Chapter 14

I walked up to Dawson’s table with full confidence. There was no way I was going to let him see how nervous I was.

“Hi, I’m Bella. I’m sorry I ran out of here the other day. I just didn’t expect to meet you and it took me off guard.” I held out my hand for him to shake.

Dawson nodded and politely shook my hand as he smiled at me. “I didn’t expect to meet you either, but I’m happy I did.”

“You look upset. I didn’t mean to offend you. I just had to clear my head.”

“Oh no baby, I’m not upset. I’m Just concerned. I got hit with the mate bond, and instead of you running into my arms, you ran out the door. I haven’t seen you since, and then I walked in here and saw you sitting with three dudes. I took it a little personal that you ran away from me.” 

I shook my head, “again, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that, and those guys are my family. Ryker Green is my brother, and Ezra and Drake Green are my cousins.”

He nodded, “I thought I recognized the Green boys. So that means you’re from Green Ridge. What’s a beautiful Arizona girl doing in Vermont?”

I laughed, “clearly going to school. I moved here for college because I needed a change. How do you know the boys?”

“Let’s just call it a mild run in. I live close to your pack. Your boy Ezra has a big mouth and needs to learn to keep his hands to himself.”

I laughed so hard I almost choked on my coffee. I know Ezra like the back of my hand. Sometimes he picks fights just because he’s bored. “So, in other words, Ezra got drunk and tried picking up a girl that was off the market.”

Dawson smiled, “I think he learned a valuable lesson that night. Don’t worry, it was over a year ago and I think we’re all over it now. We were all drunk that night. Too bad you didn’t go to that party with them. I would have found you sooner.”

I smiled back at him, but Drake’s warning kept ringing in my head. The boys never forget a face, they know who he is. I need to change the subject before too much information comes out. I’ll take it up with them later.

“Don’t hate Ezra for it, he’s young. All three of them still have a lot of growing up to do. So, you already know where I’m from. Tell me about yourself. What’s your den like?”

Looking at his smooth, caramel skin and his jet-black hair. I’m pretty sure I already know, but I need to get this conversation off of me.

Dawson looked down at his coffee before answering me, “I live about an hour north of Green Ridge. It’s a large den, but we mostly stick to ourselves.”

He’s modest, I’ll give him credit for that. He’s from one of the largest and most powerful dens in North America. It’s the bear king’s den. I smiled and took a sip of my coffee. I can tell he’s not going to dive into his life story, so time for plan B. 

“Dawson, I want to be honest with you right from the start. When I first saw you, I was thrown off so bad because I already found my fated mate.”

“What? How can you have two mates?”

“I don’t know, that’s why I ran out on you.”

Dawson nodded, “How long have you been with him?”

“I actually just met him on my way here. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m going to ask you for the same thing I asked him for. I need time to figure this all out. I want the opportunity to get to know you both before we move any further.”

Dawson just stared at me while he thought about it for a minute. A couple of minutes felt like an eternity as I waited to see if he was going to get upset like Creed did.

“I’m fine with that. So, you were blessed with two mates. It’s not a big deal, it’s happened before. He gave me a panty soaking smirk, “what are the ground rules while you get to know us?”

I smiled, “I haven’t thought about that yet, but I’m thinking no sex, and no claiming each other.”

He smiled, “anything else is fair game.”

I licked my lips as I tried to decide what I wanted. It’s hard to think straight when just looking at him has me wanting to tear every inch of his clothes off. 

“Yep, unless any of us are uncomfortable with the choice.”

He gave me another seductive smirk, “I can work with that.”

I continued my conversation with Dawson, but I can’t shake this feeling that I’m being watched. I tried looking around the room, but I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary.

I did my best to ignore it until the inevitable dawned on me. There is only one set of sparkling green eyes that have the power to make me feel this way.

I smiled back at Dawson. If Creed’s spying on me, he probably already heard our whole conversation. Good, let him be jealous. It serves him right. 

Dawson had to leave for class, but I gave him my number and we agreed to meet up later. I decided to go to the library for a while. I really want to know what my mark means. There’s got to be some kind of useful information there. 

I started searching through the supernatural history books. I’m specifically looking for any kind of prophecy information, and I don’t really know where to begin. 

There are shelves upon shelves of history books. It’s going to take me forever to look through all of these, but I’ve got to start somewhere.

I started to lose focus when I picked up on Creed’s scent and felt his eyes on me, but I stayed strong. I continued to ignore him. I refuse to approach him or even acknowledge him until he apologizes.

The first book I picked up was a dud, so I switched to another one, and did my best to concentrate. The second one was also a dud and only had information about wars in it. Maybe I’m in the wrong section. I closed the book and started reading every title as I slowly skimmed through the shelves. There has to be some kind of hint here.

Creed’s scent is getting stronger, and I can sense him sneaking up behind me. Before he got a chance to say anything, I spun around.

“You know it’s rude to spy on people and ease drop on conversations.”

He took a step back, “Was that him?”

“Is it your business?”

“Yah it is,” he said as he stepped closer to me. Backing me up against the shelf.

“I might be a little selfish, but I’m not wrong for wanting to keep my mate safe.”

“Your mate is safe. What makes you think Dawson doesn’t feel the same way?”

“I’m sorry, OK. I don’t want them around you, but I also know I’m being selfish. Your mine, I don’t want to share. I don’t trust him.”

“That’s not your call to make, Creed. The moon goddess blessed or cursed me with two mates. I haven’t decided which yet. Either way, I deserve the opportunity to figure it out. I don’t want to lose you. All I’m asking for is the chance to get to know both of you while I try to figure everything out.”

“And what if he hurts you? Then what am I supposed to do?” He leaned into me and placed both his hands on the shelf behind me. Boxing me in. 

I shrugged my shoulders and stared at his parting lips as he leaned in closer. “Then we will figure out the next steps together.”

“One mate, one bond for life,” Creed whispered as he brushed his lips against mine.

“I know. The ground rules are no bonding or claiming each other, until I no what’s going on, and we decide what the future will look like.”

Creed didn’t answer me. He pressed his lips to mine and wrapped his arm around my back and pulled me closer to his body. His tongue danced with mine as he deepened the kiss and held me tight against his rock-hard body. 

He broke our kiss and rested his forehead against mine.

“Stay with me tonight.”