Esma’s POV
I quickly sprinted to the bathroom to freshen up. I glared at my reflection in the mirror. Saying that I was looking like hell would be an understatement. What really shocked me was that some kind of tattoo formed just above my left breast, near my collar bone.
I am usually pale all the time, but this…is the first time I could see the veins of my chest. It was some kind of tattoo; the veins were swirled beautifully, forming a crescent moon. It looked beautiful at first sight. But I have never seen this kind of tattoo on my mother or any other she-wolf. Maybe it was because I didn’t bear his mark.
I drank his blood, tying myself with him. Maybe this was because of his blood. He was not some normal wolf in the first place. He was a legend. My mate was a legend; I shook my head; I am not regretting anything.
I went downstairs and found no one except him. Reed was trying to make something in the kitchen and looked so highly devoted to it that he didn’t notice my presence. The sweet aroma of pancakes filled my nostrils and my mouth watered. Oh…okay, he is a chef too—a sexy chef.
He stopped and turned to look at me. My cheeks flushed instantly under his intense gaze, but he didn’t say anything. He smiled smugly, and for a second, I doubted that he heard my thoughts. Could he?
“Sit. You like pancakes, bacon, and eggs? I didn’t find anything in your kitchen,” he said and again concentrated on the pancakes.
“Pancakes will do,” I murmured and took a stool in the kitchen. I looked around, and now I realized I had not seen anyone since yesterday.
“Your mother has gone to the temple, and your brother has taken Diana to show her around the pack,” Reed said again, still working on the pancakes, breaking my train of thought.
Fuck, he could read my thoughts. He smiled again, and this time he turned again to look at me. “I don’t know where you keep your placemats, mate.” His voice echoed in my head, and I swear my jaw dropped and touched the ground.
I looked down at my hands, knowing I was turning puce. He turned again and started whisking the eggs, but the amused look was still plastered on his face. I reached to the cupboard and put the plates out on the counter.
He served the breakfast onto the heated plates and lay them on the table. I hunted in the refrigerator and found some orange juice. I glanced at Reed, and he was waiting for me.
“Do you still feel nauseous?” he asked as he sat down beside me.
“I am fine. Well, much better.” I shrugged, and he looked as if he was working hard to stifle a smile.
“Do you have any plans for the evening?” he asked out of the blue. I could feel his anxiety through the mate bond. He was nervous.
I clipped my lips in the thin line, trying to look like I was thinking before shaking my head. “No. why?” He visibly relaxed before smiling a full-blown grin. I was starting to feel something for his smile. He smiled so rarely, but every time he did, it was a moment to behold.
“Would you like to go out with me?” he asked, and all the air left my body. The butterflies, which had been dormant till now, started to flap their wings strongly. Both of us didn't say anything then.
I ate the remaining items and took his plate along with mine to the sink. “I will tell you later,” I said, washing the plates. I didn’t want him to see my face, but I already knew that he knew I was smiling.
The day passed like a blur. August and Diana returned soon in the afternoon. They bonded very fast and by now, separating both of them seemed to be impossible.
“Guys, get a room, jeez,” I said in fake annoyance. August smiled sheepishly before kissing Diana again, leaving both of us.
“Someone is touchy,” I remarked when the whole house was finally for us. Diana slapped me on my shoulder but flushed anyways. Diana was the best thing that ever happened to my brother and what he deserved.
“Tell me, Diana, where did the dearest brother of mine take you on your date?” I asked, fluttering my eyelashes, trying to look genuinely innocent. Diana narrowed her eyes but didn’t say anything.
“Did he mark you?” I asked again. This time she looked directly into my eyes and smiled.
“No, he didn’t. He said he wouldn’t mark me without my consent.” She sighed heavily and looked above as if dreaming.
“I am impressed.” August was finally behaving like a mature one now. Diana looked at me knowingly before her eyes lingered on my chest, just where the tattoo was present.
“Did I miss something yesterday?” she asked and smiled a full-blown triumphant smile, knowing she touched the right nerve. Of course, she already knew.
As if cue, my cheeks reddened, and by now, I was sure I was looking like a pink puddle of bubblegum.
“Show me.” She nudged my shoulder with hers. I looked around for support, but the house was empty. I sighed in defeat.
“Do you know what this is?” I asked her, pulling my tee down to show the beautiful carving of the veins on my collarbone. I already loved it. I don’t know how Reed would react when he sees it.
Diana admired the tattoo in awe, examining it for a few seconds before looking again at the sky as if dreaming. “Will I get the same mark when August marks me?” she asked, and I saw a glint of excitement and maybe love in her eyes.
I smiled lightly. “I don’t know; I have never seen something like this on my mother. She had a beautiful mark on her neck just above her collar bone but nothing like this.” She pouted lightly before we broke into another fit of laughter.
“I hate it when I can’t read his future,” she said when we stopped laughing. “It is so…. Annoying,” she said finally.
I lifted my head to look into her eyes to check if she was serious. Hell, she was.
“Why?” was the only word I could mutter at that time.
“I don’t know. It so much frustrating; he is so, so unpredictable,” she said, looking away shyly. I laughed again, but she narrowed her eyes instead.
“August is everything but unpredictable. Why do you want to know his future? Just live with the flow, Dee.” She nodded.
“August is a good guy; I am not saying it because he is my brother. Let me tell you a secret; he never dated a girl because he was waiting for his mate,” I said and looked sideways; I don’t want my brother to know I am praising him. Diana looked surprised, if not shocked.
“He is….” I laughed again before she joined me. She soon stopped, and her eyes looked hurt, and her expression saddened.
"Emmy, we need to talk," she said, looking down at her hands on her lap. Not this time. I knew she had seen my death, but I didn't want to talk about it. I was scared, but still now, when everything was finally fine and okay in my life, I didn't want it to get ruined.
"Diana, you didn't tell August, right?" She shook her head. "Good. Please just keep it between us until I figure it out," I said before we were interrupted by the arrival of the only man I cared about more than anything in this world.
Why did this guy have to return at the wrong time?