Tasting
Chapter 298

298–He Is Scared Of Losing Me

Nora:

“My bags are packed already. Do you want to pack a bag or two? You can stay at the apartment, and I’ll come to stay with you,” I said. Now that I had convinced him to take me back home, I felt guilty and wanted to make him feel better.

“I’ve packed a bag. But Nora, tell me something,” he said, walking back from the balcony after checking the weather. He took my hand and sat me down.

“Are you going to break up with me?” His soft, murmuring voice. touched my cars, and I felt a pang of guilt for him.

“I know you’ve said that we are just friends, but–,” before he could get his hopes up, I needed to tell him more about myself.

It seemed unfair that he was harboring hope because he thought I was single too, which made his expectations grow.

“Brody! There’s something you need to know about me,” I tried to pull my hands away, but he held onto them tightly.

“I’m not asking you to accept me or fall for me. I’m just concerned for you,” he averted his gaze, not giving me a chance to speak.

“I know, but there’s something I want you to know about me,” I gulped, watching his worried expression.

I hadn’t realized how much he cared about being with me. But ever since he had proposed and I declined, I noticed he stood by me through thick and thin.

“Brody! I’ve been sexually active with several guys,” by ‘several guys,‘ I meant my stepbrothers, who now happen to be my mates.

His face softened, but he didn’t seem to be judging me.

“I’ve been with at least—more than three guys,” I worried that if I said too much, he’d figure out who I was talking about.

“And that even when I was in your apartment or-,” I stopped, realizing mentioning I did it in his guest room might lead to complications with Silas.

“So?” The moment he asked that, I frowned and stopped avoiding his gaze.

“Every young guy or girl our age does that if they haven’t found a mate. I’m not talking about hookups, Nora. I just– I want you to give me a chance,” he held my hands even more tightly this time, completely avoiding what I had just told him.

“Brody! Did you not hear what I just said?” I asked, watching his reaction closely.

“I know what you said, and it doesn’t matter. The day you tell me you want to be serious with me is when we’ll start counting loyalty. You’ve been straightforward with me from the beginning. I kind of expected you to have boyfriends here and there. I mean, why would someone like you stay single? You’re so gorgeous–” he caressed my cheek, and a smile touched my lips.

“But don’t you think it would be unfair to you if I gave you a chance. just because I haven’t found a mate?” I watched him shake his head.

“Give me a chance, and I’ll prove to you why you don’t need anyone else but me. You’re clear on your side, and I’m clear on mine. Nora! I will stay with you whenever you need me. Just please tell me you won‘ t go back home and demand that we end this friendship–like relationship,” he referred to the agreement I made with Lord Atwood to clear my and his son’s names.

With a smile on my lips, I nodded. “But what if I replace my mate?”

I watched his face sadden.

“Then I guess the Moon Goddess never intended for us to be together. I will never ask you to leave your fated mate for me, never! You deserve to be with your mate. But if you don’t replace him, then I want you to give me just one try. And if you don’t like life with me, all the money will be refunded,” he joked, and I laughed with him.

“Then okay! If I don’t replace my mate, I will honor this agreement.” I knew his heart might be broken by the end of this trip because the brothers would finally accept me. And since they had already shown. me that the council couldn’t sign my adoption papers with Lord. Atwood, I had high hopes of being accepted by my mates.

As we prepared to leave, the door swung open, and April barged in.

“I heard from the maids that you guys are leaving too?” She looked so stressed when she saw my packed bags.

“Too?” Brody raised an eyebrow while I avoided her gaze.

“We’ve been summoned by the pack officials. Basically, we’re being told to stay in our own home,” she replied bitterly.

“Oh yes, I know why that is,” Brody muttered. “Will you be staying at the mansion or…?” He trailed off, referring to the brothers‘ mansion.

“Umm, not really. We’ll do a quick visit and then head back to my own place. Natalya and I live together, so we’ll stay together while Daphne will return to her own home. Orders from the brothers,” she mumbled. softly, as if she wasn’t happy about being asked not to stay at their mansion.

“Brody! Why are you taking her back? You know the brothers aren’t even at the mansion. What is she going to do there?” she muttered under her breath, speaking about me right in front of me.

“They’re not at the mansion?” I asked Brody, and he gestured for me that he will take care of it.

“April, I know everything. Let’s just get going before the border shuts down.” I didn’t fully understand what was going on, but I was determined not to waste any more time and start the journey already.

“Okay, we will leave already,” it shocked me that April rushed out almost like so that she could leave before us. And the girls did. They left hours before us while we first feasted because I was not feeling well and Brody wanted to make sure I was all fine before we leave.