MASON'S POV
Morning came quickly. I got out of bed, completed my morning workout, took my bath, and went through my usual routine.
When I entered the dining hall, only Dennis, Malvis, and Jessica were present. As usual, Mariah our chief maid and the only woman we trusted with our meals served us. She had been with me since birth, my nanny before becoming the head of the staff. If there was one person who would never betray me, it was her.
But my little mate… she wasn't in the dining room.
I frowned slightly. "Mariah, get a personal maid assigned to her. And have her food taken to her room."
Mariah bowed. "Yes, Alpha."
I returned to my office to finish the backlog of paperwork I had ignored while in the human world.
A few minutes later, I stood to check on her and that was when I saw it.
Milena. In the hallway.
And Jessica raising her hand to slap her.
My vision darkened instantly.
Before Jessica's hand could land, I moved. Fast. My fingers closed tightly around her wrist.
Her eyes widened in terror as she realized who had caught her.
"Don't you ever raise your hand on her again," I growled, my voice low, lethal. The sound echoed in the hallway, and even Milena trembled. Jessica could barely breathe.
"Go to the dungeon," I continued coldly. "And give yourself a punishment. Because if I handle it, you'd be dead already."
Her knees buckled.
"Yes, Alpha," she whispered, and ran off like the coward she was.
I turned to my mate.
She looked shocked, fragile… yet somehow still trying to be brave. Something twisted painfully in my chest.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, more sharply than I intended. "Aren't you supposed to be in your room?"
"I… no… I went to the library to get some novels," she stuttered. "I missed my way."
Of course she did. She was human. She knew nothing of wolf territory.
"Follow me," I ordered.
She walked beside me quietly, her small footsteps echoing behind my stronger ones. She kept her head down, nervous.
Mars, on the other hand, was pacing excitedly in my mind.
Our mate is walking with us… finally.
She's scared.
We scared her earlier. Fix it, Mason.
I ignored him.
When we reached her room, I stopped at the door.
"I'll send Shelda to show you around the pack," I said flatly. "So you don't get lost again."
I didn't wait for her response. If I stayed longer, Mars would probably push me to do something stupid like touch her.
So I turned and walked away.
Mars was still buzzing with excitement.
We protected her today, he murmured with pride.
And we'll keep doing it.
I didn't answer.
But I didn't disagree.