Six times, in the last five days, I checked the border barrier. I know it's intact and it works — even without having to inspect it in person, but I still went because that's all I can do at the moment.

Unlike Nara and Jenny, who are using this time to sightsee and hang out with handsome boys, I can't go outside because of him, and her.

First, it was him. Over Sabrina's lunch invite, my friends and I went to the main house. When we were in the kitchen, in walked Leon — fresh out of shower and half-naked!

Didn't he hear us in the kitchen? With his superior hearing powers, he should've. Then how could he just come in front of me in that state – or any state for that matter?

However, I was still ready to let go of that incident and continue to be out and about in the pack land, till I saw him and her, talking cozily to each other.

She kept touching his hand every five seconds, laughing. Wonder what joke that two-faced jerk-of-a-mate of mine was telling her about? He was nothing but mean to me at Hannah's place, ordering me to stay. And now he's all smiles for her.

So that was it. My final straw. Other than to check the barrier, I don't leave the house now.

When I'm bored to the point of wanting to jump off from the roof, I go to the rose garden. It feels nice to sit there.

I'd just finished my second lunch and am ready to take an afternoon nap when Nara and Jenny decide to show their faces.

"Alright, get up. It's nice and sunny outside. You can't stay inside all the time," Nara says.

I vigorously shake my head like a wet dog in response.

Jenny sighs. "We checked. The two people you want to avoid are not there."

I bolt up. "Why didn't you say that first?"

Outside, we find a nice grass opening near the forest. I lie down with eyes closed and limbs spread, to soak up as much of the sun's rays as possible.

Soon, I feel a shadow falling over my face.

I open my eyes to see Vince.

"What are you doing?" the young boy says, giggling.

"Soaking up the sun."

He lies down next to me. He turns to me and says, "Did you catch the guy who made the black smoke?"

"No," I tell him. "We're working on it. But don't worry, I made sure he never comes back in here."

"Really?" he asks.

"Really," I tell him.

A minute passes between us before he asks another question. "Can I ask you something? You won't get mad, right?" he says.

"Sure. Ask me anything," I assure him.

"Are you... Are you really Leon's mate?"

I hear laughter being stifled from my friends. I can't blame anyone else for this — I did gave the kid permission to ask me anything.

"Yes. I am," I say, realizing this is the first time I acknowledged out loud that I'm Leon's mate to anyone.

"I didn't know werewolves can have witch mates," he says.

"It can happen. However, it's rare."

"Is that why Leon is breaking up with you and going to mate with Irene?"

I sigh heavily. "Yes. That's why he's breaking up with me." I suppose it really is a breakup.

Few more seconds pass in silence before he says, "Are you mad about it?"

"I am," I tell him, honestly.

"Are you sad?"

"I am."

"Do you like him?"

Involuntarily, I smile. It's also the first time someone asked me that question. Such a simple question, and yet no one dared to ask me to my face. I turn to look at Vince. "Yes. I like him."

For some reason, I feel light, having admitted that to someone.

Vince, however, looks at me with a sad puppy face. "It's not fair. I like you. You're so nice and pretty. Why does Leon have to break up with you?"

I raise my eyebrows and tease him with, "You think I'm pretty?"

A deep blush appears on his face. He looks away from me and says, "Yes. You're very pretty."

Why can't boys stay this gullible, honest, and innocent all their lives?

"Thank you," I tell him.

After another brief silence between us, he quietly says, "I can be your mate."

I smile again at what he said. He may not realize it now, but he sure is going to be a heartbreaker in the future.

"You'll be my mate?" I ask him.

He sits up, and I lift my head over my elbow, matching his height with just that.

"Yes!" he says. "I can be your new mate. After Leon breaks up with you, I can be your mate!"

"You're sure?"

He quickly nods his head.

"Promise?"

"Promise," he says and seems to mean it, too.

"Alright. After your Alpha breaks up with me, I'll come looking for you. You can't change your mind then."

He shakes his head. "I won't."

Just then a group of kids beckon Vince. He gets up and says, "I gotta go. See you later. Bye." There was still some residual flush in his cheeks.

I think I have an admirer.

––––

Hi guys! :)

Please vote on the chapters and leave comments 💕