Chapter 5: Do not lay a finger on her.

“Mate? What are you talking about? What mate?” Owen rushed his words within and earned a hiss from his wolf. 

*She is your mate Owen. I can feel the bond but it's slightly weak* His wolf snapped.

Raising her head to see the hard surface her head got in contact with, Ava's eyes widened in surprise when she realized that it wasn't a hard surface rather it was a young man.

“I'm sorry mister.” She withdrew from his grip and arranged her clothes. 

Getting into an intimate position with a man was one thing she had always been scared of since she didn't want to end up becoming like a few college dropouts.

Taking hold of her hands, Owen asked worriedly, “Are you ok?” He turned her around searching if he could see any injuries. “You are not hurt anywhere right?” 

Seeing that this unknown young man was worried for her ignited a feeling that she had never felt before. His eyes were full of concern as he twirled her around searching for any injuries.

“I'm alright Mister, I apologize for bumping into you.” Ava finally said after keeping um for a long while.

“Oh...” he breathes out in relief. “That is good then but make sure to watch where you are going next time ok?” 

However, Ava did not respond to him. Her eyes were busy taking a view of his features. He had emerald eyes and dark brown hair which was smoothly combed making him look dashing, neat, and elegant. Now to talk about his beautiful straight nose, playful lips, and lean and muscular body made her get lost in staring.

*He screamed of elegance and beauty* Ava screamed inside her head. Although it was her first time seeing him, she felt like she had known him for a long time.

Finally regaining her composure, a small smile appeared on her lips before she spoke in a well-behaved manner, “I will get back to work now Mister. Thanks for your help, by the way.'' She bowed and then ran off.

*Mate...* His wolf cried in dismay. Hissing loudly, he growled, *Why did you let her go?*

Trying to get rid of the misunderstanding between him and his wolf, Owen rebutted, “She is not our mate Cornelius. She is human!” he rubbed his temple tiredly. 

“You must be mistaken because we are still yet to find our mate and that makes you hungry for another species!” he hissed angrily. He had gotten enough of his tantrum already.

*Fine! If you say so,” Cornelius snapped and kept shut.

•••

“He had emerald eyes, dark brown hair, and such a graceful body. He was just too beautiful to ignore Otto,” Ava blushed at her own words.

Otto on the other hand had a placid facial expression as he found the conversation boring. Although it wasn't boring as he had felt or wanted, it was extremely getting him a bit jealous.

“Wow, then he must have come from a wealthy family judging from your explanation,” he uttered tiredly before he added, “Can we just drop this conversation already? It's making me feel sleepy.” he feigned a yawn afterward.

Squinting her eyes at him only for a few seconds, Ava burst into fits of laughter and asked, “Are you jealous right now?” 

“Who? Me?” Otto pointed at himself. “I'm not jealous. I'm just getting tired just by hearing it and that's the truth.”

Bursting into another fit of laughter, Ava pointed at him and nodded, “Yes you are jealous. I know you are Otto.” she sobered up and began in a calm voice, “Hey, come on, I can read you like an open book. You don't need to hide it from me. I know you are jealous.” 

“I said I'm not!” Otto protested, he was getting angry by the second which he couldn't fathom why though.

What exactly was his problem? The fact that she was appraising another guy's looks? Or the fact that she accused him of being jealous? He was also confused. 

Having seen that he was getting angry by the second, Ava tried to get rid of their little misunderstanding. “Look, you don't need to be jealous though. You are also smart, handsome, and rich.” she placed her hands on his, “You are also my very good friend whom I love so much.” 

As his heart began beating faster than usual, Otto sheepishly withdrew his grip from hers and let out a smile.

“Thanks for your kind words Ava!” he uttered shyly.

As the two spent some time together, they finally retired to go home and as usual, Otto offered to escort her home. Just a few minutes close to Ava's house, Otto bid her goodbye and left.

•••

At that same moment, Xerxes was watching Ava on the other side of the direction. Jealousy got the better side of him as he hissed angrily.

“She would never stay away from that male, would she?” he balled his fist till it was pale white before letting go.

*Why are you getting jealous? I thought you disliked her a lot* Waylon, his wolf, mocked.

“That was before I knew she was my mate.” he retorted. “I can't believe she has grown so big and is all sharp-tongued. She still has that pretty face...” 

His words were suddenly interrupted by the sight of a flying dagger, going in Ava's direction. However before it could leave his sight, he had already seized it in one try.

His eyes darted from the dagger to Ava's direction. Relief flowed through him as he saw that she was unharmed but walking further into the alleys. 

“Great catch!” he heard a voice behind him. 

Turning around, he squinted his eyes at the figure immediately he realized that it was none other than “Aurelia '' his arch-enemy. 

Using her hypermotility, she collected the dagger from Xerxes before he could protest. With her lips curled up, she uttered in an exciting tone, 

“It is quite unbelievable that your one and only mate has grown up into a beautiful woman.” 

Unable to keep his voice low, Xerxes asked, “What are you trying to insinuate Aurelia?” he growled.

However the woman in front of him simply laughed before speaking in a voice lower than before, “I have been waiting for the day you get to acknowledge your mate. I felt it would be the perfect time to get to you.” she laughed briefly and added, “Let the game begin.” 

“Don't you dare lay a finger on her,” Xerxes warned and his eyes color changed immediately almost intimidating Aurelia, however, she stood firm.

Frowning at his words, Aurelia balled her fist and said angrily, “Do you think I would watch you enjoy quality time with your mate after what you did in the past?” She scoffed, “Listen to me, I will make sure you stay idle and die that way.” with that she took a few steps away.

Halting on her track as though she remembered something, Aurelia turned around and faced Xerxes before speaking, 

“Even though it calls for the life of your mate, I'm going to fulfill my purpose for staying alive all these years.” She finally left at full speed.