Chapter 2

Leila’s POV

“I’ll drive,” Bradley remarks, and gets the key in my hand. I immediately pulled my finger away because of the electricity that instantly crept into my core.

“What was that? I never imagine that the attraction between mates is so strong! For heaven’s sake! What will happen to me if he locks me in his arms?” I muttered.

“Hey, Leila? Are you still scared of the earlier event?” Eunice asked.

“Huh? Ahh, no. I’m okay now.” I replied to Eunice’s question and attempted a smile while avoiding looking at Liam.

“By the way, Bradley never tells me he has a sister and not an ordinary sister ... a stunning one,” Eunice remarks while admiringly looking at me.

“I told you she is not my sister! As you heard her name, she is Leila Aragon, and I’m Bradley Silva!”

Eunice didn’t let Bradley’s grumpiness get to her. Instead, she wrapped her hand around my arm and walked to the car together.

Eunice and I occupied the back seat, leaving Bradley to serve as our chauffeur.

Bradley remarked as we drove into the city. “It looked like Sapphire City had gone through a lot of changes.”

“I’m not sure since, for me, nothing has changed,” I answered while looking at the window.

“Leila, you’re already nineteen, right?” Eunice asked, and as soon as I nodded, she continued, “Then did you already found your mate?” she asked excitedly.

“Huh? Well, the thing is- I didn’t see my mate when I turned sixteen.” I couldn’t help but look at Bradley, who was staring at me in the mirror.

“Is that true? Then maybe you’ve had a boyfriend? That’s the trend now since some of us rejected our mates as I did,” Eunice utters and laughs.

My eyes widened as I looked at Eunice. “You rejected your mate? But why?” my curiosity came alive because I had never encountered someone rejecting their mate. I’m not that friendly either, so I rarely spoke to anyone.

“You can’t be serious? Mate bonds are no longer a priority in our generation. My relationship with Bradley is even more special than my connection with my mate.” Eunice declared, and looked at Bradley with so much love in her eyes.

My curiosity died as my smile quickly faded. “You mean you and Bradley were? “

“Yes!” Eunice responds quickly.

“Stop with your lie, Eunice!” Bradley’s comment brought a frown to Eunice’s face.

“Well, I’m not lying! I’m confessing my love for you, and I’m willing to do anything to win your heart!” Eunice affirmed with so much conviction.

I stared at Jacob, his eyes focused on the road, but I could feel his attention on me. The jealousy I felt for Eunice earlier- I don’t feel now because Bradley explicitly rejected her in front of me.

Eunice was thrilled when Bradley brought the car to a halt in front of our house.

“Don’t go out wearing something like that ever again.” I stopped opening the door when I heard Bradley say that.

“Is there something wrong with my dress?” I asked with a frown. You wouldn’t call my outfit conservative, but it’s not overly revealing either. I’m accustomed to wearing a dress that looks sophisticated.

“If you wish to avoid a repeat of the earlier incident, then listen to me. And if you don’t follow me and I see you wearing this dress, I will take it off myself,” Bradley utters, that shocked me even more.

“You!” I hadn’t finished what I was about to say when Bradley got out of the car.

***

“Brother!” Zeke screamed as soon as he saw Bradley entering the leaving room.

“Wow, easy! You are too big to come up to me!” Bradley’s comment laughed as Zeke acted.

“Brother, I’m only seven, but I grow fast. Perhaps our gene is too amazing, not like Sister Leila!” Zeke whispers, but it doesn’t escape my hearing.

“You little nerd! My height is perfect for a woman!” I answered and quickly pinched Zeke.

Eunice noticed me and Zeke cuddling and she said, “it looked like you have a happy family.”

“This sight is also new to me,” Bradley said.

When I noticed Bradley gazing at me, I immediately stopped and spun around.

“Is he stupid? Isn’t he aware that Eunice is already questioning his behavior?” Leila murmured. I couldn’t avoid being stressed because of the situation I didn’t want to get into.

“Where is mom?” I asked Zeke.

“Mom’s making something in the kitchen,” Zeke said, glancing at Bradley. “Have you tied the knot, brother?”

Fortunately, I was the first to walk, so Bradley and Eunice didn’t see the change in my face.

“Is it inappropriate of you to ask me such a question because of your age?” Bradley answered.

Zeke softly uttered, “I wanted you to be Leila’s mate, so I sent you her picture. It doesn’t seem to have worked out.”

“Hey, kiddo! What makes you think Liam would be an ideal match for Leila? They are siblings, right?” Eunice exclaimed, apparently not liking Zeke’s declaration.

“Hmm, they are not from the same bloodline.” Kurt revealed that the reason Leila didn’t change her last name was because my father wanted her to be Bradley’s mate.

I notice my mother coming out of the kitchen and she remarks, “It looks like my younger son did not waste time.” And in her smile, she obviously heard everything Zeke said.

“Eunice! It’s a pleasure to have you at our house. Please don’t focus on my children. They just want to tease each other, especially Zeke,” my mother said, laughing.

“Maurice Silva, it’s my pleasure to meet the best luna in the entire continent,” Eunice affirmed.

My mother hugged Eunice and her hearty laughter filled the room, “It’s true, so I can’t deny your compliments,” before turning her gaze to Bradley, “At last, you’re here. I can rest now that Alpha is here.”

Bradley gives my mother a hug and apologizes, “I know it’s not what you wanted to hear, but you have to wait another year since I’m not of the age for Alpha yet.”

My mother’s voice was gentle but firm as she reminded Bradley, “Hmm, I won’t rush you, but you need to find your mate before you can rule Sapphire.”

“Hmm, I’ll work on that,” Bradley states while staring at me.

“Mom, maybe you should take them to their room to rest before eating,” I suggested, interrupting their conversation about the mate.

“Leila, I’m not done in the kitchen, so escort Eunice to her room.”

“Zeke, go with your brother,” Maurice added.

“Mom, can I get a taste of your recipe? I can smell the spices from here!” Kurt immediately pulls our mother back to the kitchen.

“So, where is our room?” Eunice asked, grinning.