Page 18 of His Bullied Fated Mate

“Why did you get married?”

All eyes went to me, and I watched as Troy's narrowed, seeming eager to hear the answer. I was careful about how I spoke because the Council had told me they were seeing it; they were right.

“They explained they found my mate and that maybe it would help keep me calm if I were bonded to her.”

“And what makes them think that would make a difference?”

“Janella is a human. So, the bond is different. You can't tamper with it as much. They said once I was bonded, that whatever was affecting everyone wouldn’t be able to affect me anymore.”

“Your sister isn't a shifter?” Titus and Luke looked at Troy. “How is that?”

I watched Troy grind his teeth together for a moment. I knew it was a sore subject to have to explain that Janella was adopted. It wasn't because he didn't love her, but because he did. It was because he knew how people reacted.

“My parents adopted her when she was little. They were told she was a pup, but that was a lie.”

“Damn!” Titus said. “They sue the agency for lying?”

Troy snarled. “No! Because they love her! We love her no less!”

Titus threw his hands up. “I was just asking. Jesus, are you unable to keep your anger under control now, too?”

I watched Troy look at me. His anger filled his eyes. I knew it wasn't because he didn't have control, but rather he'd been saying this for years. Fighting for people to stop thinking his sister was less.

“Is there a plan to pair us all up?” Luke asked.

I shrugged. “No idea. They don't exactly give me that much information.”

“I wouldn't mind being married,” Titus said, leaning back in his chair with a wicked grin. “Having a woman at my every beck and call. Foot massages and hot meals when I come home.”

“That isn't what a wife is for, Titus.” Troy rolled his eyes at me.

“Every marriage is different.”

“You want a servant, but a marriage is between two people. It's a bonding, and you need to care for it accordingly.”

Everyone continued arguing, but my mind drifted to Janella. I wondered what she was planning to do today. We still spoke as little as possible, and I hardly saw her around the house, even. She was out of the house before I even got up, so I had no idea where she even was.

I tapped my finger on the table, wondering if I should text her. I had her number in my phone, but I hadn't used it yet. I knew she would wonder how I even got it.

I had spotted her around town a few times, my eyes always tracking what she was doing. I felt that tug to be near her, and I was constantly looking for her.

My mind went back to this morning. She was wearing yoga pants as she started cooking some eggs.

I could still picture her ass when she bent over to grab the pan. I could see how perfectly it was formed. I had been tempted to run my hand along her butt just to see how firm it was.

And when she pulled herself up and turned. I could see the strap of her bra and the way her tank top clung to her tightly. I felt a tug to yank her to me and run my hands over her body.

I quickly shook my head, not knowing where that thought came from. I didn't often fantasize about anyone. Yet, Janella seemed to be there more.

I thought of another time she was in the living room. She was bending over, grabbing a blanket out of the blanket basket. I took in her perfectly formed ass and the way her thin legs looked as she leaned over.

Her shorts would hitch up, and I could get a perfect image of what she had underneath them. I wanted to run my hand over her back, run it down her ass, and right between her legs. I imagined what sound would come out of her mouth.

How was she in bed? Was she quiet or was she loud? Did she like it nice and slow, or did she like it a little dirty?

“Riley.”

I blinked, and Dustin raised an eyebrow at me. “Are you listening?”