The Warrior (continuing from optimistic_dreamer)

Kicking his ass

Still confused about the riddle, I did not notice immediately that the potion Olivia made was now in Sir Alexanders hands.

He nodded in thanks to me. Apperently he knew exactly what to do with it.

"Sir Alexander, you should be in bed by now. Your condition..", my uncle began to worry.

The head placed his hand reassuringly on my uncles shoulder and said: "I'll retire now. Good night!"

With that being said he left the kitchen and I was alone with my uncle.

"So you've noticed his condition too?", I asked him. On the one side I wanted to break the ice somehow and I did not want to dive instantly into the topic of my mate. On the other side I was curious of what my uncle's thoughts would be.

"Of course! But he doesn't tell me what's happening, so I try to help him as well as I can.", my uncle stated frustrated.

I was taken aback why Sir Alexander did not confide in my uncle. However, I knew he must have his reasons and I respected them. It was his secret to tell and not mine.

"Do you know anything?", my uncle wanted to know

I shook my head in denial and said: "I just met him earlier and asked him about it, but he wouldn't tell me anything."

My uncle nodded in understanding and seemed glad that I also was not let in on Sir Alexander's secret.

I know that my uncle and the head were really close, so it must be hard on my uncle when he realized that something was wrong with his friend and said friend did not want to confide in him.

"About Miss Lockhart..", my uncle began to speak.

"My mate you mean.", I interjected.

He sight and said: "I just mean to protect you. It's impossible that she is indeed your mate and somewhere deep down you must know that!"

My uncle took several steps in my direction, but stopped when he saw how angry his words made me.

"Explain to me then why I feel the tingles, the attraction, the need to be constantly with her and my wolf screaming mate over and over again in my mind when Olivia is close!", I asked him enraged.

"She's a healer Leo. She knows how love potions are made and....", my uncle told me gently.

"Bullshit! There isn't some potion which can make one feel a mate's pull!"

I was sick and tired about this conversation and when my uncle pulled a book out of his cloak I almost lost control. Some stupid book would not prove anything.

My wolf also shared the same opinion. There was no love potion and even if it did exist, Olivia would never use one. How would she have given me the potion? She was never close to me to mix it in my meals or drinks. It was me or rather my wolf who sought her out.

My uncle placed the book on the counter and opened it. He thumbed through the book, which contained lots of explanations how to make certain potions, until he reached a specific page. The headline said "Love Potion".

"What is that!", I instantly wanted to know.

"I used the hours after our discussion to search in the library for this book. Do you realize what you can do with it?", my uncle wanted to know.

I stared expressionless at his face. I did not know what to think. I JUST knew that Olivia was my mate. However, why did this book then let doubts come up in my mind.

My wolf growled and yelled at me how dare I believe my uncle, when I knew better.

"It wouldn't surprise me if your Olivia would have this book as well."

I shook my head in denial, but my uncle did not want to hear it.

"Face it Leo! For whatever reason she gave you the love potion, she is not your mate!", my uncle said and each and every word cut a deep wound into my heart.

I didn't know whom to believe. Why would Olivia do something like that, if she did. It struck me then that everything just was too perfect. My supposed mate was the perfection of my imagination of a woman.

However, why would she want me as her mate? I was still fluttered, because I had barely nothing to offer her. I was a warrior and while I was indeed very wealthy I could not offer her anything. My work would keep me away from her often and there was no guaranty that I would always return. You took risks with every mission you were assigned to and you even gambled with your life.

Did she just want me for the money? Olivia did not struck me as that kind of person. She was more the person to stand by you and help you in times you had nothing.

EXACTLY my wolf  irately yelled.

But what if she just was a good actress? My wolf howled in my mind about me being stupid and blinded by my uncle.

My uncle could well see that he sowed enough doubts and said gently: "I just don't want her to take advantage of you! You're my nephew and I just want the best for you. And as hard as it is to realize it, she's not your mate!"

He turned around to let me ponder on my own and attempted to leave the kitchen. At the kitchen's entry he turned in my direction again and he stated: "If you need me you know where you can find me!"

I nodded my head and he left the kitchen.

I exhaled deeply, closed my eyes and let my head drop into my hands.

What would I do now?

"You know that's all bullshit!", Jake's voice came from the other kitchen entry.

I did not even try to lift my head, but let him see how devastated I was.

"How do I know that?", I whispered brokenly to him.

"If you really have to ask me that you're not even half the man I thought you'd be." At this statement I lifted my head and stared in his angry eyes.

"Olivia is the best thing that ever happened to you. I see how she looks at you full of love and adoration. She can barely keep her hands to herself and I can almost taste the puul between you two, when you stare at each other or just touch. She just risked her life today saving Mason and you stay here and wonder if she is your mate!", his voice boomed.

I took in his position, his fists clenched and his eyes were almost black. I knew that his wolf tried to take over, but Jake fought it. It was almost as if his wolf was defending it's Luna.

"You're right!", I whispered brokenly.

I felt ashamed that I even had doubts concerning Olivia being my mate and Jake saw it.

He calmed down and took a couple of steps towards me. Jake then placed his arm on my shoulder and said more gently: "Doubts are okay especially in your situation with being a warrior and her a healer. But after I've seen you two together there is no doubt in my mind that you guys are mates and I thought you never even believed in an alternative!"

"I didn't!", I admitted.

"It all just sounded so logical just now...", I trailed off.

Jake nodded again and said: "But since when is there logic when love is concerned?"

I laughed at his statement because it so was not Jake. On the spur of the moment I hugged Jake. He was surprised at first, but then hugged me back.

"Thank you! Not just for now, but for anything!", I told him honestly.

"Anytime! You would kick my ass the same way!", Jake chuckled.

Soon our little moment was over and I rushed out of the kitchen. I heard Jake yell behind me: "Where you going?"

"Talking to my mate!"

With my super hearing I could hear him mutter: "That's what I'm talking about!"