Gabe went downstairs the next morning in a fury, barely acknowledging all the greetings from the rest of the pack. He didn’t know exactly how he felt, really. Part anger at being bossed around by Zack, part relief he wasn’t being sent away from Zack. He also had an erection refusing to go away and making it difficult to walk. The day started with Zack rousing him out of bed before the sun was fully up. He’d just spent an hour in a chair facing the wall, while Zack watched him. It was infuriating. It was maddening. Shit, it was sexy as hell. The idea of Zack making him sit there naked and watching him do it was a turn on. Probably why his dick was still so hardeven after the extra hours of sleep he’d put in after Zack left.
Damn, did he like being bossed around and controlled by his mate? A little part of him did, and he had to admit it. He appreciated the fact Zack had given him a choice of whether to stay or not. Of course he wanted to stay. He’d only been bluffing when he threatened to leave, and it made him furious and damn near ripped his heart out when Zack had called his bluff.
O nce he’d agreed, Zack’s dominant nature came out to make him toe the mark. He liked that too, though he’d never admit it to Zack. There was a real need inside him to surrender his will to someone who would care for him and protect him, but not let him get away with some of the outrageous things he was compelled to do sometimes. Maybe it was because of the traumatic experience of the attack on him. His mother was killed right in front of him and he wasn’t able to do anything to stopit. He wasn’t sure, but whatever caused it, he had a self-destruct button inside him, and he needed someone strong enough to prevent him from pushing it. Still, it was his nature to tease and be as defiant as he could get away with. It also kept Zack’s attention firmly on him, which was the real point. He craved Zack’s attention and seriously couldn’t do without acting up, to make Zack notice him.
He got some toast at the buffet table and a glass of milk and sat down to eat a late breakfast. Aware ofZack’s presence, he glanced up to see him walking toward him with determination. Excitement rippled through him, but he kept his eyes down and pretended to ignore him. Zack veered off to go to the buffet table. In a few minutes a plate plopped down in front of him.
“Not just toast. I’ve told you repeatedly. Eat these eggs too. Toast won’t last halfway through the morning. ”
“Yes, sir,” Gabe snapped back. “Anything you say, sir. ”
“Stop being a smartass or you’ll go back upstairs to our room and I’ll put you over my knee. ” Zack sat next to him and began to calmly eat his breakfast. Gabe glanced down at his hand and a flood of relief swept over him as he saw his ring on his finger. Still he was angry he’d taken it off in the first place.
Gabe finished his meal in silence and started to get up when Zack reached for his hand. “Not yet. We need to talk about some things, and I’ll be busy the rest of the day. My beta, Jamie, and I are going up to the mine to check on operations. I won’t be back until late afternoon. ”
“The mine? What mine? What exactly do you do up here anyway?You’ve never really told me. ”
Zack glanced over at him. “You never asked. We own mines all over north Georgia. The most productive one is the one we’re going to today. ”
“What kind of mines are they?”
Zack smiled. “Gold mines, mostly. A few sapphire mines and some ruby mines. ”
“Gold mines?” Gabe said quietly. “You actually own gold mines?” He started laughing, hard enough he fell up against Zack.
Zack smiled and nodded his head. “Yep. Gold mines. It’s why I bought gold rings and you a gold collar. Sort of symbolic, you know?”
“Yeah, I guess so. ”
“I need to talk to you about some things, like I said. If you’re finished, let’s go up to my office. ”
“Your office? This must be really official. You’ve never asked me to your office before. ”
Standing up and drawing out Gabe’s chair, Zack looked confused. “You don’t have to be asked to come to my office. You can go anywhere you want. You’re my mate. ”
“Uh-huh. I’ll remind you of it someday when I crash one of your meetings with all your big, scary wolves. ”
Zack leaned over and whispered in his ear. “You never have to be scared of anyone, baby. Anyone who messes with you messes with me. Remember that. ”
A little thrill went through Gabe at the words, but he tried to look unimpressed. He allowed Zack to take his hand, but he was still angry with him. He just hadn’t decided how he’d show it yet. Agreeingto stay didn’t mean he was going to be a door mat. Oh, hell no.
He followed Zack to his office and sat down across from him, feeling a little nervous. This all seemed so official, somehow. Zack didn’t sit behind his desk. Rather he perched on the desk in front of Gabe and looked down at him.
“I have something I want to talk to you about, but I don’t want you to freak out. I’m handling the situation. ”
“Okay…what is it?”
“I think the brakes on your truck were deliberately tampered with. In fact, I’m sure of it. ”
“Deliberately tampered with? Who would do such a thing?”
“I was hoping you could tell me. Are there some enemies you haven’t told me about? No matter what it is, you can tell me. ”
“No. I have no idea. No one I know has any clue where I am, and if theydid, they’d have no reason to harm me. ”
“Someone did try. It could have been a random act, but until we know more, I want you to have a guard on you at all times. After I leave this morning, Scott will have one of his best men sent up to guard your door and go with you everywhere you go. ”
“I can take care of myself. ”