Vow of a Mate

ROSE

I looked at the dark eyes. My breath hitched at the sight of the man. It should be illegal to be this handsome.

His hair stood up in an attractive way, his mesmerizing dark eyes arresting me in place. The sharp nose and defined jawline accentuated his handsome face. Had I left out the lips? No, I could not describe them.

My thoughts stopped, registering the reaction on his face.

His face showed all the emotions from shock, happiness, disbelief, and finally anger. Anger? I was confused.

“Not now!” he growled and dashed out of the place.

I was shocked to the core. I had found my mate. Of course, I had always feared this situation.

After losing my parents, I was reluctant to have any steady relationships, for the fear of losing them. But I never expected this. Finding and losing my mate in the same day.

My human part understood him, but my wolf did not. I could feel her pain and it was unbearable. I knew she was blocking me so that I could be spared the pain, but I did not want that.

She was with me all the time, even when we lost our parents. I never wanted her to suffer alone.

Alice shook me out of the trance.

“What?” I asked without thinking.

“What happened? Do you know him?” Alice asked me.

“No.”

“Then why did he leave after seeing you?”

“I don’t know.”

“Why did you space out?” Alice asked me in suspicion.

“I was talking to my wolf.”

“About?”

“Wondering if we’ve met him before.” I was surprised that my voice had not broken down.

“Alice, I am leaving now.”

“Why? What happened?”

“Nothing. I haven’t been sleeping properly because of the exams and I am tired. Nothing will cure me better than a nice sleep.” I smiled at her and left before facing any more questions.

***

After a restless night, I avoided the diner for the next three days. I hadn’t stepped out of my house since, excusing myself from all activities.

My wolf unblocked me the next day, but I was angry at her. How could she think that I should not share her pain? We were one soul with two minds, for God’s sake.

We both had somehow come to terms with reality. I could not avoid everyone forever. More than that, I would never give up my dream for a person who I didn’t know, even though he was my mate.

I felt better after these thoughts.

Suddenly the doorbell chimed along with impatient knocks. I knew it was Alice on the other side and rushed to open the door before she broke it.

Alice almost fell down inside the second I opened the door. My laugh stopped when I saw Alice’s glare.

“Sorry.”

“What the hell, Rose? You suddenly left three days back. And when we called, you weren’t picking up. Nate said you weren’t seen in college. What happened?”

“I was not feeling well.” I turned to move inside, avoiding her eyes.

Alice grabbed my shoulders and turned me.

“What happened, Rosie?” she asked again softly.

I hung my head down and mumbled, “I found my mate.”

“What? Congratulations, Rosie. I am happy for you.” She stopped for a minute. “But why are you not happy?” I could sense the confusion in her voice.

“It looks like he doesn’t want me.” My voice mumbled even lower.

She was stunned for a minute and hugged me tight. The walls I’d built around my heart broke at that simple action.

She patted my head while I cried on her shoulder. She guided me to the couch, and we sat hugging each other for some time.

“Who is it?” asked Alice. I felt anger in her voice.

“No one you know.” I did not want to disclose his identity. If I had to overcome this, I did not want anyone to know him.

“Where did you meet him? And when?” she asked again.

I stopped for a moment. I could not say the diner or college; she would find out.

“The day I went home from the diner. I met him on the way. He immediately said that he doesn’t want me. I understood and left. But it hurts.” My voice cracked at the end.

“Hey…” She held my hands.

“I don’t interact with people much. You know that I don’t have many friends, except you and Diana, and I didn’t get along with you that easily. But, you know, I always secretly wished for my mate.

“I hoped that he would help me overcome my fear of being with people, like my knight in shining armor. But the way he left me the moment we met hurts me.

“Even if I said I don’t want anyone to get close, deep down in my heart I long for someone who will be only for me, who I can call my family to the whole world.”

I said this in a soft voice while playing with the hem of her shirt. Alice hugged me tight.

“He is not worthy of having you in his life. But you will find someone who will love you with his whole heart, who understands what a gem of a person you are.”

I did not respond but accepted her words, even though I did not believe them.

Suddenly Alice got up and pulled me with her.

“What?”

“Enough of your couch time. Get up. Let’s go to the diner. Diana is worried sick about you. Don’t waste your time and energy on someone who doesn’t appreciate you. We are here for you.”

I smiled back. Her words strengthened my resolve.

The day went smoothly after that. As Alice mentioned, Diana was worried about me, and I felt guilty for shutting them out.

After some fussing from Diana, I resumed my place behind the counter. There was a steady flow of customers, which helped me avoid unwanted thoughts. But I could not ignore the pain that was inside me.

I sensed his entry before looking up at the doorway. The bond was getting stronger with him nearby. Didn’t it affect him? Or was he strong enough to ignore it?

I shook my head to dismiss the heavy feeling while he went and sat in a booth, looking at me. I could not shake his stares, which made it very difficult to concentrate on my work.

I sighed when he left the place after some time. But that did not stop the mild tremor in my hands. I asked Alice to cover for me and went inside the staff room.

I took deep breaths to console myself. The day was uneventful after that. As usual, Diana, Alice, and I sat together for our little chitchat.

“How are you, dear?” Diana asked me again.

“I am fine, Diana. Just lack of sleep because of exams. I am better now.”

Diana looked as if she did not completely believe me, but she dropped the issue, much to my relief.

“Did you know Aubrey’s ex-boyfriend comes here every day? He sits in the same place as today and leaves after some time.”

“Doesn’t he have a name?” I was irritated when Alice addressed him with Aubrey’s name.

“No idea. He never gave his name when Clarke asked. In fact, he never said anything apart from his order. But why is that bothering you?” Alice asked.

“I…I am not bothered. I feel referring to him still as Aubrey’s boyfriend will cause unnecessary confusion,” I answered.

“Ex, Rosie. Ex-boyfriend.”

“Can we drop this talk?” I said, not able to stand hearing him being referred to again and again as Aubrey’s boyfriend.

Alice shrugged and left it. Diana was looking at me with a smile. I tensed. Even if she had guessed anything, she never uttered a word.

I bade goodnight to both of them and left the diner.

***

I sensed his presence once I stepped outside. I looked around and found him standing on the opposite side of the street. He was leaning against a streetlight pole with his arms folded. He straightened upon seeing me.

I moved quickly, to avoid him catching up to me. Trying to walk fast, I cursed myself for not having a vehicle. It would have helped me to get away from that place in an instant.

“I will catch you anyway. So you better stop and let us talk.” His deep voice stopped me in my tracks. A shiver traveled down my spine.

Turning back, I found him standing right behind me. How fast could he move?

“You clearly expressed your thoughts on that day. I don’t think we have anything to talk about.” I was proud that my voice was not shaking, even though I was inside.

He closed his eyes and sighed.

“I am sorry for that day, but that was not my intention.”

“Then what was?”

He looked around the street. “Can we go somewhere and discuss?”

Could I? Yes. Did I want to? I was not sure. I decided it was better to not postpone this so that I could overcome the pain soon. I nodded at him.

“Do you want to go back to the diner?” he asked me.

I shook my head.

“No, let me keep this away from my friends. Diana doesn’t know that I found my mate and lost him the same day, and to her nothing is more sacred than a mate bond.”

“Do you have anywhere in mind?”

“There is a coffee shop on the next block. It is a small place but very comfortable.”

“If you say so. Can you lead the way?”

I nodded at him and turned to walk toward the coffee shop. He caught my wrist as I took a step. I sucked in a breath as tingles shot up my arm from his touch.

“You haven’t lost me,” he said softly. I gaped at him for a minute. He then released my hand and waved his, signaling me to continue.

“I... I... Yes…” I stumbled for words and turned again to walk toward the coffee shop.

What did he mean by that?