Chapter Ten

* Emma *

"Brad?"

I uttered his name but his presence is different as he is standing against the light of the moon and the palace, it took a couple of seconds before I realize that he is not Brad. His form seemed to be Brad yet it doesn't feel like him, is he, Nick? He did not answer me, not after a few seconds has passed.

"For goodness sake can't you tell the difference between me and Brad? I'm sure that I look more good-looking by a few points than him not to mention that I am more charming."

His voice is deep and distinctive and I detected a little bit of humor with his words, or is it just my imagination? He sounded more irritated by the fact that I called his brother's name which confirms his identity. "Nick!? What are you doing here?"

My heart turned erratic when he move forward and I see his face. A muscle in his jaw flex, and I notice how his face is well-shaven and clean unlike Brad who let his stubble grew an inch. Not like it mattered against his beauty but I prefer men without hair around the lips and the rest doesn't matter. My eyes travel down on his wide shoulders and muscular arms that did not fail to show against his long sleeve shirt. He must have exercised a lot or his wolf loves to run as well.

"I could ask you both the same! And why are you alone here now, where is my brother?"

For some reason I don't understand why he sounded mad and yet his gaze affected me so much. His lips were in a thin line while waiting for my answer. I am thankful that I wore heels otherwise I would still tilt my neck upward despite being taller than an average girl in the pack.

"He said that he would go and get us drinks."

My knees are getting wobbly so I took a seat on the cold stone chair. And then instantly regret the idea because it made me look smaller and I have to stare at his flat stomach and his front trouser as he gets closer. Then I wanted to kick myself for acting like a stupid teenager while looking away.

"Oh! How convenient, then you two will get drunk out here, and then who knows what's gonna happen? Are you one of those she-wolves who prefer to have sex even before marriage? Do you have your parent's permission to already sleep here tonight!?"

My eyes turned wide from the insult and sarcastic tone of his voice. He continued to get near me until I feel the heat of his body in my legs. It was too much to bear and I wanted to stand up and run away.

"What are you talking about? We have no, no plan to do such a thing! And even if we do, it doesn't matter because your brother and I are going to get married! Aren't we going to be announced in public soon?"

I wanted to grimace at the idea that I am implying but for goodness sake, he is already judging what we are doing.

Then I notice how his jaw stiffined and he let out a harsher breath. I wonder what his problem was and what it is that he has against me for I can feel that he didn't like the idea of me and Brad being mates.

"I know that Miss Bates! And I also know that you have no virtue to uphold since you went out of the Langston lands and work outside for years! I know your whereabouts but my brother has no choice since the old man saw you in his vision as Brad's mate."

My insides stirred and I held my breath when he bend down to look at my face. I saw the resemblance between him and Brad. They look almost the same in features but I feel the hairs standing at the back of my neck when I caught the scent of his breath fanning on my face. Weirdly, I am feeling this way toward the twin brother of my mate. His face looks mesmerizing up close, his eyes are also a shade of light brown.

"You're here Nick?"

The voice coming from Brad made me release the breath that I was holding. Nick quickly straightened up and move away from me, putting his hands in his pockets and looking his twin brother in the eye like nothing happened.

"I was just getting some fresh air when I notice Emma here, all alone."

The sound of my name coming from his lips sounded special through my ears. I wanted to hear him say it again to feel it once more. Brad raises his brow while on both his hands are the two glasses of wine. "I left to pick up some drinks since we wanted to celebrate our agreement."

Nick glanced at me with his eyes looking like he can see through my very soul. Then his lips curve in a smile that did not reach his eyes, however, it brought tiny shivers down my spine. The brute can smile sexy like he was saying he knows what I am thinking.

"Good to hear you both have an agreement. And also I'd like to congratulate you in advance brother. Getting your mate first comes with the most exciting benefits, to become our father's official crown prince."

Brad shrug his shoulders and handed to me the tall glass. He didn't bring a bottle so it's obvious to his brother's eyes that we aren't drinking to get drunk.

"Thank you, and I'm sorry I only brought two glasses. I did not expect to see you here."

Brad sat on the stone chair opposite me while Nick remain standing and he is closer to me that it is making me uncomfortable.

"That is alright I am going back inside now, I'll leave you two to enjoy the rest of the evening."

He turns to me and now his head sarcastically. "Have a lovely evening Miss Bates. I'll see you around the palace, I have a feeling that you will be coming here more often."

Brad casually sips on his glass while Nick strode away leaving me with a confused mind in the company of his brother. There was something that I wish to ask him but I couldn't find the words when he was already near.

"Did my brother say something to you Ems?"

Brad asked with a hint of amusement in his voice. My eyes quickly move towards him, I was not even aware that I was starting at the path where Nick has taken and stayed silent for a while.

"Oh! No not really, only that he thought we are going to get ourselves drunk out here. And then he asked if I am going to spend the night here."

Brad almost choke on his drink. He places the glass on the stone table and looks at me.

"Your parents will not let you spend the night here yet. But my mother has an open invitation for you and your family in case you wanted to stay for vacation. They wanted us to get to know each other more and try to develop ourselves closer."

His face looms serious and at the same time a bit cold mentioning our situation. I could tell that he is not into me but I am pretty sure that he would not oppose his parents.

"It's lovely to be here Brad, I remember a faint memory of running in the vast forest behind the palace and also I love this beautiful garden here. Nature here is very well preserved."

"Yes. And I would like to invite you for a run and hunting next week. Let us indulge our parents for now Ems, I suggest you take some of your things and stay here next week. Don't worry, I will station Dylab to be near you so that you will feel at ease. Your brother will be happy to do so."

A smile broke my lips with the idea. I was already near to boredom after a week since I came back home. It is good to have an invitation like this. The palace has so many things to see and I would very much like to stay for a short vacation.