Chapter 1

"Kyle!" I yelp softly, my skin tingling with goosebumps.

Subconsciously, I shake off his hands, not comfortably comfortable with being grabbed. Even if his hold didn't hurt, it awoke the defensive nature inside of me. The fight or flight, and I choose the safe option.

Moving across the kitchen, I open the fridge and pour a glass of water, my eyes on the soft blue ones that always look at me with such pain. I couldn't stare for long, disliking that he sees my discomfort, that he pity's it, me. I couldn't stand that look, like I'm made of glass.

"Is Rosa coming for dinner tonight?" I ask, my voice almost a whisper across the kitchen.

"She is, and a plus one." He tells me, his tone slightly weary.

For a moment I assume the worst, the familiar stiffening of my entire body doesn't go unnoticed by either of us. Even if I didn't want to react at all, deep down perhaps I'll always be this way. Kyle assumes I'm merely suspicious of people, especially strangers.

"She said it was a family friend." He shrugs, seeing nothing wrong with it.

Given that this is his house, and Rosa is his niece despite there being only a matter of months between them, I say nothing. I'm not about to stop him from seeing his loved ones just because I prefer isolation.

Flashing a small, forced smile, I nod my head.

"I should start dinner, anything in particular you want?" I offer, already turning to the large pantry packed with food.

"Lady's choice." He retorts, uncaringly. Given that he'll eat literally anything, I know he won't complain no matter what I make.

As I prepare the ingredients for spaghetti Bolognese, I wasn't surprised to see Kyle rolling up his sleeves to wash his hands. Unlike some men I've met, he likes to cook which is refreshing and sweet. One of things I love about him.

Smiling, I begin with the onions. My mind drifting elsewhere as I work, silently wondering if he'll ever see through the act. Part of me longs for the day that Kyle sees me for what I really am, and at the same time I hope he never knows. In his eyes, I'm basically the perfect girlfriend.

***

Adding the final curl to my hair, I run my fingers through the ends, unsmiling as I stare blankly at the girl in the mirror. A stranger, someone I don't recognise.

"Perfect." Kyle smiles, kissing my head as he passes me from the bathroom.

Giving a small smile, I murmur a thanks and exit the room so he can change. Kyle lives a luxurious lifestyle, everything he owns is the best of the best. Given the huge business he owns, and the fact that he works most days, I can't exactly complain about anything.

The chime of the door echoes softly through the huge house. I move to answer the door when Kyle beats me to it, greeting his niece and guest with beaming smiles. Despite owning everything he has, he's not snobby about it. He's caring, and kind, two of the reasons I love him.

Hearing the voices approaching the kitchen, I ignore the pit in my stomach and place a perfectly practiced smile on my face.

"Rosa, it's good to see you again." I greet with a cheery voice, smiling as I wrap my arms around the female.

"You too, I love your dress!" Rosa beams, kissing my cheek in a posh way before we part.

"This is Jackson, he's my mate." She blurts out with raw excitement, practically bouncing where she stands.

The man behind her greets Kyle with a hand shake and smile, looking equally as happy as Rosa. His brown eyes flicker to me, his hand extending almost makes me flinch.

"It's nice to meet you." I say softly, biting back the nerves as I place my smaller hand in his. His shake is gentle, as if knowing part of me isn't comfortable around him.

"You too, Rosaline has told me a lot about you." Jackson smiles, his eyes flickering to his mate.

"All good I hope." I say, laughing gently.

"Like there's anything bad to say." Rosa teases.

Chuckles echo around the kitchen, my own becoming more forced than usual as I spare a glance at my boyfriend. Laughing, oblivious to the falseness of Rosa's words, even she assumes I'm 'perfect'.

"Get comfortable, I'll check the food. Would you both like a drink?" I offer kindly, already heading over to the pantry.

Rosa likes her wine, especially during dinner. I wouldn't go as far as to say she's an alcoholic, but she does drink a little more than most.

"One won't hurt, right?" Is Rosa's response. "Jackson will have whiskey, please."

Thinking nothing of it, I nod and check the food in the oven. Hearing Kyle lead his niece and Jackson into the living area, I set out the plates and cutlery on the table while the food finishes cooking. Pouring their drinks, I prepare a glass of fresh orange for Kyle, and Ice water for myself.

Taking the tray through, I hear Rosa laughing as she jokes with Kyle about stories from their earlier years. Jackson fills in with stories of his childhood, and just like that I feel out of place. Still, I silently sit the tray down on the coffee table, handing them their drinks.

Rosa doesn't comment on Kyles fresh orange, knowing he made a choice two years ago to stop drinking. I know he did it because I don't drink, but he refused to listen to me when I told him it was ridiculous. I suppose Rosa has got used to it after two years. Their family drink often, most days actually, I suppose when you work as hard as they do it's ok to enjoy a relaxing glass of wine.

"You're so lucky to have no siblings, honestly, they're the reason I'm crazy." Rosa tells me, grinning from ear to ear with sparkling eyes.

Saying nothing, I smile even as my chest tightens.

"Rosa." Kyle sighs, his tone slightly scolding.

"It's ok." I whisper, not wanting either of them to press the matter.

Kyle doesn't say anything more, and Rosa doesn't bring up siblings or family with me again. If anything I sit back and loose myself in their laughter, wondering if I'd ever be so happy.

Soon after we sit and eat, in silence this time which allows me time to think for myself. The steak and onion pie with vegetables is a little bland for my taste, but everyone else seemed to enjoy it.

After dinner we all chip in and clean, before moving back to the front room. Rosa cuddles up with Jackson on one end of the larger sofa, whispering immature nonsense to each other that almost made me smile. Kyle chooses the movie, deciding on frozen II upon Rosa's request, like always he can't say no to her. I doubt Jackson has the heart to deny her, typical mates and all.

We watch the film in silence, and I have to admit it wasn't bad. Despite never seeing the first movie, it wasn't hard to catch on once the little snowman told the story.

***

"Don't you think it's a little strange that Rosa only had one drink tonight?" I comment quietly, curiously.

Kyle maintains his focus on his laptop, more interested in whatever project he's currently working on. Part of me wants to tell him what I know, but out of respect for Rosa I know it's not my place.

"She's newly mated, I suppose she's on her best behaviour for now." Is his response, clearly not fazed by any other reason.

Shrugging silently, I slide off the dressing gown and shimmy under the covers, massaging my scalp gently before laying down in the bed.

For a while I watch him work, noticing the dark circles beginning to show under his eyes, the stress lines on his forehead. He's tense, more than usual.

Crawling the short distance towards him, I slide the laptop from his lap and place it aside.

"Adrielle-"

"You need to sleep, work tomorrow." I tell him softly. He sighs, finally looking at me, the lines on his forehead fading as he gives me a small smile.

"You worry too much." He says, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear. His gentle blue eyes stare softly into mine, as if trying to see into my guarded soul.

"You worry too little." I sigh, my voice quiet.

Kyle only laughs, which leads me to believe my own words. He worry's over his work a lot, too much in my eyes, sometimes he doesn't even sleep due to working. I suppose it's not a bad thing that he has amazing work ethic, but it's affecting him physically and mentally.

"Jackson seems like a good guy." He says moment later, staring at me as if needing me to assure him of this.

Raising my eyebrow slightly, I grin. "You don't need to act like you aren't bothered by him, I know it's strange seeing Rosa mated."

His chest falls at my words, and he sighs, I hope with relief that I know exactly what he was thinking.

"Wait, is that why you're so tense?" I ask, tensing momentarily as Kyle wraps his arms around my waist.

"He doesn't strike me as a bad guy, I should trust that Rosa knows what she's doing." He sighs heavily.

Running my fingers through his hair, I massage his scalp, letting him nestle his face on my stomach.

"What happens if one of us finds our mate?" I whisper softly, tenderly, almost wearily.

Kyles back becomes rigged for a moment, I assume the mention of mates is touchy for him. I think he assumes neither of us will ever find our mates, and maybe we won't, but I need to know where I stand if he ever finds his mate. I mean, I know I won't be welcome here anymore.

"Mates are rare, Adrielle." He murmurs, his tone dismissive.

Pausing my hands in his hair, I sigh. "I need you to say it, Kyle. I need to know where I stand if it happens."

Kyles warm breath heats my stomach as he exhales. I assume he's not going to tell me anything, after all he avoids subjects like these.

"We let go, it's all we can do." He mumbles into me, his voice muffled by my baggy top.

Despite expecting the answer, the idea of him leaving me for someone else, someone better than me, it's painful. Knowing that I'm not enough, it didn't make me feel any better about myself.

"I don't think I could be around you, seeing you happy, in love. If you find your mate, I promise that you will never see me again." My voice is low, I stare at the blanket blankly, feeling the familiar emptiness.

"We've known each other far longer than we've been together." Kyle protests, lifting his head with a frown.

"Which is why I'd have to leave, we'd have history and I couldn't disrespect your or her by sticking around." I say, knowing that right now I'm being honest, no lies.

His grip tightens.

"Then I hope I never meet her, I'd sooner have my eyes taken than loose you." He grunts.

This time I did smile, after all he's never usually so possessive, always the calm loving boyfriend. It's strangely nice to have someone that loves you so much he'd rather loose his sight than loose you. As messed up as that is.

After a while, he falls asleep with his arms wrapped around me. Eventually I managed to drift off, knowing my dreams won't be nearly as peaceful as his.