He knelt to be level with the fire stove to stir the pot full of our dinner. I try to make conversation, I thought a nice comment will be ok. Oh, how wrong I was. As soon as I ask about the cottage he is all uncomfortable, squirmy. His eyes flash a gold rim with his wolf peeking through like he was arguing something. I didn't even consider the history of this place, then it dawns on me... maybe it belonged to his mother. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," I start backtracking quickly. Things are already somewhat awkward because of earlier when he tried to kiss me. It came so naturally to him to want to do the action. I didn't mean to hesitate when I did, I just wasn't ready yet. I hope when I get to know him more as himself then maybe I'll feel more comfortable doing those things naturally, too. Kia is fuming that I didn't let our mate kiss us, but I wasn't ready, and she needs to understand that. "It's alright, you should know anyways.

Monday morning rolls around, but all too quickly. The weekend is never long enough. It was great to see Zander on Saturday evening. I loved the little cottage and could imagine us maybe living there or in something similar if we had to be on the pack lands. It felt somewhat familiar being there. I couldn't quite put my figure on it, but I had a few weird flashbacks and a strange feeling of deja vu. After a while, I brushed away the odd feelings and enjoyed his company. It was nice to get to know him a bit and try to understand him and put aside all the rumours and previous encounters we have had. As hard as some of them were, I was still going to be mindful that he had a past. I didn't want to hold it against him, but I still had to keep it in mind. Kia loved running around with Jace. She is a bit more of a free spirit than I am, but we are always in sync, epically more so, now we have found our mate. While I am still getting to know Zander, Kia has already decided she wants Jace an

Mia launched herself at me while her sister whispered things in my ear while playing with my collar. The kiss feels like sandpaper scratching against my mouth, it is the most horrible thing I have ever felt. I hate hated this. all I want is my mate, but right now she doesn’t want to tell anyone so I have to still act like my old self before. Jace is pissed at me as usual. 'She didn't mean flaunt yourself around with other women, you dumbass.' 'Honestly, I'm confused as to what she wants.' I snap back at him. 'Just because you had a shitty weekend after she left on Saturday does not give you the right to hurt her like this. She can fucking see us! Do you know the pain you are causing her? The pain you are causing us by going against the bond?' Jace growls. No, no I didn't know the pain I was causing her, I didn't want to look at her and see the brokenness I caused. I hear Oliver call her name, snapping me out of my funk. I look up just in time to see her leave the cafeteria and he

Anger. That is all I feel right now. The pain from his actions is long gone and now just a memory of what happened. He doesn’t deserve to be my first kiss, he doesn’t deserve to be my mate. Not with how he was flaunting himself around everyone. Kia didn't say anything while my mind was in this mess, we agreed if he cheated or did something of the same vein he could be rejected. I didn't think he would, especially after what he said on the evening of my birthday. Was none of it true? I'm surprised she didn't stop me when I tried to reject him. She stayed silent letting me make the decisions on our mate. I know she was hurt by his actions, probably even more so because Jace allowed him to do such a thing. But she hasn't said anything to me since arriving at the cottage, even on our run here she was silent lost in her own thoughts and emotions. I honestly wasn't expecting him to come after me, but Kia chose to come here while running. To our surprise he arrived shortly after, of co

Tingles fill my body as I snuggle against Zander. Kia is practically purring with happiness being so close to our mate. The sun has moved over to this side of the house, slowly setting into the evening, warming up the bedrooms upstairs as we sit here, flicking through the photos and talking. I have to give him credit. I half thought he would make a move, something sexual or another kiss. I was hoping he would lean in for another kiss just a little bit, but I guess he didn't want to push his luck. It worries me a little bit that Mum knows Zander is my mate. It explains what happened this morning. The weird thing is I couldn't even remember anything from back then. He was so cute when he was a baby. It seems his hair sprouted as he got older and he has the same eyes as his mother. I wish I remembered her or knew her. She and mum looked like they were great friends, like Chloe and me. A pang of guilt washes over me as I think about my friends and family not knowing about Zander yet.