Chapter 28: TWENTY-EIGHT

J A D E

The next day, I came down for breakfast just fresh out the shower, but this time, someone else was already sitting at the table, having breakfast.

Markov.

Ever since I'd been avoiding him, I would make sure he was already out before I would go down for breakfast, and leave the house once I was done, just to avoid bumping into him.

But today, it seems that he had caught on, and decided to show up early.

His eyes immediately found mine the moment I walked in, and my heart stopped.

Fuck, why does he have to look so good?

It's as if my body is responding to him, and the ache in my chest grew stronger. His eyes roamed over my face, and then my body, and I tried my best to remain calm, and not react.

"Good morning." He greeted me with a soft smile, and the warmth in his eyes, had me wanting to melt.

"Morning."

I looked at the kitchen to see no one, and then, walked towards the dining table. I went to sit at the opposite end of the table, but before I could even take a step, Markov called out to me.

"Why are you sitting all the way there?"

"Markov..."

"Haven't you tortured me enough, Jade? I've respected your decisions, didn't push or force you. I've given you the space you asked for. Now, why don't you come and have breakfast with your mate?"

"I've not been torturing you. And we've not been having breakfast together."

"Oh yeah? Well, I would like to change that, so come here and sit down."

"I'd prefer not to. Look, we are not going to get anywhere, so it's best if we just...stay away."

"Jade, don't be difficult."

"Difficult? Me?"

"Yes, you. Now, come and sit here."

He pointed at the seat next to him, and the way he looked at me had the urge to walk over and obey. But, the stubborn side of me had my feet planted firmly where I was. I knew he hated me being stubborn, he always wanted to be in control, and I was enjoying the way his jaw clenched every time he was not getting what he wanted.

"No. I'm good."

"Jade...don't push me."

"Or what?"

"Don't test me, woman. You're really trying my patience."

"So, what if I am?"

"Okay, please. Jade, will you please and have breakfast with me? I've missed you."

The sadness in his voice had my heart clenching, and my body was reacting to him. I was drawn to him.

I took a deep breath, and before I could change my mind, I slowly walked over and sat next to him.

"Thank you."

He reached out and cupped my cheek, and the way he was looking at me had my heart racing, and a gasp escaped my lips. I didn't realize just how much I'd craved for his touch, until now.

His eyes were blazing, and I could see the love and desire in them.

I wanted to kiss him.

I wanted him to hold me.

My body was calling out to him, and no matter how hard I was trying to hold on, I was slowly losing myself.

"What's happening to us, Jade? Do you want to shut me out forever? This is just one of the ways, how the mating bond would destroy a couple. It is not meant to be endured by just one side. It's meant to be enjoyed by both of you. And when it's not, the longing and the need for each other, would destroy the other."

"I...Markov.."

"This is just the beginning of many obstacles we are going to face in the future, why are you allowing them to tear us apart? Why are you not willing to give me a chance, Jade?"

"Because it's not that simple. I can't explain it, and you have no idea how much I have tried. The feeling is there, and yet, she's pulling away. And every time I try to find her, or ask her what's going on, she shuts me out, and it hurts. It's obvious it's something about you that's bothering her, and until I find out what it is, how can I trust you?"

"There's nothing wrong with me, Jade. If your wolf is refusing to accept me, it has to be a different reason, and it could be nothing. Maybe, it's just the shock of everything, and maybe, she is not used to being in the new place. You said you'd moved from the pack a long time ago. So, maybe she's just adjusting."

"That's not the case, Markov. And something tells me that you know that. There's a secret that everyone around you seems to know, but I'm the only one who's been kept in the dark. I can't even trust anyone's words anymore, because apparently, everyone has a different story, and they all have an opinion about you. It's like you're a villain, and I'm the damsel in distress. I'm so tired, Markov. All I want is for people to stop lying to me. I want the truth, and nothing else. Is that too much to ask for?"

"And you'll get the truth, Jade. But now is not the time. You're supposed to love me regardless of my flaws. You should trust me to never put you in danger, or do anything to hurt you. You are supposed to be confident that I would always protect you and take care of you, and yet, here we are, and I can't even get you to have a meal with me. And if it's not that, then it's the fact that your wolf is acting strange. What is going on, Jade?"

"I have no idea. All I know is that no matter how hard I try, I'm failing, and the distance between us is only growing. What if she doesn't want you, and she's trying to send a message?"

"Jade, she's your wolf. She would never do anything that would cause you pain. She is the part of you that would always know what's best for you, and she would do whatever it takes to protect you, and make sure that you're happy. Do you really think your wolf would hate me, and not want to be mated with me, and hurt you? Do you really believe that?"

"It's not that. I don't believe that she would purposely cause me harm. But, what if the bond is somehow hurting her, and she's trying to protect herself?"

"Why would she? There's nothing that can hurt her. We were destined to be together. By the moon goddess herself. Any mate would want to be mated with his other half. Why would yours not?"

"That's the point, Markov. I have no idea. And no matter how many times we talk about it, the outcome is the same. She is hiding, and she is not willing to open up. What is the point in forcing the bond if the one person who matters most doesn't want any part of it?"

"It doesn't matter, Jade. She will come around, and until then, we will have to work with what we have. She is not willing to talk, and neither are you. But, that doesn't mean I'll stop trying. You are my mate. And the bond is there, no matter how much your wolf wants to ignore it. If you won't let her, then I'll have to make you. Until then, you will not run away from me, or avoid me. Got it?"

"Markov..."

"Jade...don't fight me on this. This is not a request. It is a demand."

"You don't get to tell me what to do."

"Oh yeah? We'll see about that."

Before I could even move, Markov wrapped an arm around my waist, and pulled me onto his lap, and the sudden movement had a squeal escaping my lips.

His eyes blazed with hunger, and desire, and I felt his arousal, which only heightened my own.

I struggled against his hold, but he held on tighter, and a growl escaped his lips, making me freeze.

"Now, you're going to listen to me, and I won't say it again, Jade. No more running away. You will not hide, and you will not avoid me. If you have a problem, come and tell me. Don't keep it all to yourself, and don't push me away. That's the only way we are going to get anywhere."

"I..uh.."

"Jade.." He warned, and his eyes held a promise, which had me shivering.

"Okay.."

"Okay what?"

"Okay? What?"

"Say, I will not run away from you."

"Really? That's childish, and we are not in school."

"Jade.."

"Okay, okay. I will not run away from you."

"That's a good girl."

He cupped my cheek, his thumb running across my lips, and the urge to kiss him, had me leaning forward. I tried to fight my body, but it was no use.

The desire, the need, the hunger.

I was losing myself.

"You can't stay away from me, Jade. You can try. But, the moment you let down your guard, the moment you start allowing yourself to feel, the moment you allow the bond to take over, you will not be able to hold back. You love the way I make you feel. The way I touch you, the way I kiss you. And the desire will be too strong. You will beg me, and when you do, I will not hesitate. I'll fuck you the way you like. And then, and only then, will I give you what you need."

I wanted him.

No.

I needed him.

We've been going at it like horny teenagers since we met, and one week of not being touched by him, not being kissed by him, and not being held by him was killing me.

"You are mine, Jade. No matter how hard you fight it. One way or another, you will be mine."

"Markov...please."

"You don't get to make demands, Jade. Not anymore. The ball is in my court. And until I decide, and until you can prove that I can trust you, this is the way it's going to be. Now, are you hungry?"

He reached for his plate, and before I could respond, he scooped some food, and brought it up to my lips.

I was so stunned by the way he was acting, that all I could do was open my mouth and allow him to feed me.

The moment the food touched my tongue, a moan escaped my lips.

Oh, God.

That was delicious.

Markov's eyes darkened at the sound, and I could feel his rock-hard cock, pressed against me.

"Fuck.." He whispered, and his voice sounded hoarse.

"Do you like the food, baby?"

"Uh huh."

"Good. Now, open your mouth. Let me feed you."