Chapter Twenty Eight

Lifting my head tiredly, I squinted to see the other side of the bed was still empty. As it has been for three days. The only other person in the room was the older Omega in the chair by the bed. I disliked her very much. No matter that she's been making sure I'm eating and staying hydrated. I have begged and cried for my Mate, and no matter what, she won't get him for me.

I had thought my Heat was bad before, but without Robby around, it's been insufferable.

"Good morning sweetheart, feeling any better?"

My eyes narrowed and my head dropped back down against the pillow. I wanted her to go away.

Mrs. Anne Ellis only laughed softly. Who'd have thought my Home Ec. teacher would have such a sweet Mate. The large pink glasses looked like she'd had them since the eighties, and the thick baby blue crocheted sweater made me think she had ten cats at home.

She stood up and poured me a glass of orange juice from the cart that stayed supplied with everything I'd need. I think mom has been coming in to check on me but I couldn't really remember.

Pushing myself up against the headboard, I accepted the cold drink and greedily took a sip. Thankfully, I didn't feel so bad today. My body ached, as well as my head. Like a hangover, only worse. I never wanted to go through my Heat again.

Mrs. Anne reached out and felt my forehead, smiling when I didn't flinch away or cry out from pain.

"You're lucky it's ending so soon, sometimes it could last up to two weeks."

Choking on my orange juice, I tried not to spill it all over the bed. Mrs. Anne took the glass, laughing at my reaction to her words. If I had to endure two weeks of Heat and I didn't kill myself first, I'd make sure to kill Robert. That asshole.

Making sure the sheet was wrapped around me, I struggled getting out of the bed. I needed a shower desperately.

"Your Mother brought you some clothes." Anne pointed out the stack sitting neatly folded on the desk.

So mom did come by. I was stuck between thankful and embarrassed. If I'm remembering correctly, most of my time had been spent begging for my Mate, and whining in need; unable to get many words out.

Between the slick and the sweat, I felt clammy and dirty.

Almost tripping over the sheet wrapped around me, I eventually made it to the bathroom and took a very long, very hot shower. In that time I thought of all the ways to make Robby pay for abandoning me while I was in such a vulnerable state. Keying his car was at the forefront. I'm almost positive he'd cry over that. I didn't care though, he'd made me cry and go through the most painful Heat I've ever experienced. All because of one comment I had made. Which had really been a question I wanted the answer to. Now more than ever.

Fuck a key, a bat will do more damage.

Finishing up in the shower, I sluggishly dried off and went out to the room for my clothes. Mrs. Anne was gone, probably relieved that she didn't have to watch over me anymore.

It was strange having someone that wasn't my Mate witness me going through my Heat. It wasn't unusual though. Omegas help each other all the time. I've just always been alone because no one really likes me.

Robby must've sent Mrs. Anne to sit with me after he left without a word. I don't know why he was so upset. It wasn't like I lied or accused him of anything. It was just a question.

Stomping out of the room—fully prepared to throw a fit—I came to an abrupt stop on the stairs.

Why was the pack house still crowded with foreign wolves? Shouldn't they be gone by now?

Tripping, I caught myself on the banister and cautiously continued down the stairs.

Eyes turned to me, noses flaring as they picked up the last remaining sweetness from my Heat. It wasn't strong enough to get them all worked up thankfully.

I glared at them all, not in a good mood.

It wasn't hard to find Robby. His scent stood out to me, even with so many others all over the place. He was too preoccupied to notice me in the doorway of the den. A group of wolves around him, all of them wanting my Robby's attention. Some were from our pack, some I didn't recognize.

My eyes went straight to that blond Omega laughing at something Robby had said. I bristled, before pulling myself up straighter and walking towards them.

Robby's eyes finally met mine as I was halfway across the room, a smile lifting his lips. When I didn't respond in kind, his smile fell and he had the right to look nervous.

Pushing through the small crowd, I situated myself between my Mate and that blond Omega. Why was he still here? I want him gone.

Standing on my toes, I kissed the side of Robby's neck where my mark will one day be. It made the big male groan and I smirked, turning around to face the others that were staring.

"Hi." I chirped sweetly, my smile growing in the face of their surprise.

"Luna!" An Omega pushes herself forward, excitedly greeting me. The title surprised me and I looked up at Robby who smiled encouragingly.

I hadn't expected that they'd want to talk to me too. My goal was to come snatch Robby away so I could yell at him. Instead, I was pulled into conversation with them all. Well, except the blond that rightfully disappeared. They talked about everything, their family, friends, school. What surprised me the most was how they all quieted down when I spoke, seeming to genuinely want my opinion on everything. It was so odd, being the center of attention. I made sure to tease Robby every chance I got, embarrassing him as others laughed along. They wouldn't dare say any of it to his face, but I hoped everyone would start referring to him as Robert. If only to annoy him.

Eventually Robby had enough, lifting me off the ground and carrying me away. My protest were drowned out by everyone's laughter.

He didn't put me down until he shut us into what looked like a office. It wasn't his dad's because I've been in there before.

I wiggled out of his hold and stepped back, crossing my arms and glaring up at him. He sighed, rubbing a hand down his face.

"Alright, let's talk." Robby grumbled, walking over to a gray couch and sitting down. I followed him, albeit reluctantly.

He stared at me, apparently waiting for me to speak first. I stared back, wanting an apology. The result was us sitting in silence and growing aggravated the longer the silence stretched.

"So?"

"So?" I mocked, anger skyrocketing. "You left me!" I yelled at him.

"For your own good." He growled back.

I snorted, disbelieving. "No, you left because you got mad I wanted to know why I couldn't touch you but others could. Which is still a valid question." My tone was dripping with sass.

Robby jaw clenched, his nose flaring slightly, and his brown eyes looking me over.

My anger deflated, an idea coming to mind. Maybe I was being too harsh on him. "Are you embarrassed about something?" I asked softly. "I promise it won't matter to me, I'll still love you just the way you are."

"Are you insinuating that I have a small dick?" He looked offended.

"I wouldn't care." I rushed to say, even though I knew it couldn't be that small. Not with the bulge I'd felt and seen. I would go as far as guessing it was above average. Hopefully not too big! After all, he's my Mate and I'm not sure I'd survive it. I was getting sidetracked though, thinking about his private parts.

"Wait," Robby said. "You'll still love me?"

"Huh?" I asked, clearing my throat and trying to push away my inappropriate thoughts.

"You said, you'd still love me." His eyes narrowed on me. "Do you love me Torin?"

My face grew hot as I tried to stutter out some excuse that made no sense. It was too early to admit something like that, right? We'd only just learned we were Mates a few weeks ago. I had to talk to mom first. She'd know if it was too soon.

Robby was grinning like an idiot, not interrupting me as I babbled with incoherent words. I forced myself to shut up, fidgeting nervously

There was no warning before Robby lunged towards me, his lips smashing against mine.

My gasp turned into a muffled moan. For a moment, I let him do as he pleased. Mostly because I was enjoying it so much. Particularly because I had to build up the strength before I could push him away.

"No!" I panted, having to look away from him or else I'd be sucked right back in. "You never answered my question."

It took a moment for Robby to remember. I peaked at him to see him pushing his hair out of his eyes. "Goddess, Tori," he sighed. "You have no idea how much I want you."

I shivered, unable to stop myself from meeting his eyes.

"But I want the first time to be remembered. That wouldn't have been the case because you were in Heat." Okay...I can understand that. "If I would have let you have your way, you'd be marked right now." I didn't know if that was such a bad ideas. I mean, mom would be someone I'd avoid. "I know you, I know you want a traditional Ceremony, I know you want to wear white and it actually mean something."

Oh. I hadn't even been thinking about that. He was right though. "But you could have stayed to cuddle!" I argued. Being in Heat after already finding my Mate, had been one of the most painful things I've experienced. Breaking my left collarbone when I fell out of a tree was worse. But I'm not gonna tell him that.

"You would have kept insisting and I would have eventually caved."

I rolled my eyes. He was probably right.

Robby pulled me to his side and I instinctively relaxed against him, my fingers playing with the rip in his jeans. He should really buy a few new pairs.

"How many others?" I asked, not sure if I really wanted an exact number. Robby's been all over the place, he's probably slept with more people than he cares to remember.

"Two."

The number surprised me and I sat up to look at him.

"Surprised?" He chuckled, pulling me back against his side. "The first time was after my twentieth birthday. It was with Max and I had it in my head that I'd never find my Mate." I pouted, upset and jealous of that blond Omega. "We've gotten together a few times over the years. It meant nothing to either of us. The second was a male I can't even remember. We were both drunk at a party and it just happened."

At least it wasn't the hundreds I had assumed. If the Goddess thought I wouldn't be able to accept this, she would have chosen a different Mate for me. I guess it's not that big of a deal. They were in the past.

"I like you." I grumbled, snuggling up closer to him.

"I thought you loved me." Robby teased.

I pulled away and punched his arm, already annoyed with him.