Love & Tribulations

Chapter 9

Rose's POV

Today flew by faster than I expected, I was constantly thinking about Ezra and hardly got any work done as usual. I've learned so much about her as we've spent more time together over the last few days. I was so caught up in my head that I didn't even realize my phone was ringing. I picked it up seeing Caleb's caller ID on the screen.

"Hey", I greeted, placing the phone to my ear.

"A werewolf, have you completely lost your mind?!" He inquired sharply. Just then Elias barged into my room with an apologetic look on his face. Of course.

"It's not like we can choose our mates", I replied as Elias quickly shook his head, making me scrunch my brows.

"MATE!?", Caleb yelled, making me move the phone away from my ear. I pressed the mute button while he ranted on.

"What does he know?", I asked already irritated. Elias cleared his throat before speaking.

"I thought you and your advisor had already discussed this. You usually go to him first since I'm always the last to find out what's going on. So, I may have mentioned that I was shocked he didn't flip out about you dating a werewolf. I hung up once he started grilling me", he explained, while scratching the nape of his neck.

"How many times do I have to tell you we're not dating?" I sighed and sat at my desk, waiting for Caleb to stop lecturing me about my impulsive actions and their possible consequences.  

"I'm sorry to break it to you, but if you're going on a date with her, you're dating", Elias pointed out with a stupid smug look on his face. I'm not fond of labeling whatever's going on between me and Ezra. Because of how strong our bond is, I'm well aware that the majority of my actions are impulsive. I'm sure it's the same with Ezra, so I'm just being cautious.

"Hello, are you listening?", Caleb queried for the second time. Elias rolled his eyes as I unmuted the call putting it on speaker.

"Yes, and I was going to inform you when I returned home", I answered, opening an envelope from my desk.

"Cut her some slack, she rarely does anything without your approval", Elias added while taking a seat on the sofa.

"By the way, why'd you call?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"A council member is here asking for you to see them", he responded.

"Didn't we contact them about setting up a meeting once we got back?" Elias inquired.

"Just remind them that we already made arrangements for the meeting with the council", I told Caleb.

"I did but they said that it's a separate matter that needs your attention", he explained.

"Please notify them that I am unavailable and that you have been assigned to take my place. Relay their message to me; it's unlikely to be anything extreme, or the entire council would have summoned us", I informed.

"Understood, I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Elias, please make sure she doesn't do anything irrational again", Caleb pleaded, making me sigh in annoyance.

"You know once she's set her mind on something, she never listens to anyone, let alone me for that matter", Elias answered.

"I'm right here you know" I rolled my eyes at the two.

"We're well aware", Caleb responded as they struggled to stifle their laughter.

"Don't you guys have anything better to do?" I groaned. Caleb hung up after bidding us goodbye, and Elias left to do who knows what. I was gathering some paperwork to send back to Caleb when my phone vibrated on the desk with a massage from Ezra.

Ezra: Hey, you still working?

Me: Miss me already?

Ezra: .....

Me: That's not a no

Ezra: I'm going for a walk, wanna join me?

I immediately sped outside to the main building of her office.

Me: I'm outside

She stepped out the door seconds after I sent the message. She looked up from her phone and smiled while coming toward me. Her hair is braided today, she looks gorgeous.

"Eager much?" she smirked as I raise my eyebrows in surprise.

"That's not a no", she mocked, making my jaw drop a little as she walked past me. I just shook my head before joining her.

We strolled for a few minutes till we reached a trail at the edge of the forest. Sunlit clouds drifted across the clear blue sky. The temperature was perfectly balanced with the cool breeze that traveled through the thick, lush branches of the towering trees. I occasionally hear the fast movement of animals scampering through the bushes. Moments like this make me forget that us being mates, won't be accepted by everyone.

I could hear the trickle of water as we drew near a stream. Mellow sunshine filtered through the leaves, casting an eerie green-gold glow on the ground. I felt her hand softly brush against mine, causing a myriad of sparks to travel through every fiber in my body.

"Your hair looks lovely", I murmured, disturbing the tranquility between us. Really!? Her hair always looks beautiful, moron.

"Thanks, my mom was nagging me, so I let her braid it", she smiled. She smiles more often now, and Tris won't stop thanking me for it. They keep saying it's because of our bond, but I like to think Ezra got this far on her own.

"Have I ever told you how beautiful you look when you smile?" I whispered. She abruptly stopped walking, making me take a few steps ahead of her. I turned back and grinned at how fast her heart was beating. She averted her gaze from me as I moved closer to her. I want to kiss her right now. Am I being too greedy?

"I...I uh", she mumbled as I came to a stop inches away from her. She glanced at my lips before she turned away, fiddling with her fingers. I chuckled, taking her hand in mine and intertwining our fingers. Adorable.

"Come on, I want to see the sunset from the mountain top", I indicated. We made our way up the mountain, and I was relieved she didn't let go of my hand. She smiled, resting her head on my shoulder while I gently traced her knuckles with my thumb. The sunset was spectacular, and the sky was filled with scarlet and golden clouds. For the first time since meeting her, I just focused on the present moment, not worrying about how easily everything may fall apart.