*Hale*
I woke up early on Tuesday morning. The sun painted the room in gold, leaving Amara looking as if she were a statue covered in gold leaf, an angel asleep.
I slipped into the shower to wash away the confusing swarm of feelings that had flooded me upon waking up. I felt some relief that Amara had agreed to consider the mate bond at all. I didn't want her to feel pressured, but the dread of living with the pain of her rejection terrified me.
I was falling too fast for her. I knew part of it was the mate bond, but I felt certain that if mates weren't a part of my world, I would still be enamored with her. I was captivated by her beauty, that much was undeniable. But I wasn't lying when I told her that her heart and her mind were just as intoxicating.
The water washed over me, cool a
