Bloodbound to the Witch Heir: Claimed By Four

Celeste’s POV

*****

9:00 AM, Moonwood Pavilion Restaurant 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

It’s got to be at least five minutes since we sat here.

The restaurant was almost empty at this time—save for the staff and a group of three girls ordering from the counter.

I scratched the back of my head, blinking awkwardly at the clear glass wall beside our table. Morning sunrays illuminated our table and the two cocktail glasses.

Silas called them appetisers. To me, they were objects I gazed hard at hoping this silence would end.

Was the guy doing it on purpose?

He’s done nothing but stare at me anytime I occasionally take a sip from my drink. And gods, those hazel eyes were more intense than most would give credit.

’I should say something,’ I thought to myself, shakily grabbing my straw while keeping my head lowered. ’This is so embarrassing. Isn’t a man supposed to lead the conversation during a first date? He’s even more vocal in other meetings.’

The fingers of my free hand tapped the smooth wooden table calmly. Even though I was far from calm.

Worn out, I downed sips of the strawberry-flavoured cocktail and cleared my throat to speak—

"You’re so cute when you’re anxious." Never in a thousand years would I have imagined THAT as a first date conversation starter.

EVER.

Struggling to hide my blush, I stuttered. "I–I’m not anxious. Why would you—"

"Your stuttering says otherwise, love." He chuckled, low and unbothered. "But it’s fine. Again... I find it cute. At least you aren’t trying to pretend around me."

I finally forced myself to lift my head. Yet nothing prepared me when I met his sharp gaze on me. Or that warm, knowing smile. "Just staring at you gives me this inner serenity my mind hasn’t seen in ages." He remarked. "Gods, this feeling."

At this point, my cheeks were burning up. "Please, have mercy. Anymore compliments and I might combust."

"Not if I do first." He was fast with his response.

We chuckled, both grabbing our drinks simultaneously. He took a small drag while I chugged mine until it was halfway—the straw barely restraining me.

A satisfied belch left me. "So, Silas," I smiled, arms folding on the table. "Are you going to tell me something spicy or am I going to get smothered by your compliments?"

He grinned. "Since when did facts become compliments?"

"Don’t start."

"Too late."

My cheeks stayed flushed for several seconds as we stared into each other’s eyes.

I caught the girls at the counter whispering and giggling to themselves but barely acknowledged their existence. Not with the fine gentleman in front of me.

"Do you think they want our autographs?" He pointed at them casually even though he had his back facing them. "The Hybrid Trial winner, Academy Princess... And her little pocket boyfriend."

Seeing the way the girls shrank before fleeing the restaurant with their packaged food made me laugh. Until I mentally clocked what he just said.

"Wait..." My breath hitched. "Did you... Did you just call yourself my—"

"Boyfriend," he confirmed, head bobbing to the side. "And you my girlfriend."

When I say my chest swelled.

I didn’t know how to respond to that. How does anyone respond to that?

It felt so surreal hearing someone call himself my boyfriend again. Was that what we were now? Do I even want that—okay, yes I do!

Right?

’Fuck me...’ A knot tightened in my chest as he reached out from across the table.

His fingers wrapped around both my hands, warm, soft, reassuring. "You don’t have to make any hasty decisions. I just... Felt like putting my desire out there."

Then he smiled wryly. "And I totally understand if your mind and heart are with another. Luther. Azrael. Atlas—"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" I shook my head, leaning close as well. "No, Silas. My heart isn’t torn—I mean, it is. You should understand the mate bonds and all the emotions and..."

I exhaled, not knowing what to say. But his hands remained on mine, a gentle reminder that he was here. No matter what I decided.

Now THAT was a man I wanted by my side at all times.

"The truth, Silas," words finally came back, "is that I like you. A lot. And I would love to be your girlfriend. Make what we have official and scream it to everyone."

The questioning knit of his brows made me look away. "It’s just... With everything happening I never imagined I’d be ready for another relationship. Especially one with my ex’s brother. Not to mention, I still care about the others."

He didn’t cut me off or try to rush me. Just like he promised. He just sat there, silent and observant.

Goddess, what a man...

Am I being dumb for hesitating?

"I believe I’ve mentioned this before," he lifted my hands off the table, kissing them. "I understand the burden of the bonds. Which is why I refuse to be a burden to you on top of that."

With one final stroke on my knuckles, he swung his head to the counter. "I’ll order us some food. Forget I ever ruined the mood with—"

"YES." The word left my lips before I could stop it. But fuck it! "I–I want you, Silas. I want to be your girlfriend and I want you to be my boyfriend more than anything."

A waitress behind the counter who’d been making her way to us froze.

The air stilled, my fingers shaking at the gravity of what I just said. Of what I’d just given up.

Silas gawked, stunned even though he asked in the first place. "Are you... Are you sure, love? I told you, you don’t have to."

"But I want to," my lips curved. "I want you, Silas."

Within seconds, his surprise transformed into excitement. He laughed heartily, springing to his feet and pulling me into his arms.

"She said YES!" He exclaimed as if it were a marriage proposal. Then he waved at the hovering waitress. "You can come take our orders. Gods, I’m the happiest man alive right now."

I felt myself drifting, arms wrapping around him. His cologne. His strong muscles. I took all of it in.

He was almost too good to be true.

Still—there was an ache in my chest I could barely ignore. Three names glaring in my mind that begged for attention.

’Forget them for now, babe.’ I told myself. ’This is your new life. Your new, monogamous life. Yay...’