Having changed out of my oversized shirt, I dressed in a more casual outfit. Quickly grabbing random garments from my closet, I slip on army green elastic waist modal trousers with a beige off-the-shoulder crop top. Pairing them with a black ankle Converse, and black crystal earrings that Malena made me as a treat of finishing my witch training. Easily fixing my hair, I overlook my outfit, wondering if this was good enough to go see him.

As I looked at myself a tad bit longer, my eyes fall to my dresser, seeing a ring that Garret gave me not too long after we had our first talk about being mates.

He hadn't waited for me outside the diner like he usually did but I figured he had a pack situation so I didn't fret about it. I had gone home, preparing to cook dinner for that night. I wasn't sure what it was going to be, I knew that Pinterest would help me decide eventually.

I walked into my apartment, going through the app as I looked for things to make. Closing and locking the door, I made my way to my bedroom, pinning things that sounded interesting to me. As I walked into my room, I felt him there almost instantly.

Looking up, I see him on the edge of my bed, looking deep in thought which confused and concerned me. I walk over to him, disregarding my phone entirely. Stepping in between his legs, I placed my hands on his well-defined face, meeting his eyes.

"You alright?" I question.

He smiled at me. "Absolutely," he says.

"What are you doing here, you didn't meet me at the diner."

"I have something for you," he states. "It's not much, but when I saw it I thought of you."

"Wha-"

He took my left hand, placing a ring on it. Kissing my palm as I looked at it, I grinned.

I was never one for big rings or statement piece ones, I liked simple and small. It was perfect.

"This might sound cheesy," he started. "But it's to symbolize that you have my heart."

I look up at him, feeling my body become warm and my heartbeat began to pick up. "I love you," I said. We hadn't yet said it to each other, we hadn't known each other that long anyways but I knew once I knew that we were mates that I did. Of course, I did. We were mates. This bond was more powerful than any love I've experienced, not that I had but the bond was real and the feelings were as well.

He grinned. "I love you too."

We shared a kiss, and I knew then that he had me wrapped around his finger. I couldn't imagine a life without him.

Easily picking up the ring, I placed it on my left middle finger. Rubbing my finger over it for a second, I quickly get my bag and sling it over my shoulder. Leaving my apartment, I quickly walk two blocks down to Rhoda's diner and instantly see Garret through the window as I was heading to the door.

He sat at his regular booth, having a cup of coffee as he stared off into space. His face looked to be how I felt. Miserable. It was clear that these couple of days without speaking to each other took an immense toll on us. Seeing him made my heart tug and once I stepped into the diner, I know his did too because he instantly looked at me.

It was clear it had been a while since he had shaved. His eyes looked tired. Bags were very clear even from the distance I was. He instantly straightened up, trying to look like he wasn't affected, like he was doing okay.

I walked over to him, sitting across from him in the booth.

"I didn't know you were coming back after your shift," he says. "I wouldn't have come if I have come if I did."

I shook my head. "I knew you were here. I'm here to see you."

He looked confused. "You doing okay?" he questioned.

"I'm doing just about the same as you are," I say.

"I'm doing fine, Emerald," he lies.

"You don't have to lie to me," I say. "I can tell you haven't been okay either."

"Well I wanted to give you space," he says tiredly. "It's taking quite the toll on me."

"Me too," I say as I look down at my hands.

I felt his eyes before I looked up at him. He smiled softly. "Nah," he says. "You still look as beautiful as ever." I smiled softly as I looked at my hands, twisting the ring in between my thumb and pointer finger. As I was mindlessly doing it, his hand came into mine, pulling my left one and kissed the palm like he did when he gave me the ring. "I still love you," he says.

"I still love you too," I respond honestly.

"I'm sorry. If I hurt you or anything, I had no intention of hurting you. I simply wanted to-"

"Tell me the truth," I interrupt. "I know. It took me a while to realize it but I know. You wanted things to be honest with each other and I respect that. It just hurt but I'm okay. We're okay."

"Yeah?" he questions.

"Yeah."

"Good," he says, the look of sadness leaving his face. "Because I have something else to tell you."

I hesitated. "What is it?" I asked.

He squeezed my hand. "My dad knows."