16.

Sunday was absolutely boring. Although I completed my routine, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I'm empty, that I am missing something. So, I spent most of the day with Ammi. At the same time, I went through the report I had prepared on my research that I will present tomorrow. Hopefully, it will help us with something - perhaps a lead on what is actually going on. Why some of the female wolves are disappearing.

I returned to my apartment around 5pm and took a nap. The beeping of my phone, which was laying beside me, woke me up. Groggy and angry at being unexpectedly awoken, I simply turned away and drew the blanket over me even more.

Because it was raining. And I never liked the rain.

Another beeping sound came, eliciting another groan from me. Unconsciously, I stretched my hand towards the phone, picked it up and saw that it was already 9pm, and that I have ten new text messages.

All from the same person. Maverick.

A small gasp escaped my lips, as I cussed quietly when I noticed that I had accidentally tapped on the message thread and opened them.

I had been avoiding his text messages since yesterday and he just kept sending them. Who in the world keeps sending messages despite being ignored? Only he would, that's who.

My eyes randomly dropped on one of the texts. The seventh text.

M- 'Kitten, are you okay?'

Ugh! Why does he keep calling me 'Kitten'? I thought that was a name he made up for the bedroom?

'Maybe that's his pet name for you? Can't deny that it sounds so sexy. Sexy enough to make my tail wiggle.' Robyn purred, her eyes half open and half close.

Duh.

I continued down to the eighth text.

M- 'Now, this seems too petty for someone like you. But why are you ignoring my texts now? Can you please reply so that I know if you're okay?'

Again, duh! Why does he care? He never cared when I wasn't replying to his semi-annual texts. Why should he start to care now?

M- 'Okay. Kitten. I get it. Was yesterday not good enough for you? Is that why you are ignoring me now? Forget about my first text, yesterday. I wasn't in the right state of mind. Okay? Please, just reply to this so that I know you're good.'

Unable to continue stomaching his confusing words, which are in direct opposition to his actions yesterday, I decided to close the messages app, set the phone aside, and sit up. I shoved away the white soft blanket I slept with, and stared down at the black ruffled sheet on my bed. Just like my living room, I kept my bedroom simple. Black sheets, white blanket, a combination of black and white curtains, a bedside table with its lantern and a little shelf on the far side with a collection of the few books I've read.

'Well, girl, those were some hella good messages. And a direct opposite of who we met yesterday. Is he the same person? It's almost an apology, is he trying to be better or is this another game?' Robyn asked.

I shrugged, refusing to say anything. Because to be honest, I'm not in the right state of mind to clearly think. Because one, I'm still groggy from my nap. Two, I don't really know what to think of any of this. Three, I am hungry and there is a heavy rain falling outside.

Bored out of my mind, and looking for something to distract myself, I decided to bake a marble cake and pair it with a cup of hot chocolate. At least that would give me something to do while also feeding my hungry stomach.

I took a quick bath and pulled on a soft cotton sleeping dress that stopped at my knees, then I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and made my way into the kitchen.

The loud thud of the rain hitting the roof did nothing to calm me nor did my plan to bake. I dislike rainfall, especially when it is accompanied by the rumbling sound of thunder. When Tanaya was still with us, I always snuggled up next to her, as though she would protect me from the rain or the rumbling sound of the thunder. It was one of the things I shared with Tanaya, without Ammi ever knowing. Because then that would make Ammi extremely careful towards me, even more than she already is. And I definitely didn't want that.

Now each time it rains, I curl up in my empty bed, cover myself with my Egyptian sheets and close my eyes, and clutch the little teddy bear that once belonged to Tanaya. Having something that belonged to her once, even if the scent has vanished after the years, makes me feel safe. I stay this way, with my body shaking underneath the sheets and Robyn speaking to me, until the rain stops.

Today, however, I want to be a little bit daring. I am going to bake instead of curling up on my bed all scared. I am going to be brave. Bravery is being scared but doing it anyway, so that is what I will do.

'It is okay to be scared, though. Just like I'm scared of spiders. Ugh! They make me shiver.' Robyn shuddered.

I laughed softly, shaking my head as I arrived at the kitchen. I brought out all the ingredients that I needed and stared at them; my heart started racing.

Oh Damn, I don't think I'll be able to focus well enough to actually bake. Because, to be completely honest, the rain scares the living shit out of me.

'Let's just go back to bed. Don't force yourself to bake when we both know the rain isn't our friend, right? Or maybe we should go to Ammi?'

'You know very well that I don't want Ammi to know about this. It'll only make things worse for us.' I muttered, placing my face into my hands. 'I hate this, Robyn.'

'I hate this, too, Sher. But you have me and I have you. We have each other. How about we try listening to a podcast ? And, maybe, dancing to your non beating songs?'

I beamed at the idea, quickly easing a bit of the tension that was building around my throat. So, instead of baking, despite being hungry, I walked into the living room and turned on the T.V. Then I connected my bluetooth and chose the playlist I had named 'Calm moment'.

However, as soon as the podcast started playing, just as I was about to curl up on my couch, a loud banging on the door caught my attention. At first, I thought I must have been mistaken, but when the knock came again, I knew that I wasn't.

Oh, Ammi. She's coming to me in the rain!

I pulled the blanket around me and walked to the door, eager to let Ammi in so that I could at least feel safe enough to bake and have something to eat. Who knows? She may even be here with some food.

"Ammi, were you missing me already? I thought..." the words died in my throat as I saw the person standing outside the door. Drenched in the rain and looking utterly pissed off. Oh, handsomely pissed - if I dared my bond-driven mind to take over.

Maverick.

His eyes roamed over my body and for the tiniest moment I allowed the feeling of ruffled butterflies to fill my stomach. It was terrible, especially when one is hungry.

'Oh shit! Sorry to say, Sher, but he looks dangerously delicious and angry!' Robyn whispered.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, managing to school my features and pretend that I was unaffected by seeing him here. Especially seeing him completely soaked in water.

It seemed my voice dragged him out of whatever daze he was in, because the anger on his face suddenly vanished, replaced by something indescribable.

A grin was suddenly plastered on his face as he backed me from the door and let himself in. The door clicked behind us, while Maverick kept walking toward me until my back hit the wall behind me. He placed both hands on either side of my face, against the wall, trapping me in between his huge body, with his scent taking over my senses. And I mean every part of my senses, including Robyn's.

It was then that I realized I could take in his scent today. He smells like the hot chocolate I usually drink every morning. It also smells like the chocolate chip cake I always love baking. Two dangerous combinations for a heart like mine.

Utterly dangerous.

And it also seems the mate bond isn't here to joke today. I could feel its firm grip around my chest, the continuous tug of the pull, breaking through every wall of self-perseverance I made to protect myself from him. This bond...this iron grip it has on me is crumbling it all.

Slowly, he brought his index finger to my cheek and ran his finger lightly there, causing a shiver to run through me.

"Aren't I allowed to visit my mate?" He drawled in a lazy deep voice, before he tipped my chin up and stared down at me heatedly.

Okay. No, shit. No, double shit. What in the world is going on?