Chapter 72 72
CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO
AURORA'S P.O.V
"And who is this great-gran look alike?"
"Excuse me?" I frowned up at him.
"When uncle told me about you, I never realized the resemblance could be this...direct."
"Huh?" I asked again.
Why was he staring at me like that? As if I was something he wanted to acquire.
"Oh, stop making her feel uncomfortable." Mirabel slapped his back and pulled me up.
"Aurora, this is my Cousin, Ryder Smith. His mom is my dad's younger sister. Ryder, this is Aurora Steel. Our good friend."
Ryder smiled, his eyes falling into squints as he held out a hand for a handshake.
"Sorry, if I made you uncomfortable. I'm Ryder, nice to meet you."
I stared at his hand and back to his face, he was still smiling. Maybe I was being a bit rude. He was just trying to be nice, I'm sure.
"It's alright, I can understand your shock. I'm Aurora, nice to meet you too."
He shook my hand with a gentleman grasp, they were warm and a bit soft, not as rough as Lucian's.
"So, what brings you here?" He asked.
I glanced at Mirabel and shrugged.
"Oh..um...just a few day's vacation."
He blinked and tilted his head, hands in pocket.
"Really?"
"Yeah, and after that we'll be on our way."
"We?" He frowned.
"Yes, I came with my..."
"Mate." Mirabel completed for me, "She came with her mate."
"I see. Well, where is this mate you speak of?"
He didn't sound convinced. Something in his tone sounded too interrogative, I didn't like it.
"You'll see him when he comes. If you'll excuse me, I'll go to my room now." I gave him a tight smile, nodded at Mirabell and Jake as I made my way out.
Its a family reunion anyway, I shouldn't be there. That's what I told myself, but to be honest, I just wanted to be away from Ryder or whatever he calls himself.
I stayed throughout in my room, spending the time sleeping and regaining the strength I had lost. Just before dinner, a knock sounded on my door. Thinking it was Lucian, I stood up to answer.
"Can I help you?" I asked with a sigh, unable to keep the frown off my face. Ryder was standing in front of me, leaning against the wall with a slight smile on his lips.
"Hi."
"Hi. Can I help you?" I repeated.
He stood straight and came closer, I made no move to move from the door, he chuckled.
"I just wanted to see how you were doing."
I smiled back at him.
"As you can see, I'm doing pretty well. Thanks."
I made to close the door but, then he stopped it with his hand, I glared at him.
"What are you doing?"
"Relax, I just want to know you better, that's all. You don't have to be so grumpy about it."
My nose flared and my hand on the doorknob tightened.
"I'm not grumpy, I just want to be alone. Is that too much to ask?"
"Yes." He nodded seriously.
I blinked at him.
"Excuse me?"
He held out his hand, "Calm down. I meant it in a good way. A girl as beautiful as you can't just lock yourself up away from people. You should be up and about so that you can be adored."
"And I guess I'm supposed to feel happy about what you just said?"
"Of course and you're welcome by the way." He winked with a lazy smile on his lips.
I shook my head while rolling my eyes.
"Ryder, while I appreciate your compliments, they are for the wrong person."
"Why?"
I'm going to say it, if that would successfully get him off my way.
"Because I already have a mate and I don't think he will like it if he sees you here flirting with me."
He laughed, his shoulders shaking with the motion. Then he came closer, I had no choice but to move back a bit, he then leaned down to stare into my eyes.
"Listen honey..."
"Don't call me honey." I snapped.
He smirked
"I like you and listen. Until I see this mate of yours, I refuse to believe that you truly have a mate."
"Why can't you believe I have a mate?"
"Because I can't scent any male on you, you clearly aren't bonded. And what kind of a man has a hot lady like you as a mate but hasn't even bitten you?"
"Because...he...h..he..."
I stuttered, not knowing what to say. Guilt lanced through me, he was right. Lucian wanted to mate, I was the one holding him from doing just that.
"You see." He smiled victoriously, his teeth showing. "You can't say anything. Where is your mate to debunk what I just said."
"I'm here..."
The both of us turned to look, and from the corner was Lucian approaching and he looked pissed. His face was hard and his eyes were cold as he stalked over to us. Without even glancing at Ryder, he pushed him back with one hand and pulled me to him, his hand tight around my waist. Ryder glared at him as his eyes went to the hand secured tight on my waist.
"And to answer your question...I'm the kind of mate that will wait for her, until she feels its the right time. Before I do anything. I respect my mate, unlike you who can't even respect a woman."
He growled out his words with venom. My throat tightened with the need to kiss him, he came in like a knight in shinning armor. Fuck it. I reached out and pulled his face to mine. He didn't even pause, he kissed me, deep and hard, just like I wanted. I was panting when we pulled away, a grin on my lips as I faced a red faced Ryder.
"This is my mate. Do you have your answer now?"
His eyes were glimmering with anger, I saw his hands clenching into fists, his body was trembling. What's up with him?
"Have you known him before, Aurora?" Lucian asked with a nudge at my waist.
I shook my head.
"No, I just met him today."
"And he dares to flirt with my mate." He growled.
Ryder's head snapped up to face him, I gasped at the unleashed fury dancing beneath his gaze.
"She might be your mate, but she still has great-gran's face. That has to mean something."
"Like what?" Lucian taunted.
A slow grin spread on his face like a predator.
"That she might be for me and not you"