his grandmother.

"Do you have any cookies or something to go with this coffee?"