15.
1048 Words
I swallowed another spoonful of the hot soup before me. The meat in it was so tender that I sometimes thought it'd melt in my mouth without me chewing on it. I loved the chunky vegetables, and the almost overcooked potatoes in it as well.
Although I was almost full, I plan to ask for another bowl when I'm done with the one before me.
Elian had finally left, and I was grateful for the brief moment of peace I had gotten. With him around, as much as I was feeling the pull, it was also suffocating.
Elian's possessive nature isn't something I was used to. I had never had anyone possessive of me that way. Except for my mother. But, hers was out of the need to protect me from the world.
We didn't talk much about the compromise we had agreed on. We just sat, with my hands still in his for a while, the lingering feeling of his lips still tingling them while he stared at me until I felt his eyes bore into my soul. I was grateful when Imani poked her head in and asked if everything was okay.
It broke the moment I knew he was enjoying, but which, of course, was suffocating to me. Because I could sense his expectations and I've already told him I have a life waiting for me back home.
He had stepped out then, and after a short moment, returned with them all. As weird as it may sound, I knew he wasn't happy as soon as he stepped back into the room.
But I figured out why when he announced that he and Kosey would be going back to the pack, as they call it, and would be back later during the day to take us all there.
I did not know who had talked him into doing that, but I was grateful for it because I needed that space. Imani had bought me a gown to change into. I've never seen clothes like this. She helped me into what she called a chemise, then an ankle to floor length gown over it. It was pale blue in color, which highlighted my skin and my black hair, which she had successfully styled and tied into an updo with white ribbon, leaving a few strands on either side of my face. I liked it.
"Do you like it?" Imani asked cheerfully. They had left me with her and Milena. Imani sat on a chair beside me. I had finally left the bed and was sitting at the far end of the room that had a round wooden table and three chairs around it.
"The pack's cook is great at making soups. I specifically asked her to make this soup because it's my favorite." She continued.
"Um, thank you?" I said, fixing a smile on my face.
I was never good with strangers. Heck, I certainly do not know how to start a conversation with her or the other woman. I don't even know what to say.
"Do you still have a headache?" Milena asked.
"No. It's not pounding as much as it did a few hours ago. I can deal with it."
"I still have to look you over carefully when we return to the packhouse. I am not fully equipped here, so it makes things a bit harder."
"It is fine," I managed a small smile as I swallowed another spoonful of the soup.
"Sister," Imani suddenly called, taking my right hand that had been on top of the table idly and giving it a light squeeze. “Ugh! That feels so personal. But I can call you that, right?” I nodded in response. "I'm sure all this is new to you, considering you are a human and all. And, this being a book, like you said, makes it harder for you to comprehend." she paused and took in a deep breath.
However, one thing made me feel less uncomfortable around her. Although I am sure neither of them believed this was a book, I was actually grateful she was trying to understand my situation.
"I still can't make sense of how you got here, or why you think this is a book. But this is a real world for us. Everything here is real, especially the mate bond between you and Bani. I won't tell you to understand Bani or accept him simply because we have told you he is your mate. It won't work that way. The most important thing right now is your health. If you need to talk about anything, I'm here, and I've been told I am a great listener." She beamed.
She reminds me of Mel in a way.
"Thank you, Imani. It's just that..." I dropped the wooden spoon and blinked twice to stop myself from crying. Damn! I hated how I had become so sappy now. "Everything is just so overwhelming...and...and although I may have been selfish in quickly jumping towards the rejection part, I'm sure you understand why I felt it necessary. Why I..."
"I'd have done the same. I may have done even worse," Milena said. She was sitting opposite me. "If I woke up and found myself surrounded by werewolves, I have only read about in books, I'd certainly flip, Luna."
Luna?
"Yours was a reasonable reaction to the overwhelming environment and people you found yourself around. I know you are not from around here, the way you speak says it all. It is only natural that you become shocked and try finding a way out. That, and the fact that you have people you care about on the other side."
"I do." I nodded, a single tear rolling down my cheeks. "I have a sick mother and a little brother. If anything, they have only me to depend on."
"It is fine, I'm sure we can find a way out of this. I'm sure Bani will help." Imani said. "Besides, you were not selfish in rejecting him. If anything, he is the one being selfish, in a way, although, I would appreciate it if you didn’t jump on the rejection part again anytime soon and give him a chance to figure things out carefully. Give him a chance. Get to know him."
- Writer
