~Brielle
Ren doesn’t say anything for a moment.
I’m assuming what is going on inside his head. He is wondering why I dragged him out to sit on the grass to look at the stars outside his manor, to tell him I’ve found my mate. Surely he’s confused, as he moves his head, looking at me. Strangely, I sense a look of both confusion, and maybe despondent.
“So I’m assuming this means you want to get off the island,” Ren says slowly, processing this in his mind. “Which makes complete sense, of course. You’ve done so much for me already, I don’t doubt you’re desperate to get off this island.”
Sitting up, I brush my hair back, trying to word this appropriately, however, I can’t find a way. “See, it’s not as simple as that, Ren.”
He blinks a few times, not understanding.
“Look, something has happened and it has changed everything. It’s not the fact that I found my mate, for that was due to happen sometime soon, however, it’s who my mate is, that is making these complicated,” I tell him uneasily. Ren sits up too, looking at me with furrowed brows, unsure of what I’m insinuating.
“You don’t have to tell me, of you don’t want. I’m sure it’s personal,” he assures me. He seems like he wants to know, but he is stepping back in order to not pressure me. It doesn’t make me feel any better.
“Well, the things is, you kind of need to know about this,” I tell him anxiously, before it all spills out. “Because you could be my mate. And maybe Chase is too.”
Ren gapes at me for a few seconds.
“How do you know this?” Ren asks gently. He doesn’t seem too surprised, just confused. I can see him sifting through all the information within his head. I’m not about to just tell him I made out with Chase and perhaps it would have gone further had Mabel not interrupted. Now I’ve calmed down about that, I’m more than ashamed.
“Well, Chase and I...touched, and I felt the spark. I’m not sure if it was because of your body, or his mind,” I say anxiously, rubbing the back of my neck. A muscle in Ren’s jaw ticks.
I see him looks down at his hands, and for a moment, I thought he was going to reject my assumption. “I suppose it is rather simple.”
I frown. “Is it?”
“Yeah, we can touch and find out right now,” he says calmly. He reaches for me, and without my control, my body lurches away before his fingertips can brush against my skin. I stand, stumbling across the grass. Ren remains where he sits, looking at me blankly, unsure of why I reacted the way I did.
“Wait, hold on,” I say breathlessly, holding my hands out in front of me. Ren doesn’t move, giving me enough space to think, which I’m grateful for. “I need to think. I don’t even think I want to know right now.”
Ren tilts his head, frowning at me. “Why not? Would you rather be mates with Chase, or me?”
My throat goes dry.
“Well, obviously you. Chase is a demon and he’s...pure evil,” I tell him, as if to remind myself. He might be painfully alluring, however, I have to remind myself he is using me. He is trying to keep me calm while he achieves what he wants to in Ren’s body. That’s why he is hasn’t told me anything.
“Then come sit down, Brielle. I won’t touch you unless you want me to,” he says softly, patting the blanket next to him. I oblige him, sitting next to him cautiously. I’m not sure why I’m so nervous to find out whether Ren is my mate.
Ren shifts, facing completely toward me. There is something so intense about his gaze when he looks at me. Like he’s waiting to completely consume every part of me.
“I’m not being scared of being your mate.”
Ren nods slowly. He might not believe me, but it’s true. He might be an Alpha, and that might be daunting, however, he would make an incredible mate. He’s soft, calm and warm. He’s been kind to me the entire time I’ve been here, but admittedly, he’s also beyond attractive and sexy. I feel a blush from even thinking about it.
“I’m scared of touching you and we aren’t mates. That means I’m mated to some cruel demon. And I’m scared I will touch you, and we are mates, and I hardly know you, and I won’t be able to tell which one of you is my mate,” I say in one big breath.
“I completely understand,” Ren comments. “I’m not scared of being your mate, if that makes it easier. Anyone would be lucky to have you.”
Strangely enough, it doesn’t seem like he’s lying.
“So what can I do to make you more comfortable? I want you to want to find out, not to be afraid,” Ren says gently. I won’t stop being afraid until I know Chase is gone from his body, but I know putting it off will do neither of us any good. He will be wondering, and I would be wondering, so I should just get it over with.
Sighing deeply, I suddenly grab his hand, clutching it tightly. We both flinch, because sure enough, there are sparks there, the exact same when I was making out with Chase. Just like I thought. Now, I’m full of unanswered questions.
“Well, there’s that,” Ren says softly, rubbing the back of his neck once I had pulled my hand away. I’m not sure what to say, so I just look at him for a moment.
I can hardly believe he is my mate.
“How do you feel?” I ask him, hoping he isn’t disheartened by this. I know he said he would be happy to be my mate, but I can’t imagine why. I’m sure there is another girl with more power than me out there that would suit him better. Regardless, I can sense his honesty, and I want to hear more about how he feels.
“I feel oddly content, as if questions I’ve had have been answered. I knew you were attractive the moment I laid eyes on you, however, I was curious as to why I always made excuses to be around you. You interested me a lot, and now I know why,” he admits.
I breathe in deeply, consuming that information. “I feel the same way. I might not know as well as I would want to, but I’ve always wanted to.”
“Well let’s make it our goal to get to know all we can about each other.”
I smile at him, and for the first time, something makes sense. Yes, I need to speak to Chase again, but the Alpha’s will come soon, and they will ensure no one else gets hurt, surely. And Ren and I will have time to get to know each other. He’s the perfect man I can see myself falling in love with. I can’t wait.
Ren and I walked back to house together, holding hands, talking about things we have in common, which is a surprising amount. We are both rather reserved people, who love books and art. I have a feeling we are going to get along great.
Luckily, a few days passed and Ren got in contact with a few Alpha’s who were perfectly okay to come help with the Chase situation.
However, Chase wouldn’t come.
The day the Alpha’s were due to arrive, I meet Ren in the hallway. A lot of the staff have left already after they found out the double pay was only a rumour, finding their ways off the docks back to the mainland. Some stayed with no where else to go. Admittedly, it’s helpful having some staff left over to help with the Alpha’s being here.
The Alpha’s having been selected by Ren, who he is closest to, include Noah, the Alpha of Harmony, Malik, the Alpha of Love, Kaden, the Alpha of Vengeance, and lastly, Asher, the Alpha of Desire, for no particular reason at all, other than he’s a calm individual compares to the others.
“No Chase again?” I ask Ren, leaning against the wall. He shakes his head at me, to which I sigh deeply. I desperately need to speak to him, and I think he knows that.
“Not that I know of,” Ren confirms.
“He knows about the Alpha’s coming. And I bet he knows I know you and I are mates, and he doesn’t want to come out and face me,” I vent to Ren. We have had a good week together, eating breakfast and lunch together, talking and laughing and having a great time. Things might be moving slowly, but I blame that on Chase.
Ren and I haven’t even kissed yet. I haven’t been trying rush things, but the stress of wondering where Chase is has been getting to me. I just want to enjoy my time alone with Ren, discovering what could be between each other.
Instead, I’m waiting on a demon, who I might have feelings for too.