Conditions
1005 Words
Hayes gently grasped my hand, bringing it to his lips for a soft, lingering kiss that sent a warm flutter racing through my heart. I could feel the warmth of his touch. I momentarily lost myself in the moment. 'Your heart is drumming so loud, I'm sure he can hear it,' Ria said. I tried to keep my emotions in check.
I distracted myself from his intense gaze by glancing around the crowd, searching for Zylon. He was nowhere to be found, leaving a sense of unease in the pit of my stomach.
"Where's Zylon?" I asked as he led me to the bar area inside. People moved aside, either intimidated by him or showing respect. The werewolves bowed their heads as we passed.
"One twin isn't enough for you, love?" he smirked. His playful tone broke through my apprehension.
"No," I said. Upon reaching the bar, he suddenly grabbed my waist and hoisted me onto a stool.
"A Long Island iced tea, please," I told the waiter.
"Coming up, beautiful," he winked. Hayes tightened his hands around my waist and kissed my shoulder lightly, showing the bartender that we were together, a clear claim to everyone.
"And a bourbon for my man," I chuckled, deciding to humor him.
"Your man?" his expression lit up with glee at my words. "Does that mean you're accepting our bond?" I felt flustered but managed a nod. He couldn't hide his delight.
"But I have conditions." his face fell, but curiosity glinted in his eyes.
"Conditions? What are those?" The bartender placed our drinks in front of us. I took a long sip of mine.
"Don't control me. And treat me as your equal," I said.
He growled lowly, clearly unhappy with the idea. He was an alpha, and they exercised control over everything. It was part of their identity.
"You're growling," I said calmly.
"Control," he muttered. "How do you define it?"
"You can't ask me who I can and can't be friends with. I need the freedom to go out as I wish—and more," I shrugged casually. "Henry and Kyle…"
"Forget it. Your relationship with them ends", he interrupted, his tone flat.
"Well, it's such a shame ours has ended before it truly began," I shot back as I attempted to slide off the stool, but he quickly held my shoulders.
"Fine, but if that fucker alpha crosses a line with you, he's dead," he gritted his teeth. I nodded curtly.
"Since we are discussing conditions, I have one too."
"Go on."
"You'll move in with us. Don't worry, we don't have to mate until you are ready, but you must move in," he said solemnly. Ria danced with joy at the thought of seeing our mates every single day.
"I'm not sharing a bed with you," I shot back.
"Why?! We are mates!"
"I'm aware. But you need to prove to me that you can be good mates before anything further happens. For now, I'm only accepting our bond."
"We are worthy of you. I'll prove it to you," he declared, pride filling his voice.
"Good luck," I mocked lightly, but inside I felt a flicker of hope.
'Our mates will win you over soon. I just know it,' Ria chimed in my mind. She had the confidence that made me snort.
'We'll see.'
'They want us so badly. I can feel it—their love, need, and desire to claim us,' she was giddy. I felt the same way.
That night, my mate took me home. To my surprise, he entered my bedroom, making sure all the windows and balcony doors were secured. For a moment, I thought about the call I received, but decided not to tell him about it.
I changed into my silk pajama shorts and a matching shirt. When I returned to the bedroom, I caught Hayes turning from the window to look at me, a mix of admiration and something more profound in his gaze.
"Ready for bed?" his voice was a low murmur.
"Yes." There was a flutter of nervousness swirling in my stomach.
He guided me to my bed, carefully folding back the comforter. My heart raced as I lay down, and he perched on the edge, stroking my hair gently. He twirled a curl of my hair around his finger. I instinctively reached up to take the curl from him, tucking it back behind my ear. I caught a glimpse of sadness in his expression.
"Zylon has been MIA. What's happening with him?" I asked, trying to lighten the gloomy atmosphere that had taken over.
"He's busy. You'll see him soon," he answered dismissively.
"Does it have to do with that woman Asia?" I probed, remembering the shifts in their demeanor since her arrival.
"Why do you think that?" he asked
"She just gave me a weird vibe. Both you and Zylon behaved differently when she arrived,"
"Vibe?" He slowly repeated the word. I found myself chuckling softly.
"Yes", I affirmed.
"Don't worry, love. He's fine. Zylon normally just needs some time away from everything," he assured me. I nodded slowly, yawning and fighting back sleep. Hayes leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead, a gesture that sent warmth flooding through me.
"Sleep now. I'll come tomorrow to pick you up", he instructed gently.
My eyes snapped open. "Pick me to go where?"
"To the pack house where I currently reside," he stated matter-of-factly.
"I'm not moving in with you. I'll do so when I'm ready," I replied.
"No, we agreed earlier that you'd move in," his voice grew firmer.
"I didn't say when," I shot back with a smirk, intentionally pushing his buttons. His brows knitted together, frustration etched across his handsome features.
He growled in frustration, which made me inwardly smile, relishing the tension hanging in the air. "Tomorrow morning, you have training. Do not be late," he ordered as he exited the room. To my surprise, he didn't slam the door as I expected. Tomorrow would surely be interesting.
- Writer
