Tasting 198

198–Everyone Is After My Mate

Nash:

Mia approached my father to speak with him, but I was already fielding calls and needed to return to

business. I grabbed my cereal bowl and

hurriedly excused myself, rushing out to check whereal bowl and

had been

incessantly calling me. But not before I glanced at Nora. It happened unintentionally. Her face was

so bright and full of beauty that my eyes would wander off to her face very often.

It didn’t take much guessing; I had a hunch it was Daphne. When I reached my room and picked up

my phone, sure enough, it was her calling for the twentieth time in the last two hours. I was starting

to tire of her persistence.

“Mm?” I managed with a mouthful of cereal, hoping to avoid a lengthy conversation.

“Where are you? I’ve been trying to reach you,” she said in her high- pitched tone, clearly annoyed.

“I was busy,” I replied, hastily taking another spoonful of cereal.

“Busy where?” she asked, prompting an eye roll from me.

“At work,” I scoffed tiredly. It was so annoying that she wouldn’t take a hint.

“What kind of work?” she shocked me with her next question. What the fuck did she mean by what

kind of work?

“What kind of work do you think I do?” I groaned at her nerve to

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follow me up with questions when her own life had been so secretive from me.

“No! I meant to say—,” she shut up but it was time I proceed with my own questions.

“Daphne! Why are you calling me so carly in the morning and interrogating me like I’m on trial?” I

snapped, irritated by her questioning.

She fell silent for a moment before clearing her throat and restarting the conversation.

“Because someone messaged me saying they saw you with Nora in your car. Where were you

taking her so early in the morning?” So that was the reason behind her persistent inquiries.

I had to compose myself before responding to her. She had cheated on me several times, and every

time I mentioned breaking up, she threatened to take her own life. This time, though, I refused to let

her manipulate me and ended things with her. Yet, here she was again, leveling accusations against

Nora, forcing me to relent once more.

“To the hospital,” I muttered quietly, hoping she’d pick up on my hint and not prolong this already

awkward conversation.

“Why?” she pressed once again. Her entire vibe was off throughout the time. It was like she wanted

me to confess something.

“Why do people go to the hospital, Daphne?” My exhaustion finally escaped in a grunt before I

explained, “She cut her hand.”

“Are you sure?” she asked in a meekest voice, trying to exert less pressure on the words.

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4

”

“Yes, I was there,” I hissed, slowly losing my temperament with her. That should have been the end

of it. But of course, with Daphne, it

never was.

“Oh! No, I am just slightly confused. Did she do it for attention?” That was it. I’d been working since

yesterday and came home to rest, not to answer interrogations.

“She didn’t do it for attention. I need to go, I’m really tired,” I grunted, rubbing my face in frustration

before she stopped me from hanging up.

“You didn’t as

me which gown I chose for the ball,” her words compelled me to lift my face from my hands.

When did I invite her to the ball? Talking to her was so draining that I didn’t even realize I had

finished breakfast, let alone enjoyed my cereal.

“Daphne, I’ll be on duty that day,” I said, subtly indicating I wouldn’t be dancing with her at the ball.

She fell silent for a moment before adding, “You can surely manage some time. If not, I will speak to

Lord Atwood myself.” Her voice carried a hint of authority that didn’t sit well with me, and I could tell

she sensed it too because she quickly retreated.

“I feel like you’re brushing me off because of Nora. She told you I led her into the woods and pushed

her,” she continued, as expected, blaming Nora for something she hadn’t done.

I wanted to remind her how she had wasted time when Nora went missing, only revealing the

information about the river and woods when she felt threatened. But for Nora’s sake, I chose to

remain silent.

“It’s not like that,” I grumbled, already weary of the conversation.

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“Nash! She’s your sister and all, but trust me, there’s something wrong with that girl. She’s not as

innocent and naive as she appears. Do you really think everyone is her enemy? Can’t she ever be

wrong?” I rolled my eyes, tired of hearing the same accusations from people around me.

“I have to go. I only have a few hours to rest before I have to wake up again for work,” I finally hung

up when I couldn’t bear her complaining any longer.

“It’s odd though,” Shan interjected, catching Mia’s attention.

“What is?” I asked.

“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say,” I admitted, puzzled by Shan’s cryptic remark.

“So you’re taking their side now?” I asked in disbelief, but Shan quickly clarified that wasn’t his

intention.

“Of course not. I’m just concerned about her. Why did her wolf awaken and then retreat so

suddenly? I’ve never heard of a case where a wolf tries to transition so intensely, faces resistance,

and then vanishes,” Shan pondered aloud.

Although I never discussed Nora’s wolf with anyone again, my concern for her didn’t diminish.

“There could only be one explanation for this,” I whispered reluctantly.

“Maybe that was the only time her wolf awakened. Perhaps it was her first and last attempt, and I

hope that’s not the case,” feeling deeply troubled for Nora, I lay down on the bed, memories of that

day flooding my mind.

“She was soaked through, her body exposed when I felt the mate bond with her. I wish there weren’t

restrictions. Her scent and form tempted

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me,” I confessed quietly.

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