Rejection

Chapter 40 - Marked

---Kyle's POV---

Chirping of birds echoed through the quiet room before I sighed, stretching underneath the warmth of the covers. The slight breeze that rustled through my hair already promised a sweltering summer heat in the next weeks to come.

A knock sounded on the door, making me groggily stumble out of bed, double checking to make sure I wasn't answering the door in my boxers. After jumping in some soft pants, I opened the door and paused.

Erina was nearly bouncing on her feet, giddy as she admired a bouquet of stunningly red and white lilies. "Aren't they gorgeous?" She murmured, blushing slightly as I nodded, confused as to why she would knock on my door and wake me from my slumber to show the flowers she got from her mate.

"Here."

I blinked, having to grab on reflex when she handed me the flowers. I looked down at the bouquet before giving her a hesitant look. "Uh... you want me to... hold them?" I yawned, scratching at the back of my head.

Her smile gentled, head tilting slightly as she chuckled. "They aren't mine, Kyle. They are for you. From Drake."

My mouth instantly dried as I slowly looked down at the flowers within my ever-trembling hands.

...F....for...me?

Letting my fingers trace over the petals, I listened in a daze as Erina continued, "Lilies are widely known to represent a new beginning, a rebirth if you will. While white lilies symbolize purity and virtue, the red stands for passion and love."

She gave me a wink "Drake was unusually flustered when handpicking them but decided against bringing them himself." Her eyes softened as she glanced down at the flowers once more.

"He wanted to give them to you himself but also didn't want to feel too pushy." She snickered, rolling her eyes slightly before pausing as I brought the flowers to my face, inhaling the slightly citrusy scent before smiling.

"I...I don't think...I ever..."I swallowed thickly, unable to continue in fear of crying but Erina blinked in shock before scoffing.

Her sudden anger wasn't aimed at me, I knew that much. I vaguely suspected she was angry at Max and now I understood.

There had never been any attempts of romancing or wooing one another. We bumped into one another, realized we were mates and figured that was it.

But now Drake was showing me that there was more. It wasn't just a quick and easy bond, but something both parties had to give effort for.

When Drake had spoken about courting, I hadn't anticipated anything more than simply bonding until our wolves were mated.

Being gifted something as simple as flowers, made me realize how much I had been missing out of. The only mate I've ever had was Max and while I'd like to believe our love had been genuine, there wasn't any surprises like these.

I never expected to be given anything because I wasn't used to it. Nor did I expect to be brought to tears because Drake had obviously found me worthy enough to give flowers to.

"I'll go get you a vase so you can put them in your room." Erina murmured before leaving me behind in a daze.

I slowly turned and staggered back, flopping on the bed while making sure I didn't damage any of the flowers. Such a simple yet thoughtful gift, a genuine sign that Drake was interested, willing to work for our bond to develop and flourish.

He wanted to surprise and indulge me with small, thoughtful gifts. Each step in our relationship, each interaction we had so far, he had always put my needs first.