by Daphne Snow
Frannie was jumping from one idea to another trying to figure it out. She certainly didn't smell anyone else in the bedroom except for her and Alex. The sheets had only smelt of their passion for one another. Still, an intense surge of jealousy shot through Frannie making Fey snarl and snap within her.
She quickly scrubbed her face with fierce intent. Once she turned off the faucet's water she looked in the mirror and her skin was slightly red and blotchy from her scrubbing at it. Her hair was mussed and tangled from last night and she had a large hickey atop each breast near her nipples.
She ran her fingers slowly along each of them, remembering how he made love to her. But the ever watchful eyes of the picture on the counter ruined her day dreams. She was going to find that son of a bitch and figure out what the hell was going on. How dare he have another person here man or woman. Was she just supposed to be his mistress or was he going to still fuck around even though he was mated?
Even if he wasn't the least he could do was throw out the remnants of his last lover. Maybe those contacts weren't even his but the woman's in the picture. Was she gonna be coming back here soon?
Stomping around on the plush carpet she looked through the dresser and closet and eventually found a large gray hoodie long enough to cover her ass. It smelled delightfully like him and for a moment she just inhaled his dark woodsy scent. Then she shook her head remembering he was a potentially unfaithful bastard.
The doors started to slide open but Frannie was too irritated to wait for them so she gripped the sides and pushed them open to get through. She didn't have to travel far to seek out her supposed mate. Fey was still snapping in her mind, she had started to force a change on Frannie's nails and arms.
Frans emotions were getting the best of her. she had to stay calm or Fey may do something before Frannie got answers. So she breathed as she walked, calming the bear who settled enough to just pace and wait.
Down the hallway and past the grand staircase were two guards who stood at attention. They looked down the hall at her, their expressions serious and unchanging. He had to be down there, it only made sense. Though she had to admit it was a little funny a guy as large and capable as Alexander needed bodyguards.
Frannie continued stomping her way down the hallway trying to make herself look as angry as she felt right now. As she came up to the two guards they exchanged looks but she paid them no mind as she tried to enter the room between them.
As she took a step forward however they blocked her from entering. Their hands and arms outstretched in an x formation. They were taller and overall bigger than her and that just annoyed her further.
"Mr.Benson is in a meeting right now and will be out shortly. There is additional food downstairs Miss Bianchi if you are hungry. And the back door is open if your beast needs exercise."
"I'm not hungry I'm angry so move!" Again they blocked her and she was having enough of people getting in her way this morning. So she acted as if she was done.
"Fine, I'll go eat something." She had pretended to sound deflated and then as soon as they had lowered their hands and moved away she raced towards the door turning the handles in a flash.
"Alexander Benson you ass!" She shouted rushing in guns blazing with questions to be almost instantly silenced. Almost. "W-we need to talk, Alex. Right now!" Her mate sat in a big chair behind a desk. Not in his usual suit and tie but a comfortable dark red sweater. His hair sleek and slightly tousled and glasses...black-rimmed glasses.
Fuck the man actually wore glasses! And he looked sexy. Just a glance from him over the slightly down turned rims made her want to take him back to bed without another thought. He somehow transformed into this bookish male professor with them. Oh, she hoped he kept her after class-.
Absolutely not, she would not go there! She didn't want to be mated but here she was fantasizing about him. Remember Frannie you are fuming and angry, now is not the time to be horny.
She took a quick glance around the room, bookshelves lined the wall and there was a large window behind Alex. It made him look like a dark angel and she loved that. This room had hardwood floors with a large carpet in the center and two leather chairs in front of Alex's heavy looking desk. Just like the rest of the house there were plants everywhere, vibrant and thriving.
Another almost ethereal looking man sat in front of her mate. He was pale and had almost exotic features, with dark grey hair that looked like shards of glass in the light. Where Alexander looked like a dark knight this man looked like a haughty prince. He was handsome but she just couldn't imagine herself with someone like him. All her thoughts of the future involved Alex.
The man with silver hair peered at her, his eyes scanning over her body with interest. It wasn't sexual though at least it didn't feel that way. It was then Frannie became acutely aware of the fact she was just wearing a hoodie. No makeup and her hair fluffy instead of sleek waves. She also probably reeked of sex.
“Alex? You ass? One night and you're already wrapped around her finger. I do not envy you my friend.” He questioned with a raised eyebrow and a quirk of his lips saying he was amused by it.
Alex growled once towards the grinning man and then rubbed at his temples and huffing. Alex didn’t deny it though and that made Fran wonder just how much power she had over her big burly bear. He was so freaking cute sometimes. But Frannie would not allow his minor cute acts to outway her need for answers.
"Francesca." Alexander's voice was heated, sensual as he stared at her. " Sir, I apologize. We will get her out of here right away."
One of the guards came up behind her and snatched at her arm twisting it behind her back aggressively. Frannie made a pained sound and lifted onto her tiptoes. Alex was on his feet in a flash, slamming the guard into a nearby bookshelf, taking him by the throat. He was so quick she hadn’t even seen his movements. Frannie could see the fear in the smaller man's eyes.
This past week, she hadn't seen anyone interact with him outside of Carl who seemed to know him pretty well and then there was Coastas last night who Alex had gotten upset with but nothing outrageous. Also Mr.Turner from last night who he was clearly upset with. Still, he never looked like he was going to outright kill anyone, not until now. The uneasiness of not truly knowing her mate, the man she undoubtedly was falling fast for, flooded through her again.
He snarled at the man in a threatening tone so dark even Frannie was a little scared. Alex though seemed to narrow his eyes and press harder into the man's throat. Frannie was Frozen not sure what to do. The guard hadn't broken a bone or anything there was no reason for this near torture.
He is protecting us. Fey was adamant but that didn't quell any of Frannies fears. Fey is a damned bear so this was nothing new for her, but Frannie wanted to live calmly. If this was what was going to happen every time in the midst of a miscommunication she didn't know how she was going to handle it.
"I think it'd be wise to inform the others that Miss Bianchi here is to be treated with the utmost care. Which means no one touches her. Don't you agree?" The dapper prince asked. His voice was fluid and daring. The man nodded furiously and then Alex dropped him. The guard took a second to gather himself, his eyes wide filled with fear, before leaving the room, closing the door softly behind him.
"Alex..." Frannie began but he didn't move. Didn't turn to look at her he just breathed. She could see the slight glow of his eyes before they dimmed. After a few more breaths, Alexander came up next to her and kissed her atop her head before returning to his seat, his hands clenching at his sides as he went.
Once he sat down he interlaced his fingers together in front of his face and rested his forehead there almost in prayer. She didn't know what to say to that so she instead turned to the only rational seeming person right now.
"H-hi I'm sorry to interrupt I'm-" She started nervously. The man just smiled, taking her hand to shake it despite the low growl from Alex. He seemed well built but had more of a swimmer's body compared to Alexander's bulk. He may have been her t
ype at one point in time but she only had eyes for a certain brooding bear now.
"Frannie Bianchi. It's nice to finally meet you. Alexander has tried to hide you away from the community. I dare say though I would to if my mate were half as beautiful." Frannie blushed and elicited another daring snarl from Alex.
"The council wishes to congratulate you on your bond. Haven't been many true matings in the last couple of decades." His smile was charming, but at the same time, it seemed illusory. The combination of prominent canines and pristine white teeth was captivating.
"You're on the council?" Frannie spoke the words before it all processed in her head. The man chuckled dryly at that as if it wasn't his first time being asked that question. The council was basically the big shifter government. They were everywhere and anywhere shifters lived in large numbers, governing over large sections of the world. Even the council back in northern California was pretty powerful in its grip on the community.
To see someone who looked at best maybe thirty, on a council was odd. They were supposed to be composed of older wise men and women looking out for the best interest of those in their particular section of the world.
Alexander cleared his throat probably because Frannie had been staring too long. "Blackwell is an arctic wolf." He said nothing more as if those words explained it all. She rolled her eyes at his silence and the annoyed stare he gave the other smiley man. Whose attitude was friendly, but a sinister vibe lingered under the surface. We can trust him. Though Fey's fur bristled at his contact she defended him.
"Dominik do you mind giving us a minute." He released her hand and stood.
"Of course, I was just leaving." He directed a more serious expression over to Benson, Frannie couldn't miss it. "I'll get this to them right away, we have eyes on every corner. Let us know if any of your people see him again. As well as if they don’t act soon I’ve already told them of my intentions." The smile that was previously plastered now resembled an uncomfortable frown menacing in its intensity.
He turned his full height dwarfing Frannie yet he was not as big as Alex. He smiled again at her that lofty false grin and grabbed her hand once more. Fran looked on in surprise as he gently placed a chast kiss on the back of it. The low snarl that came from behind the prince made him grin devilishly. "Blackwell!" He ignored that throaty warning.
"It was wonderful to meet you, Miss Bianchi. Be careful with that one he's a cynical bastard on the best of days." With that, he was gone out of the door shutting it softly and leaving a very awkward Frannie standing there, her hand still outstretched.
Coming to her senses only slightly she studied her male. He had removed his glasses and was pinching the bridge of his nose in clear frustration. A part of her hated seeing him like this even if she was upset. She sighed, reluctant to even press the matter.
"I didn't know you wore those," Frannie said, taking a few steps to the desk.
Alex easily slid the glasses back on before addressing her. "Francesca come here." The simple yet demanding command. She wanted to say no. That she wasn't some dog. But he didn't look at her as if she was beneath him. He looked at her with frustration but concern and the gentleness in his tone could not be denied.
So she quietly stepped over to her desk onto the side he sat on. He wasted no time pulling her into his lap and burying his face into her hair. He inhaled breathing deeply making Frannie blush. Weird gesture sure, but she couldn't deny the warmth that pooled low and the excitement that hummed throughout her.
Just because they had shared one night together didn't mean they were married he didn't have to be all lovey-dovey with her. But it felt nice to be held in his warm arms. Instead of pushing him away, she stayed there comfortably in his lap, her hands toying with the ends of his soft sweater. Fey settled happy and content in a way Fran had never felt her before. The easy to please bear was all too happy to forget the woman in the picture.
After a few minutes of him just breathing into her hair, he lifted his head to gaze at her. His cool green eyes pierced her and she shivered. Alex had a way of destroying any and every barrier she put up.
Frannie's skin was pimpled with goosebumps and the slow ache for him inside her started to become an inferno of need. But she did her best to not whimper and moan as she wanted to. She was still angry...kinda. She needed answers and wouldn't keep falling into his arms like a goddamn damsel in distress. She needed to put her big girl pants on.
"So explain to me exactly what about storming into my office seemed like a good idea?" Frannie stiffened, not prepared for him to start talking. That husky note in his voice made her melt.
"I went to wash my face and I saw the contacts."
He replied "And?" clearly not getting what she was saying.
"There was a picture of you and a blonde woman then I thought maybe those were her contacts. And I...I didn't like that. It made me angry. If you're married or are seeing another woman why even bother with me?" Frannie crossed her arms not wanting to touch him but not having the strength to leave his lap.
He smirked at her, something feral in his eyes. He turned her so she sat with her back to his front, his head resting in the crook of her neck. Frannie could feel the warm breath over her cheek. He smelled so good and so delicious. The comforting dark forest scent enveloping her.
"So you were jealous my Francesca." She huffed, annoyed at his playful tone. She sat there silent refusing to acknowledge his claim, wriggling against the denim he wore. His large hands rested on her thighs running up and down the seam between her legs before grasping them and opening her up for him.
She sucked in a breath, the air swirling around tickling her most sensitive parts as her thighs were opened. Her first instinct was to reflexively snap her thighs shut. Which she tried to do but his grasp was too tight, sending her a clear message. Alex kissed the nape of her neck and caressed ever so tenderly the insides of her thighs.
"You are everything to me. There is no other woman there never had been and never will be." Everything about him was so close it was making her unable to concentrate. It wasn't the answer she needed.
"Then who is she?" Frannie couldn't even think though not with his feather-light touches on her skin.
His sultry voice penetrated her thoughts diverting her attention and blatantly changing the subject. "Do you like my glasses?" As he reached one hand under the hoodie to cup her breast and the other to dip down and caress her folds she threw all of her anger out the window. She would deal with it later...much later.
"Yes." Fran answered her words breathy as he toyed with her. "Good considering you'll be seeing me with them from time to time." That made her pause a moment. He would expect her to stay with him now. No, she couldn't do that.
"I'm not staying with you." He stopped her nipples between his fingers and her pussy soaking his hand. He looked at her, his face crestfallen to stone.
"Yes you will." He pushed a finger inside of her and she couldn't help the sigh of pleasure that left her. "I thought after last night it was clear we are bonded to one another now." She knew that and she hated it all the same.
"I am not yours Alex. Just because you claimed me doesn't mean I have to stay with you." The words were choked out of her as he slowly pumped his finger into her.
"Did I not fuck you hard enough last night?" He asked, his voice sounding pained but his fingers didn't cease. Frannie almost wanted to laugh at that. She couldn't say anything, words were trapped under the fog of lust. She could feel the hard lines of muscles rippling against her back and the forearms surrounding her made her feel protected even from him. It was an odd mixture of fear and safety as he touched her.
When she remained quiet he took that as a sign to keep speaking.
"Clearly I need to show you that you are mine, Francesca. That you belong with me, to me." He picked her up on a yelp and put Frannie on the desk. Her stomach pressed onto the cold oak as the hoodie she wore was now riding well above her waist. Her nipples grazed the soft fabric they were so tau
ght and in need, she moaned aloud. Fran spoke to protest this foreign position, unaware of his intentions.
"Alexander-"
"No! I don’t want you hear you lie to me anymore." He was quiet at first running his hands up and down her ass the sensation making her so incredibly wet. The anticipation was literally going to kill her. But she didn't move and wasn't daring to look back at him.
A hard smack came down on her ass. She jolted upright and an incredulous whimper ripped from her. He placed a hand on her back leaning into it to tell her to lay back down. She was so surprised by the sting but it felt good. It wasn’t like back at the restaurant this had a warning in it. Something about it made her feel alive like she never had before. So she obliged and lay back onto her stomach, waiting.
He smacked her again no harder than last time. The sting was just adding to the filthy thoughts she was having of him and her sex clenched, its hollowness desperately needing to be filled.
"Alex!" A mewling plea for more. She couldn't blame this on Fey. The bear was silent and content. This was all Frannie. She didn't know before but this felt more intimate than the claiming this felt like he was wholly making her his. And she loved it.
