Sarise walked down the length of the dining room, spotting Carmen already sitting at the table, leaning back in the high-backed chair as she rubbed her temples.
"Go out again last night?" Sarise asked, lowering herself into Jacob's chair as Carmen grunted her answer beside her.
"Just remember Jacob is back later this afternoon." Sarise added, reaching over to grab a piece of toast.
Jacob had left three days ago to go to the Royal Pack. The scheduled meeting with Kimber had been moved forward and Jacob had received a call from Noah calling him to the palace a week earlier than expected.
Jacob had been angry with the change of schedule, almost refusing to go and had sworn to her that he would be back today, despite Sarise's insistence that he make sure he had finished his business before he came back to the pack.
After Xander's visit to the pack and the subsequent destruction of the mattress in her room Jacob and Sarise had decided to make her sleeping arrangements permanent and she had officially moved into his rooms.
He constantly made light hearted complaints about needing to build another wardrobe just to hold her shoes and about the number of products that now littered the shower floor.
Sarise's unvoiced complaint was that despite them sharing a bed, they had still to do anything beyond heavy petting.
She was beyond sexually frustrated. Never had she had to work so had to get a man into bed and the fact that Jacob wouldn't do anything with her was driving her insane.
She knew he wasn't a virgin; the skill he'd shown so far proved that he knew exactly what he was doing but she was constantly wondering why they hadn't gone any further.
"Did Jacob say why he was returning today?" Carmen asked, snapping Sarise out of her dream and she looked over at her.
"No." Sarise answered, sipping her coffee. "But he was adamant that he was coming home today."
"You should call him, persuade him to stay away a few more days." Carmen said with a sly smile and Sarise laughed.
"So, you can spend more time with Davis?" She asked, giving Carmen a light shove.
"And so, you can have his throne for a few more days." Carmen added causing Sarise to laugh.
"It does suit me doesn't it." Sarise said in a deep voice and Carmen burst into laughter.
"Worse imitation of Jacob ever." Donovan laughed as he walked towards the two from the side entrance. He walked up to Sarise's usual seat, flopping into it and grabbing a coffee.
"How was the morning patrol?" Sarise laughed, falling into a more comfortable position as she reached for her coffee.
"We found a couple of rogues just across the border." He answered, taking a sip of his coffee and sighing. "Goddess I needed that."
"How far in?" Sarise asked and Donovan looked at her.
"Just and no more." He replied. "I don't think they were aware they'd crossed the border." He took another sip of his coffee. "I assume the borders is why Jacob is at the Royal Pack." Sarise inclined her head. "Any word on what they're planning to do?"
"None." Sarise answered, folding her legs under her and putting her cup on her crossed feet. "I wonder how soon it will be before word gets out that rogues can cross the borders undetected."
"It's one of the reasons Jacob upped the number of patrols each day." Donovan replied, grabbing a piece of toast and buttering it and Sarise nodded. "He's back, today isn't he?"
"This afternoon apparently." Sarise answered, raising her eyebrows at him. "Tired of dealing with me already?" Donovan laughed.
"I was hoping he'd stay longer so I don't have to deal with him." Donovan joked, taking another sip of his coffee and Sarise laughed lightly.
"I for one think he shouldn't go away again." Sarise added, seeing Donovan's smile and shook her head. "Not like that either." She laughed, giving him a shove. "I have enough to deal with without taking on his workload." Donovan chuckled.
"While we're discussing the Alpha position. There's something I need to talk to you about." He added. "Nothing too strenuous."
"His office at nine?" She asked, looking at her watch before looking up at Donovan, seeing him nod.
"I'd make her get more sleep before Jacob arrives back." He added, nodding at Carmen before grabbing a piece of toast and walking from the room.
Sarise chuckled lightly, looking at Carmen and picking up a bread roll, throwing it at her.
"Go away." Carmen growled and Sarise laughed, taking another sip of her coffee.
"Go back to bed." Sarise laughed as Carmen opened one eye to look at her. "Honestly if Jacob sees you nursing a three-day hangover it will be my ass." Carmen yawned, stretching as she slowly sat up.
"Like you're worried what he'll do to your ass." Carmen said with a wink and Sarise pointed to the door.
"Back to bed!" She snapped playfully and Carmen laughed, standing.
"Yes mum!" She laughed, yawning again as she walked down the length of the table.
Sarise laughed, sipping her coffee and glancing over as her phone rang, seeing Jacob's name on the screen. She grabbed it, answering the call and putting it to her ear.
"Morning."
"Morning." Jacob answered before he let out a growl as Xander's voice called from the background of the call. "Yes, yes I'll tell her, now piss off."
"Tell me what?" Sarise laughed, taking another sip of her coffee.
"Xander wanted me to say good morning." He answered and she heard Xander yell out again. "Honestly Xander can you give me a minute?"
"Bloody wanker." Jacob hissed under his breath as the sound of a door closing echoed in the background. "Sorry."
"It's fine." Sarise laughed, indicating to the staff member cleaning up Carmen's plate. "How's everything going there?"
"Progress is slower than I ideally want it to be." She heard him answer. "But I'll be back this afternoon as scheduled."
"But if you haven't finished your business..." She began
"I'll be back this afternoon." He repeated and Sarise rolled her eyes. "You rolled your eyes didn't you." Jacob said down the phone and Sarise laughed, bringing her cup to her mouth to take a sip of her coffee.
"I would never." She joked and Jacob snorted.
"Uh-huh." He replied. "How is Carmen's hangover this morning?"
"What makes you think she's hungover?" Sarise asked, frowning lightly.
"I know she's seeing someone in the city." Jacob laughed down the phone. "So, it's safe to assume she's been out drinking with him."
"Is the mighty Intelligence Alpha making assumptions?" Sarise teased and he chucked lightly.
"An educated guess." He responded, pausing for a minute before he spoke again. "I have to go."
"Duty calls." Sarise laughed. "Make nice with the other boys in the playground." He chuckled lightly.
"I'll see you this afternoon." He said quickly, hanging up before she could answer.
She growled, unfolding her legs and standing, taking her coffee with her as she wandered through the house of Jacob's office. Donovan was already there and turned when she walked in.
"What was it you needed to speak to me about?" She asked, walking to the desk and putting her coffee down as Donovan passed her a file.
"It's nearly ten years since Jacob took over as Alpha." He answered, lowering himself into the chair in front of the desk.
"Ten years?" Sarise breathed, lowering herself into Jacob's chair as Donovan nodded. "So, what do we..." She began then frowned, looking at Donovan. "A ball?"
"Celebratory ball." He answered. "The Alphas and Betas from each pack, Regulators from each of the Zones, a bunch of upstarts." He shrugged. "It's all very well to do."
"How often are these things held?" Sarise asked, looking over the information in the file.
"Every five years." He answered, smiling at the frown on her face.
"Most Alphas govern for twenty-five to thirty years." Sarise snapped. "What a waste of money." Donovan shrugged.
"Whatever your opinion, it's been ten years since Jacob succeeded this father and there is a ball scheduled to be held." He pointed out and Sarise frowned, looking over the lists that filled the file.
"Lobster?" She asked, looking up at him. "Is this a dinner menu?"
"Snacks." He answered and Sarise growled.
"We're not supplying lobster as a snack." She snapped, flicking through the pages. "Why do we have to order in the flowers? What's wrong with the ones in the gardens?"
"Nothing." Donovan laughed, leaning back on the chair. "It's merely what's been done in the past." Sarise pinched the bridge of her nose with her forefinger and thumb.
"Okay leave it with me." She said lightly, looking at the files on Jacob's desk. "I'll take a look through it once I've sorted through these." Donovan nodded, standing up.
"Good, because if you don't, they'll just go with what his father used to do." He answered and Sarise looked at him, tapping the file.
"This is from when his father governed?" She asked and Donovan nodded.
"Jacob hates balls." He replied, shrugging. "So, he just went with what his father did."
"No wonder the menu is so outdated." She growled, rubbing her eyes. "Don't forget to inform me now the next patrol goes." She added as Donovan walked out.
"Of course, Luna." He answered, laughing as she frowned at him.
She pulled the pile of files from the desk, sorting through what she could deal with and what she couldn't. Once she had done that, she moved to the couches in the room and pulled her hair into a bun.
Spreading the files on the coffee table she sipped her coffee as she read through them, making notes as she went. When her coffee got low, she ordered more, if she needed to reference something from the library, she wandered down to grab it.
Donovan came in each time a patrol was completed, informing her to any changes before leaving her to her work. Madam Hesson kindly brought lunch into her at midday, asking if she required anything else before leaving her in peace.
It was about two in the afternoon when Sarise was able to look over the file for the ball. Putting her earphones in she selected some music on her phone and leant back on the couch, reading through the list and making adjustments as she went.
She was so absorbed in the file she didn't realise Jacob had arrived until his lips brushed the back of her neck. Jumping she pulled her earphones out, spinning on the couch to see him smiling at her.
"When did you get back?" She asked, throwing the file in her hand on the coffee table.
"Just now." He answered, walking around the couch and sitting beside her as he grabbed the file she's just discarded. "What's this?"
"Ball to celebrate ten year as Alpha." She answered and Jacob frowned, throwing it back on the table.
"Just do what we did last time." He answered, leaning back and throwing an arm across the back of the couch.
"Don't be so lazy." Sarise snapped, slapping him lightly, grabbing the file and flicking it open. "I've already made a bunch of changes." She stated, flicking through the lists.
"I've removed the lobster and changed up the canapes." She flicked to another sheet. "I also think that if we change the time of champagne toast to..." He took the file from her hand, throwing it on the table. "Jacob I was..."
He grabbed her chin, pulling her face to his and claiming her mouth, smiling as she moaned against his lips. He pulled back, brushing the stray hair from her face.
"What was that for?" She asked and he smiled at her.
"What, I can't kiss my mate to say hello after being away?" He asked, reaching forward to give her a kiss again.
"And that one?" She asked, her eyes dancing with amusement.
"That one was because I missed you." He answered, smiling before he kissed her again, pressing his tongue into her mouth. Sarise wrapped her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to her.
"That one." He added when he broke the kiss, running his lips down her neck. "That one was because I want you."
Sarise groaned, pushing him against the couch and straddled him, pushing her tongue into his mouth as he ran his hand possessively up her thighs, grabbing her hips and pulling her against him.
She sighed at the feel of him between them, rubbing against the bulge in his pants as he ran one hand up to her head, gripping her hair and pulling her from him so he could trail his lips down her throat and nibble at the soft skin at its base where her would eventually mark her.
Her hands were at his jacket, undoing the buttons, pushing it over his shoulders and he released her, leaning forward slightly to pull it off before he threw it over the back of the couch. Grabbing her waist again, pulling her against him as he thrust gently from beneath her causing Sarise to gasp.
She felt him swell, kissing him again and his tongue invaded her mouth, his hands moving beneath her shirt and up her back and he pulled her roughly against him. Her breasts rubbed against his chest, her nipples swelling and rubbing against the coarse material of her bra as he reached up to undo the clasp.
"Sarise I wanted to..." Donovan called as he walked into the room, stopping instantly at the sight before him. "Fuck, sorry."
Sarise pulled away from Jacob, giggling lightly at being caught once again as Jacob chuckled beneath her.
"I wasn't aware you were back Jacob." Donovan added.
"No long arrived back." He answered as Sarise climbed off him, sitting on her heels beside him. "You were looking for Sarise?"
"Merely a report on the last patrol." Donovan answered, raising his eyes to look at them both.
"Everything okay?" Jacob questioned and Donovan nodded.
"Yep, nothing out of the ordinary." He replied, stepping back. "I'll let you two get back to it." He joked, pulling the door closed. Jacob chuckled, turning to Sarise, his eyes still dark with lust.
"I should unpack." He answered, standing slowly. "And probably have a cold shower." Sarise giggled, noting the bulge in his pants as his erection strained to be free.
"I have to finished looking over this." She said breathlessly, touching the file about the ball. "I'll see you at dinner?" He nodded, walking around the couch to grab his jacket.
"Dinner." He answered, walking from the room.
As soon as he was gone Sarise fell forward on the couch, cursing Donovan for interrupting them when he did. She sat up, looking at the door.
At least he hadn't interrupted them when they were halfway through, she though, chuckling lightly as she flicked the file open and curled her legs under her, trying to think of something else other than the impressive bulge in Jacob's pants as he'd walked out of the room.