The Bell

Astrid

I was holding on to Jarvis ' words.That's why I didn't bother when he spent the night with his mate.

I got ready for my morning routine which included checking up on Amira and then visiting the Echora.

Putting my hair into a bun, I hurried down the stairs.

I had asked Fern, my friend, to be with Amira until I came to a conclusion with Jarvis. Hopefully, he changed his mind.

I knocked on the wooden door and stepped back, waiting for it to open.

It took almost three minutes for the door to open up.

Fern burst through the door, still rubbing her eyes. When her eyes met me, a frown settled on her face. She didn't say a word and walked back inside.

Yeah, I was ready for the lecture.

"Good morning, Miss," I greeted her and followed her into the house.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but I came to say hello to Amira." I announced before making myself comfortable on one of the oxblood sofas in her living room.

She had two of them sitting across from each other. A wooden table between them.

She walked to the fridge that stood next to her bedroom door.

She opened it and brought out a bottle of water. She twisted the cap open. I watched as she drank a good amount of the water, her throat bobbing up and down. When she was done, she corked it and kept the rest on top of the fridge.

Her eyes swept over me before she balanced her weight against the fridge. Her arms crossed over her chest.

I let out an inaudible groan and threw my head against the sofa.

"Get on with it," I urged her.

"Jarvis came home with a mate, and you looked not to be bothered about it."

"Fated mates," I corrected.

There was nothing I could do about that. The bond between fated mates wasn't something one could undo easily, although there was a possibility. That possibility only arose if the parties involved decided to reject each other, which most times came with some consequences, especially if one of them didn't want the rejection or was still in love with their mate.

She nodded, her lips pinned together. If there was one thing about Fern, she was so keen on loyalty.

"Are you going to leave it at that? Your Luna position is being threatened..." She pushed herself off the fridge.

"Gosh, Astrid, your pack, Emberclaw pack, is being threatened!" She sat across from me, knees crossed over one another.

Her face darkened like she was the one being affected.

"There is nothing to worry about, Fern," I leaned over, my hands on my knees.

"I had a talk with him. He said he loved me just the same, and everything will be fine."

She blinked, her mouth falling open like I had said the dumbest thing ever.

"Love you until he doesn't care about you anymore? Everything will be fine until it is not? Everything will be fine until he completely changes under your roof? Or fine until Eridesce, or whatever her name is, completely corrupts him?"

She barked out, and a tight knot formed at the pit of my stomach.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, not because of how harsh her words were but because of the tiny truth that was in them.

He didn't sleep in the same bed with me last night after coming back from a two-year work trip.

I stood up, not knowing what to say, but settled on what came to mind.

"I will go check on the Echora." I left the sofa. While at the door, I turned to her.

"Tell Amira I stopped by. I will take her in once I talk with Jarvis."

"He doesn't even want a kid around him. What kind of a man does that?"

She grumbled under her breath. I shook my head and closed the door behind me.

Her words still danced in my head even as I made my way to the Echora.

The Echora was like an inn built in the pack that held the most important items like artifacts, things left behind by our ancestors.

I had a few green potted plants that I checked on every morning.

Once at the door, I opened it and went to the side.

I moved to the tables that had the potted plants.

I picked up a watering can and poured water on the plants and trimmed some leaves.

I walked around the Echora for a few minutes before going outside.

When I closed the door and spun to leave. I stopped, my hands balled into fist at the sight of Eridesce.

What was she looking for?

I tucked the keys in my back pocket. Crossing my arms, I stared down at her.

She was still in a white night robe, a cup of whatever she was drinking in her hands.

She sized me up with a tight-lipped smile. She took a sip and returned her gaze to my face.

"I must commend you on a job well done in this pack," she looked around, checking the place out.

"The new buildings, drinkable water at every unit. That's a lot of work for a woman."

She must have a lot of ideas.

"Jarvis told me."

Of course, he did. I almost smiled at the fact that he finally acknowledged the work I did while he was gone.

'Good morning, Luna. Isn't there breakfast for me?'

I blinked when Jarvis's mind-link came through.

"Jarvis is calling," I waved her off. I rushed to the house in a single breath.

I met Jarvis at the dinner table. His gaze was on his phone.

"Good morning, Love," I placed a kiss at the crook of his neck. He tilted his head to the side, and our lips met.

Sweet tingles worked down my body as he deepened the kiss. He stood up, with our lips still connected.

Once he was fully erect, he tugged me against him.

My cheeks heated up as his lips found my tongue. He sucked and nipped at it.

I clamped my thighs together as heat rushed down to my core. I couldn't help but grind them together as I groaned into his mouth.

Like he sensed my frustrations,he broke the connection. I stared up at him with knitted brows.

"Still beautiful, huh? Lovely and everything in between."

His long, calloused fingers found my waist. I felt his length pressing into my lower abdomen. My chest bubbled up.

"Why don't you fix me that favorite meal, just like you used to, and then we can see how to fix this."

He took my hand from his shoulder and flattened it on his hard length. I was tempted to grab it, but I pulled my hand away.

"Thank you for the work you put into the pack and for taking care of everyone while I was away," he spoke when I was at the kitchen door. The corners of my eyes burned.

I nodded and made my way to the kitchen.

Broccoli and pork sauce.

I took out the stuff from the deep freezer. I placed them on a tray and took them to the white kitchen island.

I washed the tomatoes, onions, and everything needed.

While the seasoned beef was cooking, I went ahead to chop the vegetables.

"You must be having the time of your life." I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

"From kissing to making breakfast," she snorted.

I lifted my head this time to look at her because she was on the other side of the island and so close to my face that I contemplated swinging the knife in my hands into the space between her brows.

"Well, have your time because sometimes, good things don't last long."

She leaned in and picked up a green apple from the basket of fruit on the table.

My hands clenched around the knife. I lifted it up towards her back as she strode away with leisurely steps.

I didn't get the chance to aim as the Clarion rang across the pack.

The emergency bell.