Rhylor [The Ultima Manhunt B2]

Chapter 24 - A Phoenix's Mate

"Together? What do you mean? We're just friends, right?" Blade asks.

"We'll leave you two be." Remus says as he quickly shoves Alferno out of the grand room.

The pair of close friends wait until it's just them to start talking.

"Together. As in you know a couple." Harper says. "Unless you don't like me that way."

Her response is answered by the sudden reddening of Blade's cheeks.

"N..no! I...I do. It's just..." he trails off then sighs. "You're my mate."

The Phoenix blinks. Is she hearing him right? Did he say she's his mate?

"I'm your mate?" she whispers as he nods.

"Yeah. You've paid attention in werewolf class, right?" Blade questions her.

"Right. I took notes and everything." Harper smiles.

Blade takes both of her hands in his. "Then you should know, you are my soulmate." he whispers softly. "It pains me to say this but I understand if you would rather be with someone else."

"Well, truth be told; there is no one else I'd rather be with. For some reason I'm drawn to you so much that I could go as far to say I like you a lot. So, I talked to my mom about that and she told me an answer I wasn't sure I was ready to hear." Harper rambles on.

Her werewolf crush raises an eyebrow at her as he gestures with a hand for her to continue.

"We were in the middle of working on a project right? About Phoenixes?" she asks him for clarification.

He nods. "Yeah. The books haven't been much help." he mutters. "Why?"

"You know I'm a Phoenix so this shouldn't come as a surprise to you but every Phoenix out there has what's called a chosen mate. Their soulmate but to be a Phoenix's chosen mate, they have to be supernatural. They cannot be human." she explains then smiles softly at Blade.

"As I am your mate, you are mine." the Phoenix whispers into his ear. "Hence why I like being around you."

"Thank you." he replies.

Harper frowns. "For what?" she asks him.

"For being my friend and calming me down. You actually made me want to stay in control; if it meant I could figure out the reason why even just hearing your name made me stay in control." Blade responds.

"I'm glad." Harper says proudly. "I just have one rule."

"What?" Blade questions.

"You are not allowed to flirt with other girls except me." Harper tells him.

"Like I would flirt with other ladies when I have a gorgeous redhead right here." Blade whispers to her.

The Phoenix's cheeks turn a hue of pale red. They heat up even more when he presses his lips to them before moving to her lips. The two break apart a few seconds later as deep red shading builds up on their cheeks.

"Shall we get out of here, my Phoenix?" Blade asks the redheaded Phoenix as he holds out a hand for her to grab.

She eagerly takes the extended hand by placing one of her own in it and smiling fondly. "We shall, my wolf." she says.

(APHMAU)

Aphmau walks into her house and sets her purse down on the counter.