Chapter 14: Jace

The way she says that has me wonder what else she has been through. Because with that its pretty clear that she has dealt with more than just mate who rejected her, for whatever reason. I don’t see a single thing not to like and come to love. I also don’t understand how he was able to resist the bond in his chest. Waiting till the morning, then for a reasonable time to come see her was the hardest thing in my life. Well maybe not. Seeing her standing in the door with the surprised look on her face, dressed adorable in her Gryffindor onesie and not grabbing her and kissing her forehead was pretty hard. Then again looking at her sitting on the couch surrounded by pillows blankets with a stuffed Hedwig and some blue alien cartoon looking thing just make me want to wrap up with her. That’s why I didn’t want her to move any of it, it was clear she really felt unhappy about the thought her scent started to turn sour as she went to do it. I love her pour honeysuckle scent fill this space. It almost reminds me of something, its hovers just on the outside of my mind. Just like the distinct thought of not being able to sit on the couch with her, I don’t know why but I know I can’t sit with all her things there without her asking me too. Part of me wanted her to leave it and ask me to join her there. My wolf cryptically telling me it was important to have her ask us. Yet not explaining why. Its like he knows something I do. And even though I tried to ask him he won’t tell me. Annoying asshole.

When its clear she isn’t going to say anymore, and a little uncomfortable I try to keep the conversation going. “So, after the movie what were your plans?” She looks up a bit still not willing to really look at me. I can’t pinpoint what she is feeling right now.

“Embarrassed” Koda my wolf offers.

“Now you want to tell me things?” I say back.

“Shut up, focus on mate.” I mentally roll my eyes.

“Umm this?” She gestures to her couch of practically overflowing with everything she has piled on. It is starting to really bug me that I can’t figure out what looking at it makes me think of.

“Nest” Koda says again. Yeah that is what it kind of looks like but…

“It’s not a nest.” He huffs like I am the idiot and rolls his eyes then just lays down in my mind. “It’s not.” I say firmly.

“You mean hanging out and watching Harry Potter?” Her cheeks turn redder than her hair if that is even possible and shrinks further into stuff like it will protect her. And now that she is embarrassed as been pointed out to me, I can see I just made it worse.

“Yes, now fix.” Koda starts pacing inside of me getting upset as her being upset. She must feel him somehow because she pulls her hood up more and more stuff to her including Hedwig. Her scent also starts to smell burnt she is scared.

Soon as Koda he starts whines and we both start to purr. Which I still don’t understand. But when the sound reaches her, she visibly calms the burnt honeysuckle smell starts to dissipate.

“Y-yeah.” She finally answers.

“Give mate food.” Koda demands. Its not a bad idea. I get up and walk the twenty or so feet to her kitchen. “Sounds fun. Let’s see what you got for movie snack.” There is only three cabinets so when I open the first and see some spices cereal I start to move to another one. When her voice stops me.

“Umm I need to go shopping I only really have cereal right now….” Something in the hesitation in which she says that rubs me wrong. Like its not a lie but not the full truth either. Still, I open the other two cabinets. I see plates in one. And bread in another. Koda and I are both getting more and more upset. But trying not to let it show. I go to move the fridge and she comes out of nowhere to stop me.

“There really is no reason to keep looking. My fridge is messy.” She nods up and down very fast, so fast that when stops, she needs to push her glasses back up her nose. “Yes, very messy. No reason for you to see all my secrets.” She tries and fails to give me an innocent smile.

“You don’t have any food in there do you? And jumping by the empty milk jug on the counter you can’t even have more cereal unless its dry.” I trying to stay calm right now is proving to be very difficult. I watch her swallow hard.

“Umm…”

“Please don’t lie. I will find out.” I couldn’t stand if she lied right now. This is about her health. Her life. The thought of her not having food….she might as well ripped my heart out bald eagle style. She drops her head.

“No, I don’t… I might have like a bottle of water in there.” She sounds so small. So different from the girl who told me off last night. I take a chance putting my hands on her shoulder and pulling me to me slowly. Gently. Giving her time to stop me or object. When she doesn’t, I wrap my arms around her keeping them on her upper back and shoulders as much as I can she it so tiny compared to me. she rests her cheek on my chest, not completely relaxing but at least taking a deep breath.

“Okay, how about I order us a few snacks and when its time for lunch I will order something then.” What I don’t tell her is I’ll be ordering more than some snack. Her kitchen will be full be lunch time. She looks up at me. Still not pulling away.

“You’re going to stay?” She looks confused. I smile at her.

“I can’t skip out on a Potter marathon. No one in their right mind would do that.” She opens and closer her mouth a few times then gives up and nods.  I drop my arms to take her over to the couch and wait for her to sit. Then I don’t know why, or what comes over me, but I hand her, her stuffed animals and make sure to cover her up.

“More, everything but her face so she can see.” Koda says and I just do it because it feels right. I pull her hood back up from where it fell when she was nodding her head. And pull the blanket up to her chin. Then pull the air charm so I can see the television, grabbing the remote before I sit and pressing play. Then take out my phone to start ordering her some grocery.

“Can we get butterbeer?” She asks as she melts into the couch, I can’t help but smile at her.

“Of course.” I would give her anything she asked for.