Awoken

Chapter 3

Credit goes to @EmberArtist for my magnificent cover. :)

Remember to re-read, please. I added stuff.

Shout out to my beautiful friend TOPNPIRABVB whom Maya is partially based off of.
•*•*•*•

Mate...

***

Sky couldn't describe with coherent words what she felt. The sensory overload of his apple cider smell, the warmth of his arms surrounding her, the heat of his breath on her neck, was like someone had sent her to cloud nine. Her heart was racing and so was his. She could hear his heartbeat, synchronised to her own. She knew the voice she heard wasn't his or her own, but it felt like the last piece to a puzzle being put into place. She heard a low rumble from his chest. She looked up towards him and saw his face was split with a grin. Nate picked her up from her waist and spun her around; she squeaked at the sudden elevation. She was soon on the ground again and he stood in front of her, his hands still on her waist, hers on his shoulders.

"I'm Nathaniel, but I prefer Nate." He removed one hand from her side and put it in the small space between them.

Returning the handshake she replied, "Sara-" She stopped herself. He was her mate and by the looks of it, he wasn't about to reject her- yet. "Well actually, it's Sky, but don't call me that unless we're alone. Don't ask, I'll tell you later." She said hastily while looking anywhere but his eyes.

He looked a tad confused but the overwhelming joy of finding his mate overruled the strange request. "Fine by me."

They stared at each other for who knows how long. The Mate Bond was kicking in. Once they officiate the bond they would be able to hear each other's thoughts and feelings. Right as their mouths were unconsciously drifting closer and closer together, Nate stopped.

"I forgot to ask..." His eyebrows drew together, hopeful yet scared, "Do you want this? I was taught that you ask her before anything happens to make sure it isn't just the Bond screwing around with- well, yeah." Nate scratched the back of his neck.

Sky was pulled out of her haze and her face turned crimson as she removed her hand from his shoulder. "Oh, um. Thanks. I-I'm- I've never actually... you know..."

Nate let out a melodious chuckle and turned a shade of pink. He took her hand that had left his shoulder and shoved the other in his pockets. "It's okay. Neither have I. I was actually waiting for you."

Sky was surprised. It wasn't uncommon for shifters to acquire companions to keep them occupied until they met their mate. Railing her eyes over her statuesque mate, she felt a sense of glowing pride. Shaking the feeling away, she tugged on his hand in hers and began to lead them down the aisle toward her stuff.

***

The ride back had been atrocious. She in her pickup truck; him on his cerulean Harley, gave both of them adequate time to think about what was to happen. Sky's anxiety was planning for the worst. That he would find out she couldn't shift and would leave her in a heartbeat. Just thinking about it made her heart wrench, the Bond pulling at her emotions. Nate, on the other hand, was ecstatic. The wait was over. 
He had noticed his mate's indecision at her name and the look on her face when he introduced himself. Maybe she was nervous, he thought. He followed her red truck to a large dark blue, three-story house with white trim and a wraparound porch. She parked the truck in front of the house and pulled the key out of the ignition. She sat in her seat and looked at her reflection in the mirror of her sun visor. She noticed her mascara was smudged. Have I been like this all day? She thought. Searching through her bag she found the tube and began applying it after wiping away the smudge under her eye. She felt a sneeze coming on.