Chapter Eight
1097 Words
"Tessy?.." Thatcher said in a low voice, sounding just as confused as I felt.
My eyes stared back into his, and I couldn't bring myself to look away. It was as if my entire body felt rooted to the spot, and my brain couldn't comprehend what was happening.
My wolf perked her head up after the smell hit our nose. As soon as my wolf saw Thatcher, she erupted into loud howling and frantic pacing in my mind. I have never felt my wolf act like this in the year that I have had her.
"Mate! Our mate! Go to mate!" My wolf howled in my head. My eyes widened in pure shock as the words registered in my head.
What did she just say?
Thatcher is our mate?!
My body shook with mixed emotions, but I couldn't deny the attraction and pull I felt towards Thatcher. I could feel the invisible string attatch between the two of us, proving that Thatcher and I were, in fact, mates.
The invisible string I felt between Thatcher and I was the first part of our mate bond begininning. My wolf scratched at the surface, trying her hardest to get loose and run to our mate; but my feet remained planted on the floor.
Thatcher's face scrunched in confusion, and I could almost bet that he was feeling the same way as I was. His wolf was probably doing the same as my own; howling and scratching to get to the surface.
It took almost all that I had to keep my wolf from forcing a shift right here in the kitchen. She wanted to get to our mate, and she wanted to right at this moment.
Werewolves have primal instincts, and the mate-bond between them and their mates are the most important thing. Once a wolf discovers their mate, nothing else in the world matters until the mating process is completed.
It is especially difficult to withstand the mate-bond for Alphas and Betas; and since I have Alpha blood, and Thatcher has Beta blood; it is even more difficult to resist the urge to claim one another and mate right here on the spot.
A low growl rumbled through the kitchen, sending another shiver down my spine. Thatcher's blue eyes instantly turned black from his wolf, and I felt my own wolf push past the barrier and to the front of our mind. She was eager to go to our mate.
"Mate!" Thatcher's voice deepened from his wolf. Gasps rang through the kitchen, and only then did I notice that everyone was staring between Thatcher and I.
I felt as if my heart was beating uncontrollably at hearing Thatcher's words. Adira howled happily in my head, excited that we had found our destined mate.
"Mate." I spoke up softly. My body convulsed with unknown feelings as Thatcher and I stared at one another. Time seemed to stop as my eyes roamed over the sharp features of his handsome face. He looked different, more grown up, but still the same guy that has been my best friend my whole life.
Suddenly, Thatcher took long strides across the kitchen, stopping directly in front of me. My heart thudded against my ribcage once his musky scent wafted into my nose. It was intoxicating, to say the least.
"Pryntess.." Thatcher trailed off. I watched his eyes roam over my face as if he were trying to remember every detail.
After a few moments, Thatcher reached out quickly and pulled me into his muscular arms. Instantly, I felt sparks erupt across my arms and down my body as our skin touched. A shiver, stronger than the others before, ran down my spine.
I quickly wrapped my arms around Thatcher's neck and squeezed him tightly. Regardless of Thatcher and I being mates now, he was still my best friend.
"I missed you so much!" I whispered into Thatcher's ear softly. I could hear the high pitch of my voice and felt the warmth spread down my cheeks. I hadn't even realized that I was crying. It felt incredibly amazing to be in Thatcher's arms again; but this time, the mate bond's electric sparks came with it.
"I missed you, too, Tessy! I'm so sorry.." Thatcher said immediately. I leaned back and looked up into his eyes before shushing him.
"Don't be sorry. It's not your fault." I replied in a low voice.
Our eyes locked together, and I couldn't bring myself to look away. My heart felt as if it would explode.
Another soft gasp echoed around the room, instantly bringing us both back to the present. Thatcher pulled away from the hug but kept his arm wrapped around my back.
We looked over at our families, who seemed both shocked and overjoyed at the same time. Both Thatcher and I's mothers were already crying.
"Oh my god! You two are mates! Thank the Moon Godess above for this!" Portia cried happily while my mother beamed. My father held a look of content, and Tritan held a wide grin.
I felt a shyness from their intense stares, but I knew that they were all just as shocked as we were.
Portia ran over and wrapped an arm around Thatcher and I before pulling us into a tight hug. I patted her back softly, glancing over at Thatcher, who held a wide smile. It made my insides melt on the spot.
"Well, this is delightful!" Tritan chuckled as Portia pulled away from Thatcher and I. My father nodded in agreement.
"Awe, my baby girl found her mate!" My own mother gushed as she raced forward and wrapped the two of us into another tight embrace. I couldn't help but let out a soft giggle.
"Thank goddess, I don't have to worry about my sister having a shitty mate!" Levi hollered in satisfaction, earning a few chuckles from everyone.
After my mother pulled away, she took a few steps back. Our families began to talk quite loudly, as excitement bubbled in the air.
Thatcher and I glanced at one another once again, and I nodded my head towards the stairs. He nodded in agreement, and the two of us slipped out of the kitchen and raced up to my bedroom for privacy.
Thatcher shut the door after following me into my bedroom. I couldn't help the eruption of butterflies in my stomach as I realized that it was now only the two of us.
I have never felt this way around my best friend before, and I knew it was going to take some getting used to.
- Writer
