006

Stella's POV.

You were not supposed to happen. You were not supposed to happen. You were not suppo— I took a step back. Then, another. Owen snapped his eyes shut, like he wasn't meant to let me know about that.

News flash, it was already too late.

“What on earth does that mean?” I asked, trying to wrap my head around the fact that my mate— no, Owen thought that I was an accident.

“Stella—” He started, taking a step closer.

“Stay where you are!” I half yelled. I didn't like the fact that I was getting worked up. Just a few seconds away, I had an unstable heart. Now my stomach felt weird, like a vomit was working its way up. And I hated that he could bring this out of me. “Why can't I tell you are my mate? I can't scent you, I don't feel the tinglings or other things mate feel. I don't even feel the mate bond!” I breathed, asking the questions that had been bothering me. “Why? What's going on?”

He heaved out, sitting down on the bed and tapped the spot next to him. I stood where I was, unmoving. “I don't bite, Eve.” He rolled his eyes.

My heart wanted to lunge from its place at the name, but I forced it back with a breath before listening to him.

“I had a major accident when I was twelve.” He stated, looking ahead. “It was so bad that my wolf almost died fighting to keep us alive, I was in a comatose state for months. Until my wolf had to give up something in order to save me…” He wet his lower lips and shifted on the bed, peering down at me.

I knew I wasn't going to like what he'd say next.

“Us. The mate bond. You.” 

And I was right. I felt like I was being punched in the gut. So growing up, he lived with the fact that he'd never find his mate, never feel the mate bond. That must have been…traumatizing. However, now what?

“What does that mean for us?” 

He shrugged, “I found you, what else could that possibly mean for us? For me?” Owen shifted again, facing me. He palmed my cheeks, his eyes flickering between my blue ones. “If anything, I am the happiest man walking this earth, Tiger.”

My nose crinkled. Tiger? Really? He could do better than that. But not to ruin the moment, I smiled softly. “Okay.” I said before standing up.

His hands fell to his side as he watched me go back to what I was doing. “By the way, why are you here?”

“Huh?”

“You moved out of my home, not the room only and made Chris drive you here. Why?” 

It was my turn to shrug. “Because.” I merely stated, walking into the closet to change into something else. By the time I got back to the bedroom, Owen was already gone. I paused, twisted my lips in wonder before shrugging. 

He's an alpha, he must have been called. A holler would be nice though. Having no idea what to do with my hair, I let down and moisturized my skin before glossing my lips and exiting the room.

I'm starving. I hadn't eaten since I got here, which was two days ago. Wow, how could I not have felt that? Now that I was wide awake and well, with no sense of danger, my grumbling stomach awoke itself.

I stood by the elevator, having no sense of direction or where to go. How could I get to the pack hall from here?? Luckily for me, when the elevator parted open, a lady was inside.

“Where to?” The lady stared at me, her finger hovered on the buttons.

“Wherever the dining hall is.” 

She scanned me. “Oh, you're new here.” She said the obvious, pressing on button 2. “Welcome to Almond pack, I'm Mila.”

I plastered a tight smile on my face, “Stella.” 

Her eyes flashed with recognition as her lips parted open. “As in, the Stella??”

My eyebrows furrowed in utter bewilderment. “Oh, my…” I gasped dramatically, swiftly scanned the cramped box as if someone else was with us and leaned in, whispering. “Am I already popular?”

She laughed. “Owen forgot to add this.”

“You know my mate?” I stood straight, eyeing her. Her shoulder length hair is packed in a low ponytail and her hazel orbs shone with amusement.

“Oh, more than you know.” She winked.

“Oh, nice.” 

Her hands crossed over waist and she turned to me. “Usually, people get jealous when they learn that their mates are close with the opposite gender.” 

I stiffened lightly. 

She was right. I felt no ounce of jealousy nor did I have bugging questions about their relationship. It was either I trusted him already or I didn't care enough. Maybe the fact that I couldn't feel any bond with him was aiding it?

The tight smile returned to my lips. “That.” I pointed at the mark on her neck. “Did the job.” 

That was the first thing I noticed immediately when I stepped into the elevator. Safety first.

She, however, looked surprised that I noticed it. Her fingers played over it and a light blush appeared on her cheeks. “Oh, I didn't think you'd notice.”

“It was that obvious,” I said. “Especially when you carry it around like a trophy.”

She gaped at me, shocked.

I snorted, trying not to laugh. I really need to learn to stop thinking out loud. Just then, the elevator door parted. I stepped out, a still shocked Mila was staring at me. 

“Nice to meet you.” I waved. Then, turned around and trudged further down the hall. True to her words, I began to hear the clatter of cutleries. Following the sound, I was led into a grand hall. “Wow.” I muttered under my breath.

Every bone in me wanted to shuffle around. You know, admire the place and all, but the aroma of waffles, bacon, and meat wafted through my nostril. The mouth watering aroma lifted my legs and led me to a buffet.

I blinked. 

What was this place and their grand ways?? 

I was really starting to consider moving here permanently if I got to eat this everyday of my life. 

Grinning happily at the sight before me, I grabbed a plate and began to fill it up with whatever my hand touched. I just wanted to fill up my tank, how much didn't really bother me.

“Wow, you sure do eat a lot.” A high pitched voice said as the female stood next to me. 

I sighed, paused, and shifted to face her. A blond with too much make-up and red lipstick had a condensing look on her face as she chewed gum. She was wearing a full pink, almost blinding me.

I despised bullies. I hated barbies more.

“Can I help you?” I asked with a bored look on my face. I'd really love to get back to my food. 

Before she could answer me, another voice spoke, walking forward. “C'mon, Bianca. You should know better than to harass guests, especially the ones of Owen's.” 

How many females did this mate of mine know??

A brunette was the one who spoke. Beautiful brunette at that, with clear brown eyes that reminded me of Aria. Her manicured nails stretched forward. “Pardon her, I'll train her better. I'm Casey.”

Train?? What was she? A maid??

My eyes trailed her red lipstick and caked-up face, down to her elegant but tight black dress, to her hand. But I didn't shake it back.

Using both of my hands, I lifted the full tray. “Stella.” I think I'd met more than enough people today already and the day wasn't even over yet. Moreover, I didn't think I was going to like these…set of people. “Bye.” 

I hastily walked over to the nearest empty table and began eating.