Page 4 of Forged Alliances
“Shift back, Cian. I won’t let you see Isabel in this state.”
My panther growls lowly but complies. He handed me a bathrobe to cover myself before leading me into the kitchen. Isabel is standing there, bathed in sunlight coming in through the window, loudly singing along to the radio as she stirs a pot of what smells like a tomato-based sauce.
“Cian!” she exclaims when she sees me, a brilliant smile crossing her features. “I didn’t think I would see you this early.”
“I will leave you alone to talk,” Matteo says before leaving.
“Can I get you something to drink?” she offers while I stare at her.
“We need to talk.”
I round the counter, stalking closer to her. Isabel backs up until she hits the counter behind her. My arms cage her in as I lower my nose to her neck. A sound escapes her, and already I can scent her arousal coating the air.
“What…” She stops, clearing her throat. “What do we need to discuss?”
“Sypher.”
Her entire body goes rigid before she escapes beneath my arm and puts the counter between us once more.
“What about him?” she asks.
“I am your mate. You need to refuse him.”
It isn’t a request, it’s a demand, and she will do it. She doesn’t know it yet. Isabel tilts her head as she examines me with a frown.
“You may be my mate, Cian. But we aren’t mated.” Her words are slow and measured. She is making sure that I’m paying attention. “Don’t ever tell me what to do. You won’t like the consequences.”
With those words, she turns, leaving me alone in the kitchen.
I was shocked to my core.
Who knew that little Isabel Russo had a backbone?
****
Isabel
I’m so pissed at the moment. I will not let anyone, not even my mates, dictate what I do. I know I have to listen to their words, but that doesn’t mean I’ll obey. I stomp into my room and slam the door.
I knew hearing I have a second mate would infuriate Cian, but I still don’t want to deal with the fallout. It’s not like this is something I chose.
I don’t know if I am childish to think mating two men will be hard but doable. But seeing Cian and how angry he is makes me apprehensive.
Can I mate two men and see them separately? God, the thought alone scares me. It’s going to be tough enough dealing with their over-the-top arrogance and dominance. I don’t want to have to worry about keeping them apart.
The door slams open behind me, making me twirl around. My heart felt like it would jump out of my chest any moment at the look on Cian’s face. The robe has come loose, showing his massive chest that makes saliva fill my mouth.
Cian steps into the room, closes the door, and locks it. The soft click of the lock sounds like a gunshot, making my anxiety double and causing my hands to shake.
“Cian, what are you doing?”
“I’ve come to mate.”
I shake my head. “No.”
Cian’s eyebrows rise. “No? You’re telling me I can’t have you?”
I know I am making him even madder, but there is nothing I can do about that.
