Chapter 27 - Persephone
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, I 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… I 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.