Winter's Mate: Fated on Ice

9

Jude

As if Rosie sensed eyes on her, she glanced up and our eyes met. It was like the world stopped moving. Our eyes clashed and electricity sparked between us. The mate bond snapped into place, stronger now that we were this close. Blood thrummed under my skin as I could feel my eyes changing color. My wolf wanted to be known.

My wolf roared mate! So loudly that I nearly lost control on the spot.

Recognition flashed in her eyes and a small smile pulled on her lip.

"You?" Rosie blurted out and her eyes twinkled, which made my breathing hitch. I tried to look composed but I was shaking with restraint. Every instinct screamed at me to close the distance, to touch her, to never let her out of my sight again.

Rosie walked from behind the counter as I awkwardly approached, my mind racing with a thousand questions. What brought you here? Are you okay? Why did you leave? Can I touch you? When we reached the middle of the café, I breathed in deeply like a starved man. The scent I've been deprived of for weeks was finally here. My mate was here in front of me.

"How are you, Rosie?" I asked, fumbling the conversation. My usual confidence had evaporated. I didn't know what to say as I tried hard not to stare at her lips, her eyes, her neck-the neck that would bear my claiming mark someday. Every instinct demanded I should claim her now, pull her close, mark her as mine. But I forced myself to be civilized.

She's human! She's human! I reminded my wolf desperately. She doesn't know what you are. She doesn't understand the mate bond.

"I'm fine," she said softly. "And you?"

Before I could answer, Maya hollered from the counter with a knowing smile. "You guys can take a table."

A blush crept up Rosie's cheeks and a primal instinct to lick it.

That's your mate, Maya's voice came through the mental link, teasing.

I glared at her across the café and slammed the mental link shut before she could say anything else.

We moved to a corner table and sat across from each other. The proximity was torture and relief all at once. Close enough to smell her, to see the brown freckles on her nose, but not close enough to touch.

"I saw your note," I said carefully, "At the hotel." when I woke up and saw she had left, my wolf nearly went insane with roaring and searching for the scent. My mom had to calm me down and gave me hope that she'd be back to me.

"Oh," she fiddled with her hands, looking down. "I needed to settle something..." She trailed off and looked away, not before I caught the pained expression on her face.

My wolf whined. Mate is hurting.

"Are you okay?" I asked before I could stop myself. "You look... tired."

She laughed, but it was empty.

"I didn't mean-"

"No, it's fine. I am tired." She rubbed her face. "It's been a rough few weeks."

I wanted to ask what happened but I held back. What about you? Do you live here?"

"Yeah. Born and raised. I go to college about twenty minutes away, but Highland Creek is home." I gestured vaguely. "Maya's my sister, so I'm here a lot."

"Oh!" Recognition dawned on her face. "That makes sense. She's been really kind to me."

"She's good at that." I paused, trying to figure out how to ask without seeming like a stalker. "So you're... staying? In Highland Creek?"

"For now, yeah. Maya gave me a job here and helped me find a place to stay." She smiled a little. "Everyone here has been really nice. It's different from..." She stopped herself.

"From where you were before?"

"Yeah." She looked down at her hands. "Very different."

A silence fell between us, but it wasn't uncomfortable. I could sit here forever, just breathing in her scent, watching the way she tucked her hair behind her ear, the way her fingers traced patterns on the table.

My wolf was finally calm. Not silent-he was still there, still aware, still chanting mate, mate, mate-but peaceful. Like a part of me that had been missing had finally clicked back into place.

"So," I said, forcing myself to sound casual. "Do you mind giving me your number? In case you, uh, need anything. Since you're new in town."

Smooth, Jude. Real smooth.

But Rosie smiled-a real smile this time-and held out her hand. "Sure."

I placed my phone in her hand and our fingers brushed. The spark was immediate and electric. Her breath caught and her eyes widened slightly. She felt it too. She had to.

She quickly typed in her number and handed the phone back, this time careful not to let our hands touch again. Like the spark had scared her.

I wanted to grab her hand. I wanted to show her that the electricity between us was real, was right, was meant to be. But I couldn't. Not yet.

At that moment, my phone rang-loud and jarring in the quiet moment between us.

"Pick your call," Rosie said, standing up quickly. "I should get back to work anyway. I'll see you later?"

I nearly grabbed her wrist to stop her from leaving. Nearly pulled her back down and refused to let her go. But I forced myself to nod. "Yeah. Later."

She waved and walked back behind the counter, immediately busying herself with cleaning.

I glared at my phone-Rivers calling-and answered. "You better tell me this call is super important or else your limbs will be removed," I growled.

"Dude, chill. Coach wants to know if you're coming to the team meeting tonight-"

"I'll be there." I stood up, keeping my eyes on Rosie as I headed to the door. She looked up and our eyes met one more time. I smiled. She smiled back.

"-and also what the hell was wrong with you at practice? You were playing like-"

I hung up and stepped outside. The second the cold air hit me, my wolf settled. Actually settled. For the first time in weeks, he wasn't pacing, wasn't snarling, wasn't demanding I go find our mate.

Because she was here. In my territory. Safe. Close.

I breathed in deeply, the cold air still tinged with her scent.

Now she's here again.

And I'd never let her leave again.