| RED'S POV |
" Babe, you good?"
I could tell that Nicholas was trying to intervene and prevent the boy from asking me out, but his approach seemed a bit extreme. It felt like he was playing mind games to protect me.
I managed to gather my composure and replied, " Uhh... Ummm... I'm good... Babe," The words stumbled out of my mouth, and I could feel my hand trembling as I collected the ice cream. Nicholas's eyes widened with surprise but relaxed as a smirk played on his lips, seemingly satisfied with the reaction he had provoked.
Nicholas didn't even spare a glance at the guy. Instead, he thanked him and intertwined his hand with mine, guiding me out of the shop. The whole situation felt a bit intense, I mustered up the courage and asked him, " W-Was... That... Umm... Was that necessary?"
" I know how persistent guys like him can be, it's better if they think you're in a relationship," He shrugged off, confidently stating his actions. As we both returned to the eatery, I found solace in the fact that the crowd had thinned out. Finishing the ice cream, I tried to calm my racing heart, the touch of Nicholas' hand on mine and his previous words lingered, creating a whirlwind of emotions within me.
As Nicholas and I settled down in a booth, I couldn't help but notice the attention he was receiving from the women around us. Their eyes were fixated on him as if he were some kind of irresistible treat. But despite feeling a pang of jealousy, I kept my cool.
But then, this woman with hazel eyes sauntered over to take my order, her focus seemed solely on Nicholas, completely disregarding my presence. I coughed, hoping to catch her attention, but she only glanced at me for a brief moment, appearing annoyed before redirecting her gaze back at Nicholas.
" Is there anything I can get for you and your sister?" She said, only adding fuel to me with her ridiculous statement. We didn't even have a hint of resemblance and Nicholas seemed to support my thoughts as he was astonished with her statement but remained calm. Annoyance flowed through me as he didn't even react or respond to her and a cunning thought came to mind that surprised me.
I slowly reached out to hold Nicholas's hand, a mischievous smile played on my lips. "Babe, are you done ordering? I'm starving," I said, playfully pouting. The shock on her face was priceless as she realized she had misjudged the situation. I noticed she was about to apologize but I interrupted her, "You're sorry? I know but a little advice, the next time you want to devour a man make sure his woman isn't seated next to him," I smirked triumphantly as she fell into silence once more, reveling in the satisfaction of the moment.
Loving the facial expression on her face, I confidently ordered. " Also I'll have a chicken burger with chips, a side of salad, and a coke, thank you." She nodded and left as I turned back to Nicholas, his eyes were filled with a mix of amusement and surprise.
Recalling his advice, I repeated his words." I know how persistent girls like her can be, it's better if they you're in a relationship" He busts into laughter, drawing attention from those around us. I couldn't help but admire his beauty and enjoy the light-hearted moment. " Well thanks for that," He smiled with gratitude, making me hope his wolf sense was unaware of the excitement coursing through my veins.
" No problem," I replied casually.
A different waitress arrived a few minutes later, prompting an internal chuckle. She served us our food and discreetly left us to enjoy our meal. I couldn't resist stealing glances at watching Nicholas's lips turn pink as he licked his lips each time he took a sip of his beverage. Perverted thoughts started to fill my mind.
'Snap out of it ' My consciousness prompted.
I managed to remove such thoughts and decided to enjoy the peacefulness of the moment. Then, I noticed an amused glint in Nicholas's eyes. " Red, you've got a little something on your face,' He chuckled, pointing to his chin. I quickly reached out for a napkin, but before I could, I felt a rough surface brushing against my skin. My heart skipped a beat, as I saw Nicolas wiping away the crumbs with gentle care. I looked at him, and for a moment, it seemed like he had forgotten what he had just done.
" Nicholas," I whispered, and he mumbled a response. His hand froze, and his eyes widened as he realized what he had done.
" Oh... I'm sorry," He said, his voice filled with nervousness. " It's just an old habit." He scratched his head, staring at everyone except me.
" Old habits?" I replied, tilting my head in curiosity. Nicholas seemed hesitant but eventually opened up." I used to do that to my mate but it was a long time ago," He explained, using words that piqued my interest.
Mate. Why does that sound so familiar? I can't quite place where I've heard it before.
" Mate? What's that?" I asked, genuinely curious. Nicholas's eyes were filled with uncertainty and a hint of hostility, but he signed heavily before answering." As a werewolf, I'm destined to have a mate. It's someone the moon goddess has chosen for me to be until well...eternity," He revealed. I sympathized with his situation, thinking it sounded rough and too harsh.
But he quickly corrected me, saying, " No, it's not like that having a mate is the most beautiful gift the moon goddess has given us wolves," He explained, trying to put it into more words. " It's a deep and powerful connection, a bond that goes beyond anything else. A mate is someone who understands you on a level that no one else can. They are your partner, your support, and your source of strength. It's a beautiful and profound experience to have someone by your side who's meant for you, through thick and thin. It's like finding your missing piece, completely you in a way that nothing else can," He paused, allowing his words to sink in for a moment before continuing I know it sounds strange to you since you've only experienced human life, but..." He paused again, his piercing blue eyes fixed on mine, filled with an indescribable emotion.
" But?" I whispered, urging to continue as though It was a secret I yearned to hear.
"To me, having a mate is the only thing keeping me alive" He confessed, his eyes filled with adoration and happiness of having his mate. His statement left me mixed with negative emotions - Sadness, broken, and heartbreak. His feelings about his mate only gave my conscience another reason why I couldn't be with him.
Because he is already in love with another. His mate
Unshed tears glistened in my eyes, preparing to pour out like a river any second from now. A reflection of my sadness that consumed me but I held it strong and decided to continue the discussion. "You said, it was a long time ago, do you mean the last time you saw her?" He nodded silently. "How long," I asked. His eyes grew distant, lost in the depths of his memories. I could see the turmoil etched on his face, the weight of his secret weighing him down.
" It's been ten years" He finally announced, a hint of fear swarming through his eyes as though he had been revealed a hidden secret.
" What! That long?" I exclaimed, trying to mask my surprise. " But wait isn't she not offended with you not seeing her for that long, I mean I know I would "
He sighed once more, "She doesn't know we are mates" He stated. Confusion filled my head as he said another bomb.
" But you said you guys used to hang out I'm so confused right now," He let out a frustrated snort before meeting my gaze again, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions. " I used to hang out with her, doesn't mean that she knew we were mates," He explained, questions filled my thoughts and I wanted to ask him for more details but stopped when I heard his next line.
" It's already too late anyway, not after what I had done," He whispered, his voice tinged with regret. The tension in his jaw and the tight grip on the table linen revealed the depth of his emotions.
Suddenly, he abruptly stood up, asking me to wait for him to get the bill, a wave of pain washed over me. His cold behavior towards me made me realize that I had unintentionally brought up a painful memory, I had opened a wound that he held for a long time. It must have been tough surviving without the support and care of his mate all these years.
Ten years. He must have been maybe 17 or 18 during that time. He was young when he left her. One question filled my head that would solve the thousands of questions that I had for him:
What did he do that made him leave her? And why suffer it alone? He must have done something significant, something that he feels is unforgivable. His guilt is weighing heavily on him, making it impossible for him to be without the one he loves.
As I sat there, Lost in thoughts, a sudden gust of wind swept through, sending shivers down my spine. Whispers seemed to dance in my ears, their words foreign and strange. I scanned the surroundings, looking for any signs of suspicion, but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, oblivious to the strange energy I felt.
I closed my eyes, trying to dismiss the unsettling feeling of imagination.
When I opened my eyes, I noticed a woman standing at the entrance, her gaze fixed on me. It felt empty, devoid of any warmth or familiarity.
Her eyes, filled with a haunting emptiness, held me captive, rendering me unable to utter a single word. People passed by her, oblivious to her presence, as if she was a mere phantom. But then, out of nowhere, a memory flickered in my mind like an old photograph. It was a picture of my parents, standing together behind a fountain. My father wore a gentle smile, his eyes fixed on my mother, who looked directly at the camera. The resemblance between the woman at the entrance and my mother was striking - the same eyes, the same hair, even the same figure.
" M-Mum?"
I stammered, my voice quivering with disbelief. Time seemed to freeze as our gaze locked, and in that fleeting moment, she offered a smile that failed to reach her eyes. Thoughts raced through my mind, grappling with the possibility of her being alive. Aunt May had already shared the painful truth of their deaths, so how could she be standing before me?
We shared a profound connection for a brief second before she turned and walked out of the door, Leaving me with a whirlwind of emotions and unanswered questions.
I couldn't resist the pull of curiosity as my legs moved on their own, leading me to follow her without a second thought. Stepping outside, I was greeted by a bewildering sight - the crowd seemed to have multiplied engulfing the surroundings. I stumbled, missing a step, my eyes fixated on my supposed alive mum effortlessly making her way through the oblivious crowd. It was as though they couldn't see her, as if she were a ghost passing through them. My shoulders collided with others, curses, and shives directed at me for my clumsiness.
The claustrophobia began to grip me as I struggled to catch my breath amidst the suffocating crowd. Thankfully, I managed to break free and spotted her descending a broken escalator. A warning sign caught my eye
****WARNING*****
****UNDER CONSTRUCTION****
But foolishly, I continued to follow her, stepping onto the escalator as darkness seemed to swirl in the air. Empty shops surrounded me, waiting to be filled with merchandise. Broken strands of glass crunched beneath my feet, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked in every corner It was a surreal and haunting scene, yet my determination to uncover the truth pushed me forward, despite the ominous warning signs.
As the woman abruptly halted her steps, my heart stopped beating anticipation hanging in the air like a heavy fog. I fixated my gaze on her waiting with bated breath for her next move. Slowly she turned towards me, her eyes still vacant, but her smile... Oh, her smile sent a chill down my spine, a primal fear covering my veins.
" You know," She began, her voice echoing through the desolate space, amplifying the dread that already consumed me, " for a hybrid of two powerful creatures..." Her words trailed off, leaving a lingering sense of foreboding in the silence. And then, in an instant, everything changed.
Her body started to contort and twist, a grotesque transformation into a pair before my very eyes, with sinister black spots scattered in between. Her unkempt hair grew longer, cascading down her back like a waterfall of inky darkness. Her tattered clothes morphed into a sleek jacket and blue jeans as if she had shed her former self.
" You're quite the easy catch," She hissed, her voice now a chilling amalgamation of a man's deep tone and a child's eerie innocence. A wicked smirk played upon her lips, a twisted pride emanating from her eyes as she realized she had me trapped, with no escape in sight.
Terror gripped my entire being, causing my voice to quiver as I whispered, "You're a shapeshifter." My body trembled, my heart pounding in my chest as I desperately tried to navigate this nightmarish scenario.
I should have stayed with Nicholas.
*********
My poor baby is in trouble 😭😭😭
How is she gonna escape? Will Nicholas save her in time before it's too late or will she escape on her own.?
To be continued....
Hope you enjoyed this chapter ❤️