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I glanced at Cassie once in a while. She looked better, but I know how she really felt. I went through the same thing when I saw Jake.
Was Cassie, right? If Nick and I weren’t mates, would I be back with Jake?
I sighed internally.
It didn’t even make sense to think about these things. Nick was my mate. I loved him. I couldn’t imagine my life without him. When Cassie talked about Nick not being my mate, my heart felt like it was breaking into a million pieces. I felt actual physical pain thinking about not being with him. He was mine.
We finished preparing dinner.
“Ari, can you please get the others?” Annie asked me as I finished setting the table.
I nodded and walked out of the kitchen.
The guys and Patricia were still talking about Victor. It made my heart clench in fear. I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. I was safe. I was with my brother, my mate, and my friends. I am safe.
“Guys,” I said, interrupting their discussion. “The dinner is ready.”
They looked at me and nodded. I walked back to the kitchen, and they soon followed.
The dinner was tense. Blake and Zack kept glaring at each other. Cassie was staring at her plate, not looking up at anyone. Blake tried to get her attention, but she only gave him small smiles now and then. Every time Blake touched Cassie; Zack’s jaw clenched. He really had it bad for her. I didn’t understand why he never told her how he felt. I didn’t think it was because of Jake. Maybe Zack was just afraid.
Nick placed his hand on my thigh, interrupting my thoughts. I looked up at him and he was eyeing me with worry in his eyes.
“Are you okay?” he whispered so only I could hear.
The others were chatting among themselves, not paying attention to us.
“Sure,” I nodded. “Why?”
“I called you a few times,” he said, his eyes roaming all over my face.
“Sorry,” I smiled. “I was just thinking.”
He smiled back, relaxing immediately. “Okay, baby.”
“What happened?” I asked. “Why did you call me?”
“Are you done eating?” he asked me.
I nodded, and he smiled at me.
“Gabe,” Nick called my brother. “Do you need us here when Petra arrives?”
Gabriel and the rest of our friends looked at us.
“No,” Patricia answered instead of Gabriel. “I will be here when she arrives. She is not very comfortable around a lot of people. I will explain everything to her and the rest of you can meet her tomorrow.”
The rest of us just nodded. I could see that most of my friends were relieved. Today was hard for all of us. It was physically and emotionally tiring, especially for Cassie. We all needed to rest.
Nick took my hand in his, pulling me up.
“Wait,” I said. “I need to help clean up.”
“Don’t worry,” Mike said. “You girls cooked. We will clean up.”
“Thank you,” I smiled at him.
Nick took my hand in his again. “Goodnight, guys. We will see you tomorrow.”
