Life Without You

Chapter 16 - Eva

“Wait. If you do this, the bond between us will be gone forever? It won’t come back and I won’t get another bond with someone else?” I want to choose who I am with, but the thought of never feeling those sparks again. The thought of Nya never having a connection with another wolf has me pausing and desperately searching for answers.

“Our bond will be broken forever, but it’s possible to get one with someone else. There are no guarantees that you will, and even if it happens, it likely won’t be for years.” The tall handsome werewolf that is supposed to be the perfect match for me, explains as tears stain his perfect cheeks. I want to reach up and wipe them from his face so badly, but I know that isn’t appropriate considering I am the one that’s causing them.

“You won’t get another mate for years either?” I gasp at the realisation of what a rejection will mean for him.

“If at all, second chance mates are rare, but it’s ok. I don’t need a mate. I Thomas …” He tries again to make it through the words that he needs to say to sever our bond.

“Don’t let him do it.” Nya roars more ferociously than I have ever heard her before.

“Stop. I’m not sure I want you to do this any more.” I exclaim raising my hands to halt him.

“It’s for the best.” He whispers, finally opening his mesmerising eyes to look at me through the tears that are continually flowing from them.

“Do you really believe that?” Seeing this huge werewolf brought to tears makes my heart hurt in ways I never thought it could. I don’t know anything about him, but I don’t care. I want to have a chance to get to know everything that there is to know about him.

“It doesn’t matter.” His gorgeous, inviting lips quiver as he speaks, and nearly every part of my body wants to wrap itself around his to comfort him. To tell him that it is going to be ok. I yearn to feel the touch of his skin against mine, to feel the strange tingling sensations once more.

“Of course it matters.” I assert wearily.

“Why? Are you suddenly going to change your mind? Are you going to dump your boyfriend to be with me instead? I don’t think so.” He shakes his head and his adorable loose curls move with the motion. “It’s not what I want, no wolf wants to be rejected, but I don’t want to keep you stuck in a mate bond that you don’t want to be in. I’m setting you and your wolf free to be with whoever you want.”

“No. I want to be with him.” Nya pleads in my head. “Don’t let him reject us. Please. Don’t do this to me. Please.”

“I Thom…” He starts with his speech again whilst Nya continuously whimpers inconsolably in my head.

“Stop! Stop saying that, please.”

“Thomas James, future Beta of the Silver Tides pack reject you, Eva … s**t I don’t even know your surname.” His eyes are closed once more as his head lowers to the ground.

“I told you to stop.” I exclaim agitatedly.

“Just tell me your surname and we can break this bond. You can get back to being happy with your boyfriend.”

“No.” I respond determinedly.

“Eva please, don’t make this more difficult for me than it needs to be.”

“No. I can’t go through with this. I can’t do this to Nya without finding out more about you.” There is a long silence as we both stand, unmoving and unspeaking. Both of our breaths coming in ragged gasps.

“Thank you.” He eventually says in a quiet voice as he lifts his hands to wipe the tears from his eyes.

“You’re welcome.”

“I’m only home for a couple of days then I’m going back, but I’d like to spend some time with you before I do.”

“I’d like that too, but strictly as friends, for now.”

“Absolutely. I haven’t forgotten that you have a boyfriend.” He whispers quietly before turning away to browse the shelves as if he is looking to buy something in the shop. There is a faint rustling noise outside, then the sound of heavy footsteps on the wooden steps, before my father walks in to the shop with a huge man, or rather werewolf. Despite the strong smell of the ocean clinging to both of them, I can still smell wolf coming from him. He smells strangely familiar, and somehow similar to Tommo, yet very different.

“What are you doing here?” He asks Tommo with a deep booming voice, as the corners of his mouth rise into an easy smile .

“Mary said you were having a lesson. I came to watch. You’re not too bad. I’m impressed.” Tommo explains turning slightly to face the werewolf.

“It was amazing. You’d love it. Why don’t you give it a go?” The other werewolf beams in his deep dooming voice.

“Maybe next time. I’m a bit busy today.” Tommo replies, raising his eyebrows hopefully in my direction.

“I can see that, you look rushed off your feet.” The other werewolf responds with a curious laugh.

“I can show you the basics now if you’d like, while you’re here, or I can book you in for a lesson with Sunny tomorrow?” My father offers and I study Tommo’s face for a reaction to Sunny’s name.

“Thanks, but I think I’ll pass for now.”

“Ok. Maybe another time then.”

“Maybe.”

“I’ve just remembered something important I need to show you. If we just go back outside.” My father says to the other werewolf, and they walk out, leaving me and Tommo alone again.

“Maybe we can meet for lunch? Not a date, just friends getting to know each other.” Tommo offers.

“I’d like that, but I don’t normally have a dinner break. I usually just eat here.” I reply wistfully.

“I can bring us something to eat here. What do you like?” Tommo asks unfazed by my answer.

“Go now. I’ll watch the shop.” My father says walking back in abruptly.

“We haven’t even opened yet. It’s not dinner time for hours.” I exclaim in confusion.

“I know. Take the day off. I’ll manage in here and Sunny can teach all the lessons on his own for one day.”

“Are you sure?”

“Shoo.” My father says gently pushing me towards the door.

“What about …?” I ask nodding my head towards where Sunny will be.

“Worry about that later.” My father says reassuringly.

“I don’t want to cause any trouble. I’ll come back later.” Tommo says, with a forlorn expression on his handsome face that has me wanting to comfort him all over again.

“No, it’s fine. I could do with a day off.” I explain with a sigh.

“You sure could, go enjoy yourself with your new friend.” My father gently pushes me towards the door again and I relent this time.