Page 5 of The Wolf Prince’s Mate (Marked Beneath the Moon #2)

five

NOVA

Enzo and Aspen were talking about whether or not they should try adding an extra meeting of their own to their daily schedule when I stepped into the throne room.

It wasn’t really a throne room, but that was what everyone had taken to calling it. Enzo and Aspen didn’t want to spend all day sitting in desk chairs while she turned people, so they’d built what basically resembled a large, professional living room. It was only a few doors down from their apartment.

There were a bunch of houseplants growing around the room, courtesy of Sydney, along with some calming decorations Aspen had picked out, and a couple of different couches and accent chairs.

I didn’t blame them for wanting to move to different seats every hour or two.

It would be nice to work in a studio as pretty as their throne room. Especially with the plants. But, none of the tattoo studios in town were spacious enough for that. I’d suggested it to Silas, but he thought it was a waste of space.

It had been one of those agree to disagree moments.

Anyway, that wasn’t important.

Enzo was in the middle of saying something when he cut himself off suddenly.

I heard him inhale deeply, and the Alpha’s gaze jerked to me. His eyes were narrowed, and he looked pissed .

I lifted my hands in surrender before the gigantic dude tried to kill me for betrayal or something. “It wasn’t planned. Heat came on fast. Hunter knows, and no one’s dead yet.”

The suspicion in Enzo’s eyes didn’t fade.

Aspen elbowed him in the gut. “Easy. What are we talking about?”

“She smells like Clay.”

Her eyes widened.

“Don’t get between my brothers.” Enzo rose to his feet, and I took a quick step backward, looking down as his dominance swelled in the room.

Aspen stood too, grabbing his arm and towing him out of the room. “If Nova wanted to cause drama, she would’ve done it when Hunter claimed her and rejected her in the same breath last year. Cool off before you come back.”

She basically pushed him out the door—and he let her.

“Oh, sorry!” Sydney must’ve been on her way in, because her apology was almost immediate. I assumed Enzo had nearly barreled into her, considering he was pissed off and she sounded like she was right outside the door.

“My fault. Sorry.” Enzo’s apology was choppy, but it was an apology. He was still getting used to having women around, and he kind of sucked at it. Aspen thought it was funny, and the rest of us usually did too.

Syd sniffed the air as she entered the room, her forehead creasing when she caught my scent. Aspen closed the door behind her, and locked it too.

“Why do you smell like Clay?” Syd checked.

I plopped down on one of Aspen’s many thrones.

AKA couches.

The green one was my favorite, but it was all the way across the room, so I settled for the dark gray as I launched into an explanation of the sweating I hadn’t noticed, Clay showing up in the parking lot, and heat.

I kept the heat part vague, considering Aspen was mated to Clay’s brother.

My best friends interrupted with questions, and I answered all of them.

An explanation about my meeting with Hunter, and the mate decision, followed the heat talk.

Sydney was leaning back against the navy couch, her eyebrows high in her forehead as she sat in silence.

Aspen was on her feet, pacing slowly. “So you screwed Clay, and it was amazing. And now you’re going to start going on dates so you don’t have to mate with Hunter. And you can’t go out with Clay because it could destroy the Savages’ relationship.”

“And because of Clay’s wolf,” Syd reminded her.

“Right. And that.”

“He’s not interested in me, so that doesn’t matter. He basically admitted that he was calling me Gorgeous because he thought it was funny.”

“Seriously? What an ass.” Aspen’s nose wrinkled. “You’re fucking hot.”

“At least one person thinks so,” I drawled.

“I’m sure they’re both attracted to you,” Sydney protested.

“Right. Hunter’s desperate insistence not to mate with me is because he thinks I’m hot.”

“That actually has something to do with his past, but Enzo only gave me a vague story, and swore me to secrecy on it. He doesn’t like to share his brothers’ stories without their permission,” Aspen admitted.

“He’s not into me, and he’s not attracted to me. The why behind both facts doesn’t matter,” I said. “And Clay only screwed me because he had to. Neither of them have feelings for me, and I need to focus on something more important now. Finding a mate.”

“Preferably one you like,” Syd clarified.

Aspen snorted. “That would be wise.”

My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out.

Both of them came over to see the message from Hunter. I opened it up.

Hunter

Event Created in Six Week Mating Schedule.

“He moves fast,” Syd remarked.

“Hunter is nothing if not effective. Open it up,” Aspen said.

I sighed, but clicked the link, scanning the new event.

6 PM Dinner with Kody Long at Ruby Steakhouse. Ride scheduled.

“6 PM? Isn’t that in an hour?” Aspen asked.

I glanced at the time. “Shit.”

“That steakhouse is at least thirty minutes away,” Sydney said. “Fletcher took me there a few months ago.”

“Fuck.”

My phone buzzed, and another event appeared.

7:30 PM Dessert with Patrick Endre at Endre Gelato

My eyes widened. “A second date only an hour and a half after the first? Is he insane?”

“He doesn’t want to mate with you, Nova. Of course he’s insane. You’re freaking awesome.” Sydney gestured to all of me.

“At least one person thinks so,” I muttered.

My phone buzzed a third time.

Another event.

9 PM Drinks with Craig Nguyen at Sabre Nightclub

“Three? I cannot date three guys in one night,” I protested, gesturing to the screen.

“Just think of them as meetings, remember?” Aspen eased my phone out of my hand, but all of our attention snapped back to the device when it buzzed for the fourth time.

10:30 PM Tacos with Jordie Wise at Underground Taco

“Maybe he really is insane,” Aspen finally said.

A text came through from Hunter, followed by one from Charlie.

Hunter

Your night is booked

I’d suggest a shower before you leave

“It’s easier to clean that stuff out in the bathtub,” Sydney murmured.

Aspen made a face. “I don’t want to think about you being with my brother like that, but you’re not wrong.”

“Bath it is,” I agreed, opening the next message.

Charlie

I’ll meet you at the southern doors at 5:25. I’m driving and guarding tonight.

“That’s only twenty minutes from now,” Aspen said. “You look like you just got out of bed, and you never look like you just got out of bed unless you do it on purpose.”

“Guess we’re going to find out just how many guys in the city feel the same way about my appearance as the Savage brothers,” I drawled.

“No. You’re going to look sexy, whether you like it or not,” Sydney declared, plucking my phone from Aspen and tucking it in her pocket. There was soil on her hands from being out in the garden, but none of us cared.

She looped her arm through one of mine, and when she dragged me out of the throne room, Aspen grabbed my other arm. Together, they hauled me up the two flights of stairs and into my room, where they proceeded to force me into the bathtub.

Syd curled my hair in big, loose chunks while I tried to scrub Clay’s scent away—hopefully without giving myself an infection or imbalance of some kind. Thankfully, she managed not to drop the curling iron in the tub and electrocute me.

Aspen pulled three black dresses from my closet, each of them shorter and sexier than the last, and a set of my most scandalous underwear to go with them.

Neither of them knew much about makeup, so after I pulled on the revealing panties, I threw on a quick layer of tinted moisturizer and a cat-eye with eyeliner, plus some mascara. It took less than two minutes—I’d had a shit ton of practice. Makeup was good for tips when most of your clients were unmated wolf guys.

After a beat of hesitation, I went with the sexiest dress Aspen had found.

My best friends exchanged grins.

“If none of these men seem attracted to me tonight, you are going to be peeling my shattered confidence off the floor tomorrow morning,” I warned.

“They’re going to want you desperately,” Sydney promised.

“And we’re not going to bed until we get the full story tonight,” Aspen added.

Sydney’s timer went off, telling me I had to go. I glanced at the heels Aspen had pulled out of my closet, but I knew I wasn’t going to put them on.

My shiny pink combat boots were the shoes of my soul.

My friends’ grins were wider when they saw the boots paired with my short black dress. There were a few strategic cutouts in it, but the fabric was soft and casual, so it didn’t look fancy or elegant. And since I had pretty much nothing in the breast department, it wasn’t like anything was about to fall through the cutouts.

They were more fashionable than slutty—but I would definitely lean in to the slutty look if it led to finding a mate I actually liked.

All three of us made our way to the doors together, and after both women gave me quick hugs, Charlie led me out to his SUV.

It reminded me of Clay’s, but I pushed that son a bitch out of my mind before he could get comfortable there.

I was meeting with four guys who could become my mate that night—and I was going to try to enjoy it, no matter how much I was dreading it at the moment.

My discomfort was tremendous as I gave the hostess my name at the doors of the steakhouse. I could feel eyes on me, and knew people would recognize who and what I was.

Being a born werewolf made me valuable. There were people who would exploit my gift if they could, forcing me to turn women into werewolves for them even though it would put me on death’s door every time.

I noticed four of my security guards stationed around the restaurant, though, acting like they were civilians. And there were always more guards than I could see.

So, no one was going to exploit my gift.

I was safe.

“Hey, Nova.” A grinning man with olive skin came striding up to me, his gaze raking my figure slowly. I recognized him, though I couldn’t remember how.

My face warmed, and he whistled as he took my hand, stepping around me to take me in.

“Damn, woman. You look good enough to eat.”

The words reminded me how I knew him, and my lips stretched in a grin.

He was one of my first guards. On his first day of work, he couldn’t stop staring at me. He asked me out that night.

Hunter removed him from the team before the next day, and let me know that I wouldn’t be going on that date.

Guess it was happening after all.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” I teased, letting him lead me through the restaurant until we reached a private table tucked away in the back. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”

His grin grew wicked. “Neither did I. Guess it was meant to be.”

“We’ll see.”

He asked me what I’d been up to, and I launched into a story about my work. He asked questions and kept the conversation rolling, making me laugh a few times. We only paused when we had to order, and that only took a minute.

We continued talking while we ate, and by the time I left, my self-confidence meter had gone up significantly.

I could still flirt.

I could still enjoy spending time with a man.

I could still be considered sexy, at least by some people.

The Savages weren’t the only fish in the sea.

I was going to find a fish of my own—and I was going to enjoy it.

The gelato date wasn’t as much fun as dinner. Patrick seemed nice, but he was really quiet. If I mated with him, I was pretty sure I’d walk all over him. Which meant independence, and I liked independence.

But something told me independence alone wasn’t enough to be satisfied with the person you chose as a mate.

Craig and I met at the nightclub after gelato, but he didn’t ask me to dance. It was so loud that the conversation was minimal, and I kind of hoped never to see him again.

Jordie was my last date, and he couldn’t look away from my nearly-nonexistent tits. The tacos were awesome, though.

The night made me feel better about my body. Much better. Even though the exhaustion of the day was catching up to me quickly.

Charlie didn’t say anything during our drive home, and I didn’t either.

Everything that hung over my head seemed to linger, growing heavier as the facts set in.

I had six weeks to choose someone to spend my life with.

Six weeks to commit myself to a man I didn’t know.

Six weeks before my entire life was going to change—and that change would be for the worse if I chose wrong.

Clay had texted me a few hours earlier, but I’d ignored it without reading the preview that showed in the text messages. I didn’t want to know what he had to say. Hunter had probably told him about the dating thing.

My phone buzzed, and it felt like there was a rock in my stomach as I looked down at the screen.

Hunter

Do you want a second appointment with anyone?

I stared at the screen.

I didn’t want a second appointment.

I didn’t want a mate .

But there was no way around it.

Me

Kody

Hunter

How many days do you want to wait to see him again?

It would be smart to do it tomorrow. So I could keep interacting with him, and decide if we were compatible.

I didn’t want to… but that would be the best call

Me

Should probably do tomorrow

Hunter

He’s working a shift in the forest tomorrow night. I can get him out of it, but it’ll send a message

A message that I was serious about him. Which was way more commitment than I was ready for.

Me

The next day, then

Hunter sent a thumbs-up.

Hunter

What time do you start and get off work?

I pulled up my schedule, scanning the tattoos, art, and inspiration pictures. A few clients had been moved around because of heat, but I had already booked four days off for that, so the studio’s receptionist rescheduled all of them for then.

Me

First appointment’s at noon. I should be completely done around eight

Hunter

I’ll have to schedule a breakfast and lunch date

Me

I don’t want to be anywhere before 10

Hunter

9:30 would be best

Me

Fine

I considered telling him I could meet with Kody after all, since we were doing morning appointments, but it would only be a little over twelve hours after the first date. That would send the same message as getting him out of work.

Me

Can you see if Silas can meet tomorrow? I want to know if he’s willing to be the backup or not

Hunter

Yeah

Send your availability for the next few days if you can

I sent it over, and leaned back against my chair. My phone buzzed again, and I finally saw Clay’s message.

Clay

I’m back, and you’re still not answering

Did Hunter kill you after all?

Reluctantly, I opened the conversation and read the text I’d ignored earlier.

Clay

I’m outside your door with your clothes. Can you answer so we can talk about last night?

Oh, geez.

I was nowhere near ready for that conversation. I wasn’t sure I would ever be ready.

Me

Sorry, had to do a thing

Won’t be back for another twenty minutes

We can talk tomorrow

Clay

I’ll wait

Shit.

My fingers hovered over the screen as I debated whether or not to answer. I had no idea what to say. So, I just exited the message as Hunter texted back.

Hunter

Would an hour be long enough, or do you need the full ninety minutes?

Me

An hour is plenty

I can schedule again with the people I’m interested in

Hunter

We’ll do ninety minutes for a second meeting, and up it to one-twenty for anything after the third

Me

Sounds good

My phone buzzed with the first addition to my schedule, a coffee meeting at 9:30.

The 10:45 date was brunch, and it was scheduled in a little café a few doors down from the studio. I was a regular there, which might make it awkward. But it also might make it more comfortable.

And the convenience of the location was unmatched. I should still have time to set up before my client arrived.

I pulled up my email inbox, and when I saw the hundred and twelve messages I’d missed, I got the hell out of there.

That was a problem for another day.

Abandoning my phone on the seat next to me, I lifted my eyes to the forest around us and let out a long breath.

I really, really hoped things would work out. Even if I wasn’t sure how.

My combat boots were loud in the Lodge’s mostly-empty hallways. Charlie’s shoes were similar, but he didn’t have the same problem with noise that I did as he followed me to the door.

Clay was leaning against the wall when I got there, a fabric tote bag dangling from one of his hands and a coffee cup in the other.

I hoped the coffee’s strong scent would hide the smell of other guys on my skin.

I waved at Charlie, and he slipped away as I reached Clay.

“Peace offering,” Clay said, holding the coffee cup toward me. “It’s decaf.”

I accepted the cup gratefully, taking a quick sip.

Yummm.

He knew exactly what I liked.

“I forgot to stop on the way home,” he said.

“I was fine.”

“You’re addicted, Gorgeous. I’m sure you’ve had a headache all day.”

He wasn’t wrong.

“You’re not allowed to call me that anymore, remember?” I took another sip.

“I remember you saying that. I also remember deciding not to listen.”

“Savage…”

“I talked to Hunter. He said things are better between you two. Didn’t give any details.” He eyed me, like he was hoping I would share.

But if he didn’t know about the dating thing, I wasn’t going to be the one to tell him. Not twenty-four hours after we’d been in bed together.

Yeah, my life was a mess.

“He shifted, and I had a conversation with his wolf. The beast is trying to ease up,” I said.

It was the truth.

Just not the full truth.

Since the Savage brothers could sniff out lies, a girl had to be careful with what she said to one of them.

Clay’s eyebrows lifted. “Really?”

“Yeah. We’re trying something new. It’s a thing.”

“Does that something new involve getting to know each other?”

Did he seriously think Hunter and I were going to start trying to make a relationship work after everything that had happened?

“Of course not. We’re trying to break his wolf’s attachment to me, not make him more obsessed.”

“Just checking.” Clay lifted his hands as if in surrender.

I took the tote bag with my clothes in it, pulling the fabric out before I handed it back.

My thong was hanging out from beneath my arm, and his gaze dipped to it.

His throat bobbed before his eyes met mine again.

I took a long sip of my coffee.

Nope, I wasn’t going to be attracted to Clay. Not even a little. I was a steel trap of neutrality.

“About last night,” he said.

“I know it doesn’t mean anything. I’m not going to get attached. I don’t expect your man-whore tendencies to disappear because we screwed a few times.”

He blinked. “I’m not?—”

“We’re good, okay? Friends, remember? One night doesn’t change that.” I patted him on the arm awkwardly.

No, I wasn’t going to notice how good his bicep felt. Not even a little.

“That wasn’t—” he began, but I stepped back.

“It’s really okay, Savage. As far as I’m concerned, nothing happened between us. Have a good night, and thanks for the coffee.”

I slipped into my room and closed the door behind me, squeezing my eyes shut.

Everything was fine. I’d survived, and I’d found a potential mate that I liked decently well. Hunter was already setting up more meetings. That was what mattered.

My memories of my night with Clay would fade, quickly.

I hoped.