Tasting
Chapter 285

285–Should Not Text

Nora:

I couldn’t believe my eyes at that moment. I had been worried he would never text me again. My fingers hovered excitedly over the screen, but before I could open the message, the maid informed me that my breakfast was ready.

Great. Now I will get to enjoy my food and speak to my mate. I was finally happy and excited.

“Bring it to my room,” I instructed, planning to sit and eat on the terrace. Now that one of them had texted me, I felt much more at ease, maybe even a little loved.

The maid prepared the table for me, and I sat happily in the chair, enjoying the view of the mountains from my room’s terrace.

“Umm! This is so good,” I smiled at the delicious food; even the hash browns were cooked to perfection.

I still held my phone in my hand. Since I was starving, I wanted to take a few bites before enjoying the message from Cain.

With a toast in one hand and the phone in the other, I unlocked the screen to read his text. The big smile on my lips began to fade as I realized what the message was all about.

It wasn’t what I was expecting it to be.

Cain: Natalya must have arrived at your pack. I hope you don’t take your frustration out on her. She’s too sensitive these days because of what she went through at Mia’s funeral. So even if she’s mean to you, bear with her. You should really remember before being rude to her that you owe her an apology. Take care of her, I don’t want any complaints from her about you.

The smile vanished completely. I felt suffocated and angry. A tear blurred my vision, but I quickly wiped my eyes to re–read the text.

He was worried for Natalya, as if he didn’t know I wasn’t the kind of person who would harm someone.

Did he really believe I was so wicked that I would attack her? I dropped the toast onto my plate and began to sniffle quietly.

With sobs escaping my lips, I typed a message to him.

Me: You think I will hurt her?

It felt like I had done it on purpose. There was no way he would say otherwise. He had already answered my question in his previous text.

Cain: Haven’t you done that before? Let’s not argue. I have no time to waste on you. I wanted to warn you, and I did. Take care of my Natalya, because, Nora, if something happens to her this time, I will be the one punishing you.

My jaw dropped when I read that message. I instantly got up and went to the edge of the terrace to breathe some fresh air. So he changed so much after I left? he had never been so openly threatening towards me for Natalya like he was now. That’s when I saw the girls in the garden, giggling and having fun. Natalya was busy playing with Lara, while Daphne was on her phone with a smug look on her face. April and Clara seemed to be catching up and taking selfies together.

They were all so happy.

It also confused me that everyone loved them. I must be doing something wrong or behaving in a way that makes others think I’m capable of hurting people or being cunning.

Me: I did not expect this from you.

That was all I could say to him, but I still kept checking my phone for a reply. However, he never responded.

He had made it clear that he didn’t want to bother with me.

Growing anxious, I decided to reach out to another one of my mates for comfort. I had a feeling Ryker would be very harsh with me, so I relied on Nash.

He wasn’t like that. Even when he used to get angry, he would always try to hold it in for me.

Me: Your mate just arrived here. I hope you know I’m avoiding the girls to stay out of trouble.

I hated it, absolutely hated acting so desperate and constantly begging for their attention. I just wanted things to go back to how they were. I guess I didn’t appreciate those moments properly. But this time, I will. I will savor every second of it.

The way they used to care for me and were so possessive about me—it was unfair how they showed me so much love only to take it all away.

Nash’s name appeared on my screen, causing my heartbeat to quicken. I was afraid he might have said something harsh too.

Nash: Good! Avoid causing trouble.