Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Wednesday Cont.

Emerald’s POV:

Fudge, fudge!

I should have brought that up after a bit of coaxing.

Before I could get a word out in my defence, I heard Hannah’s voice in my head,

‘I know you’re all about being righteous and not lying, but if you want to save your a*s from them, you better make something up and pronto.’

I knew they’d probably figure it out if I lied because of the growing bond, and my heartbeat would skyrocket. I didn’t want to risk it; plus, if this whole relationship worked, we needed to be honest. I didn’t want to open a door where lying to one another would be okay because it is sure as hell wasn’t. I took a deep breath, and with as much confidence as I could, I replied,

“If you let me finish, I would have told you that I remembered I wasn’t supposed to be alone in any secluded area, Eli…,” as soon as I said his name, I could hear the subtle sneers, but the quads did not say anything else and let me continue, “…Eli, was with me. I had a long day and just needed some quiet time,” I finished, while locking eyes with the quads.

I did not lie; Eli was there with me in my defence. Even if he came a bit later, I was not alone technically. I could see their posture had slightly relaxed, but they were still stiff. I get that they were being protective, but I needed some time to myself.

Was that too much to ask?

“We understand, little Luna however, please let someone know. Just so we know you’re safe,” said Ezekiel.

“Yes, my love, are you feeling better now?” asked Azrael, as he came closer and brushed a lock of my hair behind my ear. Where his fingers grazed my skin, I could feel the little tingles erupting, sending shivers of excitement down my spine.

The mate-bond was getting more robust, and I knew it was only a matter of a few days before I would feel most of its effect.

“I’m doing much better now. Thank you, Azrael.” I replied, giving him a small smile and unconsciously leaning into his touch.

I could see how happy that made him as he shot a discreet look toward his brothers, which I caught.

“You still up for shopping, baby?” asked Sam, as he came forward and pecked my head.

As much as I wanted to create some physical distance from the two quads, I couldn’t make my body move away. I knew they wanted to take me shopping, and honestly I wanted to go, but I did not want them to spend money on me willy-nilly. I have some money saved up. Maybe I could use that. Plus, saying no to the trip would probably upset them. They were really trying, and I honestly liked how much effort they were putting in.

They wouldn’t put in this much just to throw me away later, right?

“What do you say, angel, ready to shop till you drop?” asked Zeke, as he came towards my left and pecked my forehead as well, sending shivers all over my body.

“Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s go!” I replied, giving them all a smile.

We piled into a huge SUV, with me sandwiched between Sam and Zeke, Ezekiel at the wheel and Azrael in the passenger seat. Hannah and Luca, much to Hannah’s chagrin were in the back, but with the way she was suppressing her giggling, I’m guessing she’s doing just fine back there.

Maybe once the mate-bond finally hit, the quads and I could be like them. The thought gave me butterflies, and a small smile made its way onto my lips thinking about the prospective future.

“What’s got you all happy and smiling, baby?” asked Sam, basically purring in my ear.

While I felt Zeke moving closer, putting his hand on my upper thigh, slowly tracing patterns around the area. A shudder ran through me, and I felt my panties dampen a bit for the first time in a long time.

As soon as it happened, the quads sniffed the air and darted their eyes to me.

Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!

I had to get my arousal under control!

This was so embarrassing; Luca and Hannah were in the back, and by the way they had stopped whispering, I’m sure they caught the smell as well. I bit back my tongue and tried to think about something other than the quads and their proximity:

Smelly socks!

Eggplant stew!

Physical training!

Ugh! Goddess, please!

“Little Luna, you okay back there?” asked Ezekiel as calmly as he could. Unfortunately, though, I could tell he was anything but calm with how white his knuckles had become while clutching onto the starting wheel.

“Uhm, yes, sorry, umm, yes!” I blabbered.

Sorry, seriously?

Did I need to apologize?

‘Wow, I really need to teach you some basic communication skills,’ said Hannah in my mind, laughing her bum off.

I just shot her the stink eye.

Before anyone else could say anything, we reached the mall, and I practically went flying out of the car, jumping over Zeke. I could hear the quads snickering at the back as I quickly grabbed Hannah’s hand and rushed inside.

“Oh, Goddess! Please tell me that it wasn’t all that strong?” I asked Hannah.

“Come on, Em! It’s natural, there are your mates! At least we know you’re not as prudish as you claim to be!” replied Hannah, laughing out the last part.

“I’m sure my brothers are ecstatic, and by the look of it, you’re feeling the bond slightly.”

I was, it had only been a day since I denied acknowledging any relationship with the quads, but now, just thinking about them made me giddy, emotionally and sexually.

I blushed and just nodded my head.

Hannah squealed and hugged me.

“That’s amazing, Em. I know you’re still a little apprehensive, but please don’t try to suppress the mate-bond. It’s a beautiful thing, and you’ll realize that yourself in a few days,” Hannah said.

“I know, Han! I am willing to try. Eli basically said the same thing today when we were in the forest. The Alphas haven’t done anything but treat me well since they found out about me being their potential mate, so it’s only fair I do my part. I’m still a little scared though. It’s hard getting over the thought that maybe they won’t want me like my biological parents or Eli. Though Eli’s case is different, you get my point,” I said, giving her hand a little squeeze, showing my appreciation for her.

I could see the quads coming in with Luca. I had one more thing to ask Hannah before the guys got closer. So I took Hannah a little further away to be safe and out of earshot from them, she stared at me with her eyebrows raised, prompting me to ask what was on my mind.

“You can’t tease me about this later, or I swear to the Goddess I’m not going to ask you anything ever again…,” before I could finish, I could see Hannah trying to suppress a smile trying to break out on her face “… umm, well, umm…,”

“Goddess, Em, spit it out! I already know everything about you, and trust me, nothing could be worse than you asking me why Eli’s d**k never stood upright,” said Hannah, shuddering at the memory.

Even I shuddered at the thought; just the mere mention of another guy in that way felt like I was betraying the quads.

Ugh! The mate-bond was getting stronger.

“I’m just going to ignore that. I wanted to ask, do you think the Alphas would find it weird if I tried to hold their hands or peck them on the cheek? I don’t want them thinking after the incident in the car that I’m like this willy-nilly type of girl,” I asked.

Hannah gave me a deadpan look, saying, ‘are you serious right now?’

“I’m not even going to answer that since it’s such dumb question. They are your mates, and nothing would make them happier than you warming up to them,” she replied.

I guess she was right, but what if they thought I was just a drama queen; yesterday being all reluctant, and then today, I’m hanging off them!

“You ready little Luna?” asked Ezekiel, putting his arm around my shoulder.

I blushed and nodded.

I guess don’t judge it till you try it, right?

Just please, Goddess, don’t let me embarrass myself!

“Just so you all know, I’m here as well! Just because you found your mate doesn’t mean you can’t forget about little old me,” said Hannah, as Luca quickly put his arm around her waist and pecked her pout.

“Babe, how about we give them some time to themselves while we go around?” said Luca.

“But baby…,” before Hannah could get another word out, he said something in her ear that made her go all red as she giggled and nodded.

“I don’t even wanna know what that bastard said,” huffed Azrael under his breath, but we all heard it.

I just giggled.

“Em’s I gotta pick something up! Meet you back in a bit at the food court?” Hannah asked me.

As much as I wanted her to stay, I didn’t want to come between her and Luca’s plans. Plus, I wanted to spend some time getting to know the quads so we could have something to talk about later.

“Don’t worry, baby girl. I have something in mind for you as well. Which will make my dear older brothers putty in your hands,” whispered Hannah in my ear before taking off.

By the look of the four sets of dilated pupils when I turned around to face the quads, I’m guessing they heard what she said too.

“Ah, um, let’s go,” I said, trying to get them out of their l**t-filled state.

“Come, my love,” said Azrael, as he held my hand on the right.

Ezekiel was on the left, holding onto my waist, with the younger two on either side of them.

Their touches and scents were messing with my head.

Goddess, this was probably the most arduous shopping trip ever.