“I don’t approve of your relationship with my daughter. If you want to keep your position among the guards, I suggest you straighten your priorities.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I wait for the rest of his lecture.
“It’s against the bylaws for a guard to enter into a relationship with a member of the royal family. If you continue this relationship, I will have no choice but to terminate you. Since you are no longer a Young Alpha, you do not have a title to exempt you from that rule.”
I grind my molars together. Does he honestly think removing me from the guard will stop me from being with my true mate?
His glacial blue eyes practically burn a hole through me.
Then, a thought occurs to me. Jessica needs training, whether it’s here among the recruits or in Ryukyu. If I play this right, I could sway his decision in Jessica’s favor.
“Fine—on one condition. You either allow Jessica to enter the recruit program, where she can be trained in self-defense and magic, or send her to the Academy in Ryukyu.”
It’s only a couple of years. I can still maintain my relationship with Jessica in secret, and once the new recruit program is established, I can step down to inactive duty or pull out completely if necessary. Leaving Jessica is not an option.
“Don’t play games with me, Shadow. I see the wheels turning.”
“I’m not playing games. I’ll quit if that’s what you want. I’m thinking about what is best for Jessica.”
He wipes his hand down his face. “Elias and Chris have been up my ass about Jessica’s entrance into the recruit program.” He pauses. “Get it done, before I change my mind. The program starts on June first. That’s ten days. I expect to conduct her second interview in a few days.” He waves his hand, dismissing me.
I dip my head in acknowledgement and turn to leave. Just before I reach the door, he clears his throat.
“Shadow, if I catch you touching my daughter, if I receive word that anyone suspects something going on between the two of you, I will rip off your dick and make you eat your balls for breakfast. So help me, Shadow, do not take my warnings lightly. Your relationship ends now.”
I don’t turn around to face him when I answer, “Yes, sir.”
For the first time in all the years I have known him, I want to salute him with my middle finger before I slam the door closed.
Chapter 26
Just Live It With Me
Shadow
Seven Years Ago
Hovering in the shadows of the hallway in Jessica’s home, I watch her like a stalker as she exits the music room dressed in a hoodie and yoga pants. Memories of last night return. I can still feel her warm body against mine when we danced, the feel of her when she captured my lips with hers.
That’s all I could think about, until my meeting with Anders. Seeing her again, catching her scent of lavender and honey, just makes me want her lips on mine again. Everything Anders said, his warnings, disappear.
I grab her from behind and pin her against the wall with my body. With one hand against the wall above our heads, the other caresses her face. Taking advantage of her surprised gasp, I crash my mouth over hers, slipping my tongue into her delicate mouth, pulling back only slightly to suck on her full bottom lip. She makes a small breathy sound as I deepen the kiss, moaning softly into her mouth, loving the way she responds to me.Electricity rushes up my spine as she touches my face. My heart races, and I feel so alive. She moans again. Goddess, I could kiss her forever.
“Don’t do that, Princess, or I won’t stop.”
“Then don’t. I thought about kissing you all day,” she whispers against my lips. She gasps as we land in a supine position on a soft surface. Her head lifts, and I nibble on her neck.
“Where are we?” she murmurs.
Between kisses, I answer, “My apartment in my territory.” I lick and suck her bottom lip. She pushes me, and I reposition myself to stare down at her. She glances around curiously. “What is it?” I grab her chin to make her look at me.
“Why did you bring me here?”
“Because all I could think about was kissing you, and I couldn’t continue to kiss you in your home.” I lean down and kiss her again, but she breaks away, worry etched on her face. I nuzzle her ear, gently sucking on her earlobe. “Talk to me. Tell me what’s in that head of yours. I can’t hear your thoughts.”
She doesn’t answer me. I push myself up, holding my weight so I don’t crush her beneath me, lying on my couch. She licks her lips, and I nearly moan from her innocent gesture. I kiss her forehead.
“Princess?”
