h's

I found myself in the kitchen with Susan. I offered to help her prepare dinner,

es," I said and grabbed

me. "Are you sure? You

d. "I need something t

It felt... nice. There was a certain ease to being in Susan's presence. No judgment, no pressure. Just

nly spoke up. "You're a good girl, Lea

a long time, not like this, anyway. The memories of her were too painful

red. "I never knew sh

ng," Susan said softly. "She ga

at, and I nodded. "Thank

little as I chopped the vegetables and watched Susan knead the dough for bread. There was something so

de. He glanced over at me, his gaze lingering just a little too long, and I felt a small

etables, and freshly baked bread. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until I started eating, and for a while, the conversation

mall smile playing on his lips. Once, when I reached for the bread, his hand brushed mine, li

flirting

at me, the way he smiled at me. It was subtle, but it was there. Or maybe I was imagining it

, her voice full of affection but with a hint

urprise. Had he been teasing

er an innocent look. "I am not teasin

She looked at me, her eyes softening. "Don't min

n at my plate, trying to hide the blush creeping up my ne

it for too long, Susan's voi

son that he needs to find his mate. He is getting older, and I am not getting a

course. Tariq hadn't met his mate yet. That's why he was s

that rose up inside me. Of course, Tariq would find his mate someday. And

I am already twenty-nine, and I haven't met her yet. Maybe the Moon Goddess hasn

eyes flickered to me, locking onto mine for just

he implying something? Or was I

want me to be his chosen mate? No, that couldn't be right. I was just an omega,

ooked at me. The way he had s

"The Moon Goddess has a plan for everyone. I am sure

d, his voice low. "But

t feel like Tariq's words were meant for me. But I couldn't let myself be

. Tariq had been nothing but kind to me since I arrived, but now I wasn'

ng what he was thinking. But every time our eyes met

ished, I was more