I'm a straightforward girl. I see what I like and I take it. It's been the same when I was little and it's still the same now. So when I went out clubbing with my friends that night and I saw this highly attractive guy, I just knew I had to have him...
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Anger simmered beneath my skin as I noticed the unnatural gaze between Celeste and Theo. I bit my tongue to stop from lashing out and settled for blocking her view of him completely, narrowing my eyes and snarling at Theo for an explanation.
His eyes snapped to mine, surprise flitting across them. His voice filtered into my head. "Is she...?"
"Yes," I clipped, annoyed. "She's my mate."
Realization dawned on his face, and he lightly tipped his head in my direction.
"I apologize. It took me a while to notice. Don't worry, friend. It was mere curiosity, nothing more."
His words calmed me down somewhat, yet I still refused to step away from Celeste.
He cleared his throat and greeted us. "I came early to avoid the bothersome greetings. It seems I was a bit too early."
I stepped up. We clasped hands and bumped shoulders. I nodded. "It's been a while, Theo. We don't get to see each other often like before."
Leon agreed. "We must go for a run together. It's been too long. Right, Remi?"
I grunted, my previous mood ruined.
Celeste tugged on my shirt, dragging my eyes from Theo to her. She urged me with her twinkling eyes to get closer, and I did. She leaned in to whisper, "Stop sulking. His voice may be deeper than yours, but you're still just as manly in my eyes."
I growled, my eyes flashing as I whipped my head around to glare at Theo.
His lips twitched, and his voice quickly filtered into my head. "Your female jests. She seems to love your jealousy."
As if to confirm his words, I could hear her snickers behind my back and that quickly washed away my anger. I rolled my eyes and turned to grip her arm, tugging her into me.
I bent to brush her lips with my own and murmured, making sure that everyone heard so I could reclaim my dignity. "I have a bottom line, Celeste. Test it and I'll be turning that ass red."
Her eyes colored with surprise as her mouth fell open.
"Remi!" my mother hissed, glaring at me as she moved to cover Elias's ears.
Starr seemed startled, Leona amused.
Leon coughed and hid his smile behind his hand. "Well, this is fun."
Theo didn't bother to hide his amusement. His eyes flickered to Leon, then to me. "I see you've picked up Leon's shamelessness. We're in public."
"Shamelessness? We're simply showing love for our ma- women." He corrected himself and hugged Starr from the back, placing a gentle kiss on her shoulder.
She flushed and glared at him. "Don't sound so proud."
He grinned as she rolled her eyes at him.
Elias wiggled out of my mother's grasp. "I want to hear! I'm not a kid!"
