From Princess to Queen

Mate bond?

Ava's POV

Taking in a deep calming breath I pull myself together hoping to project confidence for what I have to say next.

“I am sorry River… but I will not bond with you until I am certain it is what I want, and I can trust you. I will not be fooled into something that I have no way of getting out of” I say.

With a small smile on his lips River, nods in what I hope was understanding.

“I accept the challenge” he replies.

Confused I raise an eyebrow

“Challenge?” I ask.

His smile only widens at my confusion, coursing me to fold my arms over my chest with annoyance.

“Yes… the challenge of making you want me”

He says with confidence taken aback by his words I didn’t know whether to laugh or be impressed. A grin tugs at my lips this man is my kind of man, I thought as I scan his body.

“Ok then we have a deal”

I reply as I step forward and offer him my hand, his eyes shooting to where it hovers just in front of him. Then back to focus on my face a panty-soaking grin pulling at his lips, as he takes my hand in his giving it a firm squeeze as his tongue darts out to wet his lips, I can’t help but follow its movements.

Oh, gods help me, please… this man will be the death of me as I try to discreetly clench my thighs together hoping he won’t smell my arousal that had suddenly hit me like a truck.

The next day I was exhausted. All night I laid awake thinking of Rivers grin and that stupid tongue of his I didn’t know why all of a sudden, I seemed to be more affected by him, it was as if hearing out loud that I was his mate clicked something in place for me. Annoyed I sit at the kitchen island just staring into my coffee mug as if it is going to give me some sort of answers to all the burning questions that filled my mind.

I am lost in my own head as I replay the conversation between us is, he right about me not being able to truly find myself until I accepted him, I wasn’t sure but maybe I should try asking around. Discreetly of course the last thing I wanted is to get back to River that I am going around asking about the mate bond.

Throwing on a black oversized hoodie, and some dark blue jeans, I leave my room it is Saturday so there are no classes going on unless you were Grace, who decided on taking extra classes so she wouldn’t fall behind. She is really coming into herself here, and of course, I am happy for her even if I can’t share it with her as I have hardly any classes I had to attend, and just feel as if I wasn’t getting the same experience she is.

Making my way towards the professor’s accommodation I thought I would try and find Garcia I am fairly confident she would have some knowledge about my situation. She seems pretty put together compared to some of the people that are professors here.

I make my way through the tree line, first spotting what remained of the burnt down cottage my eyes scan over the burned brick and shattered glass that litters the ground around it. I carry on walking straight until a few other cottages come into view.

I spot Garcia, sitting on a blanket just outside a beautiful white, cottage with its tiny windows filled with flowers, as I approach her my footsteps are soft and silent, as I walk on the grass, she lifts her head a smile appearing on her face as our eyes meet.

 “Ava… how can I help you sweet?”

Her kind voice brings a smile to my own lips it’s impossible not to like this woman she has this energy about her that makes you trust her and made you feel comfortable and listened to.

Taking a seat on the blanket beside her, I try to think how I am going to word this. I didn’t want her to know It is about me and that I am struggling to understand something as simple as a mate bond. My parents are mates, but it is just a conversation that never seemed to come up and now I would have to figure it on my own or hopefully with a little help from Garcia.

Sighing I knew I would just have to go for it, if I want answers I can’t hold back.

“C-could you possibly tell me about the mate bond? My parents never got the chance to do it, and well I’m just curious”

I ask, trying not to sound anything but a little curious I didn’t want her looking too much into this, I only need a few answers, and I can get out of here before I end up embarrassing myself.

Her eyebrow raises slightly, and she looks at me as if she was looking into my soul, and new there was something more to my question than I was letting on.

“Well… it’s pretty easy really when you find your mate you complete the mate bond, and then learn who you are together if one mate is more powerful than the other the less powerful one can receive a power boost from the mating. Well, that’s what I was told when I was younger, but each bond is unique, so it is hard to really know everything there is about the bond but one thing I do know is that you just have to trust in it”

She replies her answer causing me to relax somewhat I’m not sure why I was so nervous, I suppose I just have a way of overthinking everything because now the band doesn’t seem as scary as it did before, and I am so grateful to Garcia, for that.

We chat for a little longer before I take my leave. Deciding to take the longer route back to my tower which was a mistake on my part, not long after I leave. Walking through the woods when the sound of a gun going of reaches my ears the bullet just missed my head as it hit the tree.

I duck frantically looking around to try and see what direction it had come from, not seeing anyone around my heart started hammering in my chest, I’m panicking but I know I don’t have time to freak out because that bullet was meant for me. 

There is no doubt about that… someone out here is trying to f*****g kill me.