My Salvation | ✔️

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

"Reese, I already forgave you. You don't need to do things like this."

My mate blushes slightly, seeming shy. "It's not to earn your forgiveness but you deserve this and much more. Please, this is the least I could do. We have the time to ourselves now. May as well take advantage of it."

He had put together a picnic to surprise me and even made everything by scratch. The sight of the food made my mouth water.

As a foodie, I loved all kinds of food. But loved homemade food the most. At least you know what's put in it.

Most of the time.

Laughing, I nod. "Alright, fine. Let's eat."

Reese, who had been standing next to me sighs in relief. He takes a seat next to me, his warmth overlapping mine.

His presence was so noticeable it was hard to enjoy the food.

He was so close to me.

Swallowing a bite of the sandwich, I notice his gaze on me. "What? Is there something on my face?"

"You're beautiful." He said, reaching over to wipe off a piece of crumb in the corner of my lips.

Jaw on the floor. I stopped eating, flabbergasted. "Thank you? You are as well?"

I have never been the type to take compliments. It was awkward and I never knew what to say back.

He chuckled, putting a strand of hair behind my ear.

"I wouldn't say I was beautiful, but thank you regardless." He mumbled, staring at my lips.

Growing flustered with the tension starting to build up, I quickly looked away and changed the subject.

"So, who taught you how to cook?"

We talked about many things to get to know each other better. Most of the time, we laughed and I genuinely enjoyed his company.

I loved this part of him. And wished it stayed forever.

But sadly... it didn't.

These past few days seemed like he was trying to make up for lost time. Almost as if he was doing everything he wanted to for me in the beginning. From surprising me with flowers, to a walk in the park.

He showered me with all his affection and I couldn't have been more grateful.

If only it lasted longer, but Odette was always in the way of everything.

***

A week later ~

—

"Put your back into it! You'll never be able to defeat her if you can't do this!" Reese yelled, blocking my hits.

"I... I can't do it! You're too experienced and I'm still too inexperienced!" I panted out, trying to punch him.

He dodges, and kicks my legs, knocking me off balance.

I jump back up, knocking him down as I stared down at him.

I won!

It has been several weeks since we became open with each other, but even though his cold facade is what everyone sees, I'm the only one who sees the real him.

Reese still insults and acts like he hates me when we're around others, but when we're alone, he acts like a mate.

Now, he was prepping me for the upcoming events.

For Odette's evil plans.

I fell to the ground with a thud, exhausted from the training.

Reese settles down next to me, panting heavily, "You've improved immensely, however... if you say you can't do it, you won't. Believe in yourself, Iris. I believe in you, I know you can do it."

I smiled softly at his encouragement.

It always seemed like I can smile around him now.

Recollecting my breathing, I ask, "This question has been bothering me for a few days now, and I had forgotten to ask... but... is Odette really that ill? She's been skipping training these past few days."

Reese shrugs his shoulders with a cocky smirk on his face, "I may or may not have slipped a pill in her food every night that knocked someone out for several hours straight. She thinks she's tired and not getting enough sleep, but I'm the culprit! That way, we have all the time in the world for ourselves."

I gasped, punching his shoulder softly, "You did not!"

He grinned, "Yes, yes I did."

I started giggling when he suddenly pushed me down and tickled me.

"Hmm, I wonder where your tickling spots are!" He exclaimed, trailing a finger down my sides.

I squealed, pleading him to stop, my laughter reaching my eyes.

Reese chuckled, and luckily, we did our trainings after everyone was in bed. Where the warriors finished training, and would have the forest to ourselves.

Suddenly, Reese picked me up and threw me over his shoulder.

I let out a bark of laughter, asking softly, "Where are you taking me?"

My hair was swinging side to side, as he walked to god knows what.

He chuckled, "Well, we sorta smell so..."

I smacked his ass for that, causing him to growl and smack my ass in return. I squealed for that, knowing he was extremely dominant.

I shouldn't test an alpha male, whoops.

Finally, we came to a stop.

Reese set me down, and when he was about to, he suddenly tossed me into something really cold.

The lake!

I screamed in surprise, pushing myself upright. He was laughing so hard, clutching his stomach from the force of his laughter.

"Scrub well love, I'll turn away so you don't need to feel embarrassed!"

Even though I loved it when he called me his sweet nicknames, I wanted revenge.

Smirking naughtily, I crawled to the shore, showing off my cleavage.

This will be fun.