Chapter 12

"What are you doing? " came Arnav's surprised voice. Aadhira was drinking water when he came from behind her. She got startled and some of the content fell on her nose. She straightened herself to look at him. Was he angry because she used his kitchen! She wondered. "I...I am sorry. I was thirsty so, I came here. " she replied in fear. And it was true. She was thirsty but didn't have the courage to tell him so. So, when he excused himself to attend a call, she slipped her way to the kitchen and chose the best source of water she could find. "That's okay. But, why from the tap? " he asked as he came near her and took a glass from the cabinet to pour water for her from the water purifier. She looked at him and then towards the tap. What is wrong with drinking from the tap? She wondered. Back at home, she always drank tap water. And, the tap water in his house was much cleaner than hers'. She tried to think of an answer herself. But, failed. When Arnav brought her the glass of purified water and handed it, she asked her question. "What is wrong with this tap water?" She asked in a low voice. He wanted to laugh at her question. "What is wrong with tap water? Aren't you taught in schools, that tap water isn't potable! Water must be purified before consuming it!" He replied as if explaining to a child. "But, we have been drinking tap water since childhood, and we never got sick because of that!" "We?" He asked as his instinct pointed in some other direction. He thought she lived with someone. "My whole society people. " she answered. He nodded in understanding. "What you did till now is a past. From now on, you will get the best things. You have to take care of your health too. Okay mate? " he laid another line, and she nodded to it animatedly. For his satisfaction, she drank water from the glass he gave. "It's almost lunchtime. What would you like to have mate?" He asked reaching for vegetables from the fridge. "Anything. " she replied, her voice barely audible. "Do you eat meat, mate?" He asked. She just shook her head. It wasn't like she didn't, it's just that she never had the opportunity or money to have some. The last time she had some was when her parents were alive. And, since then she had forgotten the taste and desire for it. Arnav nodded again and made a mental note to stop purchasing meat from now on, as he thought she was a vegetarian. He could make this sacrifice for his mate easily. Aadhira stood awkwardly behind him as he continued to cook food for them like a professional. She wondered why this busy man did such chores by himself. She wanted to ask him why he did not have maids or servants to do such household things for him. Most high-class werewolves kept help at their residence. "Do you have any question in your mind, mate? " he asked, his back still facing her as he stirred the contents. Her eyebrows shot up at his question. "How did you know?" She asked instantly. He chuckled but replied in detail. "I can feel your emotions. And, I can sense your confusion strongly. Is something bothering you?" He asked. "No." She answered lowly. Arnav gave a final flick and placed the lid on the bowl to let the dish cook in the steam. He turned around to face her. "Why do you always try to dodge my questions? It was a simple question and I am sure I am not wrong about my assumption. So, tell me mate, what were you thinking just now?" He asked taking few steps to enter her personal space. She instantly took a step back, scared that he might pull her and kiss her again. "I just wanted to know why you don't have help at your house?" She asked quickly to get away from his intense gaze. "Oh! I like to do my work myself." He answered and turned around to resume the cooking. She released the breath she was holding. He really scared her. His everything did. His stare, eyes, height, build, everything. And, she only wondered whether how she would live his future days with him until she finds a way to escape. . . . . The rest of the day, he tried to build up a decent conversation with her. But, she couldn't respond well to him. All his questions were mostly about something that she had no answer to! Like, her favorite movie or dish or what did she wants to do in life. Even if she did, she didn't know how to tell him. How could she tell him that she wanted to get a decent job in a clinic followed by marrying a decent man and have two children! That was her sweet little dream of a happy life. But, destiny had something else planned for her. Who knew her life would become soo dramatic! The biggest blow that made her mind numb was when he expressed his desire to mark her soon. He shamelessly talked about the mating process too and clearly indicated that he'd make her his soon in all respects. Since, that talk, she had been in hypersensitive mode. She could clearly feel his intense gaze roaming all over her body from time to time. He would even become bold enough to run his hands on her upper thigh or lower back sometimes. After dinner, he took her back to their room. "Would you like to take a bath before getting to bed?" Arnav asked. She looked at him and thought over it. Even though she didn't prefer to bathe at night, she took the offer. It would give her an excuse to hide away from him. "But, I don't have clothes to wear." "That's no problem. The towel will be in there. And, you can wear my clothes till you have your own set." He suggested. She nodded and quickly made her way inside the bathroom. It was similar to the one she had used in his study. With quite a spacious and white tiled floor as expected. The shower head was at the corner shielded by a wide translucent curtain. She carefully turned the knob to close the bathroom door making sure it was locked before she stripped out of her clothes. She had heard stories of wolves entering the bathroom secretly to watch their mate. And, she wanted to avoid it. She had had enough physical contact with him since they had met. She didn't have the strength to have any more. She just prayed for him to have control over his instinct of marking her as he talked about in the evening. The mere thought brought goosebumps on her skin. She folded her clothes neatly and placed them on the slab. After turning on the shower, she tested the waters. It was warm and soothing. She immediately came under the flowing water and closed her eyes, entering her own world. What would she do if he'd try to mark her! She wondered. In most cases, wolves mate and then mark their mates. And, she wasn't ready for any of these. What would she actually do at this time? Where would she run? A deep sigh escaped her mouth and she wanted to laugh at her fate. "Truly beautiful! " came his voice from behind her. Her scream echoed in the whole bathroom as she turned around to face his lust-filled eyes.