Coming Home

The hug, though initiated by River, felt oddly one-sided. Gonzalo stiffened as they made contact. She could feel his hesitation and was suddenly regretful that she had jumped on him like that.

Perhaps, that wasn’t the most practical welcoming gesture. But then again, in her defense, this was her betrothed. There should be nothing practical between them.

His arms hovered awkwardly before settling lightly on her back. It felt like a polite pat, not the warm embrace she yearned for or had envisioned.

River had, however, read articles about Gonzalo McGruff. From what she read, just as the last syllable of his last name read – he was a gruff man.

Perhaps, that was the reason behind his cautious reaction to her embrace.

Either way, the fresh rain scent that clung to him made her hair stand on end. This man, though way older than her, would be hers very soon, and he was cool as hell!

"Gonzalo! It's been forever!" She exclaimed, pulling back from the embrace and beaming at him.

He nodded. “River," his voice was deeper than she remembered. "You've..." He paused, searching for the right word.

"Grown up?" She supplied, offering him a playful wink. “Well, you haven't exactly stayed a scrawny wolf yourself, have you?"

He chuckled.

It was a low, reverberating sound that sent goosebumps erupting over River’s skin. "Indeed. Time seems to fly when you're..." he didn't finish his statement as his gaze dropped to the window.

River was about to assist him by saying whatever came to her mind when he returned his gaze to her.

He raised a brow. “Wait. You remember how I was from back then? You were just… four, weren't you?”

“Yes. Yes, I do.” River vibrantly recited. “I have quite the retentive memory, people say.” She sheepishly slapped her noggin. “There are a lot of things I am capable of that I believe are compensations for my inadequacies. Inadequacies as in not having the mark, being an Omega…”

She was going to ramble on when he began to cough. Startled, River jumped up from her seat and hurried to him.

Slap!

Slap!

Slap!

She landed three pats on his back, gaining them the attention of some of the people present in the restaurant. “You okay? Need some water?”

As fast as they came, his coughs ceased as he turned wide-eyed to her. River almost matched his widened eyes as confusion wafted through her also.

He looked like he had just seen a ghost. Was there a ghost behind her?

She turned behind herself, trying to locate the object of his awe. His question sent her turning back to him.

“W– what are you looking for?”

She shook her head left and right, pouting. “Well, you look like you have just seen a ghost, so I am trying to check if one is behind me.”

“Oh, God.” He coughed once more, and shifted his chair so that her hand fell off from his back. “Sit, River. I saw no ghost.”

Phew!

River began to feel like a fool. There was a kind of hoarseness in his tone as though he were disappointed. She was only trying to help.

As she returned back to her own seat, “Erm— sorry if that…”

“It's fine. I understand you were only trying to help.” He cut her off.

That was like a fireball that sent River’s heart in flames– in a good way. Not only was her soon-to-be Mate a head-turner, but he was also very considerate and understanding.

Now, wasn't she the luckiest she-wolf ever?

She instinctively reached out for his hand across the table and clasped hers on it. “Oh, Gonzalo. Aren't you the sweetest rugged-looking man I've ever seen?”

Gonzalo, however, swallowed. His gaze fell on the glass of water on the table and lingered on it while he slowly withdrew his hand from River’s hold.

Noticing his discomfort, River freed his hand. He perhaps was too thirsty, she thought. “Here, have it.” She handed him the water.

“Thank you.” He blinked and downed half of the glass’s content.

Oops. That was it all along!

He had been thirsty was all; River thought. Yet, she had the water sitting on the table without offering it to him until now. That was so neglectful. He seemed too shy. He had been too shy to ask.

The silence that followed her back-patting fiasco after Gonzalo drank the water stretched on awkwardly. He merely stared at his glass of water like it held the answers to the universe.

Finally, he cleared his throat and River felt like all the relief in the world was dumped on her. His gaze flickered to her and then quickly darted away.

He was shy; she thought. So, so shy. That meant he liked her, right? It was a good thing.

She was lucky!

"So, River," he began, his voice so masculine that it tickled her insides in a way she hadn't experienced before.

"Yes? You were saying?" She prompted, leaning forward in anticipation. Every fiber of her being wanted to know everything about the man who would be her mate.

He hesitated, then continued, "It's— good to see you again."

Her heart nearly danced in her chest. "You too, Gonzalo! Fifteen years is a long time, isn't it?"

"Indeed," he replied with a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. The smile was barely there, but it was enough to make her stomach erupt in a barrage of butterflies.

Seizing the opportunity of the moment, River went on with the rant about her life. She barely let him get a word in edgewise as her excitement was untamable. "You wouldn't believe how much has changed! I graduated top of my class with a degree in chef arts, you know. Can you imagine the first-class restaurant I envision opening in your pack after I become Luna? We'll call it 'Alpha’s Chef Delight,' how perfect is that?" She gushed, completely oblivious to his increasingly strained expression.

"Alpha’s chef Delight, huh?" he mumbled, taking a sip of water.

"Yup. And as your Luna, I want to be incredibly useful. I'll whip up the most delicious meals for the pack, organize the best feasts, and be the most supportive mate an Alpha could ask for!" River declared with pride.

She wanted to do all that she could to make up for her flaws and insecurities. And as Echo said, Gonzalo might just see her potential and recognize them as an asset.

He only chuckled dryly at her declaration. "That's— ambitious, River. But, look, there's something…”

"Ambitious? Oh, I plan to be more than ambitious!" River exclaimed, reaching across the table and grabbing his hand with sudden enthusiasm. "Besides, you never did tell me - how many little peanuts do you want?"

Gonzalo’s hand twitched under hers as his gaze darted to their intertwined fingers before meeting her eyes again. “Little Peanuts?"

"Kids, Gonzalo, kids. Little wolves that will carry on our lineage!" She explained with a playful smile on her lips.

"Three," he blurted out, seemingly lost in thought.

"Three?" She repeated, a bit taken aback. "That's a little lot! I was thinking two, but of course, if three is what you want…"

He seemed to snap out of his daze and his expression hardened slightly. "No, two is fine, River."

She squeezed his hand reassuringly – again. “See? We already have so much in common!"

Gonzalo withdrew his hand gently and River thought she saw a glimmer of something like pain intersecting his eyes. "Speaking of common ground, how is Echo?"

Oh, right!

They hadn't even spoken about her sweet big sister! River groaned internally.

“She's doing great! Busy running the pack and all, but she's as fierce as ever."

"Is she – mated?” Gonzalo asked to River’s surprise.

Of all the questions he could have asked, this was it?

"Nope, still single and slaying! Why do you ask?"

He shrugged as his nonchalant demeanor crept back in place. "No particular reason. Just curious."

His sudden interest in Echo piqued River’s curiosity, but she pushed the thought aside. She had to focus on their impending future.

That was all that mattered.

"So, are you going to stay for the party?”

“What party?”

“Echo is throwing me a birthday party. You do know my birthday is in a few days, don't you? Two days to be precise.”

The waiter soon came to get his order and returned with it. Once he was served, River awaited his response. She already gave him enough time to think about it.

He seemed to appear skeptical again. His gaze dropped to his food. "The party— I'm not sure, River. I have a lot on my plate right now."

"Oh, come on! It's just a party, and it's my birthday! How can you resist celebrating with your beautiful soon-to-be mate?" River teased, groaned, and batted her eyelashes playfully.

In response, a faint blush crept up Gonzalo’s neck, and she saw it. For a little while in that moment, she thought she saw a hint of longing in his eyes too. But just as quickly as it came, it was gone and once again replaced by his usual stoic demeanor.

"I'll… try my best," he mumbled, looking away.

Frustration welled up inside River. Here she was, pouring her heart out, outlining their future together and he seemed completely detached.

Was this normal pre-mating jitters? Did she need to be more… seductive?

Or- was she doing it all the wrong way?

Argh. Where was Echo when she needed her?!

The thought had barely crossed her mind before she leaned closer and brushed a strand of hair from his cheek with her fingertips.

His body visibly tensed, and he flinched away from the touch. “River, I'll stay for your party. We should go now. I’d like to see Echo and of course, the pack.”

That's it.

Gonzalo was coming with her.

Her mate was coming home with her!