I had reached home. I don't even know how I had done that. It was all a blur. Me leaving the restaurant and finally coming to my apartment. I didn't know how long I had been sitting alone. And I didn't know how much time I had spent crying.

I finally woke up and turned on the lights and looking at the mirror next to the switch, I noticed I looked horrible. My eyes were red and puffy and my cheeks were red and blotchy.

I laughed a bit hollowly at my reflection and walked to the bathroom. After taking a long and hot shower, I called Ingrid. Then changed my mind. Ingrid was not my crutch despite how much I could lean on her when I had a problem.

I started on the muffins on the next day. There were little things that made me happy. This was one of them. The fact that people loved what I did was a real confidence boost.

As I was about to mix the dough, my phone rang. It was Fabian. Automatically, without me realizing it, I was smiling. I noticed it and wiped the smile off. After wiping my hands on a cloth, I picked up the phone and answered it.

"Hello?"

"Denise?" His voice was deep and it made me to shiver. It was amazing how even through the phone, he could have an effect on me.

"Fabian?" Why did we always do this? Answer each other's questions with one word questions or affirmations? But I didn't mind though. It was endearing.

"I... I miss you," I said and from the silence on the other end of the line, I could tell he was shocked.

"I think that's normal. After all, I'm the reason you wake up every morning," Fabian teased and I rolled my eyes with a small smile. I was sure my cheeks were beet red at the moment.

"You are so full of yourself– and please don't make that joke," I hastened to add.

"I wasn't going to," he laughed and from his tone, it was very obvious he had wanted to make it.

"Sure you weren't," I said with a small smile. It was like every time I spoke to him, I had a permanent smile on my face. Was that normal?

And that was exactly what I asked him.

His response was to laugh. "So I make your heart beat really fast?" Fabian teased, still laughing.

I rolled my eyes and said without any heat, "Shut up".

"So that's why you're always blushing around me," he said like he had made a startling discovery.

"I regret telling you this..." I said and he laughed. He was enjoying this way too much.

"Nah. You don't." I smiled at his response. I really didn't.

"What are you doing?"

"Chanting spells for tomorrow's muffins. You?" I said calmly. Too calmly.

"I miss your muffins," Fabian said and I laughed softly. He was so adorable.

"And you don't miss me?" I asked.

"Just a little bit," he said with a nonchalant tone.

"Just a little bit?" I asked.

"Yeah. Maybe less." I laughed and looked at the time and widened my eyes. We had been talking for an hour and thirty minutes. If I didn't hurry, the muffins weren't going to be ready for the next day.

"Fabian? Can we talk later? I need to finish up with the muffins," I explained.

"Sure thing little mate," Fabian replied and I blushed instantly. It was so weird but so endearing hearing him call me his mate. I felt like soaring!

"Bye Fabian."

"Bye little mate. Don't miss me too much," he teased and I laughed. After he hung up, I stared at the phone, almost as if I could see him through the screen.

I put it down and went back to work. Tomorrow he was going to come back and I was going to tell him everything.

***

Tomorrow had finally reached. I was nervous and tense. I had no idea how Fabian was going to take everything. But before our relationship progresses even more, I wanted him to be aware of my past.

Not necessarily everything all at once, but I didn't want him to feel betrayed when I finally told him.

I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Fabian and I had agreed to meet a bistro in town and I was currently on my way. My outfit did not reflect my mental state. I was sure I looked put together and calm, but I was anything but.

As soon as I got to the bistro, I spotted Fabian. He beard was looking fuller and maybe it was because I hadn't seen him in days, but he looked so much more handsome.

I walked towards him with a smile and I soon as I reached the table, he stood up. I went in for a hug but he surprised me by planting a sweet but short kiss on my lips.

My cheeks got hot as I blushed. I was sure I resembled a beet. I sat in the chair he pulled out for me and kept my small bag on the floor next to my chair.

"I missed you," Fabian confessed, his eyes riveted on me. I blushed even harder.

"I missed you more," I replied, smiling wide.

He smiled back then took my left hand into his own and kissed it. Okay, what was it with all the affection? I wasn't complaining, but wow.

As I opened my mouth to speak, a water came and placed two menus in front of us. We looked up at each other and smiled. And I kept on asking myself why I was smiling.

Minutes later, we had ordered and were done with the food. I had to admit I had almost choked throughout the meal. Fabian was funny and even when he said stupid stuff, I found myself laughing.

After an argument on who was going to pay the bill (he insisted on paying!), we left the bistro and strolled towards a park. It was still early so there was pretty much no one there.

We sat on one of the benches and basked in a comfortable silence. After a while, Fabian broke it.

"You have something on your mind?" he asked and I looked at him sharply.

"Yeah.. how did you know?" I asked.

"You're an open book, Denise. You looked preoccupied throughout," he answered, making me frown.

"I did? I'm sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about," he said, taking my hand and facing me. "Do you have something to tell me? Is that why you're so preoccupied? Worried I wouldn't like what you have to say?"

How was he able to read me so well??

I found myself shaking my head, then I quickly caught myself and nodded quickly, making him let out a small chuckle.

"Are you scared of me?" Fabian asked and I looked at him strangely.

"No I'm not. It's just, I don't know how to put this," I replied and he nodded.

I honestly didn't know how to put it. Fabian, I had a mate before you, but he's dead. And oh! Also, I dated an Alpha and he wants me back. Yeah, awkward.

"Denise, just tell me," Fabian prodded when I stayed silent for longer than was necessary.

"You're not... you're not my only mate," I said hesitantly, looking at his face, waiting to see any change in expression. But all I saw was confusion.

"What?" he asked.

"I had a mate before you Fabian!" I exclaimed, tears filling my eyes. I didn't know why I was crying. But I couldn't help it.

Fabian looked away for a few seconds then turned back to me with a tensed look on his face. "Where is he now?"

I swallowed. "He's dead."

I felt the tension recede just like that. It's funny how one thing can change a whole mood, a whole story.

I knew Fabian was tense, nervous. It was obvious. His Adam's apple kept on bobbing up and down, he kept tapping his feet on the ground and his fingers on the bench. But what I didn't know was what to think about it.

"Has.. has there been anyone since then?" he asked and it was obvious he wanted my answer to be no.

I found myself nodding and the mood broke. We sat there in silence and I was beating myself up. Why did I tell him this early? Why didn't I just wait till we got closer?

Fabian muttered something after a while and both of us stood up and started walking in the direction of my cafe.

There was a lot on my mind but I wasn't a fool. I knew it was over between me and Fabian. That much was obvious. But I didn't know when exactly he was going to drop the bomb.

As soon as we reached the cafe, we stood silently in front of it, both looking everywhere but at each other.

"I.. I'm sorry, Denise," he started and I swallowed. This was it. "But I just need some time to think, alright? I just don't know how to wrap my head around this."

I nodded and even though the bile in my throat was rising, I managed to answer. "I get that Fabian. But.. but I'm not sorry I told you. I.. I did... I didn't want to you to discover later on and feel even more betrayed," I explained, trying not to let the tears fall.

Fabian didn't say anything, just hugged me, then placed a small kiss on my forehead and walked away. I watched him until he was out of sight.

Ethan was dead, but he was managing to fuck up my life from his grave.

***

Hello. Sorry for not updating in so long. I have so so many other projects. But that doesn't mean I'm neglecting this one. I'll still update. Though the book is fast coming to an end. Hope you enjoyed this chapter though.

Love, Essie 🌺