ROWAN.
“Mate?” Lisa asks in confusion. “You are sure that is what she said. Mate?”
“You repeating the word over and over again, is not going to change what I heard,” I drolly reply as I recline on the pillow. “She said mate.”
“And did she say anything else?” she asks as she continues pacing the length of my bedroom.
“No,” I answer as I close my eyes. “And can you stop pacing, you are making me dizzy.”
“I think this is wonderful,” Rina pipes up as she strokes Jhenelle’s hair.
She is sleeping on her lap, as we gathered in my room, our unofficial meeting room as Lisa likes to say.
It is… rustic in a way. Nothing too over the top.
It is a simple, charming room but with a touch of elegance. At one end of the wall, there is a sturdy, dark wood dresser with a mirror above it, reflecting the room back to me. Its surface is neat, with just a few essentials like a hairbrush, some makeup and a small jewelry box.
Directly facing it is the bed whose headboard is a classic piece, with intricate carvings that adds a bit of elegance to the room. Facing the door on the other side of the room, is a bookshelf filled with a mix of novels and children’s books -Jhenelle’s books, as well as a few knicknacks, figurines and souvenirs we had gotten from all our roamings.
A small desk is placed by the window with a chair slightly pulled out, as if someone has just stood up. It is covered with drawings and a couple of crayons, arts carefully created with Jhenelle’s childish diligence. Some of those paintings are hung in several rooms in the mansion.
The point is, while the room might be the biggest in the mansion, there is not much luxury that would have been present in most Alpha’s rooms.
Something that Rina actively bemoans but I don’t really mind.
“Having a mate after all you have gone through is just perfect,” she continues.
Of course, she would think that.
“I already had a mate. He raped me, rejected me and had me thrown off a cliff. So, whatever my wolf thinks she feels, is not logical.”
“Actually…” Lisa says with a contemplative look in her eyes.
“Actually, what?” I demand.
“There have been cases of second chance mates,” she replies.
“Second chance mate,” I retort. “Are you joking with me right now?”
“Actually, she has a point. Dave and Bea are second chance mates. Bea had her mate reject her while Dave’s had died. So, it is very possible.”
Dave and Bea are one of the recent settlers in our group. They had arrived early this week and I am quietly impressed that she already has that information on them but nevertheless…
“That doesn’t mean that the same can be said for me. I do not want a mate. I am perfectly happy like this.”
“No one is perfectly happy being alone, least of all we werewolves who are built to mate for life.”
“Well, I am just not a wolf. I am also a person and I say mates, lovers are more hassle than they are worth.”
“I don’t know about that,” Rina continues. “I won’t mind having a mate. My own person.”
“I thought I was your person,” Lisa says with a pout.
“You are my sister, my twin and I love you but I don’t want to sleep with you or kiss you or-”
“I got it. There is no need to get too descriptive,” Lisa cuts her off before turning to me . “Back to the matter, when you were with him, did you sense anything different, like the first time with your with Dominic?”
“Honestly no, but then I can’t exactly tell you how I knew Dominic was my mate. I don’t remember feeling anything but fear,” I say contemplatively.
“How did you know he was your mate then?” she asks.
“It was him, his reaction, the disappointment and rage in his eyes and then yeah, the subsequent screaming also gave it away.”
“Maybe we should ask?” Rina says.
“Ask? Ask what?”
“What it feels like to find your mate,” she responds. “It is clear none of us here have any real, substantial knowledge on the subject, with I and Lisa being mate less and you having a demon as your first. We should ask.”
“Not that I agree with you,” Lisa replies. “But who would we even ask? Most of the people here have either not found their mates or have lost them. Or worse, have been rejected or betrayed by them. I don’t plan on bringing up bad memories. And the ones who actually have mates are just too…”
“Yucky?”I supply.
“Exactly. They are gross. So fanatic and possessive. It bothers me.”
“It bothers you because you don’t know what it feels like. And Ro, can you honestly say that if Dominic had been kinder, caring, you know, nothing like he actually is, if he was the opposite, would you have minded being his mate.”
“I am sorry but I cannot answer that question,” I reply.
“Why the hell not?”
“Because, I can not reconcile that image in my head. All my life Damien has been cruel and vicious. Seeing him as anything but that is not possible.”
“Great. So we are back to the same issue. What are you going to do about your new mate?”
“Again, why do I have to do anything about him? He is not my problem?”
“Oh, but he is going to be once he wakes up and senses that you are his mate.”
“Then I will reject him.”
“Rowan!”
“Come on, that is harsh.”
“Not really. Do you expect me to take on a mate as well as the Coalition.”
“Why can’t you do both? He might actually prove helpful to you.”
“You think he will want to stay. He is not a rogue, his scent says as much.”
“But-”
Fortunately for me, a knock sounds at that very moment.
“Come in,” I call out, grateful for the interruption.
“Sorry to disturb you, but the man is awake.”