A Mate for Gideon (20 page)

Zane
took a step towards him, his brows were raised. “And? I take it that it didn’t
work out very well considering you are only approaching us now with this. Could
you not find her? Had she moved away?” Gideon had never seen Zane this
animated.

Gideon
ran a hand through his hair. “She was with another male…pregnant with his
baby.”

Zane’s
jaw clenched. His eyes became as dark as a midnight, moonless night. “Why are
you wasting your time on a female like this?”

Gideon
clenched his hands at his sides reminding himself that this was a normal
reaction. Very much in line with his own. “Again, in this, humans can be
different from us. Where I struggled to even look at another female, it was
easier for Jenna to try and get over me by being with another male. I believe
the term is called a rebound fuck. She only planned on seeing him a few times.
Unfortunately, the male took advantage of her weakened state. She was greatly
hurt when I left. He took over her life, alienated her from her family and
friends. Before long he was beating her, threatening to kill her if she tried
to leave him. She had no option but to stay. Jenna was always careful with
birth control.” Gideon took a few deep breaths. Wishing so badly all over again
that he had killed the bastard. “She was on the pill to prevent pregnancy. That
bastard male refused to use those human coverings of which you talked of
earlier. Even when she fell ill and had to take medication that worked against
the anti-pregnancy drugs, that bastard refused to use condoms. Jenna was too
afraid to stand up to him and became pregnant.”

There
was a tick in Zane’s jaw.

Gideon
shoved his own hands into his pockets, mirroring Zane. “That bastard continued
to beat her, even though she was pregnant. He would hit her for things like not
answering her phone quickly enough or if another male looked at her with interest.”

“The
fucker,” Zane growled, the big male bristled. “A person has no control over
others. That’s crazy.”

Gideon
nodded. His chest tightened. “A male like that looks for any excuse. He enjoyed
hurting her. He beat her so badly that she lost the child. Jenna was already
seven months pregnant. It cut her up inside.”

Zane
growled loudly, baring the full length of his fangs.

Gideon
had to pause to gain control of his emotions and by the way Zane’s chest
heaved, he could tell that the male was trying to do the same.

Gideon
scrubbed a hand over his face. “It took time for her to recover after she lost
her baby. She also needed to save enough money to be able to leave. She snuck
around, risked her neck to go to the interviews so that she could join the program.
By some miracle, she was accepted. It’s how she came to be here. She is mine,
Zane. Mine.” He growled. “I was a fool. We both made mistakes but it does not
change how we feel about each other.”

Zane’s
phone rang. He pulled the device from his pocket and glanced at the caller ID. His
face took on an apologetic look. “I need to get this.”

Gideon
nodded even though Zane wasn’t looking for his permission.

“Yeah,”
his king growled into the phone in his hand.

Gideon
could hear that it was Brant on the other end of the line. The male sounded
pissed.
No fucking wonder
. Although Gideon wasn’t trying to listen in,
he couldn’t help it. So York had been rather busy this last week, just as he
had suspected. He too was in love with a human female. One that he wasn’t
allowed to touch. It turned out that the male had asked permission to be able
to mate the female. Brant asked Zane’s opinion on the matter.

“
I’m
kind of busy dealing with an issue,” Zane said. “Whatever you decide is fine
with me.”

“Fine.”
Brant ended the call. Zane looked pointedly at the phone before shoving it in to
his pocket. “You do realize that this complicates things even more.” The male
said while palming the device in his pocket to show that he was referring to
the conversation.

Gideon
sighed loudly. “Send me to the dungeon. Fucking beat me. Do what you have to
do. I don’t care. Please just make sure that Jenna stays on our territory until
you’re done with me. If anything were to happen to her.”

Zane
looked at him, not giving away anything. Not a single emotion was evident.

“I
want to stay…be a part of the program. I want my mate at my side. If this is
not possible, then we will leave. You will never see me again.”

“Are
you sure she is worth it?” Zane narrowed his eyes. “That she speaks the truth?”

“I
went and visited with the male. He is exactly as she described him. I do trust
her. I didn’t go see the male to verify what she had said. I visited with the
prick in order to threaten him…unfortunately, Jenna made me promise not to kill
him.” Gideon growled the last.

“Your
female is right. We cannot go around killing humans. It would be a surefire way
to bring down their wrath. After so many years of living in peace. It is not
something that you want to have happen. Our grandfathers can still recall the
days when vampires were hunted, staked and burned. They were dark days.”

Gideon
could only clench his jaw.

“You
have put me on the spot,” Zane growled. “Your female will not be banished from
vampire territory. I can’t just agree to a mating. There are no places in the
program.” Zane shook his head.

A
weight was lifted off of Gideon’s shoulders. Regardless of what happened next.
Of what battle they would need to fight, Jenna would at least be safe.

“What
about the next heat? I will ensure myself a place in the program. You know that
I am worthy.”

Zane
shook his head. “You are definitely worthy but all females not picked during
this heat will be sent home. A new batch of females will arrive. I am not sure
how we are going to get around this. Jenna will no longer be eligible for the
program once she is sent home…not that we will send her home.”

“Did
you and Brant not realize that there would be anomalies?” Frustration ate at him.
Gideon swallowed hard. “There needs to be allowances for the exceptions to the
rule. You are a king, my lord. Surely if it is your decision then it will need
to be respected. I am a security leader…one of the elite. A top warrior…I have
earned the right to a human female of my choice. I choose Jenna…I will always
choose her…there will never be another for me.”

Zane
cursed. He clenched his jaw for a few beats. “I realize that. The last thing we
want is for the males in the general population to think that if they are compatible
in all ways with a female, then they can have her. It won’t work. We’ll have
mayhem. There are cultural differences…misunderstandings could arise. There is
also bloodlust to contend with. You are lucky that you do not suffer from the
affliction or Jenna would be dead today.”

“I
never once thought about that side of it.”

“Neither
will they. It is a huge risk.” Zane raised his brows.

Frustration
ate at him. “The fact of the matter is, my lord, we are in this situation. What
is the way forward? Is Jenna permitted to stay as my mate? Or should we leave?”

“Don’t
start with your ultimatums.” Zane growled, his eyes narrowed in on Gideon. “I
fucking hate ultimatums.”

“This
isn’t an ultimatum…it is my life that we’re talking about. My future. Jenna is
my future. I had hoped that you would understand that.”

Zane
shook his head. “Calm the fuck down. I do understand. Believe it or not, Brant
would understand. We need time to sort this out though, to figure this out.
Jenna will be safe in the meanwhile.”

His
phone rang again. Zane fished the device out of his pocket. “What fucking now?”
He grumbled, holding his hand up to Gideon.

“Yeah.”
He said as he put the device to his ear.

“York
is out of the program. I don’t think we should pick another male…maybe in the
next heat.”

“No.”
Zane said, his eyes firmly on Gideon. “I know of someone.”

“Who?”
Brant growled.

“You
told me to trust you to make the right decision. I need you to trust me. I have
your tenth elite.”

There
was a growling noise on the other end. Then Brant sighed. “Fine. Just so that
you know, I gave York permission to mate with that female. I’m turning fucking
soft.”

“You’ve
always been soft.” Zane smiled.

“That’s
not what Tanya told me last night when I had my—”

“We’ll
talk later.” Zane interjected, he was grinning from ear to ear. He ended the
call and looked up at Gideon.

His
heart raced. His hands felt clammy. Everything inside of him tightened. He’d
never been one to pray before. Right now he was ready to go down on his knees
if that’s what it would take.

“You’re
in,” Zane growled. “I should choose one of the others that actually participated,
but what the fuck. I’m the fucking king, right?” He shrugged.

Gideon
had never hugged another male before in his whole life. Had never wanted to.
The thought of doing it had never even crossed his mind. Yet, he gripped the
other male about the shoulders.

“Hey,”
Zane growled.

Gideon
could feel the vibration in the other male’s chest. He released him. “Sorry.
I’m just so damned happy. So thankful. You won’t regret this.” Gideon turned
and walked towards the castle.

“Wait
up!” Zane shouted after him. “We need to go and break this to Brant in person.”

Gideon
was tempted to ask his king to speak with Brant himself, but he swallowed back
the request. He needed to stand tall and face Brant. The decision had already been
made, he and Zane would show a united front.

Gideon
nodded once. “Can we go now?” He was eager to go and see Jenna, to tell her the
good news.

Zane
turned his wrist and looked at his watch. “There is one quick errand I need to
run. Come with me. I will make it quick. From there we can go and see Brant and
then you can go and see your female. I’m sure you’re desperate to be with her.”

Gideon
was still grinning. He didn’t think anything could wipe the smile from his
face.

There
was the sound of heavy footfalls. Jenna pushed her mostly uneaten breakfast to
the side.

“What’s
got you so upset?” Julie asked. She was smiling…beaming was probably a more apt
description, considering she’d just spent the night with Lance. Jenna had
warned her, he was the kind of male that got around. A player in the first
degree. He had probably slept with half the women in the program. Just because
he had sex with Julie, gave her multiple orgasms, did not mean that he would
pick her as a mate. In fact, the opposite was probably true. He would end up
picking one of the women he had yet to conquer.

Jenna
shrugged. “I guess I’m not excited about going home tomorrow.” She lied. It was
a little white one. She didn’t want Julie, or anyone else, to know about what
was going on between her and Gideon. She was so worried about what the outcome
would be after talking with the kings. The last thing she wanted was for him to
end up in the dungeon. Her mouth turned dry at the thought of having to go back
out there. To fend for herself.

More
than anything, she dreaded being separated from him. Even if only for a few
days.

The
sound of footfalls grew louder. A murmur rose up in the dining hall.

Jenna
turned to the source of the commotion. Three vampire guards had entered the room.
It was strange, because they all seem to be focused on her.

Then
realization hit.

Maybe
it wasn’t so strange after all. She and Gideon had been involved in illegal
activities. Gideon had warned her that their relationship would be seen as
wrong and forbidden by the vampire species. Maybe they were going to throw her
in the dungeon alongside Gideon. Now that she thought about it, she hoped
that’s what would happen. She’d be safe and close to the man she loved.

Jenna
rose to her feet, just as they sidled up to the table. “Jenna Darcy?” The
nearest one said, looking down at her.

She
swallowed hard and nodded once.

“You
need to come with us.” Two of the guards moved to stand on each side of her.
They each gripped an elbow like they meant business.

“What’s
going on?” Julie’s eyes were wide in her skull. Her face looked pale. She stood
up, her chair scraping on the floor behind her.

“Don’t
worry about it,” Jenna said.

“Too
late. I
am
worried.” Julie took a step around the table.

“No,
you stay here. I’ll be okay I promise. Good luck with…” Jenna smiled. “You know
who. Just in case I don’t see you in time, I hope you make it into the next
round.”

Julie
shook her head. “Where are you going? Why won’t you be here? Please tell me
what’s going on?”

Jenna
shook her head. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”

Julie
looked at each of the guards in turn before nodding her head. “Okay. I’ll see
you soon?” It was definitely posed as a question.

Jenna
nodded her head. “Definitely. Good luck!”

“You
too.” She frowned. “Although, I think you’re going to need it more than me.”

“Let’s
go.” They began to move in the direction of the door. Except, instead of
heading towards the exit, they moved towards the stairs.

“Where
are you taking me?” She could hear that her voice sounded a little panicked.
She had expected to be taken to the kings or for Gideon to have come for her.
Why were they taking her up to the rooms? “Are you taking me to pack? Do I need
to stay in my room?”

“Stop
with the questions, female,” the lead guard growled. She was forced to stare at
the back of his head because he didn’t turn around. Instead, he marched up the
stairs. Taking them two at a time. The guards practically lifted her from the
floor by her elbows, they made quick work of the stairs.

“Tell
me what’s going on.” She could hear that her voice sounded a little shrill but couldn’t
help it. “Please,” she added when they didn’t respond.

The
guards ignored her, continuing their march, stopping when they reached her
room. The guard in the front used a key card to unlock the door. They entered
her suite. She heard the door click behind them.

The
big bossy vampire proceeded to move to the closet and open the doors. All three
of them. He grabbed her bag and zipped it open before turning to face her. “You
have five minutes to pack your things.”

Damn.
They were making her leave after all.

Out
of all the scenarios that had played out in her head, this one was the worst. Gideon
had warned her but she didn’t think it would come to this. The two guys at her
side released her arms. Jenna swallowed hard. She made her way to her open bag.

She
stopped and glanced in the direction of the male she presumed was the leader.
“Where is Gideon? Did they put him in the dungeon? Please just tell me, is he
okay?”

He
clasped his hands in front of him. “It is of no concern of yours.” He glanced
casually at his watch. “You have just over four minutes. Whatever is not in
that bag”—he gestured to the floor—“stays here.”

Oh
shit. This was all she owned.

Although
Gideon had said that he would deposit money into her account, she wasn’t sure
that he had actually done it. Maybe he wouldn’t get a chance to do it for a
while. She needed to prepare for the worst. Best she hurry. Grabbing handfuls
of clothes, she started tossing them into the bag while trying to be as neat as
possible given the circumstances.

Once
all the items of clothing were in the bag, she quickly headed for the bathroom
where she threw all of her toiletries into the bag that were under the sink.
Jenna swept her eyes around the space, hoping that she had everything. Some of
the things had gone for laundering. There was nothing she could do about that.

“Please,
just tell me. Is he okay? Where is he? They must have him locked up.” She
mumbled the last, talking more to herself. Worry caused her heart to race. Her
stomach to clench in knots. Hopefully they hadn’t hurt him. She prayed he was
safe and that he would stay that way. They had their plan and would stick to
it. She held onto that thought. They would get through this. They may not be
together but they were still a team dammit.

She
expected the guards to ignore her some more, instead the main one smirked. “You
must have known that it was not permitted to mess with males outside of the program.
You should’ve stayed away from him. Silly human.”

Anger
coursed through her. “We are in love.” She immediately regretted the outburst.
She didn’t owe these bozos any explanations.

The
asshole guard knelt down and zipped up her bag, he hoisted it onto his shoulder
like it weighed nothing. “Love,” he laughed. “You really believe that he loved
you?” He shook his head.

“Gideon
loves me. He would do anything for me. Why do you think he is sitting rotting
in a cell right now?” Anger coursed through her.
What the hell did this guy
know?

The
guard frowned. Then he glanced at the other guards. They laughed. “He’s with
Zane right now in a meeting with some humans. I’m not sure what it’s about.
Gideon is not hurt or locked up. He’s quite fine.”

She
swallowed hard. A sliver of doubt crept in but she tamped it down. “No. You’re
lying.” If Gideon knew she was being kicked out, he would be here.

“Vampires,
unlike humans, do not lie. He is in a meeting with Zane right now. Let’s go.
Your presence is no longer required. You have been expelled from the program.
Gideon is not here so he obviously does not mind that you are being kicked out.
The sooner we leave the sooner you can get over him.” Another smirk. “Love…” He
snorted the word and shook his head while looking amused.

The
guards gripped her elbows and began to move forward. “Who ordered my expulsion
from the program?” She yelled at his retreating back.

“Who
else?” The asshole growled. “Brant.”

There
was no way that Gideon knew about this. That he was in agreement. No way in
hell. This had to be happening behind his back. “Call him!” She yelled.

The
head guard laughed. “Who do you think you are, female? Brant won’t talk to you.
It would be a waste of time to even try.”

“Not
Brant.” She tried to tug herself free but the guards only held her tighter.
“Call Gideon. Do it now.”

He
shook his head. “He is in a meeting and would not take my call. Besides,
Brant’s decision is final. Gideon has no say in the matter. Groveling is
pathetic. It will be better if you leave with your chin held high.”

Frustration
and anger welled up in her. Jenna screamed. Then she screamed some more. “Let
me go! Call him!” She shouted. They exited the building, moving quickly.
“Please!” She shouted. Their fingers dug into her but she fought harder to try
and break free. She was panting heavily.

“What
the hell? Jenna!” Julie shrieked. She ran up next to them. The waiting SUV was
just ahead.

“Julie!”
She yelled. “Tell Gideon. Tell him that they have me. Brant ordered for me—” She
was pushed into the waiting SUV.

“I
will—” She heard Julie shout, just before the door closed, cutting her off.

****

The
bus station was quiet. According to the board, there was no bus leaving for
another three hours. Jenna didn’t care since she wasn’t taking a bus. This was
Brant’s way of trying to get her as far away from vampire territory as
possible. As far away from Gideon as possible. Well, tough luck for him.

She
watched as the SUV pulled away. Waiting patiently until the taillights rounded
the corner up ahead. Then she took real stock of her surroundings.
Good, an
ATM.

Her
bag was really heavy, already her shoulder ached and her lower back protested.
She rummaged in her purse until she found her wallet, withdrawing her bank
card. After putting it in the machine and typing in her pin, she found herself
looking up to the heavens and praying. Hopefully there was something in her
account. Aside from a few bucks in her purse, she was pretty much broke.

If
there was money in her account, she would withdraw the maximum amount. Being a
police officer, Liam would be able to pick up on this transaction. She was one hundred
percent sure that he was monitoring her. That he was still looking for her. She
needed to hurry. She tapped on the plastic next to the buttons on the machine.

Jenna
almost shrieked out loud when her bank balance appeared. It would be more than
enough to tide her over. Enough for the next year, let alone a few weeks.
According to her statement, there’d been two transactions made, one from Gideon
and another from The Program.

That
had to be Brant. She shook her head, anger coursing through her all over again.
Thank god her burner cell phone still had a little bit of life left in it. It
would be enough to call a cab so that she could get the hell out of there.

She
stuffed the money into her purse and her card and statement followed straight
behind. She pulled her phone out of her bag as she turned, walking straight
into a solid chest.

Jenna’s
eyes tracked upwards. Her hands began to tremble, her lower lip quivered. Icy
fear settled in the pit of her stomach. If she had actually eaten her breakfast
this morning, it would’ve come up. She made a moaning noise that was born of
dread and fear so deep that she was sure she would never recover.

Liam
grinned. It was wild, angry, so far from being humorous it was scary. It was
like something from a horror movie. “Hi, Jen-doll, I’ve missed you, babe.” Then
he punched her straight in the face. She flew backwards, her head hitting the
asphalt with a crack. Then she blacked out.

****

“You
said that Gideon could what...?” Brant roared. “The program is my baby…mine!
You had no fucking right!”

“I
had every right,” Zane snarled. “You agreed that I could make the decision and
I did. Deal with it.”

Brant
paced to the other side of the room. It was a colossal mess. His desk was
smashed through the middle, the broken pieces scattered. Papers and files were
in haphazard stacks.

“I
expected you to choose from one of the runners-up. Gideon didn’t even take part
and does not deserve a place in this first heat.” Brant’s eyes glowed.

“He
is one of the top elite. Head of security for the program. He deserves this
more than most.” Zane’s voice was low, deep and menacing. “As to the program
being yours…you are fucked in the head if you believe that. We both have our
roles to play in this.”

“All
I have to say is, well done to you.” Brant’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “So
far you’ve done a fantastic job of keeping unauthorized males away from the
humans. You have forced me to take matters into my own hands. Fucking forced
me.” Brant was breathing hard.

Zane
narrowed his eyes. “What have you done?”

Brant
narrowed his eyes right back and folded his arms across his chest. “Only what I
had to do.”

It
felt like an ice cold fist took ahold of Gideon’s heart. It squeezed. His
breath froze in his lungs.