The Unwritten Chapter

I woke up to sunlight spilling through the cracks in my curtains. My body felt heavy, and my mind even heavier. The thought of heading to the seminar today didn't sit well with me. Instead, I decided to skip it altogether. There were more pressing matters at hand—like seeing Nathan before he left.

The thought of him being away for a week left a hollow feeling in my chest. It wasn't even that long, but the idea of not seeing him, not feeling his teasing warmth, was unbearable. I threw on a casual outfit, grabbed my things, and made my way to his place.

When I arrived, I froze at the sight before me. Nathan stood outside, laughing softly as he spoke to a stunning woman. Her dark skin glowed under the morning light, her crimson braids cascading down her shoulders. She exuded confidence and charm, her presence commanding yet warm.

As if sensing my presence, Nathan turned and smiled. "Cael!" he called out, his voice carrying a tone that melted the anxiousness I felt just moments ago.

The woman turned to face me, her bright eyes lighting up. "Oh! Is this the adorable baby boy you've been talking about? He's so cute!" she cooed, clasping her hands together as she beamed at me.

I blinked, my cheeks heating up at her words. Baby boy?

She wasn't done. "Soooo, do I get a few small grandchildren running around in the future?" she teased, her tone playful but laced with genuine curiosity.

My face burned brighter, and I stammered, unsure of how to respond. Before I could dig myself deeper into embarrassment, a tall, muscular woman with a powerful yet graceful aura approached. Her tan skin glowed under the sun, and her sharp features made her look like she'd walked out of a magazine. The way she carried herself screamed Alpha, but there was a softness in her eyes as she gently placed a hand on the first woman's shoulder.

"My love," she said with a soothing voice, "you're scaring the poor boy. Let's head inside first and let the young lovers have their moment."

The first woman pouted but relented, allowing herself to be led back into the house. "Fine, fine. But don't keep him too long, Nathan! We have a wedding to get ready for!" she called over her shoulder.

I finally exhaled once they disappeared inside. Nathan chuckled, stepping closer to me. "Sorry about that. My mom's… a lot sometimes," he said, his tone affectionate.

"She's…" I swallowed nervously. "She's nice."

Nathan smirked, clearly amused by my awkwardness. He took my hand in his, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "So, you came all this way to see me off?"

I nodded, shyly looking down at our joined hands. "A-anyway, enjoy your trip," I mumbled, feeling my cheeks warm under his gaze.

Nathan's grip tightened slightly, pulling me closer. "I will," he said softly, his voice dipping into that low, smooth tone that always made my heart race. "But you'd better reward me with something spicy and steamy when I get back."

Before I could protest, his arms slipped around my waist, pulling me into his chest. My head rested on his shoulder, and I let out a shaky breath. The warmth of his embrace and the faint scent of his pheromones left me feeling light-headed.

Gathering my courage, I pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. I intended to pull away immediately, but Nathan had other plans. His arms tightened around me, and before I could react, he leaned down, his lips latching onto my neck.

A gasp escaped my lips as his pheromones enveloped me, the intoxicating scent making me dizzy. His pheromones… so good, I thought, my body betraying me as I leaned into him, my legs threatening to give out.

"You better return quickly," I whispered, my voice shaky but firm, "or no reward."

Nathan chuckled, his lips brushing against my ear. "Oh, I'll be back as soon as I can. Can't leave my angel waiting too long."

I swallowed hard, trying to push past the haze of his pheromones. My lips trembled as I forced myself to say something that had been nagging at the back of my mind. "A-also… I do-don't mind ge-getting pre-pregnant, i-if it's you," I stammered, my face burning with embarrassment as the words tumbled out.

Nathan pulled back slightly, his dark eyes searching mine. His lips curled into a sly smile. "Really?" he teased, his hand brushing over my stomach. "Then we can make as many as we can, yeah?"

Embarrassed beyond belief, I slapped his hand away, pouting as I looked to the side. "Stop it!" I whined, my voice barely above a whisper.

Nathan laughed, clearly enjoying my reaction. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. "You're adorable, you know that?"

We spent the rest of the morning talking and laughing, sharing little plans about the future. Nathan spoke about his family, his mom's wedding, and how chaotic things had been preparing for it. I listened intently, cherishing every moment we had together.

Eventually, the time came for him to leave. His stepfather and mother had finished their preparations and were ready to go.

Nathan turned to me, pulling me into one final hug. His lips found mine in a lingering kiss, and for a moment, it felt like time stopped. But reality came crashing back when he finally pulled away.

"I'll see you soon," he promised, his voice soft yet firm.

I nodded, biting my lip to keep the lump in my throat from growing. "Come back quick, okay?"

He smiled, pressing one last kiss to my forehead before stepping away. As I watched him leave, a wave of loneliness washed over me. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to hold it together.

Just one week, I told myself. It's not that long.

Still, as I turned to head home, the hollow ache in my chest remained, a constant reminder of how much I was already missing him.