Chapter 91
BELLA.
Ihad no idea what got into me, but I panicked the moment I smelled him. Everything came flashing in my head—my dreams and everything I worked hard for. Ellie was willing to readjust her life so she could be with Dawson, but I was not sure if I could do that.
Especially after finding out I was mated with Trent.
Everyone was talking about him last night, about how he was the player among all of them. Who would want to be mated with a player? I spent my entire life saving myself for my mate, only to be mated with a player who changes females as if they were clothes.
What would happen if I decided to pursue my studies? Will he satisfy himself with other females while I’m not around?
I wouldn’t deny that I was attracted to him. He was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen, but he scared me. Hauling me like I was a piece of meat ready to be devoured was something I wasn’t prepared for.
“Maybe we should let them talk.” Ellie’s voice snapped me back to the present.
I was on the ground, blocking Trent from Riley’s anger, and I didn’t even know why I was doing this. He wanted to go with the rejection, and it was what I wanted as well, right?
My wolf, Venus, snarled at me. Of course, she had been waiting for our mate and did not agree with my disposition. But she wouldn’t understand my inner turmoil.
“I won’t unless she asks me to,” Trent replied to Riley’s words, and my eyes automatically closed as my grip on his leg tightened. His voice was too smooth, and if I don’t move away from here, I might end up giving in to my desires.
“Bella?” Mom asked me, and I snapped my eyes open.
My throat felt too dry.
“I won’t.” I tried to speak, but nothing came out.
My eyes locked with Ellie’s, and for a moment, I wanted to cry again, but I held my tears back. Why did Ellie get the good one and I was left with a player? Not that I was attracted to Dawson, I was not. But don’t I deserve a man who’s loyal to the mate bond, too?
I knew everyone was already walking away, but I remained on the ground. I was still lost.
What would happen next? Will I be able to take the pain of the rejection? Can I move on from him? Or should I give it a try and put my heart at risk?
I was still contemplating when I saw a hand laid out in front of me. I tilted my head slowly and met his ocean blue eyes, and I was blown away.
I was already losing my stance, and it wasn’t even ten minutes yet.
I raised my hand and reached for his. So many sparks exploded that I instinctively pulled my hand back, terrified of the explosions.
Trent chuckled. A smile tugged on his mouth while his hand was still in front of me. “It won’t burn you.”
I bit my lips and reached for his hand one more time. This time, I let the sparks dance around my fingers as he clamped his hand over mine and pulled me gently off the ground.
I was expecting him to let go of my hand, but he didn’t. Instead, he led the way, tugging me behind him, and it dawned on me that he was walking toward the forest.
“No. Not there.”
He turned around, his forehead creased, but he didn’t object. “Where can I talk with you without Riley jumping at me for every word that comes out of my mouth?”
“I don’t know. But I think it’s better if we stay here on the ground.”
“Are you scared of me, Bella?”
I pulled my hand from his touch, and I missed his warmth and the sparks he was giving me, but there was no way I would take his hand again, so instead, I crossed my arms against my chest as I nodded my head.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have jump at you. I got too excited.”
“Do you usually do that? Jump at any female and think you can charm her while wrapped up in your arms?”
“I don’t jump at females.”
“But you have too many wrapped around your fingers.” I rolled my eyes at him. I didn’t know how to tell him I knew about him and his wild ways.
“Wait, where is all this animosity coming from?”
“They said you have had many females, which I think was unfair. I saved myself for my mate, only to be mated to someone who picked up and dropped females whenever he pleased. I don’t want a public dick.”
Shit! There, I said it. I should feel better, but my heart constricted at the pain that crossed his eyes.
“So that’s it. I won’t be given a chance because you heard things about me?”
“Is it true? When was the last time you had sex with someone? I want an honest answer.”
“Last night.”
I couldn’t stop the tears from my eyes as my heart clenched in pain. I didn’t think it was possible to feel this kind of pain for someone I just met.
I turned on my heel and was about to walk away when I felt a hand snake around my wrist and the sparks danced around me one more time, making me stop walking away.
“If you met me in other circumstances, do you think you would give me a chance?”
I turned my head slightly before I answered him. “What do you mean?”
“If you just met me at the mall, or maybe just somewhere on the street, and you had no idea who I was, do you think you would give me a chance? Get to know me before rejecting me?”
I bit my bottom lip as the tears kept falling from my eyes. How I wished I had met him somewhere else, where his brothers didn’t make fun of him. Maybe it wouldn’t be too hard like this.
“Do you think, under different circumstances, there’s a possibility of you liking me?”
I couldn’t answer him because I knew it would have been different if I didn’t know anything about him.
“I’m 25 now, Bella. I have waited for you since I turned eighteen.
I searched for you more than my brothers did for their mates.
I’ve been to almost every pack all around the country looking for you.
But I didn’t find you. How was I to know you lived among humans?
If I knew, I would have searched more. I’m sorry I gave up on you.
I just thought the Goddess didn’t deem me worthy of a mate, so I gave up.
I played around, but I didn’t make any promises to any females.
Despite the possibility of not finding you, I was determined not to settle for anyone other than my mate.
But I know it still doesn’t justify my actions.
I’m sorry if I didn’t meet your expectations.
If you’re not ready for me now, I understand.
I can wait another year or two. Heck, even seven years again.
Or more. I have a lifetime to pursue you.
Just give me a chance. I will give up my wild ways.
I can do that, and I can prove that. Just tell me what I need to do more of. ”
I was sobbing, and it was harder to breathe, but I refused to look at him. I didn’t know what I wanted. There was just silence, except for my soft sobs that I was trying to stifle and the beating of two pained hearts.
“I understand. It was nice to meet you, Bella. Have a safe flight.” His voice barely reached my ears and then he was gone.
All I heard was a roaring engine, and the moment I turned around, his car was speeding off. I finally let the sobs escape my throat as the pain in my chest intensified.
He was gone.
I turned around and sprang toward the packhouse. “Dawson! Dawson!”
I was screaming for Dawson, and everyone rushed outside, meeting me at the top of the steps. I could hear them questioning where Trent was and if he had hurt me, but my eyes were focused on Dawson, my hands clutching his forearms.
“Can you drive fast? We need to go after Trent, please!”
He nodded his head, and in seconds, he, Ellie, and I were running toward his car, and we drove off immediately. Dawson was speeding while my heart was thudding loudly as I gripped my seat tightly.
“Fuck! His mindlink is closed. Is he gone a long time ago?”
“No. He just drove off, but he was speeding off too.”
Dawson didn’t answer, and Ellie, who was sitting beside me in the back seat, took my hand, squeezing it tightly. “Are you okay?”
I shook my head, and she smiled weakly at me. Her hand flew to my cheeks as she wiped away my tears. “It’ll be okay. Dawson said Trent is a good guy and very responsible, like you. I’m sure you just need to talk things over.”
I nodded my head. “He asked for a chance, but he left before I could make my decision.”
“Will you give him a chance?”
“I see him now. Hold on tight, I’ll overtake him.” Dawson’s voice stopped me from replying to Ellie as we held on to each other and to our seats tightly.
And then the car halted, our bodies jolting forward but being held back by our seatbelts. Dawson managed to block Trent’s car, forcing him to stop as well.
It was Dawson who stepped out of the car first, but he didn’t close his door so I was able to hear Trent.
“Move. Or I will drive over your car. I just want to go home.” Trent’s voice was painful to hear.
When I opened the door on my side, his gaze went to me. His mouth was open as if he wanted to say more to Dawson, but he closed it as he stared at me as I made my way to his car.
When he realized I was aiming to reach him, he stepped out of his car and stood beside it, biting his lips as he slipped his hands into his pockets, probably to steady himself, but I could hear his heartbeat. It was as loud as mine.
This is it, Bella. Don’t cower now.
Between Ellie and me, I was the risk-taker, and I never backed down from any challenge, but the thought of Trent hurting me was terrifying to me.
My lips curled into a smile. I wiped my tears before I offered my hand for him to shake. “Hi! My name is Bella.”
He let out a nervous chuckle before he let a smile grace his beautiful face and took my hand, shaking it gently without taking his gaze off of me. “Trent. My name is Trent.”
“Can we start over again?” I asked, trying my best for my voice not to sound broken. It was my turn to bite my lips out of nervousness.
“Can we forget that you heard bad things about me and start to get to know each other?”
I nodded my head, and he took my hand into his mouth. He peppered my knuckles with kisses before he closed his eyes and held my hand on his cheek.
“Thank you.” His voice was almost broken.
Words got caught in my throat, and he might have felt my nervousness. He opened his eyes and cupped my face, wiping my tears with his thumb.
“Would you like to have lunch with me, Bella? Just the two of us?”
I nodded. “That would be nice. But can we take it slow?”
He smiled at me again, and my heart felt like it would jump out of my chest. “Yes. We’ll take it slow. At the pace you want.”