Introspect [The Mating Games #3]
Day 8 Part 2

ORION KALLIS

Even if the scent masking spray had been used on him that day, Orion would still be able to replace his mate. With the way she was practically shining today, he could be blind and still be able to replace his mate.

“How lucky am I to have you as a mate?” Orion murmured, bowing his head to whisper into her ear as he looped his arms around her waist from behind, pulling her back flush against his chest.

“Nearly as lucky as I am to have a mate as great as you,” she grinned, turning her head to gaze up at him.

“Now you’re just teasing me,” he chuckled, pressing a soft, barely-there kiss to the corner of her lips. When she giggled and leaned back against his chest, he sighed in bliss and dropped his head, resting his chin on her shoulder. Glancing around the hall, it was as if every mated couple was wrapped up in their very own bubble of happiness; dancing the time away.

“Do you want to dance?” Orion asked, holding an expectant hand out in front of her.

“I thought you would never ask,” she grinned, not even waiting a moment before she placed her hand in his and accepted, curling her fingers around his.

Whisking her off her feet, Orion led her over to the dancefloor where they danced and twirled to their hearts content.

Despite the happy smile that Phoenix was determined to keep on her face, clearly trying to keep her dip in mood a secret from him, Orion knew better.

“What’s wrong?” he murmured, twirling his mate back into his arms, the both of them now slowly to the music.

“Nothing is wrong,” Phoenix denied, her lips stretching up further at the corners but Orion was far from convinced.

“I know something is wrong, angel,” Orion murmured, wounding his arms tighter around her. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll just have to take a stab in the dark.”

Instead of answering, Phoenix turned her head up, the inquisitive glint in her eyes on show for him to see. She then cocked to her head, as if curious to see what he would guess.

“I’ll be returning to my pack in Greece for a week tomorrow to wrap everything up. You’re sad that you can’t come with me,” Orion guessed, pretty confident of his answer.

“And because we’re going to be separated for such a long time,” her lips turned down in a frown as she spoke.

At that, his face softened. The only reason that he was returning to his pack was so he could retrieve all of his belongings and deal with his cottage. As he planned to live on the island, his visits to the pack being scarce to none because he had no family there anymore, and also because Phoenix wouldn’t ever be able to come with him, he didn’t see any need to hold onto the cottage anymore. Not only was he heading back to officially hand it over to the Alpha to do as he pleased, but he also needed to sort through his belongings. A few things he was sure he could get rid of however, there were a lot of things that he wanted to keep. Including the little trinkets and titbits from growing and both of his parents. Just things that he forever cherished and wanted with him on the island as that would be his new home.

If it wasn’t because of that, Orion wouldn’t have felt the need to be away from his mate for an entire week. Hopefully less if he could wrap things up quicker.

“I’ll be back before you know it,” he promised her, bowing his head to press his forehead against hers. “You won’t even have time to miss me.”

“That’s not true. You’re still here and I already miss you.”

Orion chuckled and pressed a soft, sweet kiss to her lips. “I’m going to miss you, too,” he murmured. “I wouldn’t leave if I didn’t need to.”

“I know,” she sighed, nipping slightly on his bottom lip.

“And just think about it like this,” he smiled, trying to assure her. “When I get back, you’ll have me forever.”

Phoenix grinned and said, “I do like the sound of that but it’s not just that. I wish I was able to go back with you. I would have loved to see your home and the place you grew up in. To have the chance to get to know you better that way.”

Orion couldn’t help but frown at that. Regarding her leaving the island, there was absolutely nothing that he could do but seeing his life back in Greece, perhaps he could put a little something together.

“How about if I take pictures and film everything for you?”

“Like a house tour?”

“I’ll make it a pack tour,” Orion chuckled at the sheer excitement in her eyes. “I know it isn’t the same as being there in person, but at least that way you’ll be able to see everything.”

“I love that idea. Thank you,” Phoenix grinned, leaning up on her tip-toes to reward him with a kiss. One which he was quick to commandeer and deepen, wrapping his tongue around hers. “I can’t wait for you to get back,” she whispered against his mouth, her eyes still closed as they shared the occasional lazy kiss.

“I can’t wait to get back either,” Orion agreed, forcing his mate to swallow the words as he whispered them against her mouth. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

They were forced to break apart when their favourite steward decided to drop by.

“Orion, Phoenix,” Denver greeted the both of them with a polite smile. “The Alpha king has called for you both in his office.”

Orion nodded his head and thanked Denver. He turned his attention to Phoenix, squeezing her hand in encouragement but once again, the moment was disrupted by their favourite steward.

“I’m really sorry if I’ve been rude and short with you this past week,” Denver apologised to the both of them with an earnest expression on his face. “I know it’s not an excuse but with your situation being rather peculiar, there’s been a lot of eyes on you. In turn, that means that there’s a lot of eyes on me as well, and mixed in with this being my first time as steward at the Mating Games, there’s been a lot of pressure of me. Again, not an excuse, and I apologise for my behaviour.”

“Thank you for that, Denver,” Phoenix smiled politely at him, accepting his apology for the both of them. “Don’t worry about it. We understand.”

It was evident that his mate was a far better person than him as Orion chose to still hold a small grudge. Regardless, the Mating Games were very soon to be over and after that, neither of them would have to worry about such things anymore.

“I also wish you the best of luck in there,” Denver murmured as he began leading them out of the grand hall and down the long hallway that led to the Alpha king’s office.

Orion hummed and nodded his head, thinking it best if he didn’t say anything. This way, they would end on at least a somewhat positive note.

Despite that, he couldn’t help but worry.

Even though Orion didn’t show it for the sake of his mate, he was more than a little worried regarding the wrath of the Moon Goddess. What with all the rule breaking that they had done over the past eight days.

-

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Layla Knight

05.06.2021