Tasting 94

94-Embarrassed To Be My Mate.

Nora:

I woke up and was surprised to find myself in his studio, having fallen asleep there. Hastily, I

grabbed my shirt and straightened it out. He was lying on his stomach, his arm wrapped around the

pillow supporting his face. His tousled hair and muscular back tempted me to linger and cuddle, but

I knew I couldn’t. Quietly, I slipped out of his room, slowing down as I reached his study. My

intention was to leave until Natalya’s painting crossed my mind.

I was eager to see how he had depicted her. My own painting was still in his bedroom; c red and

tucked away in a separate corner. As for her painting, I was curious. I approached the one hidden

under a white cloth and carefully removed the cover. What I saw surprised me.

I didn’t know whether to feel guilty or pleased. He had captured her physique remarkably, even

though it didn’t quite resemble her body. She was much slimmer, having lost weight since I last saw

her. But her face… he never painted her face. I wondered if she noticed, and if that’s why she left,

hurt and in tears. I didn’t stick around to find out whose body he had painted. It was late already,

and I dreaded bumping into Nash or Silas on my way.

out.

Hastening my steps, I left the studio, scanning my surroundings to avoid being seen As I neared my

bedroom door and stepped inside, I was startled to find someone sitting on the edge of the bed,

head bowed.

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“Ryker?” I exclaimed in surprise, quickly shutting the door to conceal his presence from anyone

passing by.

“What are you doing here?” I grunted, clearly upset by his presence. He didn’t respond immediately

but lifted his head, staring at me through furrowed brows. His hands were clasped together, elbows

resting on his thighs as he sat there.

“Did you spend the whole night discussing the mate bond with him?” The uncertainty and doubt in

his voice caused me to furrow my brow at him. Seeing him here made me feel as if he had caught

me cheating on him, even though we weren’t even dating. Heck! We hadn’t even discussed our

mate bond. When Cain told him I was his mate, Ryker kept his mouth shut.

“Have you been waiting for me here the entire night?” I asked in bewilderment. “Answer me hat

were you two doing?” He inquired, rising to his feet standing tall, his hands clenched into fists.

“I am not accountable to you, Ryker. You’re just my stepbrother,” I hissed, feeling infuriated for some

reason. The way he sat there made it seem like he wanted to catch me and make me feel bad

about spending time with my mate. If Cain were to be uncomfortable about me spending time with

someone else, I would understand. He doesn’t know I have another mate. But for Ryker to act this

way, I was disappointed. He knew I have another mate. The same one I spent the whole night with.

So his actions were rubbing me the wrong way.

“You are not? You don’t claim to be my mate?” Ryker clenched his jaw, the anger in his eyes no

longer hidden.

“Oh! I am your mate? Sorry, I forgot about it,” I laughed, taunting him for reminding me I am his

mate when he couldn’t even tell

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his brother I was his mate.

“Nora!” he warned me through his harsh gaze to take him. seriously.

“What? Really, you think you could ask me any questions and I’ll be ready to answer you? Did you

even tell your brother we are mates? No! So, why are you keeping an eye on me? And then to

break into my bedroom to spy on me and what time I return is just-ugh!” I groaned, constantly

avoiding his eyes. The more I stared at him looking at me, the angrier I got.

“You two did something or not, I just want to know that much,” he uttered, his eyes closed as if he

didn’t want to see my face.

“We did,” I nodded, folding my arms over my chest, waiting to hear his response.

“What? What happened between you two?” I had no clue why he was asking me for these details.

“I’m not going to tell you anything, Ryker. You can think what you want. But you’re welcome to

question me when you tell your brother that you’re also my mate,” I said, stepping aside, signaling

for him to leave. But he shook his head, indicating he wasn’t finished yet.

“I won’t. I cannot, and you shouldn’t either,” he stated firmly, his gaze stern. His refusal to disclose

anything upset me. What was stopping him from telling his brother about me? Was he embarrassed

because he thought my wolf was weak, and he was a patrol officer at the border?

“Why? Are you embarrassed, or do you think I’m not good enough because I have two mates?” I

couldn’t contain this

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question any longer.

He stood there with his eyes on me, but no response from him. It hurt me.

“Tell me,” as I demanded with aggression, he shook his head

even more.

“No! I cannot tell you,” he hissed. And then took a big step back from me. It was as if he was ready

to escape this conversation and it already angered me.

“Why? Why can’t you tell me anything?” I yelled when he didn’t respond and walked past me to the

door. “You know what, you’re a coward. You just want to have fun with me without taking any

responsibility. You want me to tell you everything about every conversation I have with my mate, yet

you don’t even want to tell me a sin thing.” I almost threw a fit, but he arrogantly walked out of the

room, disappearing from my sight.

“What an a**hole! Ruined my entire mood,” I grunted, sinking down onto the bed, pondering our

argument. This was the first time we argued, and surely not the last.

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