A Mate for Gideon (5 page)

He
breathed out heavily, seeming to notice for the first time that he still held
her hips with both his hands and he released her, running a hand through his
hair. “It had nothing to do with you.” His jaw ticked and he glanced away for a
second as he spoke.

A
little snorting sound escaped her. “I know when you’re hiding something. You
forget that I know you, Gideon.”

His
eyes hardened. “Just because we fucked a few times doesn’t mean you know me.”
He spoke under his breath.

Arrow
to the heart
. It stung. He’d said it to hurt her and
had succeeded. “It was more than that and you know it.”

He
shook his head. “You were mated to someone else at the time. It meant sweet
fuck all in the end.”

“Say
what you want. Paint it any way you want. It won’t erase the fact that you
declared your undying love to me and I did the same right back. I meant every
word, Gideon.” Her voice sounded shrill and she was speaking too quickly.

He
folded his arms across his chest. “You lied about everything, so your
declaration of love didn’t mean much to me.”

“I
may have omitted a few truths early on but I told you everything in the end—”

“You
lied when it counted…you let me fall for an already mated female.” His nostrils
flared with each breath that he took. Pain clouded his beautiful eyes. Another
well placed arrow to her already leaky heart. “That wasn’t the worst of it
though. It took a while for me to come to terms with it…to realize that I
couldn’t live without you…I tried so hard to deny my feelings.” He shook his
head. “I should’ve fucking tried harder.” He mumbled, almost to himself.

What
was he saying?

Jenna
had to squeeze her lips together to prevent herself from asking at least a half
a dozen questions that rose up in her mind.

Gideon
clasped his hand to the back of his neck. “It was nine months after I left—”

Jenna
felt like covering her ears. She didn’t want to hear the rest. She could guess
what he was about to say. Prayed that she was wrong.

“—nine
months.” His eyes narrowed as he repeated the words. “I lived and breathed you
the whole time. Couldn’t stop thinking about you. I fucking missed you so much.”

Jenna
felt her lip wobble and a tear ran down her cheek. She didn’t try and wipe it
away.

“I
was so happy once I made the decision to give us another try. I couldn’t wait
to see you. I looked you up and thank fuck I didn’t ring your doorbell. Imagine
my shock…” He clenched his teeth, Gideon’s eyes misted for a second before he
composed himself. “You were with another male…your belly swollen with his
child. You never loved me. You were with me while still with your first mate
and quickly moved on after I left. What we had was never real.” He growled the
last few words. “I am going to apologize to Lazarus. I would like for you to
return home. I won’t hesitate to report you to Brant. Leave or face the
consequences.”

“Wait!”
She cried as he pushed past her, brushing his shoulder against her arm. “It
wasn’t like that. Let me explain.” There was a part of her that needed him to
stop so that she could do just that but there was also a part of her that prayed
that he would just keep walking.

Telling
him would entail opening painful wounds. It may even make him hate her more.
She was weak and pathetic. Jenna didn’t deserve a male like Gideon, but she
loved him with all of her heart and would never forgive herself if she didn’t
at least try. This was her opportunity to be brave. She watched him until he
turned the corner, then she slumped against the wall. It might be better if he
cooled down first.

She
would speak to him again soon. She would find a way to speak of the events of
the last year and a half of her life. Her heart and soul depended on it.

The
stricken look on Jenna’s face had almost been enough to get him to turn the
fuck around, but he couldn’t do it. There was nothing she could say to him that
would fix things.

Nine
months after she had begged and pleaded for him to stay and to give her a chance,
her belly was already visibly swollen with another male’s child. It hadn’t
taken her long at all to move on.

Gideon
meant what he had said, if she didn’t leave of her own accord, then he was
going to have to figure out a way to out her to Brant without implicating
himself in the process. The last thing he wanted was to turn Jenna in, but he
would do it. There was no way he was buying any of what she was selling but at
the same time he couldn’t watch her be seduced and possibly mated by one of the
other males. Seeing her with Lazarus today had almost killed him.

Speaking
of Lazarus. The male had long since left the breakfast table and was sparring
with one of the other males in the gym. Gideon watched the big male and despite
his bulk, in a careful move, he used his foot to sweep the other male’s legs
out from under him causing him to crash heavily to the ground.

Gideon
chuckled and moved forward, as it was clear that the bout was over. The smaller
male lay groaning on the ground.

Lazarus
put up his hands as his eyes caught Gideon’s. “I don’t want any trouble,” the
big male growled. “If you tear into me again, I’m going to have to retaliate.
You may not come out looking so pretty this time and I would probably end up in
the dungeon.”

Gideon
felt guilt rise up in him and he ran a hand through his hair. “About that.” He
sighed. “I’m really sorry. It was a misunderstanding and it won’t happen
again.”

“You
mean as long as I’m not talking to that particular female, you won’t cause shit
with me again.” Lazarus might be brawny but he also had brains.

Gideon
wasn’t sure what to say. There were plenty of other males working out in the
gym. Several eyeballs were turned in their direction. Lazarus helped the fallen
male to his feet and led him to a nearby bench. By now, his advanced healing
had set in, and the male already looked a ton better.

Lazarus
turned back to him and gestured towards the door. “Let’s go for a quick walk.”
He grabbed a towel, using it to mop his forehead.

Gideon
nodded. “There isn’t much to say, but let’s walk anyways.”

Lazarus
barked out a laugh or something that sort of sounded like one. “Whatever.” He
gave Gideon a slap on the back that almost sent him flying forward. The male
was ridiculously huge. The spot where Lazarus’ hand had landed, ached and
Gideon was no wilting flower. Even for a vampire, the male was a beast, that
was for sure. No wonder the human females were weary of him.

“What
did I do wrong to cause you to hit me like that then?” Lazarus had a sly smirk
on his face and his eyes glinted.

Gideon
couldn’t lie. He shrugged. “Just accept my apology and let’s be done with it.”

“So,
I didn’t actually do anything then? Is that what you are saying?” He kept his
eyes on Gideon who shook his head. “You blindsided me. I didn’t know you could
hit like that. I knew you were good but you’re better than just good.”

Lazarus
gave a soft chuckle. “Tell me about her. How do you even know her or are you
just taken with her beauty?” He asked, keeping his voice low.

“It’s
not like that.” Gideon glanced at the male next to him. “There is not much to
tell.”

“You
males and your
it’s not like that
statements. You do realize that when
you say
it’s not like that
it actually really
is
like that? The
seemingly innocent words,
not much,
also imply that there is something.”

Gideon
shook his head, he didn’t want to have this conversation. Not with Lazarus, not
with anyone for that matter. “Not this time. It really isn’t like that. Please
just accept my apology and let’s move on.”

“It
doesn’t take major intelligence to figure out that you hit me because you were
jealous. That female was touching my arm and we were talking. You must’ve seen us
and taken it the wrong way.”

“I
didn’t take anything the wrong way.” Gideon growled, instantly regretting the
outburst and the rush of jealousy that came with it. He hated that he felt this
way over Jenna. Fucking hated it.

This
time when Lazarus laughed he felt like punching him. “That particular female…”
Lazarus paused and Gideon was forced to bite back a growl. He ground his teeth
together instead.

Lazarus
grinned. “Jenna I believe her name is.”

This
time Gideon couldn’t help but to growl at Lazarus. It only made the male laugh
all the louder. Gideon felt his hands curl into fists and so he shoved them
into his pockets.

“Relax,
bro.” Lazarus tapped him on the shoulder. “There isn’t anything between Jenna
and I. She is the only human female that is not afraid of me. If it is any
conciliation, not only is she not interested in me, but she is not interested
in any of the others either. Not that the information will do you any good. The
humans are off limits to anyone but the ten victorious elite.” The male made a
snorting sound. “You will have to try out for the next round of positions.
There will be more females.”

Gideon
worked hard at schooling his emotions. “I don’t want a human female. Certainly
not…that particular female.” He couldn’t bring himself to say Jenna’s name. “Or
any other for that matter. Human females are too different from us vampires. I
do not believe that we are compatible long term.”

“Oh,
that’s why you didn’t hit me. Maybe I imagined the whole thing.” He rubbed his
jaw. Sarcasm dripped off of every word.

“I
told you that it isn’t like that.”

“You
already have my opinion on that particular saying.” Lazarus raised his
eyebrows.

“I’ve
said my piece and I’m leaving now.” Gideon glanced at his watch. “I’m about to
be late for a meeting with Brant. I need to debrief him on last night’s
incident as well as on the security upgrades.”

Lazarus
gave a half smile. “Yeah, after York’s little break-in into the human accommodations.”
The male snorted. “He is another male famous for saying things like…
it isn’t
like that
…all of you are in denial if you ask me.” He shook his head.
“Anyway, you had better get out of here, you don’t want to be late.”

Gideon
finally managed to find it in himself to smile back and then he turned and headed
back towards the stairs that would take him to the North Tower.

“Gideon!”
Lazarus yelled behind him.

Gideon
sucked in a deep breath. “Yeah?” He said as he turned.

“I’m
here if you need to talk.”

Gideon
nodded once and turned away, headed back towards the stairs. As if. There was
nothing to discuss. Jenna was never going to happen. Even if by some miracle
she managed to actually convince him that she hadn’t immediately shacked up
with another male after swearing to love him always.

He
could still remember how her lashes glinted in the sun. How her tears had
coursed down her cheeks that day that he had broken it off with her. He gave a
small shake of the head, moving more quickly. Thing was, even if she did manage
to convince him, any type of relationship with her would be forbidden. No. He
needed her gone and as soon as possible.

Gideon
rapped on the door to his king’s suite. It took about a minute for the door to
open. His queen smiled at him, the royal heir was draped over her shoulder and she
patted his back in soft, even strokes. Tanya smiled. “Come on in.” She gestured
to the sofa. “Please, take a seat.”

“Good
morning, my lady.” He nodded once, and entered the suite, sitting on one of the
sofas that she gestured to.

“Brant
will only be a few minutes.” She continued to tap on her son’s back. “I need
you to do me a little favor.” She raised her eyebrows.

“Anything,
my lady.” Gideon moved to stand.

“No,
no. Stay right where you are.” She moved over to him, carefully peeled little
Sam off of her shoulder and handed him to Gideon.

Without
even thinking, he accepted the baby. “Um… I’m not so sure…” Two wide eyes
looked up at him and the little one gave an almighty kick with one of his legs.
“I don’t know the first thing about babies.”

Tanya
smiled broadly. “You’re doing perfectly fine. I really need to use the
bathroom.” She touched a hand to her tummy and pulled a face. “Like really bad.
Just make sure that you support his little neck. I won’t be a minute.” She
turned and walked away. Just like that. Walked. Away. Left him with the baby.

Gideon
looked back down. The kid blinked, yawned and then started to kick and fuss. He
didn’t look very happy and even began to make little choky, crying noises.

Oh
shit!

What
the hell did he know about kids? Especially when they were tiny, squirming and
pink? He swallowed hard, the kicking only became worse. The little one’s face
scrunched up and his little fists balled. Gideon looked around, but he was
alone.

Cluster
freaking fuck.

He’d
had just about enough. Gideon was going to get up and actually find someone
else to take the little one. It wasn’t that he didn’t like babies; he just had
no clue of what to do with them. Feeling like he had two left hands, he moved
Sam across to one arm so that the little guy’s head was in the crook of his arm
and pulled him more firmly against his body. A miracle happened. Sam seemed to
fit perfectly there, and even snuggled up against his chest. The little one
quickly stopped his squirming and looked up at him with big, brown eyes. It
wasn’t long before Sam was slow blinking and even gave him the cutest, gummy
yawn.

Fucking
incredible.

Gideon
couldn’t help but to grin, maybe he wasn’t so useless with babies after all. He
stared down at Sam, watching in awe as the little one dropped off to sleep. It
felt like his heart actually swelled a little in his chest.

“What
the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Brant growled.

It
was a perfectly normal reaction. Gideon shushed his king, even putting a finger
against his lips. The only consolation was that Brant wouldn’t tear into him as
long as he was holding the male’s son. Although Brant narrowed his eyes, he
also pursed his lips and kept quiet.

Thankfully,
Tanya chose that exact moment to arrive. “Thank you so much.” She gave Gideon a
wide smile as she leaned down, arms outstretched. “I thought my bladder was
going to burst.” For just the tiniest second, his arm closed around the child.
He almost had to force himself to release the little one. What the hell was
wrong with him?

Brant
took a seat across from him, thank fuck he looked relaxed and even sat back in
the chair. “Are all the security improvements in place?”

Straight
down to business. Good, neither of them was into small talk anyway.

“Yes.”
Gideon also sat back, resting his hands on his thighs. “The CCTV cameras have
been installed inside all public areas within the human sleeping facilities, as
well as, on the building surroundings. The beams are also in place and will be
able to detect movement should anyone attempt to scale the building. The double
security measures should ensure that we have no further breaches.”

Two
nights ago, the elite leader, York, had broken into the human accommodations in
order to spend the night with one of the females. Considering she wasn’t even a
part of the program, it had been considered insubordination of the highest
order.

“What
of your guards? They were also part of the problem if I recall.” His king’s
eyes darkened and narrowed on him.

Brant’s
phone began to vibrate on the coffee table in front of them. His king cursed
softly. “I need to take this.” He picked up the phone and barked a greeting
before leaving the suite, closing the door behind him with a click.

Tanya
returned from the nursery after having put the little prince down for a nap. “Can
I get you anything to drink?” She put her hands on the sofa back next to him.

“No
thank you, my lady. I’m fine.” He inclined his head as a show of respect.
“There is something that I wish to ask you though, if you have a few minutes.”

Thoughts
of Jenna were still strong in the forefront of his mind. He shouldn’t be doing
this but couldn’t help himself.

She
raised her brows. “Sure.” She said as she sat down across from him, taking the
same seat Brant had just vacated. “It looks serious.”

“Not
at all, my queen.” Gideon tried to put on what he hoped looked like a carefree
smile. “I’m just curious, about the humans. Since it is my duty to ensure their
safety, I’m having to spend a lot of time in the vicinity of both the elite
males and the humans.”

She
nodded, her lips curling up with a hint of a smile.

“I
overheard one female talking with another female.” Again, he worked hard at
keeping his voice light and neutral.