Chapter 3 CHAPTER

CHAPTER 3

SHE CAN'T believe it. Penelope eyed Joaquin's face and gritted her teeth. The man doesn't know that they were mates. It was clear on his nonchalance and the way he walk past her like she's air with a cast on the left hand.

Because if the man was aware, then they should be talking about each other. Getting to know about her mate. Other than saying that he's blind and that his name is Joaquin, he didn't tell her anything. And it's depressing for her single she-wolf soul.

Werewolves are tactile. They thrive on touch and love. She survived having none of those for her 'the one'. She saved herself for this man. A man who can't even sit still in front of her.

Penelope even had told him everything about herself except her failed mission last night. She was so ready to commit to the point that she's been thinking about the right endearment to use when they marry but now even taking the man's hand could seem a harassment. She would like to make her mate feel safe and secured with her.

Penelope didn't mind his eyes. She would love to know what happened but if he will refuse to tell her, then it's going to be fine as well. Anything to make him comfortable.

"This home… is warm." She nodded her head and grinned. "I bet your room is the warmest place in here. I mean, I'd like to personally feel it but…"

Joaquin dropped the pen he was holding. He fidgeted for a moment. "You're wrong. My room's cold. It was built with three ac's and no window."

Penelope eyed his crotch for a second before shrugging. 'Ah… it makes sense. He choose the living room to jack off more than his own space. But Ac's? Is he pulling my leg?'

"It must have cost you a lot to have these, huh?" In Penelope's vision, the shelter was more gorgeous to the eyes than Alpha Beatrix' personal estate.

"It was my father who gave me this house. He… it was one of my inheritance."

Penelope stood and walked to his direction. The man's cool act was broken when he suddenly took a step back. "Don't come closer."

Penelope could not deny that the action hurt her more than she would like to admit. She tsk-ed. "I want to drink water. You don't understand. I'm thirsty."

"Thirsty?" He frowned. "You drank water a while ago. Is your throat aching? Are you uncomfortable somewhere?"

'Of course! My heart hurts! You're not paying any attention to the most significant thing! I'm your mate!'

"You care on the wrong side, baby." Penelope held her forehead. The guy's frown deepened. Now that Penelope was clearheaded, she noticed that the man was older than her. 'Oh, it's not baby then. It's daddy!'

"What? I didn't hear you properly."

She watched the guy pretending to be dumb and deaf. Penelope leaned and said, "Your ears must be problematic, hmn? I can provide a personal check up for you. I promise I'll be thorough."

Joaquin's lips twitched in amusement. The bewilderment on his face cannot be faked. As if it is his first time to be hit on by a woman.

'He's living in this forest.' Penelope eyed his stubble. 'Maybe he hadn't tried dating before!'

"You should not stress your arm. Stop walking around. I'll give you your drink. Take a rest, okay?"

She rolled her eyes and shrugged. "I'm a wolf shifter. After one shift, it will be as good as new. Why don't we talk about something, Joaquin? What about, the protective barrier outside your home?"

The man's expression closed off. He gave her a perfunctory smile before turning around. "It's been there since I got here. Gift of nature maybe? Don't mind it. The barrier didn't hurt you. It's all that matters."

"But I saw that array killed someone and turn him into ashes, Joaquin." She insisted, "What if it kills me? Or hit me 'til I lose my breath? Are you willing to…"

Penelope closed her mouth and stopped just in time. She almost made herself look desperate to get laid. It's not appropriate for her innocent mate.

"Willing to what?" Joaquin asked with a guarded stance.

Penelope sighed. "Provide me with mouth to mouth resucitation?" she suggested hopefully.

Joaquin's silence after that spoke volumes of his shame. He shuffled his feet and murmured, "I… I'll cook some porridge for you."

Penelope gulped and endured the sting of being rejected for the second time. She crossed her arms and decided to sulk for the whole day. Joaquin stopped on his way to the kitchen and told her, "You can… open the window, you know."

"What?" Penelope broke her own decision of ignoring the guy. "Why?"

Joaquin gave her a small smile. "The mornings are not that hot in here but if ever you feel strangled by the humid air, feel free to open the windows. I-I'm not skilled on mouth to mouth resucitation."

Penelope smiled despite of herself. She got a lovely mate. And it seems getting her neck marked will take a long while.

Penelope needs to save those bunny shifters hiding inside the cave she left them. In her weak state, only the bite of her fated mate can renew her strength with a double determination.

There's still a debate going on inside her head too. Wether to tie the man on her back and bring him back to her pack territory or stay with him and live inside this boring place.

'How narcissistic of me to think he's willing to be mated with me?' Penelope thought begrudgingly. 'He won't even stand near me. How can he bear to have my bite? He will despise me in no time!'

This man's insecurities went for miles and miles. So much that he can't accept Penelope's simple compliment.

She needed to remove his weary nature around her. Penelope can see crystal clear with her own eyes that the man is deserving. The man is precious. He's interesting.

How can she make him see this?