23.
1255 Words
"I can't wait to see you, Aurella" Gatlin spoke the phone pressed to her ear as she hid in her room for the evening. She was exhausted from the dramas and laughing amongst the boys wasn't very alluring so she sat on her uncomfortable bed whispering into her phone.
"Its only natural for mates to develop feelings, Linz. That's how it works" Aurella explained with a sigh on the other end.
"Well, I don't want this mate bond, Aurella. I don't want Onyx and having to go through this is like smashing my face into a brick wall over and over even Edda said it he's always wanted Eliza if this bond didn't even happen he wouldn't even know I exist" Gatlin scoffed "I would have finished all this and I would be on my way to you by now but he got in the way of that."
"You said he apologised" Aurella commented.
"But it doesn't change the fact that it happened, Rella. He still did it. He still sabotaged me for his selfish gain to try and have me yet..." Gatlin suddenly groaned her free hand clutching to her pelvis.
"What's wrong?" Aurella questioned obvious concern in her voice.
"I... I don't know" Gatlin sat up alert suddenly something was wrong, something was stirring within her that she couldn't explain. Rising to her feet with he phone slipping from her hand clattering to the floor. It wasn't painful but the discomfort that was hard to ignore. Though she hadn't felt connected to Onyx when he was pained she wasn't sure if it returned and that dastardly bond was warning her. With a wince she wandered to the door in search for her estranged mate she cursed herself for this pull wanting it to end. It was like a cruel burden that hung around her neck heavy and unrelenting if he was the cause she wished to crush it as soon as possible. Making her way to the cramped sitting room where most of the young warriors had gathered.
"She lives!" Arro exclaimed before giggling like a child. Sweat dripped down her temple as the discomfort in her body lingered and kept her on edge.
"Where is Onyx?" It was breathless and shaken the words and most of the trainees looked at her in confusion.
"Linz..." that joyful giggling boy in Arro quickly disappeared at the sign of his friend's discomfort.
"Where is Onyx?" she asked more assertive. Her hand still holding her abdomen.
"He's not here, he's--" Arro suddenly grew alarmed at her movement and before he could finish his words. A frown was already across Jaxon's face who was quick to his feet.
"f**k" he growled out interrupting Arro as he crossed the floor rather quickly. The others looked confused but didn't seem to comment on the events ahead.
"Is everyone okay?" Billy asked in alarm.
"Ah don't worry" Arro spoke his gaze still on Gatlin who held a frown deeply across her face.
"Its this damn mate bond isn't it" Gatlin snarled in disgust. They both knew and the more they looked at her with the sympathy she hated this bond even more. Sweat was dripping down her forehead "but I didn't...Before I didn't feel when he got hurt I thought..." she sighed.
"It's not that simple, Linz" Arro put his arm around her shoulders and guided her to the bathroom "what did you have? When you didn't feel the bond?"
"Just tea with Edda" she replied and Arro smirked as he helped her sit down on the cold tiles and Gatlin groaned in realisation "Arnica, of course."
Arro chuckled "Edda adds it to her tea to help with aches and pains. Sorry, you're not getting out of this so easy" Gatlin groaned once again letting her head fall back onto the wall "when will this be over though" she pointed out her discomfort."
"When he's finished" Arro grumbled before she could say anything he turned on the taps and the cold water hit her hot skin. It was so hot she could have sworn she heard sizzling when it hit. Gatlin settled back on the wall letting the water rush over her it cooling her body and dulling the irritation in her body "you want me to run back to camp and get some tea from Edda?" Arro asked standing just outside the shower stall.
It was silent for a moment "he's with Eliza isn't he?" She questioned but Arro didn't speak "how did you know this would help?" She asked another question but again Arro didn't reply "Arro?"
"I Ah... I will go get that tea for you. I will ask Jaxon to check-in" Arro stuttered his words wanting to avoid the topic. She didn't need him to answer to know the truth to the first question the second question she asked had her curious however but she couldn't get an answer since Arro was already gone. It was about half an hour later when it finally subsided, the odd discomfort was gone and so was the heated like molten lava skin. Gatlin got to her feet the clothes still on her body were dripping wet as she pulled them off and hung them over the wall of the shower and making her way to grab a towel. With a towel wrapped around her, Gatlin made her way to the sink her palms pressing onto the counter while her eyes looked at the exhausted reflection.
"f**k" she cursed staring at the girl in the mirror. Those sage eyes were duller than usual, her chubby cheeks were gone and her face was more slender. It was something she didn't even notice before but after working so hard there were bound to be changed to her body.
"Pryce?" Jaxon knocked at the door pushing it open slowly "I heard the shower turn off" he said entering the room "are you okay?"
"Yeah... I would prefer I didn't feel Onyx getting some action but guess we can't control this" she sighed still hunched over the sink.
"Pryce..." Jaxon sounded empathetic as he came closer he stepped closely behind her "Hey..." he spoke trying to gain her attention but she only looked at him In the reflection of the mirror "it's going to be alright."
"How do you know that" she scoffed. Before he spoke again he slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. Gatlin's back was pressed to his chest, the contact made her gulp.
"Because I just know" he lowered his head and for a moment she thought he was going to his her bare shoulder which sent a shiver along her spine "and if it's not then there are always ways to get back at him” a mischievous glint in his eyes as they focused on hers, his large hand was held against her abdomen.
“I...” Gatlin turned her head her face not barely an inch from his own. Those chocolate eyes were watching her like a hawk but the moment was quick to come crashing down when the door swung open and the two jumped apart.
“I got it” Arro shouted out holding a little container of what she assumed was the tea.
“A bit late. She's fine now” Jaxon spoke as he attempted to straighten himself up.
“You are?” Arro questioned.
“Ah yeah... Thank you anyway I'm going to bed night Arro” she smiled at her friend but was barely able to face Jaxon “Marks” she mumbled brushing passed him.
“Night Pryce, Sweet dreams” she couldn't help rolling her eyes at his comment knowing a grin was on his face but she just walked out wanting to sleep and forget it all even happened.
- Writer
