Tasting

390–Harsh Questions

Nora:

We left the school and got into the car in silence. Nash was the one driving while Silas sat in the passenger seat with his brother. I had rushed into the back seat before either of them even sat down.

“So,” as Nash cleared his throat, I lowered my head and took a deep breath. I was mentally preparing an excuse. What would I say when they asked me about babies?

“You did April pretty dirty,” Nash continued, and I nodded my head, straightening my back and raising my gaze to look at him.

“Yeah. I am scared Ryker would punish me now,” I joked, looking outside the window. But when the silence grew thick, I turned my head to them. and found them sharing glances at my response.

“Why would he? Didn’t you hear that he had broken things off with her?” Nash sounded almost defensive.

“Oh, yeah, but if he was still dating her, he would have kicked me out of the pack again, wouldn’t he?” I shrugged.

The way they exchanged glances every time I spoke made me wonder if they were noticing the change in me. I guess I needed to tone it down a little. I was not someone who always responded sarcastically, so this new attitude must be a lot for them. To keep a low profile and avoid getting them on my back, I had to revert to my old ways.

“I mean he cared about her a lot,” it was just a statement after a whole storm, and I thought it might save me.

11:100

390–Harsh Questions

They didn’t say anything, and I thought I had perhaps gotten them off my back until they suddenly stopped the car in the middle of the road.

“Why are we stopping here?” I inquired suspiciously as Silas got out, then walked all the way to my side and opened the door for me.

“Come out, we need to talk,” he said, jerking his body and placing his hands on his waist, looking ready to confront me.

“What is it about?” I steadily got out because the two were standing around the door as if I would run away if they didn’t block me.

I now faced them, and Nash slammed the door shut behind me, making me lean back against the door since they didn’t seem to budge out of my way.

“What is going on with you?” Silas was the one who took the first step.

“What? Did I do something wrong again?” As I spoke sarcastically, Nash pointed his finger at my chest, indicating that this was exactly what he was talking about.

“You have changed. And I get it that time has passed, but it has been only a few months. There is no way someone can change like that. And you let Brody have another mate?” Nash hissed, placing his hand on the roof of the car and leaning over me.

Oh wow, I haven’t seen those eyes in so long.

“That is a situation between my husband and me-” Before I could add anything more, Silas interrupted.

“Husband? When did you two get married?” He too placed a hand on the roof of the car, almost similar to Nash. Now I had their arms extended over my shoulders from both sides.

390Harsh Questions

“When we were leaving-” Their presence was really intimidating. It confused me as well as shocked me. Since I had changed and started fighting the mutants, I faced Brody and the others with much more confidence.

I thought that would be the case with the brothers too. But screw them! I am in front of them, and I can hear my heartbeat again.

And I hated every second of it.

“That was not a wedding. It was just an acceptance, and I know for a fact that he didn’t even mark you, and you haven’t marked him. So tell me, when did you get married? And how the heck did you call it a marriage if you haven’t even marked him yet?” Silas tilted his head, his eyes fixed on my empty neck.

“It’s not like the mark would be visible,” I rolled my eyes.

“Nora! I am serious. Got it?” He bobbed his head, showing me how annoyed he was that I wasn’t answering his questions. “I can tell you are not marked.”

Even though he said those words almost under his breath, I was pretty sure they left Nash in confusion. A mate can tell if their partner has been marked, but I was wearing a ring, so I could use that excuse.

“I am wearing a ring, my magical ring. I’m sure you won’t be able to see the mark when my wolf is sleeping,” I shrugged, but he stubbornly shook

his head.

“You weren’t wearing any ring on that battlefield. So tell me, what kind of wedding did you have without marking each other?” Now he was really getting on my nerves because, after so long, I was speechless.