Katana

Katana stood in the middle of Kieran’s bedroom in shock. He plopped down on the bed and arched an eyebrow. Her eyes were wide with fright as questions popped into her head. The things her mate could do to her didn’t worry her as much as him finding out she wasn’t a boy, but then her attention got caught when she took a look around his room.

Her mate lived in a pigsty. It was the only conclusion she could come up with, as she saw old uniforms piled high on chairs and the desk. Paperwork scattered on the bed and over on top of the clothes that were stacked on his desk.

“This room is on a different level.” She whispered. “A nightmare.”

Her gaze flew back to her mate who had on a cocky smirk. “You are a nasty individual. Did your mother not teach you any respect for your chairs and desk? The weight they have to carry for you and not to mention the smell they must endure.”

He growled and stood up from his bed. She stiffened and took a few steps back. She might have teased him too far. She ended up tripping over another pile of clothes and tumbled onto her butt. She groaned and rubbed her tailbone. He walked over and crouched down to her eye level. She glared up at him.

He placed two fingers under her chin. Tingles spread from that touch and she fought her desire as he spoke. His eyes were also dark with an emotion she couldn’t decipher.

“For your sarcastic comment, you can clean my office as well.” He pointed out and then shrugged, releasing her chin as he stood up. He shoved his hands into his pockets, almost as if he was fighting the urge to touch her again and whistled as he walked out the door.

She huffed and glared at his pile of clothes. It was going to take all day. She scrunched up her nose and began picking up his clothes and threw them into an empty bucket. She started with his dirty clothes and his bed. After removing all the old garments and sheets, she replaced them with fresh ones. She washed his clothes in an electric washer and silently thanked the Moon Goddess for providing that here in the middle of nowhere. After she scrubbed his floors, she wiped his desk clean, before setting the papers on his desk in a neat order.

When she was done, she wiped her forehead and sighed. Glancing at the clock, she saw that it was past dinner. Her stomach grumbled and she hoped that Kieran will come in and tell her she can go, but he never came. She sulked her way towards his office, where she began cleaning and dusting everything.

By the time she was finished, she fell onto his office couch and closed her eyes. She was exhausted. Her mate was an animal - ok, he was an animal, but he was a complete animal! She was so tired and the couch was so comfortable. She snuggled further into the soft plush couch and closed her eyes. She told herself it was only for a minute, then she will get up and leave.

*

Kieran walked into his office to see his mate fast asleep. She looked exhausted and tired out. He has yet to hear her say her real name and calling her Kenneth just seemed so wrong. He sighed and walked over to her.

Now that he really looked at her, she did look like a woman, but tiny. Her frame was small and if he really looked, she was slightly curvy. His hand came up to smooth her hair back and she sighed before her lips curled into a frown. She must be dreaming about him because she did not look happy. Her pout was clear. He stood up and scooped her up into his arms. She snuggled further into his chest.

She began mumbling words that didn’t make sense, but he could make out only a few. Something about her mate being an animal. He decided to ignore it as he carried her to his bed. When he laid her down, she sighed again and buried her nose into his pillow.

“Mate.” She mumbled. “Mate smell.”

He chuckled softly as he watched her. She was truly innocent. He was relieved to know that she was a woman and wasn’t a boy. He thought he was going crazy when he first laid eyes on her. She was quite good at deceiving. His deceptive tiny mate.

He worked her hard because he was selfish and he wanted her near him more. Call him an ass or whatever you want, but it was nice to keep her away from all the men in the barracks.

When he found out she was a woman. He did some investigation. Her father only had her. There was no brother. It wasn’t all that difficult to connect the dots. He was pissed off at first, but after finding out more about her, he was fascinated by her. She was one in a million. No woman dared to defy the law but his little mate. However, that was also what scared him the most.

She was not safe.

If anyone else knew, she would be in a lot of trouble and everything in him was ready to fight to protect her. He will do anything in his power to keep her safe, even if it means not revealing her secret to her.

His mate shifted underneath his caress. He enjoyed the mate bond flowing through them for a moment before he stood up. He headed downstairs to the kitchen.

She didn’t eat all day and he wanted to cook her something. He pulled out a piece of venison meat from the hunt earlier today and seasoned it lightly, before searing it nicely on both sides.

He whipped up a quick homemade mash potato with some turkey gravy. Xavier appeared just when Kieran was done.

“Smells good in here.” He walked over and was about to dip his finger into the mashed potatoes, but Kieran moved it away from his grasp.

“It is not for you.” Kieran growled.

Xavier frowned, but a second later broke into a knowing smile. “I got you.”

Kieran rolled his eyes and headed for his bedroom. When he got inside, he noticed she was still sleeping. He didn’t know if he should wake her or wait until she woke up. He sat the food on the nightstand and sat down on the edge of the bed.

The bed dipping must have woken her up because she shifted some more, before stretching her body. She sighed and attempted to pull the blanket over her body again, but her hand landed on his thigh. She stiffened and her upper body shot up. Her eyes were wide with surprise.

“Oh my god! I fell asleep in your office!” She squeaked before clearing her throat and speaking in a lower voice. “I am sorry. I didn’t realize I was so tired.”

He rolled his eyes at his mate’s failed attempt in acting manly. She sniffed the air and her head turned toward the food. He saw her eye it hungrily before he spoke.

“It’s mine, but if you are hungry-”

She shook her head. “Oh, no. It is okay. You can eat it.” She mumbled, but her eyes remained on the food.

The corner of his lips twitched. “Eat it, Kenneth.”

She was hesitant for a moment, before she nodded and brought the tray onto her lap. She began to eat hungrily, first eating the venison steak, before dipping her spoon into the mashed potatoes. She ate quickly and greedily and when she was done, she sighed with content.

“That was delicious.” She said.

Kieran couldn’t help puffing out his chest proudly as his mate complimented his food. He was glad she was happy with his cooking.

“Who made it? Usually the food here is crappy.” She continued the conversation.

Kieran shrugged and she frowned in response. “Well, whoever it is, should cook all the time. I would be the happiest person alive to eat like this every day.”

Kieran covered his chuckle with a cough. He scratched at his nose and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly before standing up.

“It is getting late, you should get back to your barrack.” He said forcibly. It looked like she almost looked sad to leave, but her eyes changed back to an emotionless look.

“I think that is best.” She replied and got up. She took the tray with her, but he took it from her grasp. She looked up at him questioningly.

“I’ll take care of it. Just go to bed.” He ordered.

She nodded and headed out of his bedroom. She didn’t know it, but the moment she turned her back, he had a longing look on his face. He wanted very much to keep her in his bed, but knew it wasn’t a good idea.

Author’s Note:

So many asked for an early update. Here it is. Hope you enjoyed it. Next update will be next week on Monday!

Leila Vy