Colin
"Where were you?" Colm asks immediately after I walk into the room. He is dressed in a pair of gym shorts and a shirt. He raises his brow as I go to my side of the bed.
"I went for a walk,'' I lie. It is five in the morning. He knows that I wouldn't just decide to go out of my way to exercise.
"You are lying. Why are you lying?
"I am not lying."
I feel a pain in my lower back as I take clean clothes from my box and go into the bathroom. I don't even want to talk about anything with Colm because I am happy. I know Lowell indirectly said he doesn't want to see me again, but maybe it is enough. Last night was fun and it was something that I needed.
Somehow, being wanted by him boosted my confidence, and maybe I could keep having fun and not worry about anything else. I have been so stuck on finding a mate, but there is a whole world out there. There are people that I could meet and friends to make. I shouldn't just stick to one thing and make it my forever. I have my whole life for that, and there is still time. After my shower, I hear the door to the front door open and Tala walks in.
"Hey," she jumps on my bed.
There is a smile on her face as she pulls my laptop from the corner of the floor and opens it up. "Can this retreat be over?'' she whines as she continues to rummage through--probably Instagram.
"It's literally just been three days."
She nods, then groans loudly, "I just want to go home. The whole thing is getting exhausting.''
I walk over to the bed and sit down next to her. "I want to tell you something, but you have to promise not to freak out."
She looks away from the laptop, and my expression must be serious because interest swarms her face.
"Oooh, what it is.''
"You have to swear on your dad's life. Cross your heart and hope to die," I use my finger to make a cross on my chest.
She rolls her eyes. "You are being dramatic, but which dad?" She gives in to my demand.
If there is anyone I trust, Tala is at the top of the list. i would tell her literally anything and have no regrets.
"Okay, you won't spill."
She smiles, "Come on, spill the tea."
I take a deep breath because just thinking about him again brings a smile to my face. This man that i met two days ago, has made me feel things that no one ever has. It is the most exciting feeling ever.
"I hooked up with someone last night."
She opens her eyes wide even though I haven't even told her who it is. Just the fact that I am talking about hooking up with someone is exciting to her.
"Who?'' she squeals excitedly.
She drops the laptop and grabs both of my hands in hers, jumping up and down the mattress with me in her grips.
"Reel it in T, or I will not tell you again,'' I glare at her.
She sits back down, but the smile is still on her face.
"Who?'' she asks finally.
"Do not freak out."
She nods, waiting for me to tell her.
"Lowell.''
His name escapes from my lips and I watch as it registers in her head. Her eyes widen as it finally makes sense to her.
"Lowell Hemming?"
I nod.
She shakes her head, "No."
I nod "Yes."
"No Collie.''
"Yes, T."
For a couple of seconds, we continue this back and forth. "Stop Tala. You know, I wouldn't lie about this."
"How did that happen? Holy shit. You are serious.''
"Yes, but it was a one-time thing, so please don't make a big deal out of this.''
"Do you like him?"
I shrug. "I don't know. I liked having sex with him, but I don't know if that means I like him.''
"Oh, I get that. Did you feel anything different? Like, maybe he could be the one?"
"No. He is not the one.''
The fact that I am so sure about that just makes this even more exciting. They say when you find your mate, your whole life will revolve around that person. Thinking about it, that is a scary thought. The fact that I could feel all this for someone I just met and they are not mine makes this even exciting. I don't know what I want with Lowell but I might want to see him again.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I think so. I didn't get that rush of emotions and my wolf didn't react to him. Dad said my wolf would know if i wasn't sure.''
"Wow. Then this is a good thing. You know your dads wouldn't want you to be with someone from the shadow pack anyways. Especially Lowell. There is a rumour that he killed his mate. You don't want someone that has the potential to hurt you.''
I stiffen at her words because suddenly, the thing he said about having a mate comes back to my mind and I don't want to think the worst when I don't even know if it is true.
"That can't be true.''
She scoffs "He isn't one of the good ones Collie, yeah, he is a sexy man but that is all he should be to you. You don't want the controversies involved with the man. It is best you have your fun and stay away from him."
I don't know what to think.
I don't know what to say.
He didn't seem like such a bad guy last night. He may have his secrets but he isn't the monster that she thinks he is. "I am not saying this to make you scared but you really dodged a bullet with him. The things I have heard these past three days aren't for the faint of hearts and I don't want you involved with those kinds of people."
Her words are registering but do I actually think I dodged a bullet?
I am not so sure.