Ashlyn
I woke up in my bed, in my new room, and it’s now morning. I don’t remember walking to my room and I’m still wearing my clothes from yesterday. His scent hits me, and I remember Mason carrying me to my room. His scent was so calming, and I didn’t want to shower or change. I wanted to smell like him, but that would probably give the wrong impression.
I sat up and took off my shirt, putting it under one of my pillows. I know that this must be weird and I must look like a crazy stalker, but his smell is so intoxicating. It’s not like I’m sneaking into his room at night and rubbing myself on his body or stealing his clothes. But if he asked me to rub myself all over him, I wouldn't say no.
I turned on my phone before I went to shower. I need to get ready for the day and hit the library to look up all this bond crap. It’s been four days and I’m already over it.
I hopped in the shower, with my thoughts running rampant. I can’t believe Ian lied to me for a year. I knew he was having a hard time with his mom’s death, but to do that to someone who was nothing but supportive. I guess I just couldn’t give him what he needed. I think that was the worst part of this whole thing, not being able to give the person you love what they need. And having them betray you to get it. He should just have talked to me about how he was feeling.
I finally stepped out of the shower. I did my hair and got ready for the day. I made sure to restock my workout bag for training today. I grabbed my phone, and I noticed I had a few messages.
Ian: I’m so sorry about everything. Please, just talk to me.
Ian: I’m going insane here! Please call me!
Ian: I love you so much, please don’t do this.
I decided to message him back.
Me: Ian, I understand that you’re sorry, but I need time to process this.
Ian messaged back almost instantly.
Ian: please babe, can you just talk to me? Let me try to fix this?
Me: Ian, I don't think you can fix this. Why didn't you talk to me? Yeah, I wanted my first time to be with my mate but we could have talked about it. You didn't have to get it elsewhere. And we did do other things. Was I just not enough for you?
Ian: Of course you are enough for me. I'm sorry, I'm such a fucken mess. I know I hurt you and you deserve so much more, but I love you.
Me: I think you need some time to think about what you want. We had all those plans, and all the time we spent together. I just wasn't enough to make you happy.
Ian: Babe, please don't say that. You're the only good thing in my life.
Me: it just had to be Nicole. Were there others?
Ian: Yes, there were others and I was wrong, so very wrong.
Me: and I thought I would have been your first.
Ian: I know I'm a fuck up, but please don't do this.
I left his message on read and left my phone on the dresser. I walked out of my room and into the common area. Liam was sitting at the table with a coffee. He was playing on his phone and I sat down in the chair across from him.
“Good morning, beautiful. How did you sleep?” He asked, while putting his phone away.
“Would you like some coffee?” He asked before I could even answer his first question. He was already up and making me one.
“Yes, please. With milk and sugar.” I smiled at him. “And my sleep was good, thank you. Did Brandon and Mason already leave?” I asked him. He came back to the table with my coffee and sat down. He passed me my coffee, and I took a sip.
“It’s perfect, thank you Liam.” I whispered to him over my mug.
“You’re welcome.” He winked at me. “And yes, Brandon and Mason have already left. We will meet them at training this afternoon.”
“Okay. In the meantime, I need to go to the library. But first I need to grab a notebook and some pens. If that’s okay with you?” I asked him.
“Okay, but first let’s go get breakfast downstairs and then we’ll hit the mall. We should have time to go to the library before training today.”
“Thank you, Liam.” I told him.
“You ready to go?” He asked while putting our mugs in the sink.
“Yes, just let me grab my purse.” I walked to my room to grabbed my purse. Liam had already called the elevator when I came back with my purse. We hopped in and he pushed the “M”. The doors closed, and we were on our way.
We finally made it to the library. Liam is so full of energy. I only needed to get a notebook and pens, but I left with a tablet, a smartwatch, and a pencil for the tablet. Apparently, I don’t need a notebook now, but I still bought a notebook and some pens. I wasn’t going to argue with Liam, I just wanted to make it to the library before training. And he was so excited about all the new technology.
I asked the librarian where to find the books I was looking for and she pointed me in the right direction. Liam walked over to a table in the section I walked over to. Apparently, these books are restricted so I can’t sign them out, so I’ll be spending a lot of time here. I pulled a couple of books off the shelves about mate bonds. I went to sit at the table with Liam. He was playing on his phone. I sat down and started flipping through one of the books. Liam started to flip through one of the books I pulled.
“What are you looking for?” He whispered. We are in a library, after all.
“I’m trying to understand more about the mate bond.” I whispered back.
“Anything I can help with?” He asked.
“Well, if you could look through this book and find anything about breaking the bond, I’d really appreciate it.” I smiled.
“On it.” He put his phone away, and we got to work.
After an hour and about 10 books later, I’d learned nothing. I couldn’t find anything on second chance mates. And the only way to break the bond is for both parties to accept the rejection. It’s been a waste of an hour.
Liam gave up after one book and then he was glued to his phone again. Whomever he was messaging, had him smiling. I had to remind him it was time for training. I still had to go up to our floor to get my gym stuff. Well, we were in the elevator going up. He was back on his phone.
“Talking to someone special?” I asked him, looking at the door because I didn’t want him to think I was looking over his shoulder.
“Something like that,” he answered.
“Girlfriend?” I turned to look him.
“I don’t have girlfriends. Just casual,” he answered.
I wanted to ask him about Mason and Brandon’s status, but Liam went back to his phone. I felt like a third wheel to his phone. I think I might ask the king to reconsider this protection thing. I beat their top warrior in training. I can clearly take care of myself.
After grabbing my bag, we made our way over to the training building. Liam drove his car. That was the only time he wasn’t on his phone.
Hopefully, the king will agree that I need my own place and space. Maybe I can start some online classes until classes resume in January. It’s been one day and I already feel like a burden to them. They didn’t ask to watch me or to have me move in. Hopefully, I’m just over thinking things, but I feel awkward and weird about all of this.
We walked into training, and Liam walked away, still on his phone. He didn’t even greet Brandon and Mason. They were already changed and waiting for some of the students. They both looked at me and I shrugged. I just went to get changed. When I came out, the guys were explaining to each student what they needed to improve on and pairing them up with someone of similar skills.
I started to stretch and warm up. I wouldn’t have a partner, so I decided to wrap my hands and hit a punching bag for a bit. By the time class was over, I was panting and covered in sweat. I felt better after teaching the bag who was the boss. Brandon came over to me while I was taking a drink out of my water bottle.
“So, are you going to tell me what that bag ever did to you?” He smirked. And I laughed.
“I just thought it could use an ass kicking.” I shrugged. We looked at each other and started laughing. We both went to get changed so we could head home. It was weird calling it my home. It didn't feel like home, nowhere did.