A Splash Of Hazelnut

Noah's POV: 

As Raphael's explanation sunk into my bones, I felt a rush of anxiety and pain in my chest within seconds. The feeling emanated from him, and it annoyed the ever-living hell out of me, because as much as I wished he wasn't here, I somehow knew what I had to do.

"Ugh," I elicited an unpleasant groan before moving from my spot.

I walked over to Raph's tranced form, gently pressing my palm against his shoulder. I could feel the pain leaving his body and passing through my own. It wasn't pleasant, but I continued.

I knew he felt relief when he looked up at me with the same confusion I was feeling. 

I had accepted that something was different about me at this point. I'm positive I've always had this feeling but pushed it away.

The room was quiet after that. Josie had fed everyone at this point.

I could feel Jo staring at me for some time. He had been keeping a close distance to me since we came into the kitchen. I had a feeling that he knew something.

"What am I?" I asked as our eyes connected.

Jo fidgeted momentarily before sighing. "I'm... I'm not sure," he lied.

I just knew he was lying. 

Phoenix's POV: 

I hadn't opened my eyes yet, but I could feel someone's eyes on me. It didn't take long to gather his scent.

Oh Goddess, that sweet scent of sandalwood and almonds. It somehow overpowered the waft of Mama's veggie omelets and brown sugar bacon. Mama always made my favorite breakfast after a stressful night.

The smell was becoming stronger, and I was getting more nervous knowing that he was getting closer. I kept my eyes shut because, for the first time in a long time, I was nervous in a different way.

The last thing I remember is falling asleep last night while Noah was holding me. I cried so much last night that I'm sure my eyes would be swollen shut if it weren't for Nat.

Why is he in my house? What happened last night? 

"I know you're awake," he whispered in my ear, causing tingles and electric volts to erupt down my side.

How I didn't have a heart attack at that moment is beyond me. I could feel the blood rise to my cheeks instantly, the hair standing on my neck, and the undeniable need for him to be closer.

He sat down beside me, his fingers trailing along my arm, sending waves of pleasure to my core. My eyes flashed open, a faint blush spreading across my face as I remembered that Nat said he could smell my arousal.

"How did you know?" I asked, peering up at him.

"Your scent ... it's livelier when you're awake." The response somehow made a lot of sense and no sense at all, but I didn't say anything.

Our eyes connected for several minutes in silence. I could feel the pulsing sensation in my purple rings occasionally.

His face was struck with awe and amusement each time they did it, as if maybe he didn't understand it either.

Something about that made me feel less alone. Something unspoken between us kept us there, in a comfortable way. 

"Well, it's about time you got your ass up, girl; you've been sleeping for ages. I'll have to reheat your breakfast!" Mama said, breaking mine and Raph's eye contact.

Raph chuckled.

Mama always said what's on her mind.

One of the things I loved about her. I looked up at her with a bright smile. 

 "How did I get here? What happened last night?" I asked her, and I could tell she was also somewhat confused about it.

"You don't remember? Get up and eat, and we can talk more." That was her typical response. She loved feeding people, especially if it came from the garden.

Raph helped me sit up and gain my bearings. His touch continually sends jolts of energy throughout me. I wasn't sure if I would get used to that, but I can't deny how invigorating it felt.

As we walked to the kitchen, Raph asked what the last thing I remembered was. I explained what happened when I got home, and that Noah had helped me fall asleep.

No, I didn't mention the breakup because that shit was awkward.

Raph's body tensed whenever Noah was mentioned, making it clear that he wasn't fond of him. I wasn't ready to talk about it, and a part of me was still hurting over it.

Noah had a special place in my heart, and I knew that this whole mate thing would drastically change the only thing I had ever really known or trusted. 

As I was getting out of those thoughts, I peered into the kitchen when Noah's eyes met my own. His eyes shifted to Raph's hand on my arm.

I could feel the heat on my cheeks as I gently pulled away from Raph.

Nat didn't like that, but Noah looked so hurt.

I needed to talk to him, but I wasn't sure what to say, and surely nothing I had to say would make much of a difference at this point.

He looked down and walked over to the counter, pouring me a cup of coffee with a splash of hazelnut cream, just as I liked it.

When Noah handed me the cup, I could feel Raph getting tense next to me. Raph let out a small growl, causing me to pinch his side.

He whimpered quietly, looking down at me, perplexed.

'Good boy,' I joked to myself inwardly with an amused smile on my face.

As I sat down and began sipping on this heavenly cup of coffee, I looked around, noticing everyone looking at me expectantly. The air around me was becoming overwhelming, like the stench of everyone knowing things that I didn't, and I needed his comfort. Noah's comfort.

I don't know why I felt bad about that fact; he had been my boyfriend for a few years and my best friend all my life.

 "Noah, we should go talk," I rushed out before even thinking.