Is It You

Malachi POV 4

After we had sorted out a minor issue on the porch, I left my mate to mull over her choices. It was clear that she wanted to stay if she was considering redecorating but I was still unsure with her emotional detachment. For now, I’d let it slide until we got a bit more comfortable with each other. I’d shown her to a large room on the second floor that I hoped she’d be happy with. It had a four poster bed, painted in dark green and had oak accented furniture to compliment.

I returned my attention to the few papers I had left on my desk. I had been stuck in my office all evening, trying to clear the last of the reports that I had left. I was so engrossed in my task that I barely recognized the scent that wafted upstairs.

Was she cooking?

I opened the window behind me to breeze out the room. In a few seconds the scent had passed and I figured I was imagining it. I continued my work instead. The last report in my hand was about the use of recreational drugs that was becoming an issue among the surrounding packs. I still had yet to find a solution. I jotted a few ideas down for Wildon to have a look at tomorrow. I eyed the clock and it read 9:45PM. I sealed the papers away in my top draw and headed to my room to take a shower.

After I was refreshed, I slid into a white shirt and a pair of basketball shorts. I met my mate halfway down the stairs. She too had taken a shower and was now wearing a fluffy white sweater and black leggings. Her hair was tied into a knot on the top of her head and snowflake earrings hung from her ears.

“I don’t like when my hair touches my neck” She murmured.

I reached out to finger a strand but she took a step back.

“I made dinner if you’d like to have some. Spaghetti and meatballs. Decided to take it easy tonight”

I stared at her incredulously. The only person that had cooked for me was my mother. My parents still lived within the pack but currently they were on a world trip. After passing the Alpha title to me, my dad had surprised my mom with a cruise ticket. I was happy that they were enjoying the rest of their years together.

“I caught a whiff of it earlier and I swore I was dreaming” I joked.

Her mouth stretched into a smile and she waved me to follow her to the kitchen. I came up behind her and slowly took a look around. There were four new vases present, one on the dining table, two on the counter and one by the window. All four were white with a black line around the rim and empty.

“I had Beta Wildon bring them over for me” She fiddled with her hands in front of her. “I hope you don’t mind that I called him”

“No it’s fine. We spoke about it earlier remember”

She nodded and turned to the stove. She quickly did up a plate and set it in front of me. The noodles were well done and covered in rich tomato sauce. I glanced at my doorless cupboards for a moment.

“I’m pretty sure that I don’t have any spaghetti sauce” I muttered out loud.

“I made it from scratch with a few salvageable tomatoes you had in the bottom of the fridge. I hope you like it. I’ll probably get groceries tomorrow”

I dug in and ate a mouthful. The sauce was warm and melted against my tongue, with a million different flavors assaulting my senses. It tasted so good! I turned to her.

“There’s a grocery store by the packhouse. I assigned one person to order in town and ensure food is here for purchase. It’s a tedious task of having to travel into town” I informed.

“I see, then I’ll get that tomorrow”

“By the way, this tastes great! I’m surprised”

She smiled at me again and I swore it touched my insides. I continued to eat as she went outside on the porch and returned with freshly cut flowers. They were white lilies and the stems were already trimmed. She placed a generous amount in the vase on the table and assorted them in different directions. She did the other three just the same as I finished my plate.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” I asked.

She shook her head. “I ate while you were upstairs, I’m fine.”

My shoulders fell a little that she didn’t wait to eat with me but I couldn’t argue. She needed more time to be accustomed to this. I washed my plate and stood by the sink. I was done with my work for today and now I had no idea what to do. She was busy fluttering between the kitchen and the porch and I didn’t want to interrupt but...

“When you’re finished, can you join me in the living room?”

She paused at the last vase. I could see the muscles in her back tense and it seemed she froze up.

“Sure, just give me a minute” She whispered nervously.

I walked over to the large couch and took a seat. She came in after a few minutes and took a seat on the same couch at the far end. My wolf bristled at the distance and I tried to close it by shifting over to her side. She jumped from the couch and stood to her feet.

“What is this Adira!?” I growled.

Marcel was pacing. Calm down Marcel!

No, our mate is acting strange

I drew my focus from him and he eased back.

“Spit it out already” I said with anger. Her hot and cold behavior was going to be the end of me and I couldn’t hold back my feelings. Her face mirrored a storm and she clutched at the end of her shirt.

“I’m not your mate” She blurted.

All of the feeling in my body faded and I’m pretty sure I resembled a zombie. What’d she say? Marcel stopped pacing in my head and sat down with a confused look. I stood to my feet and tried to rack my brain around her statement.

“What?” I breathed with shock and confusion. “What are you saying? I smelled it on you”

Adira shook her head. “That was my sister’s blood. My sister was your mate. She was the wolf that died in the crash”

Marcel and I stared at her as if she were crazy.

“We’re twins. My sister was a wolf, I’m not. I was born human and the Moon Goddess allowed the Oracle to bless me with immortality. I have no wolf and I don’t have a mate. I’m pretty sure you assumed it was me because my sister’s scent and blood was all over my body”

I took a step back and sat down. Marcel pointed his nose at her and whimpered in pain.

She’s right...her scent is gone Malachi”

I forced him into the darkest recesses of my mind and sniffed her myself. The sweet smell that caught my nose over the course of two days had indeed faded and now nothing stood in its place. How had I not noticed!?

I pushed myself further away from her and gave her my back.

How could this happen? After a whole decade of waiting...why was it that I lost her at the most opportune moment?