Royally Rogue

Shopping

Arabella

"I'm sorry?" I chocked, spitting a noodle out and back onto the styrofoam box.

"Nothing," Xander said darkly, looking over in the direction of the table I ran into. His eyes were dark, jaw clenched... predatory. And not in the wow-so-hot way.

"No- you definitely said something." I pushed, my stomach turning at him repeating the words. I didn't want to think I just imagined it.

"It doesn't matter, let's just eat." He hissed, gripping his plastic fork, but not digging in.

"You're not eating."

"Neither are you."

"That's because I asked you a question and you're not answering it." I persisted, getting aggravated.

"I'm not answering it because I'm trying to eat." He shot back, the force of his grip on the fork making it crack. The splitting sound of the plastic was like the cricket that awkwardly chirped.

I could practically feel the growl trying to scrape its way to the surface as I said. "No, you're not."

My mate stared back at me with intensity, which I matched.

"Um... I'm going to the restroom." The awkward sound of a voice cracking came from the bag boy, who was quickly scurrying to stand. When we didn't respond, he retreated to the men's room. I ignored him by eye but followed him by ear to know when he was out of hearing distance.

"Xander," I said solidly, a wave of power coming over me and confidence to ask one last time. "Marking me isn't going to fix people talking to me."

"But you're my mate. We should've done it the moment we met each other- that's how it should've been."

I gulped, feeling my mouth run dry. I couldn't counter his argument- I didn't want to get marked by him. Not yet. Marking was permanent, which meant rejecting your mate would kill the both of you. Not immediate, but a slow and painful heartbreak at your bodies rejection to your rejection. The wolf would die first, making you weak and vulnerable to werewolf ways of life and diseases. Just a whole bunch of downhill.

"We didn't and still don't know each other very well. Our positions in life mean we can't make rash decisions like sudden markings and matings. You were planning on infiltrating my home not to long ago, remember?" I didn't look at him while I delivered this blow, I couldn't find myself to. But he should be able to realize this. I was able to push away my wolf's instinct to jump his bones- so why was he so distracted about it? He should have the sense to see priorities.

"But you are my mate. You are the only one fit for me in this whole world. Right now- out of all the shit decisions that are coming up- this is the easiest to make for me." His voice was now soft, and as I continued to stare at my hands, his came to cover mine. My body grew warm and tingles bounced in my stomach. My eyes fluttered up to meet his, which were a soft golden. The look he was giving me was suffocating, drowning me in lust and pulling me to just say fu k it.

I needed air.

My body inhaled sharply when our exchange was cut short. A family of four noisily clanked next to us and sat down with their food at an adjourning table. The parents didn't seem to notice our "lovers quarrel".

Xander's eyes were persistent, but I cleared my throat and pulled away. The new addition of neighbors made it to where I had to choose my words carefully. "Our positions require us to prioritize the happiness of our... family, over our own. We should eat before we starve."