13. Changed

Torin’s pov

“Who is it?” Her sweet voice rang through the microphone.

“It’s Torin.”

“Um… I can’t make it. I’m sorry.” She said.

I was all set for lunch. This time I was going to pick a place, and then the next time she could pick one. We’d take turns trying different cuisines.

I had been so excited to see my mate again. Yesterday had been great, but still a bit awkward, but I reckoned today would be even better since we felt more comfortable around each other.

But she can’t make it…

“Torin, are you still here?”

“Yeah, yeah.” I said, “Can I come up? I’d rather not have this conversation through the door.”

“I’m sorry, but no.” Raelyn replied. “It’s better that you don’t.”

“Are you okay?” She sounded so different.

“I’ll come down.” She said and hung up.

It took a few minutes that felt like hours until she opened the door to the apartment complex. She looked tired. Still beautiful, but like she had barely slept.

Maybe she wasn’t feeling well.

“Hey,” I smiled at her.

“Hey,” She didn’t smile back.

What had changed in one day?!

“You’re not feeling well?” I asked, examining her face. Besides looking tired, she looked fine.

She took a shaky breath and began nervously squeezing the skin on her arm, “I don’t think having lunch is a good idea. I really enjoyed it yesterday, but I’m married.”

“Married women have friends.” I countered.

She nodded, as she kept squeezing. Her arm started to look red in certain areas, and I couldn’t stop myself from trying to grab her arm. Before I could reach her, she had already pulled away.

Was she scared of me?

She didn’t have a problem with my touch yesterday.

“I, um… I just don’t think it’s smart. You’re Dylan’s boss, and, -“

Of course, she told Dylan about our lunch. He's her husband. Did he tell her it wasn't a good idea?

“I can fire him.” I suggested it as a joke. Well, half-joked.

“I’m sorry, just… It’s better if we don’t have lunch anymore.” She couldn’t even look at me.

“I’ll be taking a walk through the park nearby around three. If you happen to be there, we can walk together.” I had never sounded so desperate, but I needed to find some way we could meet.

I can’t turn into some stalker and come by daily, begging for attention. But that is probably what would happen if Raelyn kept turning me down.

The mate bond made it impossible for me not to seek her out. The more time passed until I marked her, the more my desire to be near her would grow.

Raelyn awkwardly smiled, “maybe. Hope you have a good day.”

“Yeah, you too.” I said, before she shut the door.

My wolf felt as uneasy as I did. Things were fine yesterday.

Was it Dylan? She can have friends, right?

Maybe I should call him. Talk some sense into him.

I walked to my car and drove off to the office. I’m barely there, but it’s closer to the park I mentioned than the pack is.

As soon as I entered the office, I ran into Colton, who immediately saw from my expression that something was wrong.

I told him everything that happened, and he pondered my words for a second before giving me some advice, “maybe it’s Dylan.”

“I figured that much. I should call him.”

Colton frowned, “and say what? Let me date your wife, or I’ll fire you.”

“No, maybe, just say I enjoyed her company?”

He shook his head, “you said you needed his laptop, right? Maybe just thank him for Raelyn’s company. That she mentioned

something about him that made you look at him differently? Like, you make it sound like she was there for business more than socially?”

“What’s so wrong about us being friends? It happens.”

Colton tilted his head, “would you let your mate be friends with a single guy who clearly liked her?”

“I wouldn’t let her do anything; she isn’t mine to control. And I would trust her.”

Colton chuckled. “Sure… You, an alpha male, wouldn’t be jealous.”

I smirked, “I’m not saying that. But it’s about trust, isn’t it? Trust that your mate will honour that bond. And I might not know Raelyn very well, but I don’t see her being the type to cheat on someone she loves.”

Colton laughed while shaking his head, “you don’t expect her to cheat? Then what’s this whole plan about?! You expect her to fall for you, don’t you?”

“That's different. And besides, she doesn’t love Dylan.”

“She’s married!”

I growled in frustration, “I know! To a fucking loser!”

Colton sighed, “I don’t know what to tell you, man. You just got to keep trying.”

“I am… I’ll never give up.”

“Good.” Colton said before getting up from his chair. “Now, I'm going to meet Julia for lunch. Do you want to join?”

I shook my head, “I’m not hungry.”

Once Colton left my office, I called Dylan. Screw it. At the party he was trying to brown-nose, so I know he won’t be able to get angry at me for speaking to his wife. He might feel it, but he knows better than to say anything.

Maybe I can charm him.

“Hi, this is Dylan speaking,” Dylan said in a relaxed voice. He didn’t sound like he was working; more like he was on vacation.

“Hi Dylan, it’s Mr Vilkas.

“Mr Vilkas… Hi. Um, how are you? How can I help?” His voice immediately changed.

What a pussy.

I tutted, carefully considering my words. “I wanted to thank you.”

“Thank me?”

“Yes,” I replied. “For being fine with me having lunch with your wife. Raelyn spoke so highly of you during our lunch together. It was so kind of her to take me up on my offer. I prefer eating my lunch with company. There’s nothing like a good meal and a nice conversation, don’t you agree?”

I sounded like a fool, but if that’s what it took, I would spout as much nonsense as I could.

“I agree, Mr Vilkas. Lyn mentioned you two had lunch.” He wanted to say more but kept it civil. I guess he is jealous.

He should be.

“Raelyn probably mentioned I was looking for your laptop. I found it at the office, by the way, but it seems it wasn’t needed after all.” I added.

“Okay…” Dylan replied. He was silent for a bit before adding, “have you given any more thought to my proposal?”

"It's just the ambition Raelyn mentioned when we spoke," I laughed. "I'll review it today. I see a bright future for you here, Dylan.” I hated being so fake. I wanted to yell at the guy, hurt him, kill him… But instead, here I was acting like I actually liked him.

“Thank you, Mr Vilkas.”

“Well, I won’t keep you.” I said. Before making a rash decision, “I just wanted to add that I can see how it could appear: me taking your wife out to lunch.”

“Yes…” Oh, how he was holding back.

“But I would like to reassure you. Although your wife is lovely, we would never be more than friends."

I heard him exhale with a sense of relief. “Congratulations, Sir. I didn’t know that.”

I am dead set on marrying and mating with your wife when she divorces you, so it isn’t really lying.

“Thank you. Well, I have to return to work, Dylan. We’ll speak soon.”

“Good day, Mr Vilkas.”