Chapter 27 - Persephone

Damn, it felt good to put Mila in her place. Sure it might get me in trouble with Logan later for

claiming Jonathan in front of Mila, but screw him. It's totally a hypocritical move to tell us we

shouldn't be public about our relationship. When I knew that even when he was supposed to be

hiding that he and Aurelia were together, he let jealousy of Colby hit on her override logic and told

him to back off his mate.

Not like she believed me anyways. She probably thinks I'm saying it because she tried to say the

same thing yesterday. The only difference is that I'm telling the truth. And whether we find out what

she’s up to before my family arrives or not, once they leave, my mark will be on Jonathan so no one

can ever second guess who he’s with again.

It makes me wonder what the mark will look like. I'm of Beta blood, so will he have the Fayte dove?

Will I also get the Fayte dove being the higher blood rank? Or will we get different marks as Katrina

and Tie did, or will our marks merge like Stephen and Amelia? So many options. But I can't find out

till we get Mila out of the way, and my family is back on a plane home so we can mark and get

through my heat without interruptions.

I hope Azriel and Rohan can figure out what Mila is up to before my family gets here. If all this

bullshit is going on when they get here, I'm not sure I want to guess how things will go down. It's

bad enough that my family is coming and will probably alternate between grilling Jonathan with

questions and threats and then cockblocking our sex life for the fun of it. I deserve the karma, but I

would rather them not beaver-block me.

With my brain on the thought of sex, I was eager to see where Jonathan was taking me. I hoped it

was somewhere we could have the level of privacy we did in the bunker. It was difficult not to pout

when Rohan joined us in the elevator, killing the chance that we would be alone. Nothing against

the guy, but he’s unintentionally beaver-blocking me, and Sara and I are unhappy about it.

I shouldn't have been surprised that some serious security prevented unauthorized people from

reaching Jonathan's official office. Yet I instinctively put up my defensive armor when those weapons

came out of the ceiling. I barely stopped myself from snickering when Jonathan gave his override

code. I have such a weird mate, and I love it.

"You love him." Sara taunted in a sing-song voice.

“Oh shut up.’ I rolled my eyes as we reached the top floor of the building.

I didn't pay close enough attention to know what sequence of buttons Jonathan pressed to get us

here. It wasn't as simple as hitting the correct floor number. It made me wonder how people who

met with the CEO got to his office. Does he even take meetings with people? And how does

Shikoba get to her desk? Or does she not work on the same floor as his CEO's office?

My questions about Shikoba were answered as the elevator doors opened, and we stepped into a

sleek and modern space. Black marble floors were highlighted by the floor-to-ceiling glass walls on

either side of the room and the carbon ceiling with brass accents and unique lighting. Whoever

designed this space, I need to give their name to André because he would be gushing about this

space.

Shikoba was eating her lunch at a curved carbon and glass desk with glass shelves on the wall

behind her filled with binders, company awards, and some succulent plants. To the right of her desk

were a set of frosted double glass doors that I assume open into Jonathan's office. I wonder what

that looks like. I'm sure I'll find that out soon enough. To the left was a seating area with a modern

white furniture set of a sofa and two side chairs anchored by a gray rug and accented with silver

circular end tables and a low coffee table in the middle.

A small kitchenette was also at that side of the room, probably to cater to the snack and drink needs

of people that may come to do business with the CEO. I bet the only people that come here to meet

with Jonathan as the CEO are the Kinsley brothers. His true identity is kept a secret. I mean, even I

couldn't find information on who the CEO was. I contemplated if J. Silvercloud was a woman.

“Aren't you glad he’s not? I'm sure we'd figure it out if he were a woman, but it's best for all involved

that Jonathan is a man.’ Sara chuckled.

Ignoring her, 1 looked back at Rohan, who was still in the elevator. He knows that Jonathan is

Silvercloud. So he can't be surprised that we are at the CEO's office. I doubt he’s frozen in confusion

about Shikoba using sign language. If that's the reason, then he’s being insulting. It would also be

rude if he's staring because he's realized she’s transgender.

I didn't notice it the first time I saw her talking to Jonathan, but in my defense, I was distracted by

trying not to rip Mila’s throat out. But now that I'm not as distracted, I've noticed a few things about

Shikoba that clued me into her being transgender. And okay, I'll admit that knowing that did help

erase any unfounded worries about how close she must be with Jonathan to know his identity but

not his werewolf nature.

“Rohan? Are you alright? Did Jonathan's over-the-top elevator security make you piss yourself?” I

asked, cocking my head.

Rohan's cheeks turned bright pink behind his short beard; if looks could kill, I'd be dead. I'm also

sure that if I were part of the pack link, he'd tell me to stop embarrassing him. Jonathan snickered,

shaking his head next to me. At least he’s amused.

“If you need the restroom, Mister Rock, it is just over there.” A mellifluous, feminine voice that

reminded me of Rachel Weisz drew my attention.

I blinked as I realized it was Shikoba. Well, not her directly, but it came from the phone in her right

hand while she pointed to the bathroom with her left. So that's the programmed voice Jonathan

used for her text-to-speech program. It's much better quality than most would get from such an

app. I'm glad he didn't give her some generic computerized voice. You'd probably believe she was

speaking if she'd moved her lips with the words.

“I... 1 don't need to use the restroom. Miss Fayte was teasing.” Rohan looked even redder as he

finally stepped out of the elevator, or more so, was yanked out by Jonathan.

Shikoba nodded as she typed on her phone. “Welcome to Silvercloud Industries. I understand you

were a recent transfer from Kinsley Industrial. I'm Shikoba Thorn, Mister Silvercloud's assistant.” She

offered her hand in greeting.

Rohan gulped and looked at her hand like it was going to bite him or something. Shikoba rolled her

eyes and wiped her hand on the dark gray pinstripe high-waisted a-line skirt of her rather cute retro

outfit paired with a white short ruffle sleeve tie-neck top. She's got style. I'll give her that. With her

hand seemingly clean, she offered it again, arching a dark brown brow, daring him to decline to

shake her hand again.

Jonathan elbowed Rohan, and after what I assume was a pack link command, Rohan extended his

hand. As their hands connected, I realized something. His hazel eyes darkened, becoming entirely

brown as his wolf started to come forward. I glanced at Shikoba, and she was staring at him in

disbelief and confusion as she quickly took her hand back like she'd been electrocuted.

Their MATES!? She's his second chance, mate!? And a human to boot? The craziest things happen in

Bloodmoon. This won't be like Isis” aunt being mated to John Kinsley. Sarael was raised as a hunter,

so she knew about our kind. Shikoba is in the dark about Jonathan's biggest secret.

“Holy shit!” Jonathan doubled over laughing. Neither Rohan nor Shikoba seemed amused at his

laughter.

“This isn't funny. It's a serious matter.” Rohan frowned as he looked at his hand and back at Shikoba.

She was doing the same, but she looked more confused as she didn't understand what was

happening.

“Welcome to the cult, Shikoba.” Jonathan continued to chuckle, patting her shoulder.

Her brows furrowed as she furiously typed on her phone. “What the fuck does that mean? Shaking

someone's hand does not mean I'm in your damn cult. I've shaken your hand and both Kinsley

brothers’ hands, and you're all in the weird cult you won't talk about.”

Cult? Is that what she believes werewolf society is? I mean, I guess to her, it might make more sense.

Primarily as she’s worked with Jonathan long enough to have witnessed the intense light switch of

emotions, a werewolf goes through when they find their mate.

“I keep telling you it's not a cult. And now that you've met Rohan, you get to learn my biggest

secret. I share a secret with the Kinsley brothers, Persephone and Rohan.” Jonathan smiled.

“Don’t you think this may be a tad sudden? And certainly out of the ordinary?” Rohan questioned.

“Finding a mate is always sudden, Rohan. None of us can predict when, where, or with whom it shall

be.” I pointed out. “And while your situation is rare, doubly so, it isn't unheard of. Your pack, I'm

sure, is well prepared for handling this.” I added.

"What the hell is going on? Can someone tell me what's going on? What are you talking about?

Why do you keep saying mate and pack? Seriously, I don't understand your messed up cult lingo.”

Shikoba huffed, folding her arms.

"We're werewolves, Shikoba. I'd have liked to have told you sooner. I trust you with my identity

when I don't trust anyone else in this company.” Jonathan shrugged. “And before you go calling me

crazy, it's true. I'm the Delta of the Bloodmoon Pack. Logan is our Alpha, and John is our Beta.

Rohan is a member of my pack and your mate. Mate is short for soulmate.”

Rohan and I both groaned at how casual and straightforward he was being. He could have at least

eased her into this news. Shikoba looked skeptical and shook her head. She looked at Jonathan like

he was crazy. And when she looked at Rohan and me, it was like she was waiting for us to tell her

that he was messing with her.

“It's true,” Rohan spoke up. “Delta Jonathan is telling you the truth. We are werewolves, and with his

permission, I will take the explanation from here.” Rohan glanced at Jonathan.

“Go right ahead. Persephone and I will be in my office doing... well, things I'm not discussing.”

Jonathan nodded as he grabbed my hand. “Take as much time as you both need. Please get in

touch with Charles if Shikoba has a breakdown and needs psychiatric assistance.”

“What the hell?” Shikoba scowled as Jonathan led me to his office.

“You'll be fine.” He waved a dismissive hand. “Trust me. You'll love being part of what you once

called a cult. Life is better with a mate.”

I shrugged and tried to give her an encouraging smile as I was tugged into his office. The frosted

glass door shut tightly behind me. I didn’t even get a chance to take in the aesthetics of his office.

The moment the doors were closed, my back was pressed against them. I gasped as his mouth was

on mine in a searing kiss that had every cell in my body buzzing. He wasn't wrong that life is with a

mate.