Falling For My Cruel Mate novel Chapter 56

She was dressed in a sports bra with high waisted pants and a light sweatshirt tied around her waist. Even in simple workout clothing she looked stunning.

"Of course we can."

I close my bedroom door behind me and we walk side by side down the hall, towards the stairs. An awkward silence ensued, but I'm not really sure what to say to her. The mate bond is at its strongest point and it could only get stronger with the mating ritual but we don't even know each other well enough.

I guess that's my fault though. I wasn't ready and still aren't ready for her to hear of my past. Not in its entirety at least. The things that I've done. I have the strong urge to please her and it makes me sad, also a bit angry. I don't know what to do...

"Ajax," Her light voice pulls me from my thoughts as I close the house door and lock it. "I know things are weird because of the bond and I know that you don't like me very much and that we don't know each other but this isn't how I want my life to be. This is how I want us to be, you know? And I know I'm rambling and I'm sorry for that I just- This is awkward! I'm willing to make this work if you are."

I press my lips together to suppress the chuckle that threatened to climb out. Her green eyes widen at the realization of what she just said and her cheeks heat up with embarrassment.

"I'm so-I'm so sorry and I'm-wow. Talk about word vomit. I didn't even mean to say all of that out loud and definitely not now and in this moment. I'm so-"

"It's okay," I smirk. "You don't have to apologize."

I allow my hands to cup her face, making sure that her eyes were aligned with mine. "I want to get to know you and I want you to get to know me, within time of course."

"Of course." She nods with a sigh of relief.

Octavia:

November twelfth.

We walked together in silence, his arm occasionally brushing up against mine causing a soft electric current to flow up and down my arm.

I felt like a total moron. I mean my mate kisses me and I run and hide. Who even does that? Me apparently. Also, to make it worse, I'm a stuttering, stumbling mess around him. It's like any little ounce of hate I had for him went flying out of the window the moment he kissed me.

Every time I think of him kidnapping me and keeping me hostage... I don't feel this white hot anger anymore. Not the way I used too. I just feel sad and confused. Confused as to why he would treat me so awfully.

I miss my family.