Max

"Look, we'll call in, have some dinner in one of the private dining rooms, and leave," I tell Vee as my car winds its way through the rush hour traffic. "I'll meet with the owner of the firm I'm purchasing. All he wants is some reassurance I'm not going to screw over his workforce, and we're done. I promise."

"I've already told you I don't mind going back to Arcane. It's your club, I get that. You business people are hot on having your boys' clubs to lurk in, do your dodgy deals, sell humans to the highest bidder and all that," Vee says with the hint of a smile.

I take hold of her chin and stare into her face, studying every aspect of her.

"That was never me. Never, my sweet mate. Arcane knows how I feel about the auctions, and had I known one was taking place, I'd have made it very clear my membership was at risk."

She cocks her head on one side. "Really?"

"Really. I have no interest in any place which treats life as currency, no matter what anyone says about it being consensual." I sigh. "It was a place where I used to feel at home once, but in the last couple of decades…"

I don't finish my sentence because we've arrived at Arcane, and I don't want to think about how much older I am than the female fate has sent my way. The female who I've spent the last two weeks with and who has, no doubt, changed my life.

I open the car door and stoop to help Vee out. She's wearing a long black satin dress and a green feather stole which makes her look devastating, very much on my menu…and not one for the auction. It remains to be seen if I can get through this evening and not end up having her spread before me on the dinner table while I feast on her delicious pussy rather than a juicy steak.

"Mr. Horenson!" Sygo hisses as we enter.

"I'd like my private dining room, Sygo, for two," I say, with an emphasis on two. "I also have a business meeting here, after we've dined."

"As you wish, of course." Sygo gives me a low bow and I grit my teeth. "If you and your beautiful female wish to take a seat in the snug, I will have the room prepared for you."

I'm already scanning the area, the club, using all my senses to determine if there are any threats. Other than the usual suspects filling the library, the quiet rooms, and the restaurant, a mismatch of monsters and humans, I can't detect anything which would pose a threat to my mate.

These last two weeks have been incredible. Spending time with my Vee, not spending time circling between my empty apartment, my club, and my office, has been a revelation.

My life was a lie.

Without Vee, I'm nothing.

Even Peter has begrudgingly come around to her presence in my life. Well, maybe not begrudgingly, given he went shopping with her the other day and came back absolutely full of himself, to the point I heard him on the phone to someone arranging a date.

I hope it was Colin, my senior executive, given he's been giving Peter big puppy eyes in meetings on an increasingly regular basis whenever he thought no one was looking.

So, finding my sweet Vee curled up in a chair by the fire in the library, head buried in a book, a hot chocolate, one of her favorite drinks next to her, and Olly hovering nearby when I come home from one of my infrequent visits to the office—it is the absolute best.

Olly's also changed his tune. Now he can't be more helpful, his scarred face lighting up whenever he looks at her. If it wasn't for the fact I'd trust him with my life, I'd consider his crush on my mate an affront and would be duty bound to destroy him. Although, it's entirely possible Olly simply sees her as the daughter he lost. Something which makes me feel very old.

It's the only element in all of my joy which brings me down. I can't deny my age and I can't deny how much older than Vikki I am. Humans are so transient in the worlds, here for such a short time.

I want Vee by my side forever, and it irks me I don't know why fate would send her to me and yet not give me the answer. Fate might have brought us together, but gods only know how our relationship will work.

And yet, when I look at the beauty by my side, my worries melt away because she is here, with me.

Vee is mine, and she is so close to taking my knot, for me to claim her completely. Once she has, then I'll deal with everything else.

With no further ceremony, I wrap my arm around Vee and usher her into the snug. My mate will be comfortable, no matter what, and the sooner we can get this evening over with, the better.