Chapter 8 Chapter Eight

• It’s been hours since breakfast, but the sting of my mate’s harsh words hasn’t faded. I’ve replayed them over and over in my head, each time feeling my chest tighten just a little more.
• Ana must have noticed my mood because she asked me to join her in the gardens. Now we’re crouched together in the flower beds, tending to her roses. The soft hum of birds and the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze provide a welcome distraction from my swirling thoughts.
• “You’re really good at this,” Ana says with a smile, watching as I carefully prune a stubborn branch.
• I glance up at her and shrug, offering a small smile of my own. “It’s peaceful,” I sign, my hands moving fluidly.
• Ana nods, her eyes warm with understanding. “It really is. Sometimes, it’s the only thing that keeps me sane.”
• I’m about to respond when movement from across the yard catches my attention. I look up and spot the men training. My mate is at the center of it all, commanding their focus with the ease of a born leader.
• My breath catches as my eyes trail over him. He’s shirtless, his tanned skin glistening with sweat under the sun. His muscles ripple with every movement, his six-pack catching the light like it’s deliberately trying to blind me. My fingers itch with the thought of what it would feel like to touch him, to run my hands over the hard lines of his body.
• My wolf, Eva, stirs in my mind. “Mate is strong. Perfect. Ours,” she purrs.
• I shove the thought away. It’s the bond, I remind myself, trying to shake off the magnetic pull I feel toward him. It’s just the bond. But as he flexes, issuing commands to his men, I can’t deny the way my heart pounds harder.
• Once we’ve finished with the flowers, Ana and I head back to the Alpha’s house. The kitchen is quiet, and the fridge is empty, save for a few basic ingredients. I decide to cook something, the repetitive motions of chopping and stirring soothing my restless mind.
• Ana chatters away as I work, and I respond through quick signs, grateful for her understanding. But my focus slips for just a second too long, and I feel the sharp sting of the knife slicing my finger.
• “Oh no!” Ana gasps, rushing to my side.
• I hold up my hand, quickly moving to the sink to rinse the cut under cold water. “It’s fine,” I sign, shaking my head. “Just a small cut. It’ll heal fast.”
• Ana’s brows knit together with concern. “I know, but it’ll still hurt before it heals.”
• “Don’t worry,” I sign back, offering her a reassuring smile.
• Before I can finish the thought, the kitchen door slams open, and my mate storms in. His eyes are wild, scanning me from head to toe with an intensity that steals the air from the room.
• “Where are you hurt?” he demands, his voice a low growl.
• I blink, startled by the sheer force of his presence. I glance at Ana, and she quickly steps in. “She cut her finger,” Ana explains, her tone calm but firm.
• “It’s just a small knife wound,” I sign, though I know he won’t understand me. Ana translates instantly, her voice steady.
• His jaw tightens as he glares at me. “If you don’t know how to use a knife, then don’t use one,” he snaps, his voice rising.
• The accusation makes my blood boil. Anger flares hot in my chest, but I force myself to stay calm. I glance at Ana, who looks just as taken aback as I feel.
• “I’ll be careful next time. I didn’t know the bond was that strong since we haven’t completed the mating process” I sign, my hands trembling slightly. Ana translates again, though her voice has softened.
• “Just because I haven’t pounded you into the mattress until you can’t walk the next day, or made you scream my name as I mark you,” he growls, his voice low and dangerous, “does not mean I can’t feel your pain.”
• The air leaves my lungs in a rush. His words are like a match to dry kindling, setting every nerve in my body ablaze. My back hits the wall as he steps closer, his scent—woodsy and rich—flooding my senses.
• I can’t look away from his eyes, those piercing blue depths that seem to see straight through me. My heart races, and every fiber of my being screams at me to push him away, to fight back against his domineering attitude. But my body betrays me. Heat pools low in my stomach, and my breath comes in shallow pants.
• “I’ll be extra careful next time,” I sign, my movements shaky.
• Ana hesitates for a moment, glancing nervously between us, before finally translating. My mate’s gaze never wavers as he watches me, his intensity making it impossible to breathe.
• “Good,” he says, his tone softening just enough to send a shiver down my spine. Then, as suddenly as he appeared, he steps back and strides out of the kitchen without another word.
• The silence he leaves behind is deafening. I lean against the wall, trying to steady my breathing.
• Ana touches my arm gently, her expression a mix of worry and amusement. “You okay?”
• I nod, though my mind is still spinning. “This man,” I sign, shaking my head. “He’s going to drive me insane.”
• Ana chuckles softly. “Welcome to life with a mate.”