Chapter 37
The dull pinch of discomfort from Nessa’s claiming bite kept Murphy in a good mood as he worked at his desk, eager to get his list of duties finished.
How could a few days away from work put him so far behind, though?
Fortunately, he didn’t mind the busyness—the quicker he got the jobs done, the quicker he could return to his mate. One day soon, it wouldn’t be an hour’s drive away just to come home to her. She’d live under his roof and sleep in his bed every night, right where she belonged.
Joy spread through Murphy’s senses like a wildfire. He was officially a mated male. After years of believing he’d spend the rest of his life alone, of convincing himself that solitude waspreferable to the possibility of betrayal, all it had taken was one petite, passionate female to change everything.
Nessa had thrown his world off-kilter in the best way possible.
How had he gotten so lucky? Was this fate’s reward for the pain and suffering he’d endured so long ago?
Tires crunched on his driveway outside, the sound of an engine drawing near his house loud in the silence of the room.
That would be Colter. He’d asked the male to meet him here,alonethis time, so they could go over the tasks Murphy had in store for him. He didn’t get up from his office chair, instead communicating telepathically as he finished going over the clan’s budgets for the next month on his computer.
I’m in my office.
Soon enough, he heard his front door open and close, the familiar beat of Colter’s footsteps sounding down the hall before the male appeared in the open doorway, dark circles under his eyes and his skin a bit paler than usual.
“You look exhausted,” Murphy commented, nodding toward a chair on the opposite side of his desk.
Taking that as an invitation, Colter sank down into the seat with a tired exhalation. “Didn’t sleep much.”
Murphy could relate. Even after the hours he’d spent buried deep inside his mate, and the fatigue he’d felt after, sleep had eluded him. His mind had been too wired, jumping from the despair he felt at this situation with Dante and Marcus to the elation of finally being mated.
How could he be so exceedingly happy and so miserable all at once?
“Worried about Marcus?” he asked, though he didn’t need to. It was obvious from just one look at the male.
“Of course, I am, Murph.” Colter slumped in his chair, running a hand down his face. “Are you going to kill him?”
Murphy released a low, frustrated sigh. “No.”
“Will you exile him?”
“I don’t want to,” he answered solemnly. The last thing he wanted was to lose another member of his clan; someone he’d viewed as a brother nearly his entire life. Technically, Marcus hadn’t committed a crime, but his avoidance of the truth was still a betrayal.
Colter rubbed his bloodshot eyes. “But you will.”
Murphy didn’t know, so he remained quiet, the silence oppressive as it settled around them. Swallowing thickly, Colter looked down at the desk in defeat.
Murphy’s throat constricted at the sight. He never wanted to hurt anyone under his protection, but this decision, if he chose the necessary path, would weaken his pack more than leniency ever could.
Mercy is never an act of weakness. Nessa’s earlier words echoed through his head, a reminder. A vow, if he allowed it.
Clearing his throat, Colter looked up from the desk. “What did you want to discuss?”
“A few things,” Murphy said, ready to turn the conversation in a different direction. He needed to look into Nessa’s ex, yes, but another pressing matter required his attention. “Could you do some research within the supernatural community for me?”
It was likely a shot in the dark, but if Nessa had some latent supernatural blood in her veins, he was going to find out. There had to be a reason she was resistant to both his Alpha power and Constantine’s compulsion.
“I’m sure I can find out whatever you need.” The enforcer cocked his head to the side. “What kind of research is it?”
“Nessa has an interesting ability,” the Alpha drawled. “Waves of dominance from myself and then a vampire who was attempting to compel her had absolutely no effect on her.”
“No effect? At all?” Colter was sitting upright now.
