Part Twenty-Five :

Five Days Later. I'm so unfortunate. With that thought on mind, the human girl recalled everything that ever happened. Been refused by her two out of her several mates. Almost killed by her vampire mate. Taken by some werewolf. Locked up in an underground place by her werewolf mate. Rys bit her lips as she looked at the ground. "Life hates me."

     Ever since she exploded, Howl decides to be quiet whenever he feeds her. He knows that the human girl hasn't moved on from it. Watching her in silence, the werewolf observed the way she sniffed her pancake before gently shoving it to her mouth with a fork.

     It's funny that habit of hers to be cautious with the food he gives hasn't vanished. Howl wanted to laugh but stop himself.

     As if he would kill her.

     Rys's green eyes twinkled once she got a taste of the food. She slowly chewed it. The chocolate sauce greatly complimented the pancakes. "I can see the reason why you're obsessed with Candy," she cannot help but mumble.

     Howl snapped his attention to her. Obsessed? What is she talking about? Well, her statement is true; but somehow, he felt sadness in her voice. He bit his lips and glanced away.

     "I guess..." His voice trailed off.

     Rys rolled her eyes. I guess? Well, it's so obvious that he's so obsessed with this Candy. Giving off a scoff, she rested her back on the wall. The human girl got to admit that she's slowly getting comfortable in this place.

     "How did you meet Candy anyways?" she asked with curiosity. Not noting how personal the question is, the man let out a dreamy sigh at the reminiscences of their first meetings. Rys pursed her lips, trying to buckle herself up from the heartbreak. It's alright, she assured to herself.

    ***

He's still a teen back then. A fifteen years old pup who knows nothing but to sleep all day long. He could almost resemble Tyre before. Current Howl would be nothing right now if he hadn't meet with Candy. Candy is the girl that their deceased parents decided to arrange him with.

      At first, Howl thought that Candy is just like the rest. But no, she isn't. She isn't a b*tch, an attention seeker, or even a spoiled brat that would always disturb his sleep.

     "Look at her, Howl."

      Uh, no.

     "Aw, isn't she pretty?"

       Young Howl clicked his tongue but still gave the young girl a short glance. He found the girl slightly blushing at the sight of his handsome face. As his parents had said, she's actually pretty; but he found her just like the rest.

     He frowned. "Common," he retorted.

     Everyone gasped at his statement. His mother sent him a glare while his father put a hand on his mate's shoulder for comfort. The other couple shook their head in disapprovement. Candy blushed to herself but it's because of the embarrassment. Crossing her arms, she glared at him.

     "That's just mean, you know!"

     "Duh."

     "Shut it!"

     He clicked his tongue yet again. "Brat."

     They continuously argued until Howl's mom fully exploded in anger. And that is how they met. Cliche, right? Howl knows. They don't really like each other, but Howl's dislike only disappeared when he visited Candy's house.

There, he learned that Candy loves cooking. And there, they managed to talk to each other without any argues. "I didn't know you could cook," he stated as he eyed her putting the finished curry buns on the plate.

     She snorted. "Of course."

     "And why do you even care?"

     "But I'm your fiance," he pointed out.
 
     She laughed. "But you're not my mate." He frozed, got taken aback from the words. Of course, they're not mates. But- Candy was about to go to her room with the plate of curry buns when Howl grabbed her wrist.

     "How come you agreed to be my mate when you obviously don't like me, and it seems like you want to be with your mate?"

     Candy sighed. "Well, I have some conditions. This arrangement will only be broken if I found my mate by the time I'm eighteen."

     She looked at him.

      "How about you?" How about me? Stunned, his hold on her dropped. This is the first time the word mate crossed his mind. He never really thinks about that at all, so he doesn't give really a care when he and Candy are arranged. Candy raised an eyebrow at him before leaving him to himself.

      He chuckled, amused.

      So, that's how it is.

      From that time on, he started to get real attached with Candy. He never fails to try and start a chat with her. Somehow, he can say that he's always trying his best to impress her. And that is how it starts. Candy starts to ignore him.

      And he hates it!

     Howl grabbed her in the arms, anger. "What are you doing, Howl? Let go of me!" Candy struggled from his hold.

     Stubborn, he shook his head. No, no. He won't let her go until she tells him the reason on why she's ignoring him. "Why are you ignoring me?" he hissed, anger can be detected.

     Candy exhaled.

     "It's just that-"

     "What?" he yelled, impatient.

      Candy stared at him with a blank look. "I got a feeling that you- you- you like me." Seeing that he got taken aback, she ran away as far as she can. Her face bursted into red as she did.

      Howl only watched her,

      His chest thumping loudly inside.

***

"Okay, you can stop now," Rys softly mumbled, not liking how the story went. Tears. She felt those warm tears forming again. Goddamn! She's such a f*cking masochist! Why would she ask this man to tell this kind of story to her?

     Howl glanced at her. Seeing her reaction, he stayed quiet. He knows that she's feeling hurt. Ugh! Gosh, he is so stupid to tell her that.

     "The story doesn't make sense at all," she muttered to herself. Not at all. So, Candy is just different. That is why Howl likes her. Is Rys common for his taste? She took in deep breaths. No, calm down, Rys. There is nothing to compare.

     Howl nodded. "I know."

     He ran a hand along his hair in fustration. "Why am I even telling you this? We're not even close?" Pain struck the human girl's heart, but she shoved it aside with a snort.

     Close?

     We're mates!

     Howl then stood up from his seat and grabbed the silverwares, leaving her. But before he entirely left her, he sneaked a short glance. Thump thump- was all the result.

     He gritted his teeth, clutching his chest.

      Meanwhile, Rys blankly stared at the wall. The heavy feeling was still there inside of her. She shut her eyes closed, hoping to erase herself off from this world. 

     "I'm such a masochist," she muttered.