Page 8

EIGHT

C harov’s heart hammered against his ribs as the seconds stretched between them. The air felt electric, charged with possibilities he hadn’t allowed himself to consider since agreeing to this arrangement. This was supposed to be a simple transaction—meet his mate, marry her, and secure the bloodline. Nothing more.

Yet here she stood, all soft curves and genuine interest, making him feel things he had no business feeling with his father dying and a kingdom waiting to fall on his shoulders.

“We should head back,” he said, his voice coming out rough. He reluctantly dropped his hand from her waist, immediately missing her warmth. “It’s getting late.”

She blinked, seeming to snap out of whatever spell had momentarily bound them together. “Right. Of course.”

He guided her back to the transport with a firm hand on the small of her back, hyperaware of every point of contact between them. His bear growled its displeasure at the distance he was forcing himself to maintain.

Once inside the vehicle, he put deliberate space between them, though the confines of the backseat made it nearly impossible to avoid the brush of her thigh against his. The scent of her—floral with that hint of citrus—filled the enclosed space, making his nostrils flare and his mouth water.

“Are you always this quiet?” she asked, breaking the loaded silence.

He turned to look at her, surprised by her boldness. “Only when I’m fighting the urge to do something I shouldn’t.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “Like what?”

The corner of his mouth quirked up. “Careful what you ask. I don’t typically hold back when directly questioned.”

His bear prowled restlessly, urging him to close the distance, to taste her, and to claim what was rightfully his. It took every ounce of his considerable willpower to remain seated on his side of the backseat.

“You’re not what I expected,” he continued, his gaze traveling over the swell of her breasts beneath her blouse before returning to her eyes.

“What did you expect?”

“Someone who wouldn’t make this complicated.”

She tilted her head, confusion crossing her features. “Make what complicated?”

He leaned forward, the space between them shrinking. “This little arrangement. I wasn’t supposed to actually...” He trailed off, his jaw clenching.

“Actually what?” she pressed, leaning toward him unconsciously.

“Want you,” he finished, the words escaping before he could stop them.

The transport hit a bump in the road, sending her tumbling against his chest. His arms instinctively wrapped around her, steadying her, then pulling her close. The feel of her curves pressed against him sent a jolt of pure desire through his body. His bear roared in approval, clawing at his insides, demanding he claim what belonged to him.

Not now. Not like this.

He forced his arms to release her, though every cell in his body protested the action.

His bear snarled. Mine. Take. Claim.

“I apologize,” he said, his voice a deep rumble that betrayed his internal struggle.

The silence between them stretched for several moments, punctuated only by the soft hum of the transport’s engine and her slightly elevated breathing. He ran his hand through his dark hair, his usual composure shattered by this woman who had walked into his life mere hours ago.

“I haven’t been the warmest host,” he said suddenly, surprising himself with the honest admission. “And for that, I’m truly sorry.”

Her eyes widened slightly.

“My father is dying,” he continued, the words slipping out easier than he had expected. “He has been ill for months, but recently his condition has deteriorated rapidly. The doctor says he has days left.”

Her expression softened immediately. “I’m so sorry, Charov. I had no idea.”

“How could you? We only just met.” He laughed humorlessly, then looked out at the darkening landscape. “But that’s why Gerri brought you here. My father’s dying wish is that I take a mate before he passes. Secure the line of succession and ensure stability for the territory.”

The transport curved around another bend, the lights of the castle appearing in the distance. He turned back to her, struck again by how beautiful she was in the dim light.

“I agreed to this arrangement to ease his passing. To make my mother’s grief more bearable by giving her something to look forward to.” He leaned slightly closer. “The doctor says the sooner we marry, the better chance my father has of seeing it happen.”

Her mouth fell open, her eyes widening in shock. The color drained from her face as his words sank in.

“M-marry?” she stammered. “But we just met today. I thought this was a... a date.”

He frowned. Had Gerri not explained the situation? That didn’t seem like the matchmaker’s usual style.

“Gerri Wilder brought you here as my mate,” he said, the words coming out more forcefully than planned. His bear was growing impatient with these human courtship rituals. “When shifters meet their fated mates, they know immediately. The connection is... undeniable.”

She stared at him, completely silent now. Her hands clutched her purse so tightly her knuckles turned white.

“You’re saying we’re... what? Destined mates? And that I’m supposed to marry you immediately?” Her voice was but a whisper.

“That was the arrangement,” he confirmed, confused by her reaction. “Did Gerri not explain this to you?”

She only shook her head, her lush lips pressed into a thin line. She turned away from him to stare out the window, her body language screaming discomfort.

His bear paced anxiously. Something had gone terribly wrong here. He should fix it, make her understand—but the words wouldn’t come. He had never been very good at these emotional situations.

As the castle loomed closer, the silence in the transport grew heavier. The woman beside him—his mate—had withdrawn completely, her face a mask of shock and confusion.

If he didn’t do something now, this entire thing was going to blow up in his face.