#7 The Twins of Satin Moon
Chapter 40

Maizey

Hunter parked in his usual spot and hurried around to my side of the car to open the door for me, but I had already beaten him to it. I didn’t even look at him when I stomped towards the door. I heard Hunter sigh behind me.

“Really, Maizey?” He grumbled but I ignored him, yanking open the door to the lobby. My mood worsened as I saw who was waiting for us. Carmin was sitting on a chair in the lobby wearing a very prominent scowl.

“Seriously?” I came to a sudden stop in the middle of the lobby, once again. Hunter tripped over me and stumbled to a stop beside me. His eyes were glued onto my face.

“What is it?” He asked. I said nothing as I burned a hole into Carmin. Hunter followed my gaze and his entire demeanor changed. If looks could kill.

“Hunter! Wait!” Ana ran over just in time, planting herself in front of Hunter, “It’s not what you think.” She said.

“What is she doing here?” Hunter growled, “I fired her from Greyback’s. She was only working here to get close to me, anyway.”

“I know. She’s here to beg you for forgiveness. She found her mate and, well, he works here, on Maizey’s floor.” Ana was rambling.

“Who is he?” I asked with wide eyes.

“Ryker, from your team.” Ana confessed and I gasped dramatically.

“For real.” I grumbled.

“Ryker is a part of Maizey’s protection detail. He can’t be her mate.” Hunter was in denial.

“Well, he is and he told Carmin that he would reject her if she didn’t get your approval.” Ana replied, smugly crossing her arms over her chest just as Carmin walked over towards us.

“A…alpha. L…luna.” She stammered, bowering her head at us both.

“Ryker is your mate.” The words came not so gracefully spilling out of my mouth.

“Y…yes, ma’am.” Carmin wouldn’t look me in the eyes, “I know he’s part of your team and your protection detail. He prioritizes you over me, as he should. I must beg your permission to accept him.” Carmin’s bottom lip was quivering.

I looked sideways at Hunter, putting aside my anger with him for a moment. I was reminded of what he said a few weeks ago about feeling guilty for using Carmin. She hadn’t come anywhere near us since then, holding up her end of the deal. She genuinely seemed to want her mate now.

“It is up to the Luna. Your offense is with her and Ryker is on her teams.” Hunter said, without taking his eyes off of me.

“I understand Alpha. And, Luna, I’ll understand if you do not wish to grant me this privilege. I have wronged you and I deserve whatever punishment you see fit.” Carmin said, her head still bowed. I sighed,

“Carmin, look at me.” I tried to have a compassionate tone. She glanced up at me and I noticed the tears in her eyes, “I give you permission to be with Ryker.” I said. Carmin smiled widely at me,

“Thank you so much, Luna.” She was resisting the urge to jump up and down.

“Don’t ruin this chance to be happy.” I warned her and her expression became serious again.

“I promise I won’t, Luna.” She bowed her head again and waited for us to walk away first.

“That was awfully generous of you, my Luna.” Hunter whispered in my ear. I ignored him.

“That was super sweet of you, Maizey.” Ana grinned at me from behind her desk.

“It’s okay,” I shrugged, “Thanks for the heads up.”

The second we were inside the elevator, I moved away from Hunter and returned to my previously cold expression. I was still pissed at him.

“Are you still mad at me, princess?” Hunter frowned.

“Yes.” I mumbled, pressing the button for my floor.

“I can’t gamble with your safety, Maizey.” Hunter rubbed his hand over his face in frustration.

“And I can’t have my choices taken from me.” I said.

“I’m not taking away your choices. You honestly want Paul to be kept alive?” Hunter didn’t understand.

“I don’t care about him, Hunter, it’s you and Archer who I worry about.” I sighed as the elevator doors opened. Hunter grabbed my hand and drug me into my office, slamming the door.

“What does that mean?”

“Killing people darkens your soul, I don’t care what species you are. Paul isn’t worth that price for either of you.” I explained. Hunter dared to laugh, earning a viscous scowl from me.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Hunter got his face under control and stopped me from leaving, “I just think that it’s adorable you’re trying to save our souls. Baby, do you have any idea how many people I’ve killed already? And that number is nothing compared to Archer’s. I’m sorry, it’s just how it is for werewolves. We’re too strong to imprison. Execution is the standard practice.” Hunter’s face was way to calm when he talked about murder.

“I don’t know how you expect me to just be okay with that.” I sighed.

“Just let Archer and I take care of it, you don’t need to be involved. We can’t live in a world where such a large threat against our mate is allowed to live. Maizey, it’s impossible, so don’t ask us to.” Hunter’s expression was painful and I felt myself giving in a little.

“Don’t keep things from me. I want to know everything.” I demanded.

“Then, we’ll tell you everything.” He nodded.

“And I want Paul brought back to the packhouse alive.” I added. Hunter looked shocked at this.

“I don’t want him under the same roof as you.” He growled.

“I didn’t get the chance to confront him at the trials, my brothers wouldn’t let me. I want to face him before you kill him.” I said. Maybe it was a dumb idea or maybe I needed it to move on, I didn’t know for sure, but I just felt like it had to be done.

“I’ll try, baby, but I can’t promise anything.” Hunter sighed and I nodded.

“Okay.”

“Are we okay, princess? I hate when we fight.” Hunter grumbled and I laughed, reaching up on my tippy toes to kiss him.

“That wasn’t a fight.” I rolled my eyes at him. He cupped my face and narrowed his eyes at me,

“You shouldn’t roll your eyes at your Alpha.” He said in a mocking tone. I laughed loudly at him and his face,

“Yes, Alpha.” I said in a mockingly obedient tone of my own. Hunter’s face went dark,

“Oh, I like when you call me that.” He purred, kissing me deeply. He put his hand on the back of my neck and dippd me. I giggled and clutched the collar of his dress shirt as he pulled me back up.

“I have to go to the lab. I’m already late and I’m never late.” I pushed him away and ran towards the door.

“I’ll meet you for lunch?” He asked and I nodded enthusiastically before yanking open the door and jogging towards the lab.

“There she is!” Pen grinned as I finally joined my team.

“Held up by Mr. Greyback again, boss?” Frankie said in a sing-song voice.

“No, actually, Ryker’s new girlfriend.” I threw a glare at Ryker who looked at me with huge eyes.

“What?” Vera, poor in the dark Vera, shrieked.

“Ryker is dating Carmin.” I blew his cover, getting back at him for sticking that witch on me in the first place. Ryker frowned apologetically.

“No freaking way!” Pen practically screamed, earning glares from the rest of the lab. Of course, her and Frankie knew what “girlfriend” and “dating” really meant.

“I’m just glad she’s not my problem anymore.” I winked at Ryker and grinned teasingly. He took a sigh of relief and smiled back at me.

“I’ll keep her under control for you, boss.” He murmured.

After work, Hunter asked me to meet him in his office since he had a few more things to finish up. I realized that it was the first time I had gone to his office. We’ve been together for almost a month and I had never been to his office. I wondered if that was strange.

As I stepped out of the elevator, I was worried that I would get lost trying to replace it. But, it was like my feet knew where to go even when I didn’t. They led me straight to my mate. I knocked on his door and he motioned for me to come in and sit. He was on the phone.

When he hung up, he smiled at me and walked around his desk to give me a kiss.

“You don’t have to knock, princess, you’re welcomed in here anytime.” He said. My eyes scanned his office and I saw a familiar face staring back at me from the bulletin board behind his desk.

“You really need to get a better picture. That one is terrible.” I laughed, pointing towards my profile picture from my resume.

“What? You’re adorable in everything.” He shook his head at me and let the picture hang where it was. “Besides, this picture was the first glimpse I had of my mate.”

“Well, now you get to see me everyday so you can pick a better picture.” I smirked.

“Then, get me a better picture, princess.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me and I knew what kind of picture he was thinking about. That’s when his eyes went black and I knew he was talking with someone.