Surrounded By Temptation(11)

“I’m sure you all know how it fucking went.” He sipped, not making eye contact with any of them.

“I’m sorry, bro. I shouldn’t be teasing.”

“Serves him right,” Jack mumbled.

Rob looked at him, eyes narrowed, and set down his cup. “What the hell does that mean? You weren’t teased to bursting, yet you still get the drugs.”

“I told you she was mine. You should’ve stayed out of it and let me have her.”

Rob was not going to go down this road. He might be pissed with Ariel’s behavior—and he knew he really had no right to be angry. She didn’t do anything wrong, though his dick felt differently—but as far as he was concerned, she was still his mate. He’d just have to show her this ridiculous testing wasn’t necessary. “Dude, it was her choice.” He looked at Josh and picked up his cup. “Do you need me on the burnout hole?”

“Yeah. Jack is still working south side, and I have to work in the office this morning. Caldwell’s daughter is trying to stir up shit again. God, that woman is maddening. At least she’s willing to meet with me on Skype and has stopped demanding to come out here and meet face-to-face.”

Jeffery walked in carrying two large platters filled with eggs, bacon, and biscuits. Thomas walked in as the food was placed on the table. His dad started making his plate, and then Rob and his brothers dug in.

“I heard you did well yesterday, Robert,” Thomas said. “Ariel said you showed no signs of primal aggression.”

“Maybe he’s impudent,” Jack muttered around a biscuit.

“You think you could do better in that situation, hotshot?” Toby said, coming to Rob’s defense.

“I know I could.” Jack squared his shoulders.

“Boys. This is unnecessary and the very reason why I had Ariel choose. Now settle down.” He’d get no argument out of Rob. Jack was still being a jackass and would probably continue to be until this testing torture was finished and he was able to leave the grounds a free man.

The door opened and a very groggy-looking Mikaela walked in still in PJs. Josh dropped his fork and stood up. “What are you doing up, kitten? I thought you were going to sleep in.” He started around the table toward her.

“I woke up and wanted a bite to eat.” She met him halfway and gave him a peck on the lips.

Josh guided her to a chair beside him, and he fixed her plate.

“Don’t let me interrupt,” she mumbled into the glass of orange juice Jeffery had placed in front of her. “If I know this group, you all are giving Rob a hard time for doing what was asked of him yesterday. What he’s doing is very important.” Her tone held a little bit of admonishment and Rob fought a smile.

“Yeah, he’s indulging a cock tease,” Jack said mentally.

“I can hear you,” Mikaela said, cutting her eyes in his direction. “Don’t you think it’s time to let go of this macho crap and be grateful there’s now light at the end of your tunnel?”

Jack gritted his teeth, a small growl working up his throat as he stared at her.

Josh growled loudly and everyone looked at him. He was staring daggers at Jack. “Don’t you ever growl at my wife!”

Jack cleared his throat and looked down, signaling his submission to Josh on this point. Smart man. One thing Rob understood and was just beginning to fully understand was never to jeopardize another man’s mate. “I apologize, Mikaela.” Jack started to rise.

“Just a minute, son,” Thomas said. “Jeffery needs to administer the next round of medication before you head out.” He looked at Rob. “You too.”

Rob drank the last of his coffee while Jack got his shot. Then he got up from the table and walked over to Jeffery, tugging the side of his pants down for access to his hip. The chill of the alcohol swab caused goose bumps, but the sting of the needle quickly won in the discomfort category.

“Ariel will let you know when she’s ready to begin your next round of tests.”

“Great.” Rob rolled his eyes. More tests.

“Look at it this way, son,” Thomas said, lowering his voice. “You get through this, you’ll be free to take excursions, visit old friends, make new friends, enjoy the world without worrying about your nature. You just have to do whatever Ariel needs to ensure the medication is virtually flawless. Your sacrifice now will pave the way for your future. And when Ariel is gone, you’ll be a free man.”

He’d always wanted to experience life as an adult outside this estate. To do all the things his father suggested. But now that he’d met Ariel, his goals, aspirations had shifted. He had to find a way to convince her that he was the man for her without freaking her out. No woman in her right mind would believe in love at first sight. And maybe he didn’t love her as a man yet. Maybe it was just his lion that latched onto its mate and he had to develop those feelings more naturally.