StarShine (Temporarily On Hold)

6

Bennett couldn't help but notice everything Elara did. Even the smallest thing, like drinking water instead of the wine Grace brought out, he noticed it. It was like he was trained to pi k up her movement and commit it all to memory. His brain starting a list of things to remember to keep her happy.

He watched as she discreetly picked out all of the tomatoes from her dinner, but whenever Grace would look Elara's way, she would take a big bite. Tomatoes and all. 

He couldn't help but swell with pride at how compassionate his mate was. Even though she obviously disliked something, she still would eat it just to not hurt someone's feelings. 

When Everett brought up Elara's parents and how happy they would have been to meet their mates, Bennett watched the smile dip on her face. It was a reminder of what brought Bennett to this pack in the first place and he hated that a small part of him was grateful. 

Not that he was grateful her parents were dead, never that. But that he had a reason to be brought here. It's a terrible loop to be caught in. 

"What about you Bennett?" his eyes snapped away from his slightly blushing mate to Grace, who was looking at him expectantly. 

His mind tried to recall a question that was asked or even a sliver of the conversation that had been going on around them. But all he could come up with is that coy little smile his mate had worn a few moments ago. 

"I'll admit, I didn't hear a question," his eyes moved to Elara, "I was too caught up with the beauty in front of me."

His honesty was rewarded with a deep blush that coated Elara's cheeks. Elara tried to fight back the smile, but she failed. She was glad that her mate liked what he saw and was even more happy that he was sweet.

It wasn't until Bennett had reached in front of her to take her plate, that Elara snapped out of her own thoughts.

"I can get that. You're a guest," She quickly reached for the dishes that he had stacked in his hands, but Bennett pulled them out of reach quickly. 

"And as a guest, I should help clean," He smirked at his mate, ignoring the giggling of Grace and the huff from Everett, "Afterall, dinner was delicious and I was taught to thank the chef any way possible." 

Elara stood with her mouth hung open as Bennett stepped around her and into the kitchen. She didn't particularly like the idea of Bennett cleaning her house, but that might be because they had only just met a few hours. 

But he's your mate she keeps reminding herself. She needs to get used to the idea but it just still seems so foreign. This morning, Elara had been a single little wolf and now she is permanently off the market. 

She had been found. A crazy smile spread across her cheeks at the very thought. 

"Elara, we're going to head upstairs and give you some alone time with your mate," Grace says gently, grabbing Everett's hand in her own before practically dragging him to the stairs. 

"The walls are thin Elara, just yell if you need me," Everett adds, shooting a quick glance at Bennett in the kitchen. 

Elara smiled when Grace slapped Everett on the shoulder causing him to grumble under his breath. He was nervous of course, it's his baby sister. But he knew the magic of finding and having your mate and he was glad that his sister now had that. 

Elara smiles and shakes her head at her brother, before walking into the kitchen. She places a gentle hand on Bennett's back loving the way his strong muscle feels under her fingertips. 

Bennett's shoulders began to relax under his mates' touch as she moved him out of the way and began to fill the sink with warm water and soap. 

She tried not to blush under Bennett's stare but he was looking at her like she hung the moon. Her heart stuttered when he grabbed a clean dishtowel from next to the sink and waited patiently for the first dish to dry.