I had to be cool, I had to be calm, they could not know what was going on. I walked stiffly past the kitchen, clutching the book tightly and holding my breath.
I was internally freaked out and I did not need influence.
"Trent?" Kathryn called from the kitchen, she walked over to me with a bowl of fruit as she chewed on her apple and raised a brow at me. She sniffed deeply and her brows furrowed. "What happened?" She whispered but it was absolutely useless.
I groaned and turned to the wall to rest my forehead on it as I was suddenly bombarded. "What happened? Did something happened? Are you okay?"
"You smell okay," Travis voice and I lifted my head to put it against the wall again at their meddling.
"Do you need to lie down?"
"I think something good happened." Kathryn was smirking now and I groaned.
"I just got a book, okay? It's not that deep."
"Not that deep,huh." Travis was pointing his hand at me, the finger twirling over my body. "The scent says otherwise." I cursed then for how well they could sniff these things out.
My heart was still beating fast and my palms were sweating and I found all I could recall was the sweet smile on his face. "Shfimyhate." I said through my cheeks.
"What!?"
"You found your mate!?" Linus screamed from his place on the kitchen counter and I furrowed my brows wondering why he was here and he smirked at me. "Your welcome." Fraden was on him, head buried in the guys neck, it sounded like he was falling asleep. "If you sleep, I will smack you, we came here to make out."
"But we have a house we can make out in." Linus bit into his apple staring at For who looked quiet done.
"I know, and we do that every day, change of scene, I'm keeping us fresh babe."
"A shower does that just fine." Linus squealed as he was hoisted into the air by his large serpent mate who didn't bat an eyelash as he went and left. We all could hear Linus saying that he should at least make out with him on our grass first because it wasn't their grass so it's different.
I laughed and shook my head.
"Spill." Claude was in my face and I whined pushing at him.
"Ace!" His eyes widened and he looked as though I had betrayed him.
"Ass!" He called me as Ace just called Claude automatically knowing what it was.
"Thank you!" I grinned and looked at my two siblings and sighed. "Good night."
"It's so bright out."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." I went into my room and closed the door, my back against it, I slide down and allowed myself to grin as I stared at the book.
I found my mate, ha!
I realised it wasn't fair to wonder how it was possible, reincarnation was a thing after all and I couldn't really be so surprised when wolves are born with their mate, I just couldn't believe it.
My smile slipped though almost as easily as it had shown up. What if he doesn't like me? What if it was all just for show? What if he's straight and engaged? Or somehow wants me as a secret?
I frowned then and shook my head. That's not how I think, I slapped the side of my head and wondered what happened to me, where had I gone? How could I so easily think that way when I was the listener, the guy who knew there were more sides to the story and ultimately misunderstandings began because of thoughts like these?
And yet, I couldn't help it. I wondered as is rated at the book. Would this go well, how does one even make sure things like this go well? For a moment I wished he wasn't human so that I could just jump into his arms and we would ride off into the sunset together.
Somehow I was feeling extremely insecure and unworthy it wasn't even funny.
It was two weeks before I saw him again only because I was determined not to go to town and end up at that library.
I was breathing deeply to calm myself and swallowed. I had no excuses this time, we were right where we needed to be and ultimately could only move forward from here. There was nowhere I could run off to and because of that, I knew that if it didn't work this time, then, I'll just live like a wolf for the rest of my life, for my nieces and nephews.
It was different to how it had been before, brighter somehow and filled with people. I recognised my pack members and internally groaned because I realised they all were just nosey, enough to actually find this place and come here. I wondered what made them think this was where my mate was.
You're a menace. I mind linked Claude who only snickered because it could only be him.
There were people who came from the back of the place holding to go cups of something and even doggie bags. I wondered if there was some other kind of business going on when I saw him.
Today his hair was fluffy and maroon, it really brought out his smooth skin. He wore a baggy sweater and jeans, he saw me and smiled.
"I see you've found me again." He said, tucking a strand behind his ear and then leading me to the counter.
"I have." My voice cracked and I cleared my throat. He chuckled.
"So, how was it?" His lips were so plump and I don't know what it was about this time but my chest hurt just looking at him, it ached in a way I wasn't sure I had words for, it wasn't painful, the feeling was but it wasn't like heartbreak and more...like longing.
"It was gone, very long," I chuckled and ran a hand through my hair. "I realised it made me feel like school." He took it and stashed in behind his counter and smiled at me.
"Then you didn't enjoy it."
"No!" I shook my hands, "I did, I did. I just..." I pursed my lips knowing I messed up. "I read it in school, is all, so it brought back memories."
He nodded still smiling. "Can I make a suggestion?"
"Please."
"Follow me." He flashed me his teeth, his dimples prominent and I followed glaring at the pack members sent to spy on me.
He lead me to the back and I noticed spiralling stairs."What's up there?"
"Oh, right, uh, I opened a café up there," he chuckled and touched his neck. "You should come for a bite sometime, if you want. Not sure if your a coffee or tea kind of guy."
"Tea," I supplied.
"Oh, then please, I will make you my special peach bubble tea."
"I'd definitely love that." He glanced at me, a smile that was almost shy on his lips before he looked to his shelf which he skimmed, I admired his profile as he did and he smiled as he found what he looked for before handing it to me.
"If you like romance and a dash of action, I suggest you make hot chocolate and popcorn when you read this." I stared at the cover. "It's my favourite." He told me.
"I'll bring back good news." He chuckled and rolled his eyes.
"I'll check you out," he said before his face morphed as though he said something wrong and then I realised what it sounded like. "The book! I mean, the book, not, not you like check you out," he touched my arm almost alarmed. "Not that you aren't attractove or anything- I mean, you are, I mean I - we," his face was red and my face was red and we were staring and then we were looking at the ground. "Follow me." He whispered shyly and I followed.
He was still red though and I realised then as he smiled and I said good by, he kept glancing at my hands then the book then me. "See you soon." He waved and I chuckled feeling the bright light. I looked up at noticed the café just above the library and knew I'd definitely come here again.
When I opened the book a slip of paper with a number and text me written on it slipped out and I'm pretty sure my heart turned to stone because yes, I was feeling a sprinkle of joy settle in.
A\N
Written: 5 April 2022
YOU ARE READING
4. Trent Phoebe{ManxMan}
Lobisomem{BOOK 4: GREATEST LOVE SERIES} "I've always been curious." He admitted bitterly. "I've always wanted to understand why, if not that, then to just know it all." "Your dad?" "He's the biggest mystery, I want to love him despite that."