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Natalie
Rumir pushed the werewolf back, and the petrified man vanished almost instantly.
I glared up at him while he smiled down at me, acting as if nothing had just happened. Around us, people had moved away, leaving us in a circle all alone.
I looked around for Brian and Rehema, but they'd vanished, too. Just as Rumir started to say something, I held a finger up, then turned and walked away. I didn’t need to look behind me to know he was following me. I could feel him. The crowd parted, allowing me through as I made my way to the bar.
Once there, I waved to the bartender, who looked at me, then over my head, then back at me before hurrying to serve me. Once I had another shot and sat down, Rumir ordered a bottle of water for me and one for himself.
"Did you really have to make a scene?" I asked as he rested his elbow on the counter.
He was almost pressed to my side. And while I didn't mind him standing so close—he smelled divine—he was behaving like a bodyguard I couldn't recall hiring.
His overprotectiveness was adorable but a bit smothering. I had a feeling no one would be able to speak to me even innocently while he was around. And that could get old.
Lucian was protective as well—as all wolves were of their mates—but not like Rumir. It was as if Rumir thought of me as a delicate flower that could break if a strong wind blew by, while Lucian knew I was the strong wind.
I couldn’t fault Rumir for that. He didn't know me the way Lucian did, but I wanted to change that. The argument we’d had was eating away at me.
“He was going to touch you, Natalie. I couldn’t let him do that.”
I gave him a dead stare. “You acted like he was going to attack me. You could have broken his arm.”
He shrugged. “It would have healed.”
“Goddess, help me," I mumbled and shook my head. As much as I hated being coddled, my wolf was happy to be with someone so protective of me. Rumir wasn’t concerned in the least about hiding his affection for me or afraid to let people know I was his.
He offered me the bottle of water. “It seems like you’ve had a lot to drink.”
“I’m not drunk, if that’s what you’re insinuating. But what if I was? Am I not allowed to have fun like everyone else?” He looked wounded as he placed the bottle back on the counter, and I took a deep breath. "You didn't deserve that. I'm sorry. I’m trying to not be upset with you."
I picked up the bottle, opened it, and had a sip. Rumir only watched me with a smile.
"I’m not drunk, I’m just happy—and maybe a little tipsy—but there’s nothing wrong with that."
“No, you’re right. There’s nothing wrong with that.” He turned his back to the counter, his elbows resting on its edge. “And I know you’re mad at me. I’m mad at me, too.”
I looked him up and down.
He was wearing dark jeans and a green shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His eyes followed the movements of the dancing bodies, and my wolf whimpered with joy at his presence. It was hard to look at him for long without wanting to climb him like a tree. And he was tall enough for me to do just that.
He glanced down at me, and I turned away to hide my blush.
When I looked at him again, he was facing me, and the corner of his mouth was curved with a wicked and knowing smirk. He was a tease and knew precisely what he was doing to me, and my chest tightened as our bond flared to life.
His eyes glowed for a moment, and he tilted his head. “Are you happy to see me, Natalie?”
"No," I lied, and he laughed.
A male water spirit, his skin a light shade of blue, approached us, and Rumir glared at him, the pleasant expression he’d been wearing seconds before gone. The water spirit looked at me with uncertainty, and I hopped off the barstool.
“Let’s go,” I growled, smacking Rumir’s arm and then walking around him. “So people can order their drinks in peace.”
I had no idea where I was going, but Rumir took my arm and guided me. His hand was so large, yet he held me so gently. He was sweet to me, attentive, and a bit of a tease, but he was an utter dick to everyone else.
We went through a door that took us up a flight of stairs and eventually came out on the roof.
I inhaled the fresh, clean air and walked to the glass railing. It was strong enough for me to lean against it, resting my chin on my folded arms, and look out at the city.
