Chapter 5

James

When I entered the living room and wanted to participate in their meeting, my mother looked at me a bit longer. I was usually super hungry in the mornings and jumping on food was even the first thing before I said a proper “good morning” to my family. I bet she suspected that something was fishy with my behavior. But I couldn’t help it, could I? My mate was at MY house. My mate was just in front of my eyes. And she didn't even know that she was my mate, what a mate was, and that I am a werewolf. I thought waiting for my mate was the toughest and longest part, but I still have some more walking to do.

So, it turned out she was our house redecorator. That was good, as she would spend more time in our place, I wouldn’t even have to call her here. Laila. That was her name that echoed in my mind for several minutes. A beautiful name for an even more beautiful woman. It was my new favorite word. I listened to her talking to my mom. Her voice just floated in my ears like Earthly music. My brain didn’t register much of what she said, but my heart loved the way her voice sounded. Wow, the bond was a strong thing. I'd seen the girl for twenty minutes, but I felt in love with her already. The bond seemed more like a spell on me now that I was experiencing it myself.

After she offered to show the pictures to me, I pretended to go through them. But my focus was listening to her voice. I glanced at her more often than I looked at the pictures in my hands. She seemed truly passionate and smart about the work she was doing - an excellent professional. I felt proud my mate was a smart and skillful specialist.

I heard a slight accent in her English so I would guess that she wasn’t an American. Was she an immigrant here? Where did she stay? Was she from Colorado or from a completely different state? I had to find out.

- Sorry, do you live in Denver or in Colorado?

I cut their conversation. She turned her head and looked at me.

- No, I’m not from here.

She shook her head with a small smile.

- I thought so. I would have noticed such a beautiful face in the city.

I said with a bright smile. Wrinkles appeared between her eyebrows. Was she upset with me for a mere… compliment? Ok, maybe it was cheesy.

- I doubt that. This is a city of what – 700 000 people? We easily never met. Besides, I came here a few days ago only. I am just here for my work so after this project I’m returning home.

I took in a sharp breath. She didn’t live here. She was just a bypasser. This was not good. I had to swoon her quickly and make her stay with me for good.

- Where do you live then?

I kept on inquiring.

- Well, you most probably have never heard of it.

She brushed off my question. What does she mean by that? Was it some small town in a remote area? But how come her company was well known?

- Maybe I do know. I have traveled around. Or I can always G****e it!

I gave her a flashy smile. Her face and posture softened. She responded with a small smile.

- I come from Latvia. G****e “Latvia” if you wish.

She said with a brighter smile. I furrowed my eyebrows.

- Hmm, I haven’t heard of such a place in the States...I'll have to G****e it...

She knitted her eyebrows but had a smile that was ticking as if she wanted to laugh out loud but was composing herself. Why? At the same time, she gave me a look that said something like: “Are you for real?”. Something in her face told me that she thinks I’m an idiot. Why?

- Of course, you haven’t! Because it's not in the States! It's in Europe.

She said in a scolding tone. WHAT?

- You live in Europe?!!

I almost shouted while straightening up and edging myself on the sofa. My brain exploded as I had wide eyes. My mouth was open and I was in shock. Okay, she didn’t live in Denver, fine by me. But she didn’t live in the States? And not even on this continent? Not even on this side of Earth? She lived across the whole f*king ocean?! My mate was from Europe?! The trains of questions and thoughts were dashing through my brain in fast-forward motion.

Was I even supposed to meet her ever if she lived that far? Now it is clear why I haven't met her for the last twelve years. She was not in this part of the world. I had so many questions. Alarms of fear started to ring in my heart and brain but I didn’t have time to think much. She looked at me with furrowed eyebrows as if I was a stupid child.

- Yes?

She said more as a question.

- You can hear that I don’t have an American accent.

There was that scolding tone again. I think it is official- she thinks I’m an idiot who lacks knowledge of geography and skills in observation.

- I just thought you were coming from an immigrant family or something...

I said in a whisper to her.

-  Well, an immigrant I am for sure! 

She had a small smile on her lips again. I leaned back on the sofa. I had to play it cool. Chill dude. Okay, she lives far away. Very, very far. She has never met her mate. Though she is a human and doesn’t experience the bond the way we do, it could still turn out well. I tried to reassure myself and put an optimistic vibe to this complicated situation. However, I would rather have sat next to her and rested my head in the crook of her neck while inhaling her intoxicating fresh smell. That would calm me down for sure. Though I haven’t experienced it yet, I have heard and seen a lot of it. Now that my mate was just in front of me, I could so believe it. My fingers were itching to touch her.

Their meeting went on while I was lost in my thoughts. I had a constant frown on my face. This was a lot to take in. Suddenly, my peaceful routine and life were shattered, and it was all because of one beautiful lady. My Mate. I smiled and relaxed. Because, by some weird and mystical coincidence, my mate has landed just right in my house. I was one lucky b*stard for sure! Because I would never have gone to Europe to look for my mate. Destiny was a tricky thing. And in some twisted real-life plot, fate has brought My Love to me. I sure need to send my grateful prayers to the Moon Goddess as well.

After some time, my mom was satisfied with everything that had been discussed thus far. There were a few more points she wanted to finalize and decide, but the meeting was over. Laila stood up and shook Mom’s hand with a bright smile while talking about successful work together and was ready to lead herself out.

I shot up. I’m walking her out. I followed her as her scent washed all over me. Her backside looked gorgeous. Her ass in this dress... My dick twitched. Oh man, now was not the time to start thinking about that. I looked at her and wanted to hug her. I wanted to bury my nose in her hair and inhale her scent. I have dreamed of doing these things for years and years since I was a teenager. I used to wonder what the unique smell of my mate would be. Back then my heart ached, it was slowly bleeding inside from the longing for years. Unfortunately, it kept on bleeding now when facing the reality that though my mate was just a meter away from me, she was still so far from me emotionally. And it was all because she was a human who lived across the f*cking ocean and was planning to return to live there. I felt like a lost puppy. I probably looked like a stray dog as well who just followed the first person who showed some kindness. I was sure that my pain was reflected on my face.

She put on her coat and faced me. She furrowed her eyebrows.

- Are you okay, sir?

What’s with this “sir” thing? Do I look so old? On the other hand, if she called me “sir’’ while riding me in the bed I wouldn’t mind at all. I smiled at that thought. But that was way fast forward events that haven’t taken place yet. Besides, I don’t need a tent in my loose sweatpants now. She was here for a job. How do you ask someone like her out on a date?

-  Are you busy later tonight?

I tried with some hope in my eyes and a small smile. Yes, I totally ignored her question. She furrowed her eyebrows again. Why do I feel I'm not her favorite person?

- Yes, I am. I need to finalize details for your house project.

My heart sank even more.

- I see…

I said with a sad voice. She furrowed her eyebrows again and looked with questions and confusion written all over her beautiful face. I scratched the back of my head.

- When.. When are you coming back?

Oh, man, I sounded lame. I usually am a confident, cocky guy, but now..? Now I feel dreadful. Her constantly furrowed eyebrows didn’t help my self-esteem at all. I didn’t even know I needed help with my self-esteem. Some epiphanies coming to light today, huh?

- You were not listening to our conversation with Mrs.Montgomery, were you?

She squinted her eyes at me. I shook my head as I had a guilty look.

- As agreed with Mrs. Montgomery I will come on Wednesday with the construction team for introduction and to tour around and finalize the details.

I was nodding my head and biting the inside of my cheek.

- I see… so, you are probably busy tomorrow as well?

I don’t know what I was hoping for. I couldn’t even properly ask her out. Where was that confident James who picked up girls for the night with just one smile? Somewhere in my gut, I knew that wouldn’t work with her. How come? Because those other girls were eating me with their eyes and hanging on my neck with just one smile. But my mate? She furrowed her eyebrows at me a dozen times in one hour span. She sounded slightly annoyed with me when addressing me or just plain polite and formal. Her first sort of positive attitude towards me was when she asked whether I was OK. Maybe it wasn’t my gut feeling, but just plain facts out of observation that told me not to go the usual road. Besides, she was my mate. She deserved only the best of me.

A small smile played on her lips.

- I am.

She replied with a curt nod.

- Thank you for walking me out, sir.

She was back to formal politeness with a blank expression. I had to stop this stiffness.

- Please, call me James!

I pleaded with a bright smile. Faint smile played on her lips again. Nice. We were getting somewhere. Wah, who am I kidding? So lame. It was just a small smile directed at me. It was not a “yes” to a marriage proposal. D*mn! I whistled in my head. I have a mate to marry. That felt great! For sure, beautiful, I’m going to put a ring on your finger. Again – I was so ahead of events. But I liked my own inner confidence that things would go well. I needed it.

-  As you wish…James.

She nodded her head at me. I smiled even brighter. The way she stressed my name made my hair stand on my neck and goosebumps traveled down my spine . The sound of my name rolling out of her mouth went straight to my d*ck. Wow! Is this how everyone else feels with a mate? Did every single detail make a significant impact on the other? I have no idea. Should I ask around? Well, whatever, she was my mate and I already loved several small details about her. It was unbelievable how the bond worked. I met my mate less than 2 hours ago, but look at my reactions and emotions. Truly unbelievable!  

- Well, till another day? I’m not sure.. Will you be here on Wednesday? I don’t know how much you are involved in this project. I just communicated with Mrs. Montgomery…

She was talking fast with furrowed eyebrows again. Did she feel uncomfortable with me? Something felt off. Shouldn’t humans feel something of the bond at least? For me – she was my coming home. I could see many issues on the way with her being human and an immigrant. But despite all that, she was still perfect. F*k. Okay, I will think about it later. Man, I was going up and down with my emotions.

- If you are coming, I will be here for sure.

I replied, flashing her my pearly teeth. I was trying to be subtle, but she should start to understand that I was after her. She was Mine.

- Oookay. Well then… Have a nice day, James!

She nodded and was still professional and formal. An idea struck me. I quickly extended my hand. I smiled brightly. I so wanted to feel those mate sparks that everyone was talking about. She hesitantly looked at my hand but slowly put her small hand in mine. When our hands collided, it was like a click that resonated in all my being and surroundings. It felt like two broken pieces of magnet that zinged together at last and were complete again. Our eyes locked. Her hand was soft but chilly. Electrifying sparks from the mate bond spread from my hand all the way through my body and landed straight in my groan. Aaand, it is official – I have a boner. Please, please don't look down. Maan, how do you resist a mate bond? Or at least postpone it? I can’t just toss her over my shoulder, run to my room and mate with her. Not yet. I still need to swoon her.

She frowned. Again. And hastily pulled her hand out. She looked at it like there was something wrong with it. She put a tight smile on her lips. Again. She waved awkwardly at me. And with that she quickly opened the doors and left. I stood frozen on the spot. I felt overwhelmed from meeting my mate at last, but learning so many alarming things about her that complicated our relationships. Besides, I didn’t want to walk around the house with the attentive soldier in my pants. I sighed. So much has happened... My thought went back to Laila… Another set of questions popped into my head.

Where was she going? How will she get home? Idiot! I should have offered her a ride. Oh, that would be a perfect excuse to spend more time with her and find out where she lived.

I opened the door and rushed after her.

- Laila! How are you getting back to your place?

I shouted after her. She slightly jumped. I guess I startled her with my shouting. Idiot. She turned to me with worry in her eyes.

- No worries! My cab is almost here already.

She said with a tight smile and a nod towards the road.

- Oh, I see.. Well, if you need a lift, don’t hesitate to ask me.

I said with slumped shoulders. I have missed another good opportunity. She pressed her lips.

- It’s okay. Thank you. I’m managing.

She waved me off with her hand.

- You should write my phone number and call me on Wednesday. I can bring you here.

I was being persistent.

- I't okay. Maybe another time.

She was holding in a smile while furrowing her eyebrows briefly. At that moment, a cab pulled up next to her. She gave me another curt nod and slid inside the car. And off she went.

My heart left with her. I felt an empty void in my chest. Was I missing her already? Oh man, I was doomed. What will I do till Wednesday? It seemed so easy for her to leave. Maybe she was even running away from me? She was so stiff and formally polite with me most of the time.

I slowly walked back inside the house while replaying our encounter. Never have I ever asked for a date, ran after a girl, offered my phone number and been rejected at my every attempt to get closer. Rejected. This word sank in with a painful pang in my heart. My wolf howled in pain at the mention of this word. No. I can’t get rejected when I have just met her. No. I have been waiting for too long to go through the pain of rejection. No. I refuse. I deserve to have a mate. I deserve to be happy with an amazing love in my life. No. I will make her mine. She is already mine, she just doesn't know it yet. Determination and a good plan is all I need. Strategizing is my strongest suit. I will use it for my love life as well.