"I see the potential with us."

"So how's Enrico?" I wondered as Bradey and I walked out of the cute cafe shop. We decided to go out for breakfast today instead of being with the pack and all. Difference is good. It feels like a breath of fresh air. Of course, William messaged me three times in the last hour to make sure I was fine. Typical William. "I told you he's fine. We're planning his birthday party soon and of course, you're going to be invited. I'm excited," he grinned. This is the party, more specifically, the day where he finds out if Enrico is his mate or not. I guess they're really confident. I love to see Bradey so happy so I pray that they're mates.

"I'd love to attend. Let me know if you guys want help with anything," I accepted. Bradey nods his head and fished his keys out of his pocket. "Alright. Let's go home. I saw the baskets whipping up something with strawberries and I'd love to know what it is," he says excitedly and I roll my eyes. "Keep your attitude to yourself, missy, it's gonna taste delicious!" Bradey glared at me.

"Alright, alright."

_♤_

When we arrived Bradey yanked me out of the car and threw his keys at one of the guards. "Thank you!" He shouted as we ran inside. I noticed we passed the main kitchen. That's weird. "This isn't the main kitchen, Bradey. Where are you taking me?" I whined. He stiffened slightly which only made me suspicious. "Relax. I'm just doing you a favor," Bradey mumbled softly. He's up to something! "What is that favor? Bradey this better have nothing to do with Zaire," I snapped and tried pulling my hand away but he didn't let go. Instead, Bradey kept stringing me along with him.

"Bradey, please. I don't want to see Zaire right now. Will said to meet him in his office and-" I begged yet he kept walking. "I don't get what is the problem, you're not interested in William or whatever. It doesn't hurt to explore your options," Bradey shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't want to explore my options!" I groaned. "Just hear him out!" Bradley shouts at me before pushing me into the room and locking it in front of me. My fists collided with the wooden door as I pounded on it. "That asshole locked the door," I muttered below my breath. "It's not gonna open," Zaire spoke loudly from behind me. I turned around and noticed him leaning against the counter with a small smile on his face. "Hello..." I softly say.

This isn't going to end well, again.

"I need to apologize," he stated and stepped forward. If I could take ten steps back I would. "No, it's fine. Can we not do this? I really don't wanna and I have places to be," I brushed off and tried to open the door again with my hands behind my back. "This is the only way you'd listen to me. Please let me say this and I'm sorry about forcing Bradey to do this for me. It was the only way. I'm sorry for the whole William thing. It's just that I feel we can be something and...I don't know. I see the potential with us and I want to know if something is really there. You're special, Everest and I really don't want to pass up the opportunity so easily," Zaire says as he walked closer and closer to me.

What do I say to that? We don't know each other that much and I don't feel the same as him. Plus...we have mates. I have William. "We have mates, we don't need each other," I mumbled. He rolls his eyes and pulled me to stand between him and the countertop. "I don't see our mates anywhere. And what's so wrong with giving us a shot? If we don't work out then we tried and if we do then...we'll figure the mate thing out when it happens," Zaire softly says. His fingers on my cheek felt weird.

"Zaire..." I attempted to object. Zaire leans in to the point that his lips are hovering over mine. Neither of us said anything. One wrong move and we'll be kissing. Clearly, that's what he wants. But that's not what I want. I want William. "I-I can't. I'm sorry," I stuttered and pushed him away. He was so hurt that he let me go out of shock. The sadness in his eyes was replaced by anger. "Why? It's not like the king is your mate or anything, nothing is wrong with choosing me," he spat angrily.

"It was never a choice to make, Zaire. It was always William and it will always be William. I'm sorry," I say without thinking. Since when do I feel bad about these things? I never feel bad about rejection. "Whatever. I can't believe he got you. Fuck this shit I'm out of here," he scoffed. He pounded on the door once and Bradey opened the door. Bradey walked in.

His eyes were unreadable. For a second I just stood there waiting for him to say something. Then eventually, he did. "He's your mate, isn't he? William," Bradey's voice was fragile. "Yes," I say. Now I was slightly more confident in telling him than before.

"I fucking knew it!" His eyes lit up.