Move in with me
1413 Words
(Tessa)
It had been 3 months of seeing each other and I was madly in love with Rowan. He was on my mind every minute of every day. We spoke to each other every night, texting throughout the day. We saw each other every weekend, spending the night cuddled next to him in his bed.
Ellie would give me that smug smirk every once in a while just to show me how right she was about the mate bond, despite Rowan being human. I admitted to Ellie that Rowan was not a mistake and I could not give him up. But I kept to myself that I had marked him. I was unsure of the effect the mark had on Rowan, but I could feel his emotions even when I was away from him. The mark had brought me closer to him.
I was so incredibly happy that I found myself humming while I worked in the greenhouse and lab. Plants were my life's work. As a microbiologist I doted on my plants and worked tirelessly on my research. But now, while working, Rowan often entered my thoughts. A few days ago Ellie had asked if I'd told Rowan about the mate bond, about what I was. I could still see the worried pout on El's lips as she had advised me to tell him the truth sooner than later.
I knew I needed to explain my kind but I was nervous. What if Rowan feared me and pulled away, or worse, ran away? I didn't think I could survive that. So I kept pushing it away, enjoying our relationship as it was.
"Someone is happy today," Dr. Marquez said. He was the head of our lab and my greatest mentor. He was an older hybrid, close to my parents age. He was extremely intelligent and had taught me all he knew. I smiled and nodded happily. "You look almost as happy as the Luna! Are you also happy to have the prince back home?"
I stopped what I was doing and glanced at him. "Dimitri is back?" I questioned.
"Yes! He arrived this morning, back from his travels."
Dimitri was the son of the leaders of the pack, Luna Grace and Alpha Jax. He left 2 years ago to travel the world and other packs. I had a fling with Dimitri that lasted a few months, ending when he had left the pack. He was a royal and my family was lower on the social ring so I knew it was never going to go anywhere. Dimitri and I had kept it very quiet, no one, not even Ellie knew.
All the girls in the pack were always fawning over him, waiting to see who his fated mate would be. So when he went away, so many hearts were broken. But for me, Dimitri had helped fill the void. The void left by not finding my mate yet. But I was happy for Ellie that Dimitri was back. Ellie had always dreamed of being with him. I figured I'd get an ear full about how excited she was when I got home.
I felt my phone buzz and looked to see that Rowan had texted me.
'Come over tonight?'
It was a Thursday, not our usual weekend time. As if reading my mind he sent a follow up message, 'Missing you bad!'
How could I say no to that? 'Meet you at your house at 7?' I answered.
'See you then love.'
I kept busy the rest of the day, eagerly waiting until I could get off to get ready to see Rowan.I grabbed my bag at 5 and dashed out the door, shouting goodbye to Dr. Marquez. Home was a short walk from the lab. I speed walked through the crowded sidewalk. I was about to put my key in the door when Ellie opened it and pulled me in.
"Did you hear?" she exclaimed excitedly.
I giggled at her, "Dimitri?"
"Yes! He's finally back!" Ellie clasped her hands together. "Are you coming to the welcome back party? It's tomorrow night," Ellie said grabbing my hands in joy. It was then Ellie saw my frown. "You're coming with me right?"
I stared into the pleading face of my best friend.
"Maybe for a little bit," I compromised.
"Fine, I'll take it," Ellie replied.
I rushed past her to go get changed. Ellie went to the kitchen, "Tacos tonight?"
"Um I'm going to eat with Rowan tonight,"
I called back.
Ellie rolled her eyes, "Now he's taking you from me during the week days?!" she yelled back feigning heart ache.
I laughed.
"So you're going to tell him about what you are right?" Ellie added.
I froze upon hearing her words.
Ellie stopped what she was doing when I didn't answer. Isaw her peek around the doorway with accusing eyes.
"Tess," she said softly. "You gotta tell him. He's falling for you hard."
I ignored her words and continued with my make up, touching it up. "Tess," Ellie tried again.
"I will," I said quickly. "It's just not the right time." I glanced at Ellie in the mirror. Her face was concerned. "I will," I assured her again. Ellie nodded then headed back to the kitchen.
I knew she was right. It was like basing their relationship on a huge lie. But what if he didn't react well? I wasn't ready to face it if he rejected me. I decided to push the thought from my mind as I finished getting ready.
*****
I laid with Rowan on the couch, cuddled into his side. His arm around me. I had my head resting against his chest.
"I love this," I sighed.
Rowan gave me a squeeze. He tipped my chin up to him and lightly kissed my lips. "I wish every night I could relax with you," I hummed, gazing up at him.
Rowan grinned, "We can," he answered. I gave him a look of confusion. "Move in with me."
I pushed myself to a seated position. "What?" I asked in shock.
"Move in with me," he repeated gazing into my eyes.
I felt my heart rate quicken. Moving in meant leaving the pack, leaving my job, my family, my best friend. I had not planned for this, not right now. I racked my mind for a response that wouldn't hurt him. The longer I sat in silence, the faster the joy on Rowan's face dwindled.
"I... I," I stammered.
Rowan shook his head, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to throw that at you," he began. "Just forget I Said it."
I nodded but I could see the hurt in his eyes. I felt his disappointment like it was my own. Dez whimpered at me. She did not like Rowan feeling this. I reached up and touched his face with my hand. He closed his eyes upon my touch.
"I love you, I'm just not ready for that," I said softly.
He opened his eyes, meeting my gaze briefly before looking down. He nodded, letting out a sigh. He suddenly removed his arm from around me, picking up our dishes from dinner and headed to the kitchen. I sank into the couch. Rowan didn't know it but the mark I had given him allowed his emotions to wash over me and right now his sadness was heavy.
'What am I doing?' I chastise myself, 'This is only going to lead to pain.'
Rowan reappeared, leaning on the doorway of the living room. "Did you want dessert? I picked up some French silk pie on my way home. I remember you said it was your favorite."
My heart surged. Rowan was so good to me, always thinking of me, "I'd love some," I said warmly. He put on a half smile before disappearing back into the kitchen.
We finished dessert together, then cuddled while watching a movie. Rowan tried to act like he had never asked me to move in but the evening weighed heavy with his disappointment. I tried to enjoy his company but the waves of sadness that kept washing over me from Rowan were breaking my heart.
Dez chastised me repeatedly for hurting him. 'He's so good to us. He's perfect. We need him.'
'I know Dez,' I answered her, Give me some time, I'll figure out how we can make this work.'
But even as I told Dez the words, I had a hard time believing them.
- Writer
