Werewolf Compilations

Chapter 111

Later in the night, anticipating James' Father's arrival, I sit on my bathroom counter while brushing my

hair, my back against the mirror. Theresa forgot to take the razor away from me after my shower, so I

gave it back to her. She smiled and hugged me as if I had taken some big step to health. Either way, it Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

felt nice to be hugged.

James should be getting back any minute now to get ready for dinner, and I'm excited to see him. I

wish our bond hasn't strengthened because my plummet off of the cliff, but I feel close to him. My mind

hasn't changed about being with him in a very intimate way, but I haven't brought it up. I don't know

how tempting I am while being treated like a mental patient. If I asked I may be turned down again, and

that only makes me angry. He should be asking me. He said he needs me, and I assume in many

different ways, and I know one of them is that way. I'm his mate, of course he wants to be with me, but

he doesn't act like it. I know it's because he thinks I'm in a fragile state, so I'm not going to push it.

I don't feel fragile. I feel fine. I want to tell him that, but I don't think he'd believe me. After trusting that

I'd never do such a thing, I don't expect him to.

Running the brush through my hair, I cross my legs and sigh. I shall forever be the unmated Luna.

Sliding off of the counter, I leave the bathroom and turn to my closet, needing to get dressed. Taking off

the robe, I put on underwear and search for something dinner-like. I've never had much luck with

dressing for dinner, and I don't want to wear pajamas when meeting his father, so I take the time to look

without getting overwhelmed.

While I'm trying a few things on, James comes in and I walk out of the closet to greet him as he sits

down. He sits on the bed and falls back, looking tired. "Was it a rough day?" I ask, climbing up on the

bed. I scoot in the way and he lifts his head up, resting it on my lap. He closes his eyes.

"It wasn't that bad."

"So you just missed me, then."

He peers up at me. "Is it that obvious?"

"Yes," I play along, not really knowing if he missed me. "Are you going to get ready?"

"I would rather stay here," he says, relaxing as I play with his hair.

We stay like this for a little while, forgetting about dinner and dressing ourselves and making a good

impression. I lean against the headboard and look ahead, taking my eyes off of him as he continues to

rest in my lap. "I really am feeling better," I say and he shifts.

"I know, you told me this morning. I'm glad you are."

My hands stop moving. "But I really am. I just don't want you to worry about me so much. Now that I've

stopped reading the diaries, I feel like myself again and I don't need people watching me. I don't need

to be babied."

James sits up, turning around to face me. "Rae, it's only been a week since that night."

"And I'm already back to normal, that should be a good thing."

He sighs. "What you did—It's not like a cold that goes away in a few days. I said I wouldn't call the

doctor, so please don't try to rush things. You're feeling better, that's all that matters."

"Fine," I murmur and get off the bed, submerging myself back into the closet. "He'll probably be here

any minute, so go get ready."

James leans into the closet before leaving, watching as I shuffle through things. "You know I'm only

doing this because I care about you, Rae."

"I know."

I pull on a nice pair of pants and a cozy, welcoming sweater, something my mother might wear, before

heading downstairs to help set the table. Gail and Theresa smile and chat as I carry plates and

silverware into the dining room, setting everything at the three spots. James at the head of the table,

me to the right, and his father to the left, if everything goes as planned in my head. I bring a glass

pitcher of water and three glasses out to the table as James comes down. My eyes follow him as he

nears the foyer, water pouring sloppily. I quickly wipe it up as I hear the door open, a new voice hardly

reaching my ears.

Gail comes in and takes over, telling me to go and introduce myself. I stall for a moment, straightening

a fork or two and bringing the dish towel used to wipe up stray drops of water back into the kitchen.

Theresa takes it and leads me out of the kitchen, abandoning me in the hallway. I can see glimpses of

them at the very end. James' father's scent is similar to his, and I wonder if that's an Alpha thing.

As they drift into the house, I have no other choice but to walk forward into the unknown. The two head

down the hall and come to me like a stop sign. James smiles when he sees me and his father studies

me while I do the same. It is a brief moment, but their similarities creep up my arms and grab me.

His father looks like he could be a brother, only older. They have the same nose, and eyes, and jaw,

and the more I look, the more I feel like I'm looking into the future. Though their eyes are similar,

something about his father's makes me squeamish, like a large needle nearing my arm.

"Father, this is Rae East, my mate," James says, but I'm too engrossed in the weird feelings to act in

the moment.

His father holds out his hand.

"Hello, Rae."