Chapter 4 – Her mate

Sab tightened her hold on him as she started feeling more and more. The mate bond is a curious existence. Still, she didn’t think she would actually be able to somewhat keep it under control. However, as they continued to walk, she started feeling it more intensely. Ice didn’t comment on it. Her tight grip barely hurt him.

They soon heard a small group of people talking in the distance. Sab frowned but there was nothing. No urge to run in that direction. Ice brought her to his family’s house. She’s a frequent visitor there, given their close friendship. His parents have known her since they were children and they find her honest character likeable.

His parents knew it’s Sab’s birthday. His mother prepared a gift for her. Going inside the house, Sab almost forgot how to breathe. It was only for a moment and her eyes constricted. Her inner wolf was going wild with glee. Her mate is close. But who could it be? She tried to remain calm and collected.

“Sab, you’re here. Happy birthday!” Ice’s mother, their Luna, came to give her a hug. She’s such a sweet lady, always smiling and making you feel warm. Of course, she has also seen her raging with anger. You wouldn’t want to mess with her. She’s a powerful wolf, fitting to be their Alpha’s mate.

“I prepared a gift for you. Let me get it quickly. I hope you would like it.” She sounded really excited and disappeared upstairs. The Alpha is nowhere to be seen yet. And then, the footsteps. As soon as she heard it, an intoxicating scent came with it.

“Sab, I thought it would be you. Sorry, I wasn’t able to go to your place earlier. Here, this is my gift. Happy birthday!” Clyde walked towards her as he talked with a smile on his face. Standing a couple of feet away, he offered her a small box, wrapped with a plain white handkerchief and sporting a red ribbon. It was a trend recently, on how to wrap gifts.

Still, her heart raced and her face showed her confusion. But… what? Her mind is in turmoil.

What is this feeling? What is this scent? Trying to be inconspicuous, she sniffed the air and was baffled by her findings. Is it him? How could it be him? If it’s him, how could he be calm like this? How could he not react when she’s this close? What…? What’s going on?

“Sab?” Clyde and Ice called her at the same time. Both saw that her expression wasn’t right. It looked as if she’s enduring something.

“Are you alright?” Clyde asked and lightly tapped her arm.

Sab definitely felt a zap from where he touched her but he still seemed unaffected. Ice grimaced when he noticed her staring at Clyde. This girl…

Sab tried to calm herself and took deep breaths as she looked down.

“I’m fine. Sorry.” She mumbled as she controlled her sudden desire to hug the man in front of her. It wasn’t helping that she used to fantasize about it before and her imaginations were plenty enough that she could recall them in this moment.

“Come and sit down first. Have some water.” Clyde is really attentive whenever she needs something. He knows how to care for others. It’s been a while since she realized he’s not only that way to her, but to most people. She’s not being treated differently, after all.

Ice assisted her as Clyde grabbed a cup and filled it with water.

She almost flinched when their fingers touched as she accepted the cup. Right about now, she’s sure of one thing. It would seem that he is her mate. But this… this isn’t how it’s supposed to proceed. She immediately knew that something’s wrong.

Their mother came down and saw her boys crowding around her.

“What happened?”

“Sab seems to be feeling unwell.” Ice replied, briefly glancing at his mother, before returning his worried gaze on his friend.

“I’m fine. Just… I think I should go home and rest.” She needed to get out of here quickly. She can’t be this close to him and do nothing, which most likely would be something utterly embarrassing. She wants to kiss him and press her body to his, hold him close and mate with him. She may be innocent and untouched, but she knows enough about mating and such. In theory, at least.

“Is that so? Well, here’s my gift for you. I was hoping to see you try it, but it’s fine. Come back when you’re feeling better and let me see you in it, okay?” She still sounded a little excited which made Sab smile.

“Thank you, auntie.” This has been how she addresses the Luna from the very beginning.

“I’ll look at it later.”

“I’ll take her back.” Ice quickly offered a hand to help her up.

“Are you sure you’re okay now?” Clyde asked again, but Sab could tell there’s nothing unusual about it. He’s still acting the same as he always do, which is what’s baffling to her.

“Yeah, I’m good. Thank you.” She managed to say and smile a little. She quickly took Ice’s hand and pulled herself up. If Clyde is her mate, he wouldn’t let her touch another guy, even if it’s his own brother.

With no reaction from him, she’s really as confused as she could get. He even went out to see his other friends.

They had enough lessons about mates and the bond and the mating process. She even witnessed some of them finding each other and being unable to resist the pull. She shouldn’t be mistaken about it.

Ice let her be, but he already thought of the possibilities. He wouldn't directly exact an answer from her, though.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, then?” He asked as they arrived at her place. He handed back to her the gifts his mother and brother gave.

“Yes, thank you, Ice.”

He extended an arm and lightly caressed the top of her head.

“Is this about your mate?” Who would have guessed that he would be unable to resist asking?

Given the awkward expression she showed him, that was answer enough.

“If you need someone to talk to, you can just find me. I’ll listen.”

Sab smiled, “I know you would. Thank you.”

She lifted a hand and waved at him. He waved back before slowly moving away and disappearing from her view.

Sab took another round of deep breaths before pasting a smile on her face. She can’t let her mother worry.

She opened the door and found her in the living room, reading a book.

“Hi, mom. You’re not sleeping yet?”

The older woman turned to her with a raised eyebrow. “How can I go to sleep when you’re still outside? What did you bring?”

She eyed the boxes her daughter is holding.

“Clyde and auntie gave me gifts.” Sab tried to sound excited.

“Auntie said she wants to see me try her gift on. I wonder what it is?” So, she went over and opened the box, dismissing thoughts of her mate aside.

She lightly gasped as she pulled a beautiful dress from it. It looks a bit formal, but it would do as a casual dress as well. It’s black and the material is stretchable. Sab could tell it’s meant to be a tight fit without feeling any discomfort. She’s usually with Ice and has not been really close to other girls. They kind of… distanced themselves from her because of envy. Initially, they tried getting close to her to get closer to Ice but since she’s uncooperative, they no longer continued. Ice liked that about her, which strengthened their friendship. She treated him as an older brother and he treated her like a younger sister. She’s actually protective of him, in her own way.

“Go on and try it. I rarely see you in a dress like this.” Her mother also became excited. Her daughter prefers wearing practical clothes, and skirts and dresses aren’t in her wardrobe.

Sab felt a little shy. She really doesn’t wear anything like this, but given how she’s now considered a young lady, she couldn’t deny that she also wants to try. Would it look good on her? Or would it look awkward? Only one way to find out.