Mystery Man

Mystery Man
Evie pov

As I approach the dining room I can hear my mate, family, and friends chatting and laughing inside. I am so glad that things have turned around since we have arrived and everyone seems to be getting along. I can't wait to tell my mom, Lizzie, and Hazel about the ball and go dress shopping. I wonder if I can invite Alice to the ball and to come shopping with us too, I'll have to ask Damon. But I will understand if she says no, I don't want to make her uncomfortable forcing her in with my friends and family though I am sure she will fit in great. I am a few steps from the dining room doors when I feel a presence behind me and hear someone clear their throat. They smell like fire and something else I can't place. I turn around and see Cole standing behind me looking to be heading to the dining room too. He sends me a small smile "Good morning Evie, I didn't want to startle you by rushing up to open the door for you." I laugh "I think I would have noticed you were there before you rushed passed, but thank you. Did you get to stay in the castle with your brother last night? It must be so nice to see him again after so much time apart." I say feeling like I am rambling a bit. I don't think I've been alone with a unfamiliar male since Damon and I have started accepting our bond, it feels a little weird. "I don't know Evie I can be pretty sneaky." Cole says as he almost trips over the edge of runner in the hall. His face turns bright red as he looks at me and says "Can we please forget that happened?" I hold in my laughter and say "What happened?" He smiles "Thank you Evie, and I did get to stay here last night. Lucas's couch converts to a bed so I stayed with him and got to hear all about what he's been up to this last year." A whole year apart from his brother I barely lasted a few months away from my family that sounds miserable." Wow, a year I'm sorry it's been so long." Cole steps back and leans on the wall behind him, and despite my mate being a few feet away I can't help but think how attractive he is. I can't believe his mate didn't accept him right away he seems so kind. Hopefully she accepts him soon or he finds someone better suited for him. "It's okay I have been busy this last year too, I wasn't able to pull myself away like I usually do to visit him. I was so happy when he accepted my invitation to visit and told me he was bringing his best friend with him. I have met Daniel on a couple of my visits and he is a great kid I'm glad he's giving his family another chance." I look towards the dining room and feel like I can see through the walls to Damon who has been so much happier since being reunited with his brother "me too, Damon was so happy to see him. I don't think he realized how much he missed his brother until he was standing right in front of him. I can't imagine going that long it was barely a couple months I was apart from my family and I missed them more than I can explain." Cole nods "I understand. Lucas and I lost our parents when we were young, it was hard but it brought us much closer together. When he is gone it's like a piece of me is missing, I can tell that you and your family are that way too. I would kill to have what you have my family together and my mate, forgive me if its rude to say but it seems like you have the perfect life."I look at him and sorrow fills his eyes.I know my life is far from perfect but hearing what he has been through feels like a punch to the gut, how can I complain I do have everything. "I'm so sorry about your parents Cole I didn't know." I take a step forward and rest my hand on his shoulder "I'm sure your mate will come around soon. I know I don't know you well but you seem like a very kind man she would be lucky to have you." He lets out a chuckle and a small smile "That was nice to hear even though like you said you don't know me well. I hope your right Evie thank you." I smile "Is your mate here in the city? Maybe we could invite her to the ball this weekend and you guys can bump into each other there?" I ask hopefully. "Um my mate is actually here in the city not just that she works in the castle, maybe she will be at the ball I hadn't thought of that!" Cole exclaims excitedly and leaps forward to give me a hug, I laugh and hug him back about to ask for his mates name when I smell mine and he is angry. I hear his growl before I turn around to see him. I pull away from Cole immediately then face Damon. "What is this?" Damon asks venomously. "We were swept away with excitement for a second, we talked and I told Cole we can invite his mate to the ball so he has a chance to bump into her again and try to get her to accept the bond. How amazing would that be Damon?" I ask trying to break some of the tension in the room. "Exciting indeed." Damon spits out. "I am sorry Damon it was my fault, I hadn't even thought of the idea before Evie said something I got so excited I didn't even think. I promise it won't happen again." Damon looks between us and I take a step closer to him, before turning to Cole "It's okay Cole, why don't you head inside we will be right there." He nods and heads into the dining room quickly closing the doors behind him. I turn to face Damon again "What's  wrong? I ask cautiously. "What do you mean what's wrong? Your late for breakfast so I am worried and come to check on you and find you in the hallway hugging another man. Why would I not be mad about that Evie?" I am taken aback I mean is he serious, out of the two of us I am not the one who has ever been cause for concern. I was feeling bad at first thinking he was worried about me but now I am pissed. "Excuse me, I have been nothing but loyal to you since the day we met despite that fact that you were a giant jackass. Why would you be questioning me, you don't get to decide who I am friends with Damon. I am a grown women and despite the fact that you make me happy I am not going to just do  whatever you say, and I am pretty sure you know that too. We have had a good couple of weeks but don't think I will be some complacent female for you because you will be disappointed." Damon takes a step back shocked by my words. "That's... that's not what I expect Evie. I.. I don't know what to say. I guess I may have overreacted about this whole thing, but never did I think you would betray me in any way Evie. I'm sorry if I made you think so I know we have had a good couple of weeks and I want to continue that I am sorry that I hurt you." I take a deep breath and feel a little bad I may have overreacted as well, I just will not allow anyone to control me. "I'm sorry as well Damon, I should have know what you meant and I would have be upset too had roles been reversed. I believe you, but let's make one thing clear here and now so we never have this conversation again. I am my own person and will make my own decisions, that will never change. However I will be more considerate of your boundaries next time." I say taking a step towards him and grabbing his hand. He smiles at me and pulls me into a hug of our own "I never want you to change Evie, your perfect the way you are." I laugh "no ones perfect Damon, but I think your as close as it get's." I smile and give him a kiss. "Let's go eat some breakfast little mate." I nod and we head into the dining room holding each others hands.