Chapter Twenty-Four

**Sloan**

“*Nine hours, 26 minutes and…*” Sloan glanced at the clock on his dashboard touchpad. “*forty-five seconds of meetings from hell.*”

His day was long, frustrating and tiresome. Aside from updating the Council Elders about the now-vanished rogues, he also had to deal with his company’s shareholders. It was a meeting full of financial forecasts, budgets and economic developments depicted in an array of graphs and figures. Most of the time, he played referee to a room full of bickering adults.

He tried concentrating on their words, but it was hard knowing that his female was at home waiting for him. His anxiety increased with each passing hour as the little minx ghosted him all day, only to start teasing him minutes before the end of his last meeting. It was a pros and cons pitch presentation for the take-over of a local, failing business. He had already done his research, and unless they drastically change management and the production of their products, it wasn’t a feasible venture. Though, the presenters were making some great points about reallocating resources to justify the move.

As he was jotting down notes, his phone buzzed, and he smiled to himself upon seeing her name. Sloan had stopped listening to the presentation and opened up the picture message. The picture displayed on his screen caused him to swear. He had quickly apologized to the presenters and the gathered group and encouraged them to continue.

He glanced at the picture again, staring at his hickey mark on her breast, and his cock stood at immediate attention. After several back-and-forth text messages with Myra and another teasing picture, Sloan was on edge. He almost lost control and became increasingly sexual frustrated. It was time to go home. He desperately craved to hear her sweet, angelic voice.

He linked with his brother and asked him to order a bouquet online while the presenters concluded their presentation. They saved him from cutting them short.

They had just picked up the bouquet and sped home. He glanced across at Tristan, who was holding the arrangement, and it was perfect. A wide range of pink and white roses, red daisies and green leaves, encased in pink and white tissue paper and wrapped together with a white satin ribbon.

“*Today, my little vixen, you are going to learn the true extent of my control,*” He thought, smirking to himself.

“… and I was thinking, we can move…”

“Sorry, what are you blabbering about?” Sloan asked. He was so lost in his thoughts about his Angel that he wasn’t paying attention to Tristan’s conversation.

“Dude, she’s at home, safe and sound… waiting for you… so, please pay attention.” He snapped, scrolling back up his list on the tablet. “So tomorrow…” He started again, discussing J & Sons business, while Sloan zoomed down the freeway.

* * *

A sense of relief wash over Sloan as the house came into view. He was ready to relax with his Angel and enjoy a nice, steamy night-in. He pulled the car to a stop and climbed out as Tristan rounded the hood of the car; he would park it in the garage for him. When Sloan entered the house, he was greeted by Leanne waiting dutifully in the foyer.

“Status report?”

“Nothing to report, sir. It was a quiet day.” She answered, “Myra spent most of the day in the bedroom working on school stuff… then Megan passed by for a visit.”

“Oh, that’s great news… anything else?”

She shook her head, “No Alpha.”

“And Declan? Is he still in the office?” He asked, and Sloan noticed to seemed a bit uneasy and shifted uncomfortably.

“He was locked away in the Den most of the day, but after Megan left… he, umm, stormed out without a word.” She confessed, looking guilty.

“It’s okay Leanne, thanks; that will be all. Take the rest of the evening and night; you deserve it.” He dismissed her, and she nodded in agreement.

Sloan glanced up at the second floor and sighed. “*I can’t believe I am conflicted.*” He wanted to go straight up, but he wanted to talk to Declan first. He chose to head to the Den before calling it a day. With the door shut, he pulled out his phone and dialled Declan’s number.

His friend answered on the first ring, “Hey!”

“Is there a problem?” Sloan smirked, crossing the room.

“Your mate’s friend is going to be the death of me,” Declan growled.

Sloan grinned and shook his head, sitting behind his desk. “What has Megan done now?”

“I’ve been trying to explain to the hard-headed, pain in my ass that it’s dangerous for her to be alone... especially, with both Elizabeth and rogues running free somewhere in the state.” He explained.

“I’m guessing her response wasn’t to your liking?”

Declan snorted, “*I can take care of myself.* That’s what she said. Like what the fuck! If she dies on my watch, Myra will kill me.”

“Dec, I’m going to give it to you straight… you like the human, don’t deny it… just accept the inevitable.”

“But she’s human… one wrong move, and I can kill her in a heartbeat.”

“If she’s your mate, you wouldn’t,” Sloan stated, looking over the massive mound of papers on his desk. He picked up the note they found in Elizabeth’s apartment and heavily sighed as they were no closer to figuring out what the ‘thirty-three’ meant.

“Hey-HEY! Hold up, Romeo! Just because you’ve found your mate and are ridiculously, if not nauseatingly, happy… doesn’t mean it goes for the rest of us. I like being unmarked and unattached.”

“I was like that too, but the mate bond is strong. The more you avoid it, the harder it will blindside you.” Sloan advised. He chuckled when a warning growl came across the line.

“Did you want something, *Alpha*?”

Sloan quickly recognized he had hit a nerve and backed off. He decided to approach friendlier talking points. “Have you discovered anything new today?” He asked, pressing the button on his desk to reveal the screen with the map. There were several new dots on the screen. Red dots to indicate murdered victims and yellow dots to depict the locations of some of the survivors they have identified.

There was a change in Declan voice when he started talking, “Nothing new… I have just been reviewing the animal prints to pinpoint what type of species we may be dealing with.”

Sloan nodded, picking up another piece of paper, and his eyes skipped over the numbered list. “Jesus! There are over seventeen species here.”

“And I’m not done with the list… I had planned on investigating the mystery note today, but uh, unfortunately, I got distracted.”

“Take care of Megan, and I’ll see you in the morning for training.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about… so, get ready for an ass-kicking in the morning.” Sloan laughed at him. Declan, however, had hung up, ending their conversation. Still laughing, Sloan slipped his phone back into his pocket.

“*Like I don’t know he’s going to stalk her at her job tonight.*”

Sloan looked at the list once more and exhaled loudly. He tossed the paper back onto his desk and hid the screen. As he was about to leave the room, Tristan entered. “Weren’t you the guy who couldn’t wait to see his woman?”

“Fuck off… I needed updates before calling it a night. Declan’s out chasing Megan tonight.”

“That human has him twisted around her little finger, and he doesn’t even know it.” Tristan barked out laughing.

“Oh, he knows it, he’s just denying it… But for now, he’s keeping her safe, for Myra’s sake. Speaking of my Angel, I have to go.” Sloan said, licking his hips.

“No, don’t mind me… I will solve this rogue problem on my own.” Tristan said sarcastically.

“That’s the spirit,” Sloan clapped him on the back on his way out of the Den. Tristan had left the flowers on the side table, which Sloan picked up on his way up the stairs. He could already feel her calming energy as he neared their bedroom. He yanked at his tie, pulling it loose and pocketed it. “I may need that later.” He then unbuttoned the first two buttons of his white shirt. He got to the door and paused. “*Should I knock and pretend to be a house member or just go in?*”

However, his decision was taken away from him when he saw Arthur coming off the service elevator. He wheeled a covered tray, some red wine in a decanter and was headed towards him. “*Jokes on me.*”

“Good evening, Alpha.”

“Arthur, my good man… what brings you up here?”

“As per the Omega’s request… would you like me to bring it in, or would you do it yourself?” Arthur asked.

“I’ll take it.” Sloan decided, and he knocked on the door, waiting patiently. Seconds later, Myra appeared smiling from ear to ear. Her smile widened when she gazed upon him.

“You’re home.” She excitedly greeted, then paused and looked guiltily at him

“Music to my ears… and yes, you are in big trouble, little one.” He winked, and her eyes flashed honey bright, signally her arousal. “These are for you.” He said, handing her the bouquet and taking the tray from Arthur. “Thanks.”

“Thank you so much, Arthur.” Myra smiled, smelling the flowers.

“Do enjoy your meal and night.” He parted, returning to the service elevator.

“There’s an elevator?” She gasped, stepping aside to let Sloan enter. The soft lights, drawn curtains and a picnic set-up on the ground near the couch with the tea candles and fairy lights. He smiled at her work. He then heard the door being closed and locked behind him, followed by the wisp of clothing dropping to the floor. He turned to find her comfortably dressed in her silky sleepwear.

“I know you had a stressful day, so I thought a nice night-in together is just what you need.”

He smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist. He pulled her up to kiss her deeply and passionately. The bouquet, which she was holding, fell to the ground next to her robe.

“You have been a naughty one today, haven’t you?” He mumbled against her lips, cupping her silk-covered butt.

“I’m not sorry.” She smirked, wrapping her arms around his neck, and he lifted her off the ground. He felt her legs wrap around his waist, and she kissed him again. He grinned when he felt her start to grind against him. Taking careful steps, he walked over to the bed and unceremoniously dropped her on it.

He loved the look of pure lust and confusion on her face. He shrugged off his jacket, discarding it on the bed next to her. Her eyes brightened some more when he continued unbuttoning his shirt. He shrugged out of it too, and he watched her bite her lower lip while squirming in anticipation.

“*I can’t wait to hear you beg, baby.*” He smirked, tossing the shirt into her face and walked off towards the bathroom.

“Umm… hello?” She gasped in shock.

“Did you want something, my love?” He continued teasing by unbuckling his belt and undoing his trousers.

“Yes, get your butt back here… now!” She demanded, and Sloan arched an eyebrow at her.

“Sucks to be teased, doesn’t it?” He laughed, “Now be a dear and open up whatever Arthur brought up for us… because it smells heavenly.” He instructed, entering the bathroom.

Sloan chuckled to himself when he heard her frustrated scream through the closed door. He quickly stripped and hopped into the shower. His cock pulsed with need against his belly, angry that he left her. Even his wolf was growling in his head.

“*Oh, cool it… you know we will be buried balls deep inside her at some point tonight, she just has to learn the consequences of teasing me… us.*” Sloan snapped at his wolf. After a quick shower, he dried his skin and pulled on a pair of long pajama pants. Sloan roughly dried his hair and left it loose to fall onto his shoulders. Before exiting the bathroom, he grabbed his discarded trousers, pulled out his tie and pocketed it. He then tossed the piece of clothing into the laundry hamper and rejoined her.

She had laid out a serving tray piled with potatoes, asparagus and grilled steak on the duvet, but it was her expression that caused him to bite back his laughter. She sat on the couch, legs crossed, and she was already nursing a glass of wine. Her eyes slowly caressed his body before she huffed and started shaking her leg impatiently.

“*God, I love this woman.*” He thought, filling his own glass and joined her on the couch. “What’s the matter, Angel?” he teased again, pulling her reluctant body onto his lap.

“Nothing.”

“Angel, you don’t like being denied, do you?” He asked, and she pouted, childishly shaking her head. “Well, that’s too bad… you were a naughty girl today… now because of your little stunt, you deserve to be punished somehow. I was thinking about denying you countless, mind-numbing orgasms…”

“But…”

“But you have proven to me that you’re quite adept to that type of sexual frustration,” He shrugged, “So, tell me, did you have fun with your egg today?”

“I… umm…” She started to explain, but Sloan silenced her by placing a finger on her lip.

“Actually… I don’t want to know.” He stated, running his finger along her jaw, and she shivered on his lap. She closed her eyes and purred at his touch, especially when he lightly caressed her ear with the tip of his index finger. “Sweetheart, what’s rule number one?” He asked her. When she hesitated, he raked his hand into her hair and gripped it tightly.

“Umm… all my sexual releases belong to you?” She stated, but it sounded like a question.

He pulled gently on her hair to crane her neck and look deep into her eyes, “Are you asking me or telling me?”

“Telling?” She tried again.

“Angel?”

“Telling.” She said with more confidence.

“That’s right, and you broke that rule-”

“But I didn’t,” She tried cutting him off, but he applied a bit of pressure to her hair. He watched as she winced and immediately stopped talking.

“No excuses, Angel… Now, let’s eat because I’m longing for some honey-vanilla dessert.” He ordered, kissing her nose.