I sighed. "I know."
"This... human. You know for a fact he's your fated mate?"
"Yes," I said with absolute certainty.
Deep down, I'd known it for years. I never imagined a future with anybody except Nikolas. He was the one. I was put on this earth to be with him.
Bo smiled. "I have to admit, I'm a little jealous. Even from that one word, I can tell how much you love this omega."
"You're a wonderful person, Bo. I know your fated mate is out there somewhere."
He chuckled. "Thanks. So, how are you gonna break the news to your parents?"
That was the thing I'd been dreading. I loved my family. I didn't want to let them down, but this was my life. I couldn't forsake my soul bond with Nikolas because I feared their disappointment.
Even now, my inner qilin wanted to break out of this human skin and race down the mountain to be at Nikolas's side. The distance between us made me itch. It dawned on me that I couldn't keep up this charade for much longer. The truth was clawing its way to the surface.
And the truth was that IneededNikolas.
I got up from the table. "I have to go," I said apologetically.
He nodded in understanding. "You're fated. I get it."
"I'm so sorry, Bo. I had a wonderful time and I'd like to be friends, if that's okay with you."
Bo grinned and shook my hand. "Sure. I'd like that too. And I'm not just saying that to be polite. Who else can say they're friends with the qilin who fell in love with a human?"
I laughed. "Thank you. I'll see you another time."
After I laid the money on the table and exchanged a quick goodbye, I crept to the edge of the forest, shifted, and heeded my soul's calling.
7
Nikolas
Jian was gone by morning,just like he said he would be. He'd always been a man of his word, after all, even if that word sucked for me.
It was a work day so at least my brain was distracted by nagging customers all day instead of burning with thoughts of Jian. But every time I saw a happy couple walking hand in hand, pointing out potential decor for their love nest, I felt a pang of jealousy.
That could be me and Jian.
Ha!
As if. We were Just Friends with a capital J and F. He'd shown no romantic interest in me, aside from getting all cozy together last night. The memory made my cheeks heat up. That was a thing friends did, right? Cuddling on the couch on top of each other? I mean, come on, we hadn't seen each other in a freaking decade. A little touchy-feelyness was bound to be expected.
I shook the thought away, refusing to give it any hope to cling to, and went back to stocking shelves and helping lost customers.
By the time I got back home, I was exhausted. I filled DJ Muffin's food dish and collapsed on the couch. The place was untouched since Jian's sleepover, like my subconscious was pathetically trying to preserve it as a treasure. Even more pathetic was the way I leaned over to sniff the pillow.
A shiver went down my spine. It still smelled like Jian.
I bit my lip. It was shameful the way his scent went straight to my balls, making my cock ache with need.
My hand crept down between my legs.
Would it be too embarrassing if I jacked off while smelling the pillow he used last night?
Just as I closed my eyes, a knock came from the door.
