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Rumir
My fist stopped inches away from hitting the wall. I took a deep breath, my chest rising and falling as I tried to gain some control.
“Damn it!”
I’d gone to Natalie’s house to talk, to properly introduce myself. But instead, we ended up arguing.
I was an insensitive ass and had no doubt just confirmed everything she’d heard about me from others. But I wasn’t the man everyone painted me to be. Or at least, I was not just that man. Unfortunately, I’d stopped caring what others said about me, so I didn’t know the latest version. But whatever it was, I was sure Natalie would be fed tales about me that would make me come across as a monster.
I was a dragon and demi-god hybrid, two creatures known for their territorial instincts, aggression, and possessiveness. But I wasn’t a monster. I simply had less tolerance than most people. Still, I’d earned a reputation for being an ass with an attitude problem.
I knew the things that were whispered behind my back, and it had never bothered me before. People were usually more interested in hearing the rumors than discovering the truth about me. People were hypocrites and liars. Why should I smile with those who wanted to think the worst of me?
But now I had Natalie to think of.
Rumir, I've known Lucian longer.
I couldn’t stop replaying Natalie’s words in my mind, and I couldn’t help the jealousy I felt. I’d heard that Lucian had found his mate, and even before I knew who it was, I’d been filled with envy. I’d asked my mother countless times if she would give me a mate, and she’d always said everything would happen in its own time.
She knew Lucian didn’t want a mate and that I did. And yet, she went ahead and arranged this fiasco. I knew she’d always disliked the fact that Lucian and I fought all the time, but if she thought giving us the same mate would bring us together, she was mistaken.
Now more than ever, I wanted to be rid of him. Lucian, her pet.
God, how I wanted to tell Natalie what I’d discovered about Lucian looking for ways to undo their bond, but I couldn’t. She’d only think I was trying to turn her against Lucian out of jealousy. And that wouldn’t help my chances with her.
Still, I was happy that she’d proven Lucian wrong. Although she was hesitant about our bond, understandably, she’d told me she had no intention of rejecting me.
I sighed as I walked to the window and sat down.
I’d lived my whole life with no one by my side. And I’d been okay with that because I hoped that one day I’d find my mate, my other half someone who would not judge me.
My mate should have been the only one to stand by my side, fulfilling my every need. But now, it was clear that I was to be disappointed, destined to live my life alone. Or worse, never truly seen.
* * *
Natalie
Iwent outside the moment I smelled Lucian and met him as he came up the stairs to the door. I wasn't sure why, but I was very excited to see him. But the moment our eyes met, his nostrils flared, and his irises turned black.
He growled and white-knuckled the paper bag in his hand.
“I brought you donuts. I thought they might cheer you up since you sounded gloomy when I called.” He held the bag out to me, and I stared at it dangling from his hand.
“Are you holding that out to a stray dog or something? What’s wrong?”
“I can smell him on you,” he growled through clenched teeth.
I took a deep breath, and sure enough, even though I had only accepted the flowers Rumir had brought me, I smelled like him. His scent was faint but there, and Lucian had noticed it within seconds. My anger towards his rudeness dissipated as his hand fell to his side.
“Forgive me, Natalie, but I can’t do this right now.”
He turned away, and I ran and grabbed his arm before he could leave. "Wait. Just give me a few minutes, okay. Just wait here."
I really needed to speak to Lucian, so this time, I'd take a shower to appease him. But he'd have to get used to smelling Rumir on me.
This was only my first day of having to deal with them both, and I was already tired of it. Even though I hadn't created this mess, I felt horrible about it. I knew this was hard and unjust for them both. What possible reason could the Goddess have had to do this? And how could I have a peaceful existence in this realm, when I was mated to two men who shared centuries of hatred between them?
After taking a quick shower, I found Lucian sitting on the stairs outside, waiting for me. I wanted to ask him if I smelled better but decided against it. He looked more at ease, and I wanted him to stay that way.
