His Unsuspecting Mate

Chapter 11

STELLA

"Is something wrong?" I ask when I get into the Range Rover.

"Why were you with Cain?" he asks dryly.

"I wasn't WITH Cain. I was with him and Elle, my roommate. He is her brother, in case you didn't know." I feel annoyed having to explain it.

I notice how Xavier's hands are grasping the steering wheel tight. What is wrong with him?

"Do you... Do you like sports cars?" He suddenly asks without looking at me. And I am lost for words. Is he jealous because of Cain's posh car or something? It's not like his own ride is terrible or anything. And even though it's not brand new, it's definitely not cheap. Boys are so childish and pay way too much attention to their toys.

"I like to look at them but not drive them," I say calmly.

"Really?" He looks at me for the first time, and I have this unknown desire to hug him, but my brain tells me not to.

"I mean, they are pretty and fast, but when you sit in them, you can hardly see the road, and my knees are literally at my ears. Not my idea of comfort. And I love my comfort." I smile and stroke the leather seat I am on. A slight growling noise distracts me, and I look at Xavier. Was that him? Or am I hallucinating?

But he definitely looks happy again. This damn rollercoaster guy!

A little smile crawls across my face as Xave drives off. We are deep, deep, DEEP in Cumbria. This is the land of forests, hills, lakes, and… nothing else. There's literally nothing else here except a few super small villages and tourists who come to live in lodges near the lakes. I've been here once, I guess… With my parents… When I was about nine or ten… We lived in a small and cosy cottage by a lake, and it was terrific. Back then, I thought that it was nice and warm here. Well, not anymore!

"What are you thinking about?" Xavier asks, his eyes still on the road. "You seem sad."

"How would you know that?" I laugh at his words. "You are not even looking at me!"

"Oh, do you want me to look at you more?" he smirks. "I can definitely do that!"

"Safety first" I am turning red again. It's so hot in here!

"Okay," he chuckles, and the dimples on his face appear. "But if I am being honest, I can feel you."

"You can't!" I laugh again. "What a load of bullshit, Xave!"

"I can so!" he insists. "So, spill it. What's up?"

"Erm, nothing really. Just remembering my first trip here, years ago." I submit to his wishes. Not sure why though.

"You've already been here?" He suddenly looks so serious, as if I am telling him the political news of the day, and the news is that World War III has started. "When was it?"

"I don't really remember." I roll my eyes. "Years ago!"

"Like… like 10 years ago?" He looks so tense now.

"Yeah, something like that!" I nod. "My parents brought me for a vacation. It was nice back then."

"Anything…memorable?" Xavier persists.

"Not that I can recall." I furrow my brows. Why does he ask that? Can anything memorable happen in Cumbria that is worth telling? We walked the hills, looked at the lakes, made a barbecue, and I got lost in a forest… Oh, yeah…

"You sure?" His voice is hesitant.

"You know, now that you ask, I got lost in the woods on that trip!" I laugh. "Little girl alone in the woods! Is that memorable enough?"

He suddenly smiles. What a weirdo!

"Yes, it is. What were you doing while you were lost?" He is clearly in bliss about something.

"Walked around the woods in horror?" I say sarcastically. "I was nine and lost! I was terrified! What do you think I was doing? Looking for my parents, of course! I would have gone crazy, but luckily I met a huge husky dog!"

"Pfft!" I can't tell whether Xavier is coughing, laughing, or both, but I seriously start to worry that he is not looking at the road anymore.

"Are you okay? Do you need a drink or something?" I touch his hand, and a tiny sting of electricity reaches me through him.

"I am fine," he finally says, wiping his tears away. "Just got something… In my mouth... So, Stella, are you really super sure it was a dog?"

"Not just any dog!" I roll my eyes. "It was a husky! Cute, fluffy, and very clever!"

"Oh really?" He sounds amused. "Seemed like you liked that… creature a lot!"

"Do you have a problem with dogs or something?" I am getting annoyed with him, "My husky was amazing! Of course, I loved him! He calmed me down and helped me find my way back to our cottage."

"D-did you say, love?" He stutters.

"It's impossible not to love something like that!" I giggle, "I still remember how my fingers entwined in his shiny silver fur. I wish I could do that again!"

A growling noise resounds again. What the hell?

"Was that a growl?" I finally bring myself to ask Xave, but he looks away.

"Must be the car," he says. The tips of his ears are red as a tomato.

"It really didn't sound like…."

"Oh, look!" he pulls the car over, "We have reached our destination!"

I look out the window and see a clean and cute market square filled with shops and little restaurants. There are not too many people around, but it's still lively here. Somehow I feel like I am going to have a nice time!

I turn back to Xavier and find his face way too close to mine.

"You know, Stella," he whispers to me, "Maybe soon you'll get a chance to get your fingers entwined into some silver fur."

That's not what I expected from a closeness like this. I gulp, hear my seatbelt unbuckle, and Xavier is pulling his face back.

"W-why?" I hear myself saying, "Do you have a husky?"

There is a mixture of emotions on his face – ranging from annoyance to pleasure.

"Kind of," he chuckles and gets out of the car.

He shows me around, and I have to say that the town of Springwood does have its charm. Every corner here is beautiful and filled with history. I end up taking a million pics for my i********:. However, one thing that I keep noticing is… whenever I try to take a pic with Xavier, he either disappears or turns away. He does not want to be in a photo with me. It speaks volumes. If a guy behaves like that, he is either not interested or hiding something. I don't think that Xavier has anything to hide, considering how everybody at school knows everything about him. I am pretty sure he does not have a girlfriend… So that leaves me with option one – he is not that interested in me. Either as a friend or as a girlfriend. It's just a picture. Not a big deal, right?

I don't know why I am so sad. It's not like I wanted anything to happen between us in the first place. But somehow, I feel… disappointed. And stupid. Stupid, stupid Stella, thought the hottest guy in school liked her. Dream on!

"Is everything okay?" Xavier looks concerned.

"Yeah, fine!" I fake a smile. "Shouldn't we get back to school?"

"We haven't even started to have fun." He looks a bit shocked after hearing my words. "Come on!"

He takes my hand, and I feel a spike of electricity again. What's up with that?

"Where are we going?" I ask him, as I am not too happy right now. I want to finish this… whatever this is, as soon as possible!

"To eat, of course!" he announces happily, but his eyes look worried. "We are missing dinner at the academy. I wouldn't be so cruel as to leave you starving after our date!"

"This is not a date!" I feel annoyed with him.

"Of course it is!" He chuckles. "Here we are!"

We stand at the entrance of a family pub. The building is made of stone and wood and definitely appears to have been built centuries ago. At the entrance hangs a golden ornament with two wolf heads looking in opposite directions. Looks kind of cool, but I am not going to admit it. Now that I think of it, I've seen that ornament in a few places around town already.

"Howling Wolf Pub?" I read the name out loud. "Really? Is this where you are taking me?"

"Trust me, you are going to love it!" He smiles the most charming smile.

Oh, well! I might as well give it a go, since I am starving and all. It's not because I want to spend more time with him. Yeah, definitely not because of that!

"Okay," I give up, and we go in.

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