The Time I Tripped into a Curse and got two Mates

Chapter 11

“Well, what do we have here?” Rina asked with a suggestive smile on her face as she looked the Lycans over. Then she glanced at me and said, “What’s the matter, Evelette, couldn’t find a decent outfit? How unprofessional to be walking around our esteemed guests looking like that.” She gestured to me.

I held back the urge to roll my eyes. “Rina,” I said, “Nice to see you too.”

Rina ignored me and shifted her attention back to the ensemble of Lycans. I watched her deliberately look at each one and murmur small greetings to them in the voice I’ve come to know as her “lion on a hunt” voice. Then she looked at Clay, who went incredibly still beside me. For a second, I thought he was just sizing up a potential threat, but then I noticed a shift in his expression. His usually confident demeanor faltered and his eyes widened as he stared at Rina. I glanced over at her and saw a similar expression on her face. What was going on? Clay’s jaw clenched and I watched as a mix of emotions flickered across his face. Shock, confusion, happiness, and something that looked dangerously close to dismay. Neither of them spoke. Clay simply turned on his heels and started walking briskly back towards the guest house, his posture rigid.

“Clay?” I called after him, but he didn’t look back. Luke and Atlas exchanged puzzled glances, and even Rina was momentarily thrown off by his abrupt departure.

As I looked at Rina, I saw her eyes fill with an emotion I hadn’t seen from her in a long while. True happiness. As I continued to look at her in puzzlement, she took off running towards Clay. She didn’t say anything, just started running, intent on reaching him.

“Rina? Where are you going?” Shouted Olivia.

“Rina! Rina!” Echoed Mary.

“I guess you lost your importance.” I said to the pair. Yes, I know that was low of me, but come on, I couldn’t help it.

Luke watched Rina’s retreating figure and let out a low whistle.” That can’t have been good.”

“No, it’s definitely not,” I muttered, biting my lip.

Atlas gave me a worried look, “You think he will be okay?”

I shrugged as I tried to push down the surge of frustration and jealousy. “I don’t know. Rina’s not exactly the easiest person to deal with, and Clay…he’s a good guy. He doesn’t deserve whatever it is she wants with him.”

“‘Whatever it is she wants with him’ is the fact that they must be mates.” Atlas said.

“Well, he doesn’t deserve a mate like her, in any case.” I said with a bit of venom in my voice.

We all stood there for a moment as the weight of the situation sunk in. Clay finding out that Rina was his mate was the last thing I expected. This knowledge casted a shadow over what had been a lighthearted afternoon. I felt a pang of guilt; I knew that finding out your fate was tied to someone who didn’t meet your expectations was a heartbreaking blow. Clay didn’t deserve the turmoil Rina was sure to bring him.

“Maybe I should go after him, “Luke said, already stepping forward, but I held out my hand to stop him.

“Maybe let him handle this on his own. I know I haven’t known him long, but I think he would want to address this on his own.” I said. “Besides, the last thing he needs is an audience for this…revelation.”

Luke hesitated, then nodded. “Yea, you’re right.”

Atlas clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. “Well, I guess it’s time we continue on the tour and give Clay some time to figure this out.”

I nodded my head, “I guess I can take you to my house. My mom probably made some lunch. Or you guys can meander around, maybe go to town and get gifts for potential mates.”

At my words, some of the Lycans walked off into different directions, some headed to the direction of town and others to the training area. The only one left standing with me was Luke. I regarded him with an unsure look. He was shifting his weight back and forth on his feet and looked like he wanted to say something because he kept opening and closing his mouth.

I eyed Luke up and down and said, “Spit it out, Luke. I know you want to say something.”

He blushed deeply and replied, “Okay, Okay. I really want to spend time with you at the ball. And, well…can I…I mean…Can I come with you to meet your parents?” He finished.

That was an awful lot of stuttering to ask something that I already offered. I thought to myself.

“Of course,” I said, “she probably made some food.” I hesitated, “Luke, was there something else you wanted to say?”

His eyes quickly widened and he ruffled his hands through his hair nervously. “Uh, no. Nope. Nothing else. Lead the way.”

I raised an eyebrow at Luke’s nervousness. In the time I’ve known him, it wasn’t like him to be so…hesitant.

“Alright, then. Let’s head over.” I said.

I turned toward the path that led to my home. Luke fell into step beside me and we walked companionably together all the way up to my house. It was a short walk, but the walk was still awkward, nonetheless.

“So, Luke, “I started, hoping to break the awkwardness, “how do you like what you’ve seen in our pack so far?”

“It’s nice, “he replied, his voice a little bit too bright. “Definitely has its own charm. A lot more…character than some of the packs we’ve seen.”

I laughed lightly. “Character?” That’s one way to put it.”

Luke chuckled too. I felt him relax more. “I like it. It’s refreshing. I mean, don’t get me wrong, the royal territory is amazing and all, but it’s different. Plus, I like what I’ve seen here a lot more than what I see in the Lycan kingdom.” He said as he looked suggestively at me.

My face became warm at his words and I looked away from him to hide my feelings that I was sure were making themselves known. We continued to walk in a more comfortable silence for a few more moments. We approached the house and I could already smell the aroma of fresh baked bread. Even though I had eaten earlier at the guest house, my stomach was ready for some of my mother’s cooking.

“It smells like we got here just in time,” I said with a smile.

We walked up the front steps and I opened the door to find my mother humming her favorite tune. I smiled as I watched her clean up from cooking. She really was just a beautiful person. She looked up at us and smiled.

“Evelette, you’re just in time, “she said. Her eyes flickered to Luke and her smile widened.

“And who do we have here?” She said with a nod to Luke.

“This is Luke,“ I said. “Luke, this is my mother, Marina.

Luke took my mother’s hand in his own and gave it a gentle squeeze. “It’s nice to meet you, Marina. Evelette has told me a lot about you.”

My mother eyed me with a skeptical look, “All good things, I hope.”

“Of course, Mom,” I said. “You’re amazing and you know it.” I walked up to her and gave her a hug. “We were wondering if lunch was on, which it seems like it is.”

“I hope you don’t mind if I join you for lunch.” Luke said.

“Of course not, Luke.” She exclaimed. “Any friend of Evelette is welcome here.”

Luke and I took our seats at the wooden table as my mother began laying out the food. She made fresh bread and roasted chicken. There was also a variety of steamed veggies that were seasoned with what smelled like garlic and rosemary. Luke’s eyes widened and I swore I heard his stomach rumble.