Chapter 10 Who's My Mate?
I took in a deep, tired breath as I sat in the cab, thinking of how my day had been and how being around Alpha Warren made my heart skip. If not that he already found his mate, I would’ve said maybe I was reacting to our mate bond.
But that’s the last thing I want to think about now.
I looked at my phone screen, staring at the message I had sent to Layla. She still hadn’t replied, and I was starting to get worried.
I tried calling her once more. It rang and then went into voicemail.
“We’re here, ma’am,” the cab driver said, drawing my attention. I looked away from my phone and tucked it into my bag before getting out of the cab.
I walked down to the front door of my apartment, my body aching from how tired I was. Once I got to the door, I rummaged through my bag for the keys, but just as I was about to open it, I heard a sound coming from inside the apartment.
“Layla?” I called out as I grabbed the knob and pushed open the door. I dropped my bag on the couch and walked toward the bedroom.
Layla was standing next to her closet, packing a few of her clothes into her luggage. She was so focused and rushing that she didn’t notice me standing by the door.
“Layla, where have you been?” I said.
She snapped around, her body shaking in fear when she saw me.
“Diana, I’m so sorry,” she muttered, refusing to meet my eyes. “Mark has not been well, and I had to take care of him. And then Tonia and her friends want me to go on a vacation with them.”
A small sting hit my chest. She had been distant for days, and now seeing her pack like she couldn’t wait to leave made the feeling worse.
“Why haven't you been replying my text or answer my call?” I asked softly. “Is there something wrong?”
Her hands paused over a folded shirt. She swallowed hard. “Diana I'm so sorry, I haven't been able to pick your call. I haven't been with my phone all day and… I couldn’t say no to Tonia and her friends.” She gave a weak shrug and continued packing.
“How long are you going for?” I asked, even though the half-open suitcase already answered it.
“Just two weeks.”
“Two weeks?” My brows pulled together. “It’s not like you to sleep outside. What’s going on?”
She zipped one end of the luggage and finally looked at me properly. Her eyes were tired.
I walked over to the bed and sank onto it, the tightness in my chest refusing to go away. “I’ve been worried, Layla. I almost thought something bad happened to you.”
She scoffed softly, shaking her head. “You should stop worrying that much.” She walked over and sat next to me, bumping her shoulder against mine like she used to. “I’m okay.”
I tried to smile, but it came out weak.
She nudged me again. “So… how’s work? You look like you have gist.”
I let out a slow breath as memories rushed back. Alpha Warren’s sharp eyes. His hands on my waist. The strange heat under my skin every time he came close.
“Work has been crazy,” I said. “I’m finding it hard to get along with my boss. My wolf keeps reacting to him like he’s my mate.”
Layla’s head snapped toward me. “Your wolf reacts to him?”
“Yes.” My cheeks warmed. “And today I spilled coffee on him. Hot coffee, Layla. Right on him.”
She covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
“And then he caught me,” I continued. “The way his hand wrapped around my waist… it felt wrong. And right. And confusing.”
That made her laugh harder. She shook her head, smiling. “Diana, what if your boss is your mate?”
“He already has a mate.”
“So? Maybe the Moon Goddess made a mistake.”
“She doesn’t make mistakes,” I muttered, staring at my fingers. “And even if… how will he have two mates?”
Layla leaned back a little. “I don’t know. But your life isn’t as unfortunate as you think.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t know why I don’t have luck with men.”
“That doesn’t mean you’re unfortunate.” She poked my arm. “You’re just… going through small stress. You’ll be fine, I promise.”
Her tone softened, warm enough to soothe the ache in my chest.
I smiled. “I’m going to miss you. Everywhere will be boring without you.”
“You can always call me,” she said. “You can gist me everything on the phone.”
I nodded as she stood and zipped up her bag fully. The sound echoed a little in the quiet room. She pulled the handle up and rolled the luggage toward the door.
She hugged me tight before leaving. “Take care of yourself. Lock the door. And don’t overthink.”
When the door closed behind her, the apartment fell silent again. Too silent. The kind that made the walls feel bigger and the rooms colder.
I walked back into my room and slowly lay down on the bed. The sheets felt cool against my skin. The faint hum of the street outside came through the window.
I raised my hand and touched the mark on my neck, rubbing it softly. A warm pulse moved under my fingertips—like a heartbeat.
My mate.
Somewhere out there, he was breathing, living, maybe searching. I wondered what he looked like. His eyes. His scent. His voice. Would he be gentle? Strong? Someone who would hold me the way I’ve always dreamed of?
My heart squeezed at the thought, and for a moment, a small smile tugged at my lips.
But then doubts rushed in.
What if he wasn’t looking for me? What if he didn’t want me?
What if he already found someone else?
I shut my eyes tight.
No. Thinking like that wouldn’t help.
I exhaled slowly, letting my hand rest on my chest as I tried to push the thoughts away. The moonlight slipped through the window, landing softly on my legs. It felt warm, almost like someone stroking my skin.
My wolf stirred slightly inside me, the movement soft but present. She breathed with me, calm and patient, like she knew something I didn’t.
“I wish I know who I slept with that night,” I whispered.
The night breeze brushing against the curtains. I let my eyes close fully and felt my body sink deeper into the mattress. Sleep slowly pulled me in, wrapping around me like a blanket.