#Chapter 486 – Without Ceremony

The King and the Alpha stand in silence, staring at each other. Jackson breaks first. “Please, Dominic,” Jackson says, laughing a little desperate laugh, turning a palm over in a plea for mercy. “I – I don’t get it. Please tell me what I’m doing wrong – I’ll fix it, immediately I’ll fix it.” Dominic bursts into another grin, shaking his head at the poor young man who is so talented in so many ways, and so naïve in others. “You’re mated to a public figure, Jackson. I’d like to see you make things official with Ariel – claim her. Publicly. As your mate.” Jackson just blinks at the King and then leans forward, confused. “But she is my mate,” he says softly, narrowing his eyes. “Didn’t I – didn’t I do that? She’s got the mark…” he gestures unnecessarily to his own neck. “She’s your mate, and we all know that,” Dominic says, nodding. But then he raises a hand, pointing it to Ella’s bedstand. “But to the rest of the world you’re the Mystery Hunk. And everyone in the country think