My Destined

Chapter 22

Leia

I cannot stop thinking about my first kiss with Adriel - and I know that sounds kind of "lame," but it felt perfect. I find myself touching my lips when I think about it, and my whole body heats up. Part of it definitely has to do with Tala going crazy since it happened.

Tala and Nero were coming to the forefront when it happened, the simple intimacy triggering our wolves' desire and need to mate. So, naturally, Tala has been itching to be near Adriel again, and the feeling is strong. I could only describe the kiss as sweet and hungry - and I wanted more.

My phone ringing shook me out of my trance, and I picked it up to see Maia Facetiming me. Did she sense something happened between Adriel and me? This is impeccable timing!

"Hey, Maia! What's up?" Maia's dark brown eyes lit up with excitement immediately as I answered the video call. I miss her so much, and it's been hard to keep in touch as often as we wanted to.

"Leia, I miss you!" Maia whined, making me laugh at her childish voice, but I also felt the same way, so I nodded in agreement.

"Me too. How are things with you?" A huge smile formed, and a red blush tinted her whole face, a complete shift from the sad, puppy dog eyes she had just a minute ago.

Maia sighed happily, "Great! Marco is amazing. How come I never noticed how sweet he was?"

Maia and Marco always got along well enough growing up, but Maia does like to push buttons at times and has always been protective of me, so I'm sure that played a role in her view of Marco. A fluttering feeling of nostalgia formed in my chest as I thought about memories from our childhood together, and I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my lips.

"I'm so happy for you, Maia. I think you were just too focused on Lance." Maia's cheeks reddened again in embarrassment as she nodded knowingly.

"I can't believe Lance and Corina are expecting! They look so happy!" I was glad that Maia's jealousy toward Corina, because she had liked Lance for so long, had gone away.

I smiled widely and nodded in agreement. "I know. It was so great to see them recently, too." Maia wiggled her eyebrows knowingly, and I knew exactly what she would ask.

"Sooooooo...How are things with you and Adriel?? Lance told me the family visit was all Adriel's idea!" My cheeks flushed with warmth at the reminder of Adriel's thoughtful gesture.

"Good, I mean, it was such a sweet thing he did for me. We even talked more about Noemi." I couldn't say her name without rolling my eyes, and Maia's happy face quickly turned angry with furrowed brows and a pout.

"Oh, that bitch. What happened?"

I told Maia what happened with Noemi and Adriel; she was on my side throughout the story and even threatened to "beat up Adriel herself." Maia always knew how to make me laugh and lighten the mood, precisely why we are best friends.

We talked like this for another hour or so, just sharing how things were going with our mates, talking about our current duties, and I even told her about the garden I had started.

When I told Maia about Adriel and I's kiss and Adriel's slight confession, she couldn't keep herself still as she jumped up and down, asking for every single detail. Surprisingly, I wasn't feeling as shy as I thought I would be about it and happily shared with her how it felt. She also described similar feelings between her and Marco when they were close. You are truly amazing, Moon Goddess.

Saying goodbye to Maia was sad, but we both had things to do today, so we parted as dramatically as possible, with tears. That's when I heard a knock on my door.