Sorry I'm Mated To The Commander novel Chapter 93

Chapter 93

Chapter 93

“November?” Layla called out.

“Yeah, Layla. Sorry. I’m late,” November replied.

Layla was still in a daze. Just moments ago, Prince Atlas had been all cold and stern.

And now, in the blink of an eye, he’d turned into the sweet, cuddly November.

Layla nudged November away, who was clinging to her like an oversized puppy. “Are you in rut again?”

‘Does Prince Atlas go into rut way more often than regular shifters?’ Layla couldn’t help but wonder.

November tilted his head, his bright eyes clearly reflecting Layla’s face.

(

He said, “I really don’t know. It just came over me all of a sudden. Don’t worry about me. Are you hurt, Layla? Why is there blood on you?”

“It’s not my blood,” Layla replied.

Actually, it was just from the rough landing earlier. The jolt had made her throw up, but it was nothing serious.

As an upper-tier shifter, she’d be back to normal after a good night’s rest.

But right now, Layla was a total mess. She really wanted to take a shower and change into something clean and dry.

She told November, “I need to take a shower first.”

“Can I come with you?” November asked.

Layla just gave him a cold stare. That said it all.

November’s fluffy ears drooped.

‘Alright. That’s a no,’ he realized.

After Layla went into the bathroom, November sat outside for a while. His ears twitched, and then he suddenly got up and walked out.

Layla knew he’d left, but she had no idea where he had gone. Then she remembered he was in charge there, so she didn’t bother asking.

She took a super quick shower, just five minutes. After blasting her long hair with the dryer, she let it fall over her shoulders and walked out.

Layla had already slipped into some fresh, comfy clothes. She didn’t bother with her hair at all and went straight to call Celia.

Now that Prince Atlas and his crew had taken care of the rebels’ military on the planet, the comms were finally working again.

Layla said, “Celia, the ship I was on ran into some trouble on the way. Yeah, I’m fine, just a false alarm. But I’ll be about half day late getting to Wastelands-9 Orphan Core.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.”

After ending the call, Layla rubbed her neck and suddenly smelled something really good.

a

Chapter 93

The next moment, the door swung open, and November came in holding a lunchbox.

Layla raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

“I made you some pasta and cheese. Layla, you must be starving. Come on. Give it a try,” November said.

“You made this?” Layla was genuinely shocked. Back at Prince Atlas’s Manor, she was always the one cooking-Prince Atlas was totally clueless in the kitchen.

‘Since when did he learn to whip up pasta and cheese?’ Layla wondered.

But honestly, it smelled pretty good. Layla had been tense for hours and hadn’t had any bio-engineered gel in a while, so her stomach was really starting to growl.

Layla sat down, lifted the lid of the lunchbox, scooped up a big spoonful, and popped the food into her mouth. Seeing November’s eager eyes on her, she nodded.

“Pretty good,” she commented.

“Glad you like it, Layla.” November beamed.

“I thought you couldn’t cook at all before?” Layla asked.

Prince Atlas had always lived the high life, pampered since he was a kid. When he grew up, his hands were meant for piloting mech suits and commanding entire fleets-not for whipping up meals.

Layla was surprised to know that he knew how to cook.

November blinked, looking a bit sheepish. “I just picked it up, actually. I always made you do all the cooking before, and that was way too much for you.

“Plus, I heard you went out of your way to make dishes for my mother, so I figured I should cook something for you myself. But I was short on time, so the pasta and cheese are all I’ve got for now.

“Give me a few more days, and I’ll try to learn a bunch more recipes to make for you.”

Layla mused, ‘Ultra-S Tier shifters really are something else. Most folks spend their whole lives barely mastering a handful of recipes, but he’s cranking out dozens like it’s nothing in just a few days.

‘But, isn’t it a little over the top for the famous commander himself to be fussing over cooking lessons?”

While wondering, Layla didn’t say a word, just kept eating her food. She could totally sense November beaming at her, his eyes shining with pure delight.

It was like her loving his cooking made him feel on top of the world.

Layla finished off the whole plate, and November got all anxious. “Did I not make enough for you?” he asked.

“It’s enough. I ate too much. Hey, aren’t you supposed to handle the stuff going on with that planet?” Layla replied.

“Nah. Roger’s got it covered. I can just keep you company now, Layla,” November grinned.

“So, are you taking me to Wastelands-9 Orphan Core? I’m spending Christmas there,” Layla said.

“Then I’ll go with you and celebrate the holiday with you,” November replied.

Layla was dabbing at the corner of her mouth with a napkin when she paused, looking up to meet November’s eyes, which were so bright that they outshone the stars.

Chapter 93

“If you come with me for Christmas, what about Her Majesty?” Layla asked.

November did look conflicted. Even during the rut, he knew his mom had never liked the palace, and she definitely wasn’t keen on spending Christmas Eve there with the emperor.

“But every year, I barely get to spend Christmas with her, even though I really wish I could, November replied.

The palace had its own rules. Atlas was always off fighting somewhere, so he missed Christmas most years.

Even when he managed to be on Alpha Prime for the holiday, all he could do was head to the palace, share a Christmas Eve dinner with his mom, Leilani, and call it a night.

That was about as close as they ever got to celebrating together.

Seeing November looking so down, Layla couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him.

She said softly, “If you really want to join me, you can spend Christmas with me at Wastelands-9 Orphan Core-but only if you keep up this sweet, cuddly side.”

If November went back to his usual icy self, the kids at the orphanage would be terrified, and even Celia might be too scared

to eat.

“Yeah, my rut seems to be lasting longer these days,” November said.

Layla looked up at November, studying his expression. She’d been wondering if he was just putting on an act earlier.

But honestly, with how proud Prince Atlas usually was, there was no way he’d fake being this soft and sweet.

‘So it’s not just that his rut is lasting longer. Is he going into it way more often now? Layla thought.

But honestly, for Layla, it was great news. She’d rather hang out with November than deal with Prince Atlas’s cold act.

The ship still had six or seven hours to go before they reached Wastelands-9, where the orphanage was. With all that time to kill, November grinned, “Layla, let’s get some sleep.”

Layla’s mouth twitched. “So when you’re in rut, all you want to do is nap with me?”

“No, no, that’s not it. I just want you to rest up. After everything that just happened, your psychic force must be drained,” November hurried to explain.

Layla had been wound up the whole time, jumping from crisis management, scrambling to fix the ship’s controls, piloting through chaos, and dodging rebel fire.

And when she thought Prince Atlas wasn’t coming, she and Annie, Evan, and the rest were ready to risk it all and make a last stand.

She’d been running on pure nerves the whole time.

But now, Layla finally let herself relax. The comforting cedar scent in the air made her feel safe, and sleepiness began to wash over her.

But just as she was about to drift off, Layla suddenly remembered how off those rebels had seemed.

She said, “November, those rebels were really weird. By all rights, they should’ve been a bunch of ragtag tighters, so how were they so well-organized?”