“Isaac and I have always been able to communicate telepathically. We’re not sure why or how, but it might have something to do with the legends and superstitions surrounding identical twin werewolves.”
“So, Xavier?”
“Can’t hear us, no. But he can hear you. When the mating link is at its strongest, he’ll even be able to hear you from this distance.”
She half smiled, half grimaced. “It’s probably a good thing that he can’t hear me today. I was kind of a bitch this morning.”
“Yeah, well, he deserved it. He’s the alpha, so he’s used to getting his own way, but he’s usually more diplomatic. To be honest, I’ve never seen him act quite so out of character. One of his strengths as a leader has always been to see an argument from all sides, and then do what’s best for the pack. He rarely uses his position to get his own way.”
She giggled softly and pressed close to his side as they headed up the stairs to her apartment. “So what you’re saying is I manage to bring out the worst in him.”
“Pretty much.”
Chapter Six
Xavier had been biting heads off all day. Okay, it wasn’t the literal biting of heads, but if he let his wolf side have his way, it just might lead to bloodshed. Three days. Three long, irritating, infuriating days without his mate. How had he lived so long before meeting her?
The worst part was that they hadn’t even spoken since their argument Wednesday morning, so he had no idea what the woman was thinking. When he’d rung Daegan, his younger brother had simply told him everything was under control. Under control? What the hell did that mean anyway?
He growled, stood up so fast his chair hit the wall behind him, stalked around the desk, and started pacing. Maybe he should go for a run. Maybe even do a little hunting in wolf form. Maybe he needed to just simply pound out his frustrations in the gym. He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d actually had a vacation.
“Grace!” he yelled impatiently to his secretary. He heard her hurried movement and regretted frightening the poor woman for the millionth time today. Grace was a good secretary, an efficient administrator, and a close friend of his mother’s. If he didn’t settle down, he was liable to scare the poor woman to death.
“Yes, Mr. Cloveck?” Oh shit, it was even worse than he realized. Grace often addressed him formally in front of clients but never when it was just the two of them. Thanks to his wolf senses, he could also smell her fear. Damn it.
He took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and headed back to his desk. He had a feeling his secretary would be more comfortable if he stayed on the other side of the furniture.
“Grace, can you clear my schedule for the next few days, please?”
“Of course. I’ve already cleared Monday to Wednesday of next week. I’ll move this weekend’s appointments to early the week after.” The woman seemed rather relieved despite the huge amount of work he was asking from her. She’d likely have to work late tonight to juggle his schedule around, but it would seem she preferred it over dealing with his growly attitude. No doubt his efficient, if somewhat timid, secretary was looking forward to a long, long, long weekend far away from him.
“Thank you, Grace.” She nodded and turned to leave the room. “And Grace,” he added just before she stepped out the door, “I’m sorry for the past couple of days.”
Grace gave him a shy, lopsided smile, nodded, and left the room.
Now, if only his mate would accept his apology as graciously.
* * * *
Andrea glanced up at Isaac and frowned. “When did Xavier say he was coming?”
“Sunday night. Why?”
Her newly acquired werewolf senses must be off. She could swear she felt the man close enough to nearly touch. Almost as if he were in the same room. A sudden loud banging on the door downstairs nearly scared the crap out of her.
“Andrea, open the door.”
She was so glad to hear his voice that she almost forgave him the tone—almost. But if he was here to continue Wednesday morning’s argument, she was more than ready to argue back. She stood up, but Isaac grabbed her hand to stop her. “Daegan will get it. The shop’s closed, and it’s already dark outside. The last thing we need is you getting shot in another armed robbery.”
She rolled her eyes at his overprotective attitude, even if it did melt her heart just a little. “It’s Xavier.”
“Oh, well in that case. Can I watch while you kick his stubborn ass?”
“Of course,” she said with a mischievous smile. She really hoped he wasn’t here to start another argument, or, more correctly, to finish the last. She’d missed him too damn much to want to waste whatever precious hours he could spare fighting with the man.