Just a Friend
Tamara POV
My heart stuttered in my chest. “My… mother?” I whispered, still unable to grasp it.
The woman in my dream smiled softly, leaving me mesmerized. “Yes, and the Alpha bear is part of your journey. You cannot fight this.”
Nothing but shock rocked me. I wanted to ask more questions, to ask her to explain, but the dream faded, and I woke up with a start with a heavy breath. My chest felt tight. The dream looked so real, like it had reached deep inside me.
What was that?
I looked around the room. The moonlight was streaming through the windows. The world was sleeping, but why did I feel like something was happening? Something I didn’t understand, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready for it.
Matt was sleeping right behind me, his arm thrown on my waist, shirtless. When did he go shirtless? I tried to remove his arm away from me, the bear let out a growl even in his sleep and pulled me smug against his chest, murmuring, “Mine…” And then as if to make sure that I wasn’t going anywhere, he threw his heavy leg on top of mine, caging me completely.
I didn’t have the energy in me to move away because his arms, his proximity, his scent–everything worked as a balm to my frayed nerves. I felt… safe, secure. Like no one could harm me. As for the dream, I was going to talk to mom about it. It was weird, but the last time when my abilities showed themselves, things were not the same. There was a reason why I didn’t touch dying flowers, or go near trees or bushes that were dried up.
I closed my eyes and drifted off into deep slumber, but with a resolve. I wasn’t allowing Matt to come to me tomorrow. I was a hundred percent sure about it.
When I woke up, the light of the morning poured in the room. Goddess, I had never slept like a log in my life, but with Matt I always slept like that. Except the nightmare I had. It was bizarre. Matt was my destiny? I blew out, rubbishing the stupid dream.
The room was quiet except for the soft rise and fall of Matt’s breathing. I turned my head slowly, only to realize he was still sleeping right next to me, his arm thrown across my waist, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath.
Great, I thought. Here he was, still next to me. I couldn’t decide if I was angry or relieved. I decided to get up and go to the bathroom to freshen up. So I carefully slipped out from under the covers, trying not to wake him. As I moved quietly toward the door, I caught a glimpse of his body. Matt was shirtless, his muscles defined in the dim light of the room, and I felt a rush of warmth flood my cheeks.
But then, I noticed something else. There was a slight bulge in his pants, making me freeze in place. I quickly turned my gaze away, my heart suddenly racing. God, how come he was erect even when he was sleeping? I quickly walked into the bathroom, doing my best to ignore the wild thoughts racing through my mind. Get a grip, Tamara. He’s just a guy, who I would reject today. Like for sure. I steeled myself, remembering how he rebuffed me all those years. And now that he knows I am his mate, he is coming after me? Well, you got news, Matt Erikson! I’m not going to marry you. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.
Gritting my teeth, I splashed some cold water on my face to clear my thoughts. I know it was his proximity or the bond we shared that was pulling me toward him. That’s why I couldn’t ignore it, but I would. Soon.
After my bath, I was drying myself off, when suddenly I heard a knock on my door. I wasn’t expecting anyone, so I tensed up, half–panicked. I didn’t know who it could be. And what if they discovered Matt in my room? They would report me immediately to the warden. Damn it. I knew Matt was still in the bed, asleep. I would cover him with loads of sheets to hide him.
“Coming!” I called out as I hurried to grab my clothes and wrap the towel securely around me. But the moment I stepped out, I froze.
Matt was standing there, shirtless, with his hand casually resting on the doorframe, facing whoever there was on the door.
I gasped in surprise, eyes widening as I stared at him. He looked like he had walked straight out of my deepest, most secret dreams–his muscles, his confident stance, and the casualness in his posture.
“Matt!” I almost shrieked, my heart pounding in my chest.
He whipped his head to look at me and I flushed deep. His gaze darkened. He didn’t even seem to care that he was standing there, completely exposed and making my heart race.
I spun around, rushing back into the bathroom. Matt chuckled, crossed his arms across his bare chest and turned to my gusts.
I peeped out only to see three girls from the beachball team had shown up. They were giggling and fawning over Matt, clearly enjoying the view of him.
“H–hi!” one of them said, her eyes widening as she looked at him with lust.
Just a Friend
The girls looked from him to me and back to him. They all looked curiously at us.
“Hi,” Matt replied casually.
“Matt,” I hissed. “Come back.” But the bear wouldn’t budge from there. His tall and muscular body filled in the entire frame
of the door.
“We came here for Tamara,” said the captain of the team, Lexi, fluttering her eyelashes at him. “Sh–she is called by the coach for urgent practice!”
I clutched my towel tighter, trying to steady my breathing. This was not how I imagined the morning going
Matt, being Matt, smiled charmingly at them, clearly not understanding the tension in the room. He seemed completely unaffected, while I was losing my mind just trying to keep my composure “What time?” he asked, stretching his arm behind and resting them both on top of the door frame.
I think the girls half–fainted. As for me, ugly jealousy rose in my chest. I wanted to smack him hard and gouge the eyes of the girls who were eye–fucking him. But I composed myself. If I was going to reject him, I had to allow other girls to come near him.
“You are the most handsome guy I’ve met,” a girl blurted. “I mean-” All others giggled. Then she corrected herself. “I mean, why don’t you come with Tamara to watch us? You can
What. The. Fuck.
Anger slammed in my chest. Angel growled. Clutching my towel tightly, I walked out of the bathroom, and stormed to Matt. I stood in front of him, as if my tiny body would hide him. Stifling my emotions as best as I could, I almost snarled, “I will be there soon. You may leave now!”
Lexi’s eyes widened at my rudeness, but the moment they were having with Matt, broke.
“You better be there on time,” she spat, spun and went away.
I slammed the door shut and when I spun, I slammed in Matt. He steadied me with a heart–breaking smile. “Were you jealous of them?”
“What? Hell. No!” I scoffed. I poked his chest. “But why did you open the door? Now they will report me to the warden.” “They won’t,” he replied casually, studying me.
Suddenly, I became aware of me standing naked, wrapped in a towel, and my cheeks heated. I stepped away from him and stuttered, “I–1 h–have to g–go for practice. Please leave.”
Matt stepped back immediately, and I felt… empty. He turned to collect his things and without a word left.
My throat dried, as I watched him leave. Was he mad at me? The moment the door closed behind him, dejection set in. Like my life was going to be so dull now.
“Control yourself, Tammy!” I chided myself. “This is just the mate bond.”
I changed into my skirt and tank top, wore my shoes, but everything felt like I was on an auto. Why didn’t he say a word? He argued with me, he wooed me and then some more. But the thought that there were other girls clearing fawning over him, made me mad. Was he thinking of going to them? Like, why not? I didn’t give him any reason to stay with me. Why would he go and talk to them?
“Good!” I assured myself as I got out of my room and locked it. That’s what I wanted. I was also going to look for new friends. New boyfriends.
But why did it feel like I was convincing myself more than being resolute? I tried to shake off those thoughts. They were plaguing me like hell,
When I reached the practice area, Lexi looked at me with a smirk. She came to me, “Tamara, come on, tell us more about him,” she cooed. “He’s so handsome. Is he your boyfriend?”
I wanted to shout “He’s not! He’s just my friend!” but the words caught in my throat. I wasn’t sure if I was lyin myself.
em or to
“Oh, wonderful!” Lexi exclaimed her eyes gleaming. “I knew you guys had a one–night stand. Please tell me more about him. Can you
introduce him to me?”
“I’m not your personal tour guide,” I snapped, anger bubbling inside.
I grabbed my gym bag, my heart thudding against my chest, and rushed to the court when suddenly from the periphery of my vision I saw Matt walking toward us.
