The Mating Bond

Chapter 13

Melissa's P.O.V.

I sat with Bridget in the restaurant while Malcolm and Ace were outside. I hope Malcolm is okay. I hope Ace doesn't hurt him. I don't know them yet but if Malcolm is close to them, then they wouldn't hurt him, right? Anara whines in worry.

Bridget doesn't spare a minute and just bombards me with questions like my favourite hobbies and stuff while also pitching in Malcolm's, Ace's and her hobbies as well. Mentioning stories of their life in their pack and in other packs as well.

"Yeah, I can't really see what's so appealing about putting together a car from scratch. Sounds tiring. I know the whole 'the feeling of pride upon completing it and the sense of completion' shpeal and it still doesn't make sense to me. But hey, to his their own."

the number of emotions crossing her face as she talks is really interesting. She seems to get really into what she's talking about which is admirable.

I nod my head. 

"It does sound a bit odd. But I can sorta understand it. I once put together a dresser and the feeling I got from actually completing it felt pretty nice. I'm assuming putting together something as large as a car and have it actually run sounds really rewarding."

She goes into thought for a moment before tucking out her bottom lip and also nodding.

"I guess it makes a little sense that way. Like the way, you feel after baking a cake or cookies."

"Yeah, that too."

She smiles before looking up from her food at me.

"Do we have ourselves another mechanic on the team?"

She wiggles her eyebrows and gives me almost a look of challenge. My eyes widen. Me, make a car? Oh my gosh, that would go terribly!

"What? Oh no! I could never try something like that! A car is way harder than making a dresser or cookies! I'd mess it up and make it explode or something."

She laughs at my statement. It's not funny! I don't want to explode somebody. I'd never forgive myself!

"I don't think you could mess up that bad to make a car explode."

She looks at me incredulously. She doesn't know how bad I mess up. It's totally in the realm of possibility.

"You don't know that! I can't even make proper eggs and bacon for my father. How could I ever do something as big as building a car?"

"You don't know if you don't try."

I turn to see Malcolm and Ace stroll back into the restaurant. Ace says it casually while looking at me smiling. It's hard to trust him after the way he acted earlier.

They both sit down in their original seats leaving me stuck in between Malcolm and the window again. Oh, I hate this spot! Why can't I be on the other side with an easy escape route?

"Also some people can do extraordinary things yet fail at the simple stuff. Like you should see Bridget try and make pancakes. Oh, you wouldn't be able to go in that kitchen for hours because of the smoke and the smell of those monstrosities!"

Malcolm grabs my hand under the table while giving me his swoon-worthy smile. I hope it doesn't always make me want to turn into a puddle of goo whenever he does it. How would I function?

I giggle at the mention of the failed pancakes. At least I've never failed that bad at making eggs and bacon. Father would have my head.

"Hey! I'm not that bad. It was one time!"

"Try five."

Bridget grumbles under her breath about it not being her fault and something about the stupid century old stoves her parents own. I can't make out the exact words from my giggling. I feel so mean from laughing at her but it's too hard not too.

~°·Ω·°~ 

Hours have passed and the sun is setting once again. We had moved our conversations outside once we finished eating.

"It was really nice coming into this territory, Eli. It's very beautiful. Kinda sad we're leaving tomorrow though. If only Ace's dad didn't phone. Are you sure you want to come with us so fast? I don't want to pull you away from your family like this. It feels wrong."

My eyes widen. Is he regretting wanting to take me?

"Of course I do! I don't mind at all!"

The way I said those words were far too fast. You could almost tell I was hiding something. Oh, I suck at lying! I need to fix it fast.

"I mean sure this territory is beautiful and everything but, it can get... boring. Were such a small pack and there isn't much to do. All we have is an Ice rink. I've done everything dozens of times already!"

That wasn't completely a lie but not completely the truth either. I have heard many people say how boring it is here and how they can't wait to leave. I've never found it boring since I didn't really have time for fun things. My mind was too busy to get bored.

And I haven't done all there is to do here. We have a lake that's great for fishing and swimming but I haven't done either of those things. It sounds fun to try but I'll have time later in life to do them. 

"What about your family? We haven't even met them yet. Don't they want to know your mate before he takes you away to make sure he's not a bad person?'

Ace sounds accusatory. Of course, they want to know about my family. It probably looks weird that I'm so ready to up and leave without even introducing them.

"Uh... well. They're super busy! Fa-Dad works 12 to sometimes even 16-hour shifts and when he comes home he just sleeps. And my sister... She's just so busy with her boyfriend. He is a star athlete in the school and she goes to all his games to be a supportive girlfriend. This has just been a busy time for them. I've told them about you guys and they're so happy."

Yeah, that should work! Maybe I'm not so bad at this!

"Well okay, I guess that makes sense. So, where do you live? It's supposed to rain tomorrow and I don't want to make you walk in the rain here for us to pick you up. The least we could do is to pick you up at your family's house."

Malcolm seems happy with my answer but not Ace. Though he doesn't seem to be happy with anything I say.

Oh, shute! What am I supposed to say to that? I can't just make up an excuse as to why they can't pick me up at my house!

"Oh okay, sure! I live not too far from here!"

Confusion washes over Malcolm's face. 

"I thought you said you had never been to this part of town?"

I force out a laugh and put on one of my sweetest smiles.

"Well I mean, I woke up in a motel I'd never been in. I was very confused about where I was. Once we got directions here, I realized I actually was really close to home. I actually live just right on that corner."

I point to a modest home on the corner of 2 intersecting streets. The last day or so I've been memorizing everything in this area so I had escape routes planned for if I was found. I'll just say that is my house for now and come there a little bit before they do so it just looks like I was waiting outside and at the same time, won't confuse the residents. Perfect!!

"We have to start heading home at around 11:30 am or so tomorrow. So would picking you up at 11 be okay? That would give us time to stop for brunch at a coffee shop."

I ponder for a moment. That should be a good time. I just will make sure I won't oversleep. Or maybe just not sleep at all so that doesn't happen. And if I look tired I'll just say I was just so excited to start a new life which isn't a lie! Soon I won't have to lie nearly as much to my mate anymore and I'll feel so much better. And maybe I'll tell him someday.

Maybe.

"11 sounds good. That gives me enough time to get together my stuff and say my final goodbye to my friends!"