His Arrogant Human Mate novel Chapter 31

I grabbed a purple one from the collection, setting it in the water and shifting away from it, with my knees to my chest. Dominic stroked my hair gently as I watched the ball slowly start to dissolve, the scent of lavender filling the air.

"What did Alfie say to you?" He asked me.

I blinked a few times before meeting his gaze. "You don't know?"

"I wanted to hear it from you."

I wiped my nose with my wrist, shaking my head. "Nothing that wasn't true."

Dominic purses his lips. "I doubt that. You two were both upset and that's never a good combo when it comes to fights. You say things that aren't true, things that are just to make yourself feel better. So tell me what happened, and I will honestly say what is and isn't true."

"You have to promise not to be mad at him or Andrew. It'll only make Alfie hate me more," I told him. "If it's possible."

Dominic kissed my cheek before shaking his head. "He doesn't hate you. You two are best friends." He caught a single tear on his finger and wiped it on his shirt. "And I won't promise you not to be upset with either of them. You are my mate. Mine. I protect my people, my Luna, my mate."

After a few deep breaths, I told him. I started with what Andrew said and how I ran away to find Alfie. I relayed every comment that was made, from my side to Alfie's. I didn't leave anything out, as much as I wanted to. Even when I started to cry even more, I didn't stop. Not until I got to the part where Dominic found me.

By the time I finished, the massive tub had finished filling up and the bath bomb had completely dissolved. "I got all these ball thingies that smell like lavender," Dominic said after a few moments of silence.

I looked up at him in confusion. "You want to know why?" He asked, and I nodded slowly. "That's what you smell like. That's your scent to me. Clean sheets and lavender. Fresh. I am obsessed with the smell now. I have a candle in my office that I light when you aren't around. I have an air freshener in my car. I've asked that lavender plants be planted around the house in the spring." His fingers stroked the mark on my neck slowly, lightly. "I want to be reminded of you every second of every day. I want a piece of you with me at all times. You make me strong, Cara. I need you, I want you. Even when you drive me absolutely nuts, I wouldn't have it any other way. I wouldn't have you any other way."

As much as I hated to admit it, Dominic made me feel much better. Even if I didn't want to be his mate, I didn't mind him saying I was okay. That he liked me.

When Dominic woke up to see the boys off, I pretended to be asleep. Realistically, I had been up all night, not getting even an hour of sleep. My mind was moving too much to simply "relax".

Before Dom left, he leaned over me and kissed my temple. "I will give them your best, my darling. Sleep tight," he whispered gently. "I'll be back before you wake up."

He left quickly and quietly. Once I was alone, I jumped straight into a searing shower. Maybe a shower could get rid of the disgust I was feeling with myself.

Probably not.

I sat on the floor of the shower cubicle for a long time. Probably an upwards of twenty minutes. It was a terrible waste of water, but I couldn't bare to move an inch. I hadn't ever felt so wretched and helpless before. Not only was my friend moving away, but I had screwed everything up and lost him. I didn't really have anything here anymore. And Dominic was stuck with me. If he had a choice about whether or not to like me, he'd be disgusted with who I am and get rid of me.

I didn't wash my hair or body. Just sat a little while longer before getting out. I changed into black leggings and a plain gray tank top. When I curled up on the bed, Dominic was back. He was obviously sneaking around, trying not to wake me.