Page 86 of My Pleasure

Kendrick palmed his face and Aiden laughed.

Chloe’s big eyes blinked. “Miss, I think it’s beat a dead horse,” she said, in all seriousness.

Meryn looked at Chloe’s slightly vapid expression, then her eyes drifted down to where Jaden still gripped her wrist.

“Your uncle said we can register our mating and move into his estate.” Jaden puffed up. “We would be living right beside the Academy.”

Chloe reached up and tugged his sleeve. “Jaden, she said she is mated already.”

“Shut up! You’re an absolutely useless whore. I don’t know why I even brought you along.”

Chloe stared down at the floor. “So, you could stay at the Air Temple,” she said softly.

Jaden squeezed and Chloe bent her body toward him in an effort to break free.

“Pip,” Meryn said, in a dark voice.

Pip took a step forward, grabbed Jaden’s throat, and lifted. “You are not being very nice.”

Kiera had to stare. Pip wasn’t that tall, but he was easily keeping Jaden’s feet from touching the floor. When she looked down, she realized the small vampire was levitating off the ground.

Jaden immediately dropped Chloe’s wrist. The woman held it to her chest protectively.

“I heard that there was a ruckus,” a female voice said from behind them.

Kiera inclined her head. “Councilwoman.”

Daia Rosewyn nodded at Kiera and walked up to where Pip held the thrashing Jaden.

“I only caught the last bit, what was he saying?” she asked.

Meryn turned. “You’re the one from the Witches’ Council, the one who wanted the coffee shop.”

“That I am.” She waved at Pip. “I assume the dangling gentleman did something that warranted his lack of oxygen?”

“Dude almost broke Chloe’s arm,” Meryn responded.

Kiera stepped forward. “Jaden is under the delusion that he and my uncle can arrange my mating. Jaden in particular feels he deserves the prestige of being associated with the Head Proctor of the Academy. I tried telling him I’m already mated.”

Daia looked at the men standing off to one side. “Can I assume one of those two standing with the Unit Commander is your new mate?”

Kiera’s eyes were pulled from Jaden’s purple face, and she smiled at Hunter. “I am mated to Hunter Armstrong.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Councilwoman.”

“Chloe, would you like to press charges?” Daia asked, softly.

Chloe shook her head. “No.”

Daia laid a hand on Pip’s shoulder. “Wonderful work, young man. Can you set him down so I can talk to him?”

He smiled brightly at her. “Of course.” He simply let go and Jaden dropped to the floor.

Daia looked down at him. “I am very disappointed in you, Jaden Greymoon. Your scores were respectable when you were tested and here you are, bullying women.”

Jaden rose onto his knees. “Councilwoman, Kiera is my girlfriend.”