Air of Seduction (Elemental Enforcers #3)

Chapter 31

Payton

Olivia’s eyes are wide when she shakes her head. “No, that can’t be.”

I let out a sigh. “That’s what I was told. That’s what true mate means, or at least how I understood it.”

“So, I don’t get a choice?”

Biting my bottom lip, I shrug. “It didn’t sound like it. But perhaps I’m wrong. Perhaps one of the other women here knows.” Because I don’t want to ask Ronan.

I manage to stop myself from reacting when there’s a twinge of pain in my chest again. It’s happened several times since Ronan left, and I realized I’m not his mate. All I want is to hide in my room and nurse my broken heart, but I can’t leave Olivia alone right now. She’s more broken than I am.

She buries her head in her hands. “After a week of enduring that asshole vampire, and now this.” She sounds more angry than distressed, which I hope is a good sign.

And perhaps it’s my cue to find out what really happened during the week she was a vampire’s captive. But I need to be subtle about it. “Barry is gone. He can’t ever hurt you again. And for what it’s worth, Noah was really desperate to save you from that asshole.”

Her hands drop down to her lap, and she stares at me with anger narrowing her eyes. “In order to have me for himself. That’s not saving. That’s just…” Her lips press into a hard line.

I don’t know what to say. My first impression of Noah wasn’t great, and I’m not sure it has improved since. I won’t advocate for someone I’m not sure will be a good fit for my best friend.

Although I might be wrong. Not all first impressions are accurate with respect to how the person really is, and finding out his mate was held against her will by a vampire couldn’t have been easy for him.

“But enough about me. What happened with Ronan?” Olivia’s brows are pushed together with concern.

I swallow hard. “We had sex, and it was amazing.”

She cocks her head and frowns. “Then why do you make it sound like a bad thing? Did he say something to hurt you?”

“No.” I shake my head firmly. “He’s been nothing short of perfect, and that’s the problem.”

She shakes her head slowly. “I don’t understand.”

Squeezing my eyes shut, I knead my forehead with my thumbs and index fingers. “I’m falling in love with him. Stupid after such a short time, I know, but I can’t help it. But the minute he meets his true mate, I’ll be nothing to him.”

“I can’t believe that. I saw the way he looked at you at breakfast. He’s got feelings for you too.”

I open my eyes and give her an unhappy smile. “Perhaps for now. But it won’t last.”

“Are you sure you’re not his true mate?” She studies my face.

I nod. “He would’ve told me if I am. Why would he conceal something like that? I mean he’s the one who told me what it means, even if we didn’t have time to cover the details.”

∞∞∞

Ronan

I storm up the stairs, having no patience to wait for the elevator. But my steps slow when I see Noah standing like a silent sentinel outside Payton and Olivia’s suite. His face is like a thundercloud, and he looks ready to attack anyone or anything approaching him.

I don’t stop until I’m directly in front of him. “What are you doing here? You promised to stay away.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, he stares me down. “And I would have if Payton hadn’t scared my mate half to death.”

My heart speeds up, concern stiffening my spine. “What happened?”

“I don’t know, and therein lies the problem. I’m not leaving until I know what happened and can prevent it from happening again. No one has the right to scare my mate, friend or not.”

I frown. “I agree, but it must be some kind of misunderstanding. Payton would never willfully scare her friend. I’ll talk to her and find out what really happened.”

His eyes narrow, and he leans closer. “And make sure she never does it again. Because if she does—”

“Are you threatening my mate?” My hands curl into fists as I step right up into his face. I can feel my power wanting to release, but I keep it in check, barely.

He stands his ground. “Payton’s your mate? Does she know that?”

I deflate a little. “No, not yet. I came here to tell her.”

His arms fall to his sides, and some of the tension leaves his body. “Make sure you do, and please put in a good word for me with Olivia. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to stay away from her. It’s not natural this distance between us.”

I nod. “I will.” Although, I have no idea whether my word will make any difference. The only one who might be able to persuade Olivia to spend some time with Noah is Payton, but she won’t push her friend to do something she isn’t ready for.

Noah takes a step to the side to give me access to the door, and I don’t hesitate. I yank the door open and storm into the suite.

Payton and Olivia are sitting on the couch, and on my arrival both turn to look at me. But my mate’s expression has me grinding to a halt halfway between the door and the couch.

“What’s wrong?” My stomach twists into a knot when I see the way she shrinks away from me.

It only lasts for a second before she pastes a fake smile on her face. “Nothing.” The denial is spoken too quickly, and her voice is high-pitched and so unlike her usual warm tone.

I don’t believe her, and she must have seen it on my face, because she suddenly jumps to her feet. “I’m just a bit tired, that’s all. I’m going to go lie down for a while.”

I take a step toward her as she heads for her bedroom. “Can we please talk first?”

“Later. We can talk later.” She doesn’t even look at me before she disappears into her bedroom and closes the door.

My heart clenches painfully as I fight the urge to follow her. She clearly doesn’t want my company right now, and approaching her when she made it clear she wants to be alone could violate the trust between us.

“What happened while I was gone?” I turn toward Olivia, who’s still sitting on the couch. Was I too rough? Did I leave too soon, making it seem like all I want from Payton is sex? We’ve never talked about the attraction between us and what it means in the long term, but then we just met.

Olivia studies my face like she’s looking for something. “You should talk.”

“No shit.” I throw my hands in the air before stomping over to a chair and dropping down into it with a sigh. “But she’s shut me out for some reason. Please, tell me why.”

Her face is unreadable. “It’s for her to say. But I have a question. Do you care about her?”

My shoulders tense. Does Payton think I don’t? “Of course, I do. She’s…amazing.” I can’t tell Olivia that Payton is my true mate. As far as I know, she doesn’t know what that means. Unless Payton has told her. But no matter if she has, Payton deserves to know first, the only exception being my brothers who already know.

Olivia nods, but she doesn’t look convinced. “You should tell her that.”

I rake my fingers through my hair in frustration. “I would if she’d let me. Can you please ask her to talk to me? I don’t want to make this worse by barging into her room and demanding we talk, but I think she’ll feel better once we do.” At least I hope she will and doesn’t freak out when I tell her she’s my true mate.

She sighs and stares at me for several seconds before she nods. “Okay. I’ll ask, but if she says no, you’ll have to wait until she’s ready.”

I nod. “I will. Thank you.”

My body is tense like a bow string when Olivia walks into Payton’s room and closes the door behind her. I can hardly breathe. If only she’ll agree to talk to me, I’m sure we can sort this out. I couldn’t have read her affection so wrong. And even if I overestimated it, the mating bond should eventually affect her as well.

Cold sweat breaks out across my forehead. What if I’m wrong about Payton being my mate? But the doubt only lingers for a second. I know it in my bones that she’s mine. She’s everything, and there will never be anyone else.

The door to Payton’s room opens, and I jump to my feet. But my heart sinks when Olivia comes out alone and closes the door behind her.