Mated in the Island

CHAPTER 7: No F*****g Way!

LEONARDO

    I was so close to following my mate out of frustration, but then I realized that I should avoid or probably stop going near to her. Instead of running after her, I headed back to my room to take a shower to wash away the salts and sand all over my body.

    After cleaning up, I think of what to do next to forget about her. But my thoughts keep on drifting at what happened at the beach. My mind is wholly occupied with the image of my mate, and I don't have any idea who she is. Maybe it's better to keep it that way. To stay in the dark until I go back home. I will fly back to Humboldt as soon as the wedding is finished. I cannot stay here any longer than that. I will talk to J to push my flight earlier than the original schedule. He will not say no if I tell him that I have urgent matters to deal with related to the pack. I was so consumed by my thoughts when I heard someone knocking at my door.

    "One moment," I said as I finished buttoning my shirt.

    "Yes?" I asked as I opened the door and saw a man in uniform carrying the resort's name and logo.

    "Alpha Jorge is waiting for you at the restaurant to join him for lunch." He informed courteously.

    "Ok. Thank you, tell him that I will be there shortly." I replied.

    "Ok, Alpha." He answered and left.

_____

    "Sorry for ditching you this morning, Leo." J apologized as soon as I reached the table reserved for us.

    "It's ok, J. Pack business comes first." I smiled and took a seat opposite him.

    "Right! Being an Alpha is such a demanding job." He said with a sigh.

    "Tell me about it," I said while rolling my eyes.

    "Speaking of pack business. Something came up back home, and they need me to be there as soon as possible. I hope you will not mind rebooking my ticket? Instead of staying here for another three days after your wedding, maybe I can fly back home immediately after your wedding." I told J. I took the opportunity since we were already talking about pack business and Alpha duties.

    "Oh... That's too bad. I booked your flight back home, same time as our flight for our honeymoon so we could go on the same day." He said in total disappointment.

    "I see. Yeah, that's too bad. That would be really nice, but things are not in my hands." I said apologetically.

    "I know, bro. And I totally understand. I just wish I can spend more time with you. Maybe we'll visit you this year since my fiancée has never been to America." He said, sounding more cheerful.

    "I will be looking forward to that, and trust me, you will be amazed at what I have in mind to make you enjoy your visit," I said beguilingly. To be honest, I don't have anything in my mind right now. My mind is still filled with memories of what happened this morning. There's no more room for other stuff to think about. Then suddenly, an enticing smell got me distracted. The scent of Jasmine filled the entire restaurant, and my wolf started to nag at me again.

   "Mate! Mate! Mate!" He chanted.

   "Will you shut up?!" I barked at my wolf.

    "She's here!" J squealed and stood from his seat. Then a gorgeous woman stands beside J.

    "Leo, meet Natalia Rodriguez, my future wife." He proudly said, paired with a beaming smile.

    NO f*****g WAY!

NATALIA

    As soon as I reached the restaurant entrance, I caught my mate's scent, which is dominating the place. I'm about to eat lunch with Jorge and his friend but how can I do that if my mate is here? I should have rejected him this morning when he told me to do so. I won't be having this problem if I've only listened to what he said. But things are easier said than done. I did my best to resist the mate bond, and it almost eats up all my strength. But in the end, I was about to give in. If the water didn't hit our feet, we'd definitely end up kissing each other, and only the Moon Goddess knows what will happen next.

    I was about to turn around to escape the lunch, but Jorge already saw me.

    "She's here!" Jorge said. His chestnut brown eyes were filled with excitement. I smiled and waved at him before I started moving towards him.

    My heart started to beat rapidly as soon as I reached Jorge's side. My mate is sitting in front of me! In front of me, and Jorge! I was in deep shock when I felt Jorge wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him before he spoke.

    "Leo, meet Natalia Rodriguez, my future wife." He proudly said with the smile I fell in love with. I will never get tired of watching his radiantly beautiful smile. But then the name he mentioned started to sink in. Did he say, Leo? Oh s**t! How could I forget the name of his friend?! I should have known from the beginning as soon as he told me his name. This is one hell of a problem!

    My eyes met Leo's, and just like what happened this morning, we both couldn't take our eyes off of each other. Oh, Moon Goddess, please help me!

    I can tell that Leo is trying to suppress something because he is clenching his fist. Fortunately, he was able to calm himself and manage to offer his hand for a handshake.

    I met the palm of his hand with my right hand. A jolt of electricity coursed through my entire system as soon as the skin of his hand touched mine. Sending a message to my heart, mind, and soul of who he is.

    "It's a pleasure to meet you, Natalia." He said, and I'm amazed at how calm he sounded.

    "Pleasure is mine," I said coldly, and I quickly pulled my hand away from him. Oh, Goddess, I am such an i***t! I should be handling this situation in a better way.

    "You ok, honey?" Jorge asked. He might have noticed my discomfort.

    "I'm ok, honey," I said while looking into his eyes with a gentle smile.

    "Let's take our seats. I asked the chef to make us something special for lunch. And Natalia's favorite." He said. Then he pressed his forehead against mine while saying the last couple of words. Jorge loves to do that a lot wherever we are. I asked him before why, and his point of view about it was one of the reasons why I fell head over heels on him. He said that he is not a PDA kind of guy, he believes that some things must remain private between a couple, and kissing is one of them. And pressing his forehead against mine helps him to suppress his urge to kiss me anytime, anywhere. And I admire him for that. He has been such a gentleman since the first time we've met and until now. He never changed. Remembering how amazing Jorge is made me feel a bit comfortable, and it helps me focus my feelings on him.

    I lovingly pressed my forehead against him, too, making the tips of our nose brushed against each other. It feels so good to feel him this close to me, and it feels so wrong at the same time. I felt a twitch of guilt in my stomach at the thought that being with him is wrong. f*****g mate bond! We smiled at each other passionately and when we were about to pull away, a loud, possessive growl resonated in the whole restaurant, which draws me back to reality. That growl reminds me of where I should be and to whom I should be spending the rest of my life with.