SWNOVELS Chapter 108
Chloe's POV
"So, the Moon Goddess has heard your prayers. You finally found out that Arthur is your mate. But then..."
"You ended up running away?"
I looked at Carrie, who sat huddled in the corner of my dimly lit bedroom. The lack of light cast a mysterious aura over the room, but I could still make out her silhouette. Her body was curled up, her face buried in her knees as she clung to them tightly. As I approached, I noticed her ears were bright red and her shoulders trembling slightly.
A curious amusement welled up inside me as I observed her. She looked like a grade schooler who was first introduced to love.
Carrie didn't answer; instead, she buried her face further, avoiding my gaze. I let out a small sigh, settling myself beside her on the floor. Placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, I gently squeezed it and asked, "What's wrong?"
"You were waiting and hoping for this for a long time. Don't tell me that you changed your mind? You found out that Arthur is your mate... and now you're disappointed?”
A mischievous grin played on my lips as I teased her, "Oh no... Are you thinking of rejecting him?" I knew deep down that Carrie's bond with Arthur was special, there was nothing that could separate her from him. Still, a part of me couldn't resist teasing her about it.
Carrie's head shot up at my words, her eyes wide with a mix of surprise and urgency. With an emphatic shake of her head, she hastily replied, "No way!!! Arthur is my first love... He's my only love... the only one I want...! There's no way I'll reject him!" Her voice grew louder, filled with determination.
Carrie's voice boomed through the room, its echoes seemingly reaching the ears of everyone outside. I couldn't help but notice the muffled laughter coming from beyond the door, a sound that only intensified Carrie's embarrassment. She instinctively covered her face with her hand, desperately trying to hide.
Maintaining a serious expression, I fought back the laughter bubbling within me. I wanted to support Carrie through her vulnerability, even though her outburst had unintentionally become a source of amusement. "I see,” I responded, my tone grave. Suppressing my own laughter, I attempted to look serious, though the corners of my lips threatened to betray me.
I continued, my voice tinged with concern, "Then, can you please explain why you're hiding here? Your celebration is in full swing, and everyone, including your long-awaited mate, is waiting for you." The weight of her predicament was palpable in the air.
Carrie let out a frustrated moan, a mix of exasperation and uncertainty. "Chloe... I think I'm in trouble,” she finally confessed, her voice laden with apprehension.
My gaze softened as I listened intently to her next words. "I've loved Arthur since we were kids. Every day, I would pray to the Moon Goddess to make me his mate... But now that my prayers have come true... I've realized that... loving someone and being someone's mate are... something very different.”
"They are completely different..." Her voice carried a sense of confusion and vulnerability, laying bare her inner conflict.
Carrie's words captured my full attention, and I remained silent, urging her to elaborate further. Suddenly, a deep blush spread across her face, suffusing her entire body like a ripe tomato, and I couldn't help but be taken aback by the intensity of her embarrassment.
Her voice quivered slightly as she began to explain, "Before, I was already in love with Arthur. I wanted to stand beside him, to love, care, and support him... I wished for nothing but his happiness. I even prepared myself to step aside if he found a different mate, just so he could find his true joy." The vulnerability in her confession was evident.
Carrie continued, her voice filled with a mix of awe and confusion, "But when I realized he is my mate... everything changed. The first thing I noticed was the change in his scent. Before, it made me feel safe and comfortable, but now it has become... intoxicating. Just one whiff and I feel like I'm intoxicated.”
Her words poured out in a rush as she struggled to convey her overwhelming emotions. "And when I look at him, Chloe, I feel something so indescribable. It's like an overpowering surge within me. Suddenly, I have this primal desire to claim him, to possess him... My body ignites with heat whenever he's near."
Carrie's face beamed with a mix of excitement and astonishment, her hands moving animatedly in an attempt to express the intensity of her feelings. "Chloe, I feel like I want to devour him! The sensation is almost too much to bear... I can't even bring myself to meet his gaze now because I'm scared I'll lose control and succumb to this overwhelming madness!"
Carrie's eyes sparkled with excitement, leaving me momentarily speechless. I stared back at her, trying to comprehend the overwhelming intensity of her emotions.
"So, you're hiding here because of that? Because you feel this overwhelming desire for your mate?” I asked, unable to resist teasing her a little.
Carrie met my gaze with a mix of desperation and shyness, her voice barely above a whisper as she nodded in affirmation. She posed a question, her eyes searching for understanding, "Can it really be like this, Chloe? Can having a mate make your heart constantly surge with passionate waves, urging you to hold them close?”
I paused for a moment, contemplating her words. Was this truly what having a mate felt like? Memories flashed through my mind, of the first time I laid eyes on Blake and the moment he became my mate. I pondered silently, realizing that Carrie's description didn't entirely match my own experience.
“More than the overwhelming passion... I felt a warmth, a sense of relief,’ I mused to myself.
Carrie let out a sigh, her voice tinged with newfound determination. "Now, if anyone suggests that I leave Arthur for his happiness, I would wholeheartedly disagree. There's no chance I'll ever abandon him... Because, if he feels the same way I do, then true happiness can only be attained by being together. There's nothing in this world that could make me leave my mate," she declared, her conviction shining through
As her words sank in, her eyes widened, a nervous expression replacing her confident demeanor. "I-I'm sorry, Chloe... I didn't mean it that way," Carrie stammered, her voice filled with concern. "I know you have your reasons, and I respect that.” Her eyes pleaded for forgiveness, a mix of understanding and anxiety reflecting in her gaze.
Carrie's words left me dumbstruck. The simplicity and unwavering determination with which she viewed having a mate struck a chord within me. I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt and confusion, for I was someone who had left Blake behind, driven by a myriad of complex thoughts and circumstances. Carrie's perspective made me question my own choices and wonder if leaving Blake had truly been worth it.
As the weight of my conflicting emotions settled in, I bit my lip, grappling with the tangled feelings swirling within my heart. I glanced at Carrie, her face filled with concern, and mustered a reassuring smile, shaking my head gently. "It's okay, Carrie," I assured her.
"I think with time, you'll grow accustomed to these overwhelming emotions. I may not have all the answers, but I believe you and Arthur will find your way. Just take it one step at a time.” I reached out and lightly ruffled her hair, a small gesture of comfort.
After spending a few more minutes with Carrie, I reluctantly left her room. To my surprise, Blake stood leaning against the wall in the hallway, an intense gaze fixed upon me. It was evident he had been there for some time, likely overhearing our conversation. Nervousness washed over me as he began to approach, his eyes filled with a fiery passion that mirrored my own internal turmoil.