Chapter 7: Tension

CHAPTER SEVEN—TENSION

WAYLEN

I paused in my tracks as I heard my wolf cry out “Mate”. I didn’t think I had one, and I certainly did not expect it to be Gabriella. Fate is playing a funny game here because why now? I have been taking medication to suppress my wolf; Her soup did it in a more soothing way but somehow, my wolf managed to rear its ugly head.

How did it get the strength to recognize I have a mate? I have been suppressing it even before Gabriella came so I wondered why it was just recognizing my mate.

I could sense something in Gabriella and I slowly leaned forward and sniffed her neck. She froze, startled at the act as she recoiled backwards.

“I can sense your wolf,” I said and leaned back to my position, cocking my head from side to side as I examined her. “I couldn’t sense it before now. Did you just get your wolf?”

“Yes,” she nodded softly, her eyes laced with confusion. I could tell she was still trying to process everything that was going on and so was I.

My wolf was weak and suppressed, that’s why it didn’t have the strength to sense my mate because she didn’t have her wolf. Now that Gabriella has gotten her wolf, it managed to pick up her scent and form a mate bond. It all makes sense now.

“I can’t wrap my head around the fact that you’re my mate,” she said in disbelief, biting her lips as a sigh escaped out of her mouth. She looked nervous, and I could see little beads of sweat gathering on her forehead.

“You should rest,” I sighed, deciding not to acknowledge the mate bond.

“You’re going to reject me right? I’m only a low-ranking omega, so I know I don’t stand a chance. But please, let me feel better before you reject me. I don’t think I can stand any more pain right now,”

I cocked my head to the side. “And who says I’m going to reject you?”

“So you’re going to accept me?”

“I don’t know,” I looked away to hide the guilt in my eyes. I can’t acknowledge a mate bond right now. I can’t let her into my world and see my dark side. Still, I didn’t want to let her go.

There’s just something about her that draws me close to her. Maybe it’s how her ocean blue eyes dilate when she’s surprised, or how she bites her lower lip when she’s thinking of something.

Perhaps it could even be how her long blonde flowing hair complements her beautiful face.

And her voice! I loved the sound of it. It was very—feminine. Or maybe it’s just all of her, I don’t know. But one thing I know is that she’s attractive to me, and our mate bond will make it even harder to resist her.

“I should go,” she said and began to crawl out of the bed.

“Thank you for saving me, I’ll never forget your kindness. I don’t want to get used to this; being saved by you and all of that. I don’t want special treatment. Tongues would wag,”

“You think I give a damn about that?”

“It doesn’t matter. Good night,” a pang of hurt flickered in her eyes, and I felt guilty. I knew she’s hurt because I didn’t accept her as my mate. She probably thinks it’s because she’s an omega but it’s only my dark side I’m trying to protect her from. I don’t want her to see the real me.

She was about to leave but I held her arm, gently drawing her back.

“You should have your bath and change into clean clothes. The water here is perfectly treated, and you get to soak in the bathtub,”

I could see her contemplate what I just said. I knew there was no bathtub in the servants' quarters, just an open bathroom with taps and a bucket with a few shower heads scattered around.

“Fine,” she sighed in defeat. “But I’ll leave once I’m done,”

“You can change into this,” I went to the wall hanger and picked up my bathrobe. “There are clean towels in the bathroom,”

She hesitated before collecting the robe from me, briefly glancing at it before her eyes rested on mine.

“But this is your robe. You want me to wear it?”

“Of course,” I shrugged. “That’s why I gave it to you. Your clothes are filled with blood and dirt, so you need to change into something fresh,”

“I really don’t have much of a choice. Anyway, thank you,”

I nodded and watched her walk towards the bathroom, her silhouette fading away till she was out of sight. I heaved a sigh and sat on the bed, running my hands through my hair. The past few hours unlocked new emotions in me, and I wasn’t sure what the future held for us.

But I’ll start with what I’m sure of, which is asking Gabriella to be my personal chef. I know she’s not going to say no. The offer is too juicy to resist.

I sat still, waiting for her to finish up and step outside. After what felt like a hundred years, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching me. Gabriella was now dressed in my robe, looking fresh and clean. Her wet hair clung to her neck and flowed all the way to her back.

And the robe—it had a v-neck opening, exposing the swell of her boobs. I swallowed hard as I watched the masterpiece in front of me. She stopped in her tracks, her gaze meeting mine. I didn’t look away, instead I walked towards her and stopped just a few breaths away from her.

I studied her face under the low light in my dimly illuminated room. Her pupils dilated as she watched me without saying a word. She bit her lips nervously and looked away suddenly picking at her fingers.

“Just when I thought I thought you couldn’t be more beautiful, you entered the shower and redefined what beauty is,”

“Waylen—“ her cheeks turned red, her pupils dilating as the flames from the fireplace hissed angrily.

The tension in the room could slice a rock open. We locked gazes, our eyes not leaving each other like we were trying to solve a puzzle in the depths of our souls.

I wanted her lips on mine. Heck! I wanted to taste all of it, while I savored the coconut body wash butter scent that clung around her like a second skin. It didn’t help that she was biting her lips that way.

“Can I kiss you, Gabriella?”