35.
1108 Words
The drive hadn't been overly chatty since their awkward conversation before they left but Gatlin didn't mind with the scenery there was so much to take in. Her mother had told her that they used to visit her aunt but Gatlin had been too young to remember ever going outside of the pack grounds and even barely an hour out she was already loving the sights surrounding her. Gatlin had never left the pack since her father passed so there was so much to see, so much to look forward too but that was until an ache began to swell in the pit of her stomach, Gatlin dismissed it attempting to settle herself back in her seat a clear show discomfort on her face as she continued to wriggle around in the leather passenger seat “What's wrong?” Arro finally asked a look of concern over his face as he took a moment to glance at her.
“Just a little uncomfortable” she spoke through gritted teeth and rubbed at the odd feeling filling her abdomen.
“Are you sure you're okay? You don't look too great?” Arro’s face was still filled with worry as he watched Gatlin.
“I’m fine” she spoke in annoyance causing Arro to fall quiet but the further they got the ache grew and Gatlin continued her uncomfortable squirming “what's going on...” she whispered to herself.
“Its the mate bond, Linz” he sighed as though realisation hit him.
“But... But I haven't felt anything lately things have been fine” her brows turned to a frown at the thought. ‘Of course, it was the mate bond what else would it of been’ she couldn't help but think.
He let out a sigh once again his fingers tightening on the wheel “because you haven't given into it. It settled in you making it feel as though you can prepare for a friendship at first to draw you in closer but it will never happen eventually it will pull you back to him just like its doing now. When you've mated you can be apart but right now it's like your body is in the honeymoon phase and craving the closeness.”
“I don't need a lecture, Arro I need for this to stop!” she growled.
“Then we go back” he was all too ready to turn the car around when she shaking clammy hand clasped onto his.
“No, no... You told me you have a mate too and you're not with her... How?” she practically ordered a hand still held her stomach as she sat hunched over in the seat.
“Linz...”
“Arro tell me!” she growled out.
“A witch, a witch helped me subside it” Arro glanced over to her “we should just go back until maybe later... You will feel better being close to Onyx--”
“NO! No, my aunt's pack's full of all different species she told me there are even some witches we can find one there... Please Arro” she spoke between her uneven breaths.
“Linz...”
“Just find somewhere we can eat and I can have my tea. It will settle things down till we get there” her eyes were pleading with him not to make her go back. Things had been peaceful for her leaving but with this new development surging in her gut goddess only knew what awaited her if she went back like a sad pup with her tail between her legs.
“Okay, Linz” he gave a nod returning his eyes to the road “okay.”
“You knew this was going to happen... Why didn't you say anything” her voice was a whisper as she slumped back into the seat her eyes returning to the scenery but still wincing from the ache.
“You don't like talking about all this mate stuff as it is and...” he sighed “and I was hoping it wouldn't happen it was stupid I knew it would but I was hoping it wouldn't happen... I just didn't want... I didn't want to hurt you or ruin your dreams.”
A small smile curled on her lips “you're a good friend” her fingers clutched around his on the steering wheel “but please just take me somewhere so I can drink my tea and get passed this till we find a witch...”
Arro gave a sympathetic look one which she hated. Those sort of looks always rubbed her the wrong way “Alright, Linz” his fingers wrapped around hers for a moment. No matter the situation Arro knew he would always support her despite their different views on some things he would always be there. After all, what were friends for.
:::
As soon as his eyes opened Onyx knew she was gone. He didn't know the time as he woke up in his childhood room with an uncomfortable sensation boiling in his gut causing him to groan. Onyx rolled onto his back realising he was alone in the large king-sized bed and gathering Eliza must have gone to school. Onyx rubbed at his muscled abdomen as he pulled himself up from the bed carelessly tossing the blanket that had found there way tangled around his legs “Hunt? Dad?” he groaned making his way across the wooden floor to the door yanking it open but the house was silent “Hunt?” he called for his Alpha brother he was one of the last people to leave in the mornings but no reply came “s**t” he grumbled wincing at the uncomfortable sensation flooding through him.
“Morning” Edda greeted her son as he stumbled down the stairs.
“Has she left?” he couldn't help himself in asking walking into the sitting room where his mother sat gracefully on one of the beige cushioned chairs sipping a cup of tea.
“Yes... Tea?” she offered but poured another cup from her delicate china set before he even responded.
“I don't want...” he groaned clutching at his stomach.
“Sit, Onyx” she instructed and Onyx knew more than to argue with his mother so he slumped down into the chair opposite her “drink the tea, it's already started” she slid the full cup across the coffee table towards him.
“Whats started?” he questioned.
“The pain you're feeling, son. That's your body wanting it's mate and feeling a growing distance between you” she explained but seemed quite indifferent she didn't have much sympathy considering her son's decision.
“Oh...” was all he was able to say until he finally blurted out the thoughts of his estranged mate “is Gatlin feeling this too? Will she return?”
A smile curled on the corner of her perfectly painted rose coloured lips “that's the mate bond talking... Longing” she sighed and pointed to the cup in front of him “Gatlin will feel it too as for her returning I don't know... So you better drink up, Onyx it's your only option till be figure this out.”
- Writer
