CALLING HIS BLUFF

CHAPTER 36: CALLING HIS BLUFF
~ Harper’s POV ~

We were standing in what looked to be a low spot on the mountain side. Trees and beautiful vegetation surrounded us. The thick canopy of trees above us caused the time of day to feel like it was around dusk. This helped intensify the plants around us. They were beautiful, like colorful flower lanterns. Illuminated colors of dark pinks, purples, yellows, and blues. Little fairies were flying all around, making it look like glitter was floating in the air. They hummed a pleasant song that gave a calming effect. There was lush green grass growing here despite the cover of the trees. They surrounded the most breathtaking aspect of it all. A stunning waterfall poured over some large boulders and landed in a beautiful blue pool of water. The water was also illuminated blue. Boulders also circled the pool with little flowers tucked in between them here and there. You could tell the pool was deep, and the water looked so refreshing. It is the most enchanting place that I have ever seen. I was speechless as Gabriel grabbed my hand again and led me to an area where a white and red checkers blanked was stretched over the grass. There was a picnic basket, wine and wine glasses. He sat down on the blanket and pulled me into his lap.
“Gabriel, when did you do all of this?” I asked him. He gave me a big smile.
“This morning, before I came to get you from your room. I wanted it to be special. Do you like it?” He asked me, looking a little nervous all of a sudden. Do I like it? How could I not? I grabbed his face between my hands. I leaned in closing the distance between us and kissed him gently and slowly. Pulling back from him. His eyes were filled with affection.
“Gabriel, I have no words to express the way I am feeling right now. I am so delighted to be in this beautiful setting with you, and I love what you have done here. You shouldn’t have done all of this for me, although I am happy that you did.” He gave me an elated smile that reflected relief as he exhaled.
“Harper, I am glad you like it here. This location is an old family secret, only a few pack members know this place exists. I came here often when I was younger. I used to get in trouble a lot. I rebelled against my father. I hated the idea of being forced to take my father's place as alpha of the pack. He expected me to act like something I am not. This place helped me through all of that.” I slid from his lap while listening to what he was telling me. His legs were crossed as he played with a loose string on the blanket. He looked bothered by something. I reached out and placed my hand on his shoulder.
“What’s wrong Gabe?” I asked him in a soft tone. He didn’t turn to look at me. He continued to play with the string on the blanket, but he answered my question.
“Like I said, this place is special to me. I brought you here because you are also special to me.” He continued. “There are things that we need to talk about before tomorrow.” I understand and agree with what he is saying. I have my worries and fears of what tomorrow will bring. I nodded my head at him, urging him to continue. “It’s hard to explain, and it sounds ridiculous to say.” He stopped playing with the string and turned to me with a serious look on his face. His silver eyes seemed to pierce deep into my soul. “Harper, I have fallen... hard for you. Feelings like this, so soon after meeting are unheard of... unless it is the mate pull. The thought of us not being fated mates, causes me to feel sick. If I am not your mate…” He stopped talking for a moment, seeming to be lost in thought. Taking a deep breath, he continued “If I am not your fated mate, I don’t know how I will continue. I say this because I know that you are mine.”

I looked at Gabriel. Heartache swelled in my chest as the thought of him hurting kills me. It’s my turn, I have something I want to say as well. Tears started to gather in my eyes, as I spoke.
“Gabriel, I have also been scared of what tomorrow will bring. I have thought about what I would do if you weren't my true mate.” He looked up to me from the blanket. “I have decided that even if you are not my true mate, I want to be with you....” I looked down, afraid of what he might say. “I mean, that’s If you still want to be with me.”

Gabriel’s shocked expression surprised me. He grabbed both my hands with his and looked me in the eyes as he spoke to me.
“Harper, what do you plan to do? Let me mark you!? That would break any bond you have with your real fated mate.” Gabriel asked me with a voice that I hadn’t heard him use toward me before. It sounded sharp and agitated. I nodded my head at him, silently replying yes to his question. He looked at me, a serious expression fell on his face. He pushed away, releasing my hands as he did. His eye took on the appearance of agitation and his nostrils flared. He was angry.
“Harper, how can you even think of doing something like that? I can’t let you do that. The mate bond is sacred, I won't take that from you.” He released my hands and stood up, pacing back and forth and running his hands through his hair. I placed my face into my hands as the tears flowed. They slid down my forearms before falling onto the blanket. I raised up and looked at Gabriel. He was still pacing back and forth. How could he talk to me like that? He is telling me what I can and can’t do again! Anger boiled over within me.
“Then what about you, huh...!?” He stopped to look at me. My voice was shaky, but I continued. “If you say that I am your true mate, then what does that mean for you? I don’t want you to hurt just as you don’t want me to hurt.” My voice was rising louder as I continued. “I know what I want, and that is you! My feelings for you are just as strong as your feelings are for me. What is the difference? I can’t imagine being with anyone else, Gabe!” I sobbed into my hands, overwhelmed by my emotions. He walked over to me and kneeled down. He brought his hand up and tucked some of my hair behind my ear.
“Harper, I am sorry.” He whispered. I looked up to him, my tears were still streaming down my face. I shook my head no. He gave me a look of confusion.
“Would you not want me anymore if the Moon Goddess decides that we are not true mates? Is that what it is? Because, if that is the case, I can better understand why you are fighting me on this. I want you if you want me, mate bond or not! Stop being an ass and let me make up my own damn mind!” At those words Gabriel crashed his lips into mine. His reaction to what I just said shocked me, but I melted into his kiss. He was in charge and taking what he wanted. He lowered me back onto the blanket and continued to devour my mouth. He slid his tongue in my mouth and I moaned, begging for more. I was all too willing to give him what he wanted. The kiss was becoming more heated, as we eagerly tasted each other. He quickly broke away from me and stood up.

I was saddened by him suddenly breaking away from me. I looked at him and gave a questioning look. He gave me a mischievous smile. The one that I can’t avoid blushing to. He bent down, taking both my hands and pulled me up. He stepped back from me and pulled his shirt over his head. Oh... oh my. My body was heating up now even more than it was before we stopped kissing.
“Come swim with me.” He said, seeming excited like a child all of a sudden. I giggled at him.
“Let me just get my swimsuit on.” I looked around wondering where I could go for privacy.
“I’ll turn around, go ahead. I won’t look, not unless you want me to.” My face heated up and I bit my lip. Damn him, giving me all these mixed signals. He wants me, he doesn’t, he wants me, he doesn’t. He is teasing me. I’ll show him, two can play that game.
“I want you to look.” I said, with a low flirty voice. He snapped his gaze up to me, surprised by what I said. Haha, take that! I thought. Don’t say you will if you don’t plan to back it up, Gabe. I gave him a seductive glare and turned around with my back facing him. I unbuttoned my shorts and slowly started to shimmy them down my hips. I was careful not to bring my underwear down with them. I heard Gabriel suck in a quick breath. I smiled to myself. Good I’m getting to him. I turned my head to look back at him. I bit my lip and gave him a provocative smile. He was frozen in his spot. I don’t think he was even breathing. Once my shorts were on the ground, I stepped out of them. Then I grabbed the bottom of my shirt and slowly pulled it over my head. My back was still facing him. I heard a low growl vibrate from his chest. I giggled at him.