"We're going to try this one more time." Jordans words escape through clenched teeth as we each sit on a sofa. Two of said sofa's are angled toward him, and we're face to face.
My best friend runs a hand through his unruly head of hair, taking a deep breath as he leans forward.
"Both of you called this meeting-"
"Actually, he did. So, this was technically an ambush."
"Aht!" He raises a hand in warning toward me. "I said this was the last time we try this. So do not interrupt me again. Got it?"
My answering nod is reluctant as I shift my gaze to the window, arms crossed.
"Very mature..." I hear the idiot on the sofa over mutter and it takes all my strength not to leap over to him.
"The point of this meeting," Jordan raises his voice over our petulance, "Is to ensure your mateship doesn't go to...well, shit."
"It already has." I say it quietly, but magic ears clearly overhears.
"And I wonder whose fault that is?" His remark escapes through gritted teeth.
"Pointing the finger is helping no one. I want you both to sort your issues out, not bicker like 5 year olds."
"She punched me in my face!" The exasperation in the werewolfs voice is palpable.
"Yes, I did." I fix him with an icy glare. If only I could have had the satisfaction of leaving a mark on his face. Unfortunately, supernatural creatures don't bruise like us mere mortals. "And I'd do it again if your brother would let me at you."
"Elle!"
"He told my dad he's my fucking boyfriend! What did you expect me to do?"
Mika scoffs, "Yeah, your reaction was entirely balanced."
"And you're a presumptious prick!"
"You're not wrong about that. Before this morning I had presumed you possessed a modicum of common sense."
"I'll kick some into you if you don't stop speaking like you swallowed Sherlock Holmes."
"I'm sensing a pattern here, Gabi. Should I be concerned?"
"Alright!" I turn my attention to an annoyed Jordan, ignoring the smug guy next to me. "Just start your bloody 'session' already."
Jordan sits back, glancing between the two. The look on his face is now pensive.
"You know what? I've got an assignment for the both of you."
I raise an eyebrow. "What?"
"Yeah, you heard me. At the end of the day the mate bond is not by force."
Mika growls, but Jordan just rolls his eyes and continues.
"So, if you spend a week together and still can't stand the sight of each other, I think it's fair to go your separate ways."
My eyes dart to Mika as Jordan wraps up his little speech. His gaze is practically pinning his brother to his seat with disdain. A week? With this controlling, unpredictable and down-right scary individual? I'm split. Half of me is telling me to high tail it out of there stat. But the other half...the other half feels I owe it to myself to give this bond a chance. After all, how often do you come across your pre-determined soul mate?
Suddenly, the shutters go down on Mika's look of fury. An eery calm descends through the room, and he nods at his brother.
"Fine. A week. That should be more than enough for me to make this work."
Jordans gaze switches to me, the question hanging over us.
"Elle?"
I stare back at my best friend, and I can't help but notice that his gaze is pleading. At least someone in his family is rooting for this to work.
"Okay." They both exhale as the word leaves my mouth. "I'll do it."
I stand up, brushing my hands on my jeans. "But," my finger points between the two brothers in warning, "if I catch even a whiff of disrespect, or his inability to respect my most basic boundaries, I'm out."
Mika gets to his feet. Black ink peeks out from under his sleeve, licking the top of the hand he extends toward me.
Those glacier eyes lock with mine, "You have my word, Gabrielle."
"Is that supposed to comfort me?"
A grin spreads across his face, "You'll come to realise the importance of my word soon, I'm sure. It's unbreakable."
Somehow, this sounds like a warning more than anything. Still, I grasp his cool hand in mine, my grip gentle as his tightens.
Let the games begin.
***
THIS CHAPTER IS SHORT (I KNOW) BUT THE NEXT FEW WILL BE SO MUCH LONGER AND WITH MORE TWISTS AND TURNS. AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR READING AND IF YOU'RE ENJOYING THE STORY SO FAR, PLEASE GIVE THAT LITTLE STAR A TAP. THANKSSSS XXX
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Tick Tock
Lupi mannari"Mine." He growls in my ear, his breath fanning against the side of my face making me shiver, before he starts to chuckle lowly in my ear, the vibrations going straight to that spot between my legs. "Kidding." He says through his laughter and I can...
