I exhaled and sat up, throwing the covers back enough to bring my legs over the side of the bed. I bent forward enough to drop my elbow onto my thigh and cradled the side of my face in one palm.
He thinks he wants me. That will change when he realizes what he’s losing by choosing me. It won’t last, Mina. – Me
My stomach clenched with the reminder that this was all temporary.
The decision is his to make. You can’t do it for him. Let things be what they are. -Mina
I wanted to, I really wanted to, but after the fiasco with Rolf, I wasn’t sure I could handle the same rejection from Zion.
It’s not the same, Nessah. Do you miss him? – Mina
Get out of my head.I realized she was tapped into my thoughts deeper than I assumed.
I will when you answer the question. Do you miss Rolf? – Mina
No. – Me
I cared about Rolf. We dated, spent time together, and I could have possibly been happy, but I’d known him for years and didn’t feel a tenth of the emotional pull I did with Zion who I had known for less than twenty-four hours.
Like I said, it’s not the same. Rolf was chosen, and not even by you. By your parents. Zion was chosen by the moon goddess. It’s not your decision to make or even Zion’s for that matter. The goddess chose for you. Accept her decision. It’s going to be okay, Nessah. When you can get away, come see me. – Mina
I frowned, lifting from the bed.
I don’t need to get away. I can come see you whenever I want. – Me
Mhm, well if that’s the case I’ll be here but you might want to clear that with your mate. – Mina
Her tone was smug when she spoke and she blocked me before I could respond.
I looked around the room, hopeful Zion had at least been kind enough to bring my bags in before he disappeared. Another thing that had me anxious. He was gone. Maybe he had regrets about last night and was too chicken shit to face me.
With the thought taunting me, I left his room in search of my things and collided with a tiny person who hit my legs then ducked behind them. Before I could get a grip on what was happening, another little person bent the corner with a scowl etched on his tiny face. I assumed he was in pursuit of the first little body hiding behind me.
“Mine,” Rafe yelled and stomped his foot.
“No.” Kaleb, Lazar and Jo’s son, mirrored Rafe’s motion, stomping his little foot. The cousins were close and always together with either Toyin or Jo which meant they were being raised as brothers and fought like them too.
“My truck.” Rafe rushed us but I reached down and lifted him into my arms before he could get to Kaleb.
“Hey there, Wild One. What’s going on?”
“My truck.” His eyes glowed briefly and mine went wide. He wasn’t two yet and his eyes were glowing. That wasn’t possible. The pup was too young. Hadn’t even shifted yet but I remembered he was pure blood like his father and uncles.
“Rafe, I thought we discussed sharing with your cousin.” Toyin’s soft but stern voice had her son’s little face settling into a pout. He dropped his head on my shoulder and my heart melted.
“Aww, little one, don’t pout. It’s okay.” I rubbed his back and Toyin approached, taking Rafe from my arms and effortlessly balancing him on her small frame. She was at least a foot shorter, but held her son like he weighed nothing. He smiled and kissed her cheek.
“Rafe wuv Mommy.”
“I love you too but you’re still going to share with Kaleb.” He frowned and was pouting again before wiggling off her hip. She helped him down and the toddler took off, running back toward the living room. Kaleb felt safe enough to unleash my legs and hurried after him.
“Oh wow, that was a game.” I laughed, admiring how Rafe attempted to charm his mother.
“It most definitely was. He’s a Bennett. They use whatever they can to get what they want. Rafe is his father’s son.”
I couldn’t help the smile that blossomed, but then I realized what was going on. She was here in Zion’s apartment witnessing me exit his bedroom in just a T-shirt.HisT-shirt.
“Um…”