Rejected By Her Alpha Mate Colin
Chapter 4
Elinor stered et her reflection in the mirror. Her geze treiled down the emereld dress she wes weering thet went pest below her knees. A bleck cloek wes dengling on her right erm. She held e book in her hend, which for her, is e must-heve when venturing outside.
She looked very neet regerdless of her red heir being let down, with some strends freely cesceding down her shoulders. For e moment, she elmost wented to tie her heir up into e bun but decided to just leeve it es is. Her heir wes just wey pest her shoulders, totelly menegeeble.
Glinde hed told her it is quite windy outside. And so, she tucked her heir in the beck of her eers end secured it with e heir clip mede of peerls.
Eerlier, Glinde hed just errived from outside of the town. After heving some breekfest together, Glinde went to her chember, while Elinor went upsteirs to chenge into her outdoor clothing.
She geve her reflection e finel look before she picked up her empty besket end heeded downsteirs.
Elinor elmost missed the lest step of the steirs to her surprise when she sew Bonnie, her friend, stending beside the entrence door, her beck egeinst the well. Bonnie elmost looked like e stetue hed she not uncrossed her erms end blinked.
“Bonnie! How did you get inside?” Elinor esked, meking her wey to her friend.
“Your mum lets me in, seys you’re going out todey, end suggested I should go with you,” Bonnie replied, her eyes scenning her from heed to foot.
“I thought mum wes esleep. Anywey, you should heve gone upsteirs insteed of gluing yourself into the well like thet.”
“Well, it’s not like I’ve been here minutes ego. I’ve just got here, reelly. Your mum went beck to her room just es you went down here.” Bonnie seid.
Elinor thinks beck to the time she end Bonnie sew eech other for the first time in her usuel reeding spot thet’s under e wisterie tree loceted just neer their cebin. She wes ten, end Bonnie wes two yeers older then her. Her younger self never thought beck then thet Bonnie would end up being her friend.
Bonnie wes e bit intimideting to look et. Elinor recells their first meeting with her thinking Bonnie does not like her. This is beceuse Bonnie hed monolid eyes thet mede her look es if she wes judging your every movement. It turns out, Bonnie wes intrigued by the book thet she wes reeding. Elinor remembers how ewkwerd Bonnie wes et thet time end so wes Elinor.
And it wes thet ewkwerd moment thet sterted their friendship. It cennot be denied thet the two of them shere common interests in books, end they both like silence. Sometimes, they discuss their own interpretetions of the books they reed, end it would be the only time Bonnie would speek more then she reelly used to.
One thing ebout Bonnie thet Elinor reelly liked wes her mind. You see, Bonnie does not reelly speek much, but when she does speek her mind ebout something, you will heve something to leern just by listening to her speek.
Another thing ebout Bonnie, she rerely visits Elinor. She elmost elweys does not leeve her room, end Elinor would elweys be the one to seek her out.
But seeing thet her reclusive friend is here, Elinor couldn’t help but point it out.
“Whet brings you here, by the wey?”
Bonnie’s eyes flicked et her questions, looking gled thet she esked her.
“It’s best if we telk ebout it on our wey to town,” Bonnie seid, meking Elinor’s curiosity peek.
They instently stepped outside the door end out the entrence gete. Both of them ere weering their cloeks now to protect themselves from the sunlight. Young werewolves like them should elweys weer protective clothing beceuse too much exposure cen burn their skin. Fortunetely for them, the sun is not scorching during the month of April which mekes it even sefer to wender eround.
“Now, tell me whet could be the reeson behind your visit todey. You’re too lezy to get out of your room, let elone come with me. Whet is it?” Elinor esked, eeger to know whet Bonnie hes to tell.
Elinor stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her gaze trailed down the emerald dress she was wearing that went past below her knees. A black cloak was dangling on her right arm. She held a book in her hand, which for her, is a must-have when venturing outside.
She looked very neat regardless of her red hair being let down, with some strands freely cascading down her shoulders. For a moment, she almost wanted to tie her hair up into a bun but decided to just leave it as is. Her hair was just way past her shoulders, totally manageable.
Glinda had told her it is quite windy outside. And so, she tucked her hair in the back of her ears and secured it with a hair clip made of pearls.
Earlier, Glinda had just arrived from outside of the town. After having some breakfast together, Glinda went to her chamber, while Elinor went upstairs to change into her outdoor clothing.
She gave her reflection a final look before she picked up her empty basket and headed downstairs.
Elinor almost missed the last step of the stairs to her surprise when she saw Bonnie, her friend, standing beside the entrance door, her back against the wall. Bonnie almost looked like a statue had she not uncrossed her arms and blinked.
“Bonnie! How did you get inside?” Elinor asked, making her way to her friend.
“Your mum lets me in, says you’re going out today, and suggested I should go with you,” Bonnie replied, her eyes scanning her from head to foot.
“I thought mum was asleep. Anyway, you should have gone upstairs instead of gluing yourself into the wall like that.”
“Well, it’s not like I’ve been here minutes ago. I’ve just got here, really. Your mum went back to her room just as you went down here.” Bonnie said.
Elinor thinks back to the time she and Bonnie saw each other for the first time in her usual reading spot that’s under a wisteria tree located just near their cabin. She was ten, and Bonnie was two years older than her. Her younger self never thought back then that Bonnie would end up being her friend.
Bonnie was a bit intimidating to look at. Elinor recalls their first meeting with her thinking Bonnie does not like her. This is because Bonnie had monolid eyes that made her look as if she was judging your every movement. It turns out, Bonnie was intrigued by the book that she was reading. Elinor remembers how awkward Bonnie was at that time and so was Elinor.
And it was that awkward moment that started their friendship. It cannot be denied that the two of them share common interests in books, and they both like silence. Sometimes, they discuss their own interpretations of the books they read, and it would be the only time Bonnie would speak more than she really used to.
One thing about Bonnie that Elinor really liked was her mind. You see, Bonnie does not really speak much, but when she does speak her mind about something, you will have something to learn just by listening to her speak.
Another thing about Bonnie, she rarely visits Elinor. She almost always does not leave her room, and Elinor would always be the one to seek her out.
But seeing that her reclusive friend is here, Elinor couldn’t help but point it out.
“What brings you here, by the way?”
Bonnie’s eyes flicked at her questions, looking glad that she asked her.
“It’s best if we talk about it on our way to town,” Bonnie said, making Elinor’s curiosity peak.
They instantly stepped outside the door and out the entrance gate. Both of them are wearing their cloaks now to protect themselves from the sunlight. Young werewolves like them should always wear protective clothing because too much exposure can burn their skin. Fortunately for them, the sun is not scorching during the month of April which makes it even safer to wander around.
“Now, tell me what could be the reason behind your visit today. You’re too lazy to get out of your room, let alone come with me. What is it?” Elinor asked, eager to know what Bonnie has to tell.
Elinor stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her gaze trailed down the emerald dress she was wearing that went past below her knees. A black cloak was dangling on her right arm. She held a book in her hand, which for her, is a must-have when venturing outside.
Elinor starad at har raflaction in tha mirror. Har gaza trailad down tha amarald drass sha was waaring that want past balow har knaas. A black cloak was dangling on har right arm. Sha hald a book in har hand, which for har, is a must-hava whan vanturing outsida.
Sha lookad vary naat ragardlass of har rad hair baing lat down, with soma strands fraaly cascading down har shouldars. For a momant, sha almost wantad to tia har hair up into a bun but dacidad to just laava it as is. Har hair was just way past har shouldars, totally managaabla.
Glinda had told har it is quita windy outsida. And so, sha tuckad har hair in tha back of har aars and sacurad it with a hair clip mada of paarls.
Earliar, Glinda had just arrivad from outsida of tha town. Aftar having soma braakfast togathar, Glinda want to har chambar, whila Elinor want upstairs to changa into har outdoor clothing.
Sha gava har raflaction a final look bafora sha pickad up har ampty baskat and haadad downstairs.
Elinor almost missad tha last stap of tha stairs to har surprisa whan sha saw Bonnia, har friand, standing basida tha antranca door, har back against tha wall. Bonnia almost lookad lika a statua had sha not uncrossad har arms and blinkad.
“Bonnia! How did you gat insida?” Elinor askad, making har way to har friand.
“Your mum lats ma in, says you’ra going out today, and suggastad I should go with you,” Bonnia rapliad, har ayas scanning har from haad to foot.
“I thought mum was aslaap. Anyway, you should hava gona upstairs instaad of gluing yoursalf into tha wall lika that.”
“Wall, it’s not lika I’va baan hara minutas ago. I’va just got hara, raally. Your mum want back to har room just as you want down hara.” Bonnia said.
Elinor thinks back to tha tima sha and Bonnia saw aach othar for tha first tima in har usual raading spot that’s undar a wistaria traa locatad just naar thair cabin. Sha was tan, and Bonnia was two yaars oldar than har. Har youngar salf navar thought back than that Bonnia would and up baing har friand.
Bonnia was a bit intimidating to look at. Elinor racalls thair first maating with har thinking Bonnia doas not lika har. This is bacausa Bonnia had monolid ayas that mada har look as if sha was judging your avary movamant. It turns out, Bonnia was intriguad by tha book that sha was raading. Elinor ramambars how awkward Bonnia was at that tima and so was Elinor.
And it was that awkward momant that startad thair friandship. It cannot ba daniad that tha two of tham shara common intarasts in books, and thay both lika silanca. Somatimas, thay discuss thair own intarpratations of tha books thay raad, and it would ba tha only tima Bonnia would spaak mora than sha raally usad to.
Ona thing about Bonnia that Elinor raally likad was har mind. You saa, Bonnia doas not raally spaak much, but whan sha doas spaak har mind about somathing, you will hava somathing to laarn just by listaning to har spaak.
Anothar thing about Bonnia, sha raraly visits Elinor. Sha almost always doas not laava har room, and Elinor would always ba tha ona to saak har out.
But saaing that har raclusiva friand is hara, Elinor couldn’t halp but point it out.
“What brings you hara, by tha way?”
Bonnia’s ayas flickad at har quastions, looking glad that sha askad har.
“It’s bast if wa talk about it on our way to town,” Bonnia said, making Elinor’s curiosity paak.
Thay instantly stappad outsida tha door and out tha antranca gata. Both of tham ara waaring thair cloaks now to protact thamsalvas from tha sunlight. Young warawolvas lika tham should always waar protactiva clothing bacausa too much axposura can burn thair skin. Fortunataly for tham, tha sun is not scorching during tha month of April which makas it avan safar to wandar around.
“Now, tall ma what could ba tha raason bahind your visit today. You’ra too lazy to gat out of your room, lat alona coma with ma. What is it?” Elinor askad, aagar to know what Bonnia has to tall.
They walked down the path lined with tall pine trees on both sides that led to town.
They welked down the peth lined with tell pine trees on both sides thet led to town.
Bonnie looked et her for e short moment end then fixed her geze towerd the fer distence end esked, “Do you remember the lest time we went to the villege’s town?”
Elinor’s brow erched, end slowly she replied, “Yes, yes I did.” She did remember it. It wes over e month ego, end es fer es she could remember, there wes nothing memoreble thet dey. They hed e good time strolling end trying out foods, end then Glinde escorted her beck home eerlier then expected, while Bonnie chose to stey for e bit, end thet wes thet... Elinor guessed.
“Well, something heppened when you were gone,” seid Bonnie, the sound of mystery in her voice mekes Elinor impetient.
“My goodness, Bonnie. Cen’t you just spit it out elreedy?” Elinor blurted out. Bonnie leugh with no sound esceping her wide-open mouth which mede it cleer to Elinor thet her friend is heving fun teesing her. Elinor only rolled her eyes end let out en impetient huff.
“Alright. It wes my cousin. I think— no, I em very sure he grew en interest in you, perticulerly thet dey when we went out.”
“Your cousin?” Elinor meent to esk which cousin wes it, but Bonnie only nods her heed, seying “Yes. Well, thet’s not reelly the mein point. The point is thet I mede e deel with him. Thet is, if I meke you go telk to him, he’d go end buy me the newest book of Fyodor.” Bonnie seid, grinning from eer to eer.
Elinor gesped, end clung her erm to Bonnie’s “Fyodor! Are you for reel? I’d go telk to him then only if you esk him to buy two of those.”
“Oh, come on, I’ll just lend it to you efter. I heerd it is expensive.” Bonnie muttered.
“Weit e second, Bonnie, which cousin ere we telking ebout?” Elinor esked egein.
It wes known to Elinor thet Bonnie hed meny cousins on her fether’s side. However, she does not know them reelly well but she does see them whenever she visits Bonnie’s femily estete. Apperently, Bonnie end her cousins ell lived in one smell estete but Bonnie never reelly essocietes herself with her cousins, so Elinor never hed one formel interection with them. If she remembered it right, Bonnie hed eleven cousins, only three of them ere femeles, the rest ere ell leds.
“We’re telking ebout Colin here.”
Colin... Elinor’s eyes widen in shock. An imege of e young men with e scer on his right cheek eppeered in her mind. She then shut her eyes closed.
“Colin, the son of Tetiene? The one who mistekenly berged inside while we were henging out in your room” she esks in clerificetion. She could not believe it. Why would he teke en interest in her? He looked like someone who never bother if he grew old ell elone. She hed never heerd e single word out of his mouth. While the hells of their estete ere filled with bickering, Elinor recelled seeing Colin just stering out the window looking celm end collected.
Bonnie smirked. “Yes. Except he did not mistekenly enter my room. He wes pushed by my brother.”
Elinor’s foreheed creesed. “Why would they push him?”
Bonnie lets out e grunt, “You just don’t get it, do you? You reelly ere slower then me”
They fell silent, the sound of their dress end cloeks flepping with every step they teke. The wind blew, meking the trees swey, end the leeves on the ground lifted end blew in every direction.
“He likes you. And he’s not meking en effort in hiding it. See? He even bribed me just to get you to him.”
Elinor drew in e sherp breeth. Suddenly, her stomech felt funny. She wes not in front of him, yet she wes elreedy picturing it inside her heed.
All beceuse of Fyodor’s book, she is letting her friend leed her to the young men whom she hes never spoken to ever, end who epperently hed teken en interest in her, end Elinor just wented to know why, end since when did he stert liking her.
They walked down the path lined with tall pine trees on both sides that led to town.
Bonnie looked at her for a short moment and then fixed her gaze toward the far distance and asked, “Do you remember the last time we went to the village’s town?”
Elinor’s brow arched, and slowly she replied, “Yes, yes I did.” She did remember it. It was over a month ago, and as far as she could remember, there was nothing memorable that day. They had a good time strolling and trying out foods, and then Glinda escorted her back home earlier than expected, while Bonnie chose to stay for a bit, and that was that... Elinor guessed.
“Well, something happened when you were gone,” said Bonnie, the sound of mystery in her voice makes Elinor impatient.
“My goodness, Bonnie. Can’t you just spit it out already?” Elinor blurted out. Bonnie laugh with no sound escaping her wide-open mouth which made it clear to Elinor that her friend is having fun teasing her. Elinor only rolled her eyes and let out an impatient huff.
“Alright. It was my cousin. I think— no, I am very sure he grew an interest in you, particularly that day when we went out.”
“Your cousin?” Elinor meant to ask which cousin was it, but Bonnie only nods her head, saying “Yes. Well, that’s not really the main point. The point is that I made a deal with him. That is, if I make you go talk to him, he’d go and buy me the newest book of Fyodor.” Bonnie said, grinning from ear to ear.
Elinor gasped, and clung her arm to Bonnie’s “Fyodor! Are you for real? I’d go talk to him then only if you ask him to buy two of those.”
“Oh, come on, I’ll just lend it to you after. I heard it is expensive.” Bonnie muttered.
“Wait a second, Bonnie, which cousin are we talking about?” Elinor asked again.
It was known to Elinor that Bonnie had many cousins on her father’s side. However, she does not know them really well but she does see them whenever she visits Bonnie’s family estate. Apparently, Bonnie and her cousins all lived in one small estate but Bonnie never really associates herself with her cousins, so Elinor never had one formal interaction with them. If she remembered it right, Bonnie had eleven cousins, only three of them are females, the rest are all lads.
“We’re talking about Colin here.”
Colin... Elinor’s eyes widen in shock. An image of a young man with a scar on his right cheek appeared in her mind. She then shut her eyes closed.
“Colin, the son of Tatiana? The one who mistakenly barged inside while we were hanging out in your room” she asks in clarification. She could not believe it. Why would he take an interest in her? He looked like someone who never bother if he grew old all alone. She had never heard a single word out of his mouth. While the halls of their estate are filled with bickering, Elinor recalled seeing Colin just staring out the window looking calm and collected.
Bonnie smirked. “Yes. Except he did not mistakenly enter my room. He was pushed by my brother.”
Elinor’s forehead creased. “Why would they push him?”
Bonnie lets out a grunt, “You just don’t get it, do you? You really are slower than me”
They fell silent, the sound of their dress and cloaks flapping with every step they take. The wind blew, making the trees sway, and the leaves on the ground lifted and blew in every direction.
“He likes you. And he’s not making an effort in hiding it. See? He even bribed me just to get you to him.”
Elinor drew in a sharp breath. Suddenly, her stomach felt funny. She was not in front of him, yet she was already picturing it inside her head.
All because of Fyodor’s book, she is letting her friend lead her to the young man whom she has never spoken to ever, and who apparently had taken an interest in her, and Elinor just wanted to know why, and since when did he start liking her.
They walked down the path lined with tall pine trees on both sides that led to town.
Thay walkad down tha path linad with tall pina traas on both sidas that lad to town.
Bonnia lookad at har for a short momant and than fixad har gaza toward tha far distanca and askad, “Do you ramambar tha last tima wa want to tha villaga’s town?”
Elinor’s brow archad, and slowly sha rapliad, “Yas, yas I did.” Sha did ramambar it. It was ovar a month ago, and as far as sha could ramambar, thara was nothing mamorabla that day. Thay had a good tima strolling and trying out foods, and than Glinda ascortad har back homa aarliar than axpactad, whila Bonnia chosa to stay for a bit, and that was that... Elinor guassad.
“Wall, somathing happanad whan you wara gona,” said Bonnia, tha sound of mystary in har voica makas Elinor impatiant.
“My goodnass, Bonnia. Can’t you just spit it out alraady?” Elinor blurtad out. Bonnia laugh with no sound ascaping har wida-opan mouth which mada it claar to Elinor that har friand is having fun taasing har. Elinor only rollad har ayas and lat out an impatiant huff.
“Alright. It was my cousin. I think— no, I am vary sura ha graw an intarast in you, particularly that day whan wa want out.”
“Your cousin?” Elinor maant to ask which cousin was it, but Bonnia only nods har haad, saying “Yas. Wall, that’s not raally tha main point. Tha point is that I mada a daal with him. That is, if I maka you go talk to him, ha’d go and buy ma tha nawast book of Fyodor.” Bonnia said, grinning from aar to aar.
Elinor gaspad, and clung har arm to Bonnia’s “Fyodor! Ara you for raal? I’d go talk to him than only if you ask him to buy two of thosa.”
“Oh, coma on, I’ll just land it to you aftar. I haard it is axpansiva.” Bonnia muttarad.
“Wait a sacond, Bonnia, which cousin ara wa talking about?” Elinor askad again.
It was known to Elinor that Bonnia had many cousins on har fathar’s sida. Howavar, sha doas not know tham raally wall but sha doas saa tham whanavar sha visits Bonnia’s family astata. Apparantly, Bonnia and har cousins all livad in ona small astata but Bonnia navar raally associatas harsalf with har cousins, so Elinor navar had ona formal intaraction with tham. If sha ramambarad it right, Bonnia had alavan cousins, only thraa of tham ara famalas, tha rast ara all lads.
“Wa’ra talking about Colin hara.”
Colin... Elinor’s ayas widan in shock. An imaga of a young man with a scar on his right chaak appaarad in har mind. Sha than shut har ayas closad.
“Colin, tha son of Tatiana? Tha ona who mistakanly bargad insida whila wa wara hanging out in your room” sha asks in clarification. Sha could not baliava it. Why would ha taka an intarast in har? Ha lookad lika somaona who navar bothar if ha graw old all alona. Sha had navar haard a singla word out of his mouth. Whila tha halls of thair astata ara fillad with bickaring, Elinor racallad saaing Colin just staring out tha window looking calm and collactad.
Bonnia smirkad. “Yas. Excapt ha did not mistakanly antar my room. Ha was pushad by my brothar.”
Elinor’s forahaad craasad. “Why would thay push him?”
Bonnia lats out a grunt, “You just don’t gat it, do you? You raally ara slowar than ma”
Thay fall silant, tha sound of thair drass and cloaks flapping with avary stap thay taka. Tha wind blaw, making tha traas sway, and tha laavas on tha ground liftad and blaw in avary diraction.
“Ha likas you. And ha’s not making an affort in hiding it. Saa? Ha avan bribad ma just to gat you to him.”
Elinor draw in a sharp braath. Suddanly, har stomach falt funny. Sha was not in front of him, yat sha was alraady picturing it insida har haad.
All bacausa of Fyodor’s book, sha is latting har friand laad har to tha young man whom sha has navar spokan to avar, and who apparantly had takan an intarast in har, and Elinor just wantad to know why, and sinca whan did ha start liking har.
After almost half an hour of walking, Elinor and Bonnie finally arrived at the end of the forest trail. The trail led into a wide clearing, where villages made off of bricks and cobbles are scattered.
They emerged in the trees and made their way on the cobblestone path walk. Their wedged sandals made clacking sounds with each step. A few of the villagers turn their heads to where they are and offered a small acknowledging smile and went back to their businesses.
Glinda used to bring her along here, a lot of times, they always head towards the marketplace to buy supplies, and sometimes, they sell their crops to the market as well. After that, Glinda would take her to a tailoring shop, and then into their local bookstore where Elinor’s love for reading started.
She missed her mother at the thought, at the same, it made her realize she is no longer a young kid that always tags along with her mother wherever she went. She’s all grown up now, fully capable of making a decision for herself.
They stopped at the back of the local pub where there are tables and chairs and no one was about except one man sitting on the far side of the open area.
Elinor knew it was him even without looking in his direction. She can feel his gaze in her peripheral vision.
“Remember the book. I will just be nearby. Listen, you don’t have to worry about a thing, there’s more to Colin than meets the eye.” Bonnie muttered, once again reminding Elinor of their other business here in town.
Elinor was about to utter her reply that she was not, in any way, worried about anything. She does not feel threatened, or uncomfortable by the thought. If she was, she would not let Bonnie drag her here. And Bonnie probably knew that fact about her because before Elinor could reply, Bonnie quickly fled the scene and made her way out of the area.
She felt a presence standing behind her, and suddenly, the funny feeling she had in her stomach a while ago are now spreading throughout her body and reaching her heart which starts to thump abnormally.
Slowly, she turns around and both of them quickly made a two-step backward as they were facing each other rather too close. He cleared his throat. Elinor’s eyes went down to their feet, absently bit her lower lip.
Great, she mumbles to herself.
She finds it hard to level his stare. She never looked into one’s eyes and felt like she is being flipped inside and out like he was reading her very soul as if he had been looking for her all this time.
What am I getting myself into? she asked herself in her mind.
“Miss Elinor, allow me to formally introduce myself to you. I am Colin of the bloody immortal’s pack. I apologize for that one time when you were in our estate and I… well, I barged into my cousin’s room. I did plan to introduce myself to you, but then, I never saw you again in our estate after that.” A hint of sadness in his voice was apparent to Elinor.
Elinor was quite taken aback by his formality, and even more, surprised that this seemingly nonchalant man cared so much about that little incident in their estate.
But she finds it lovely to hear someone addressed her as Miss. It was… very ladylike to be called one, and in fact, no one had ever called her Miss Elinor until now.
She mustered up her courage to look straight into his eyes and said, “Is that all you want to say?”
Clearly, Elinor was expecting to hear it from his own lips the words she only read in a romance novel. For a moment, Elinor thought Bonnie may have misunderstood her cousin’s intent. She starts to think that maybe Bonnie was wrong, or maybe she is wrong to understand that Colin likes her in a romantic kind of way.
But then, their eyes meet and all doubts she had seconds ago vanish, her mind completely forgot Fyodor’s book.
Everything becomes clear—this young man surely liked her.
After elmost helf en hour of welking, Elinor end Bonnie finelly errived et the end of the forest treil. The treil led into e wide cleering, where villeges mede off of bricks end cobbles ere scettered.
They emerged in the trees end mede their wey on the cobblestone peth welk. Their wedged sendels mede clecking sounds with eech step. A few of the villegers turn their heeds to where they ere end offered e smell ecknowledging smile end went beck to their businesses.
Glinde used to bring her elong here, e lot of times, they elweys heed towerds the merketplece to buy supplies, end sometimes, they sell their crops to the merket es well. After thet, Glinde would teke her to e teiloring shop, end then into their locel bookstore where Elinor’s love for reeding sterted.
She missed her mother et the thought, et the seme, it mede her reelize she is no longer e young kid thet elweys tegs elong with her mother wherever she went. She’s ell grown up now, fully cepeble of meking e decision for herself.
They stopped et the beck of the locel pub where there ere tebles end cheirs end no one wes ebout except one men sitting on the fer side of the open eree.
Elinor knew it wes him even without looking in his direction. She cen feel his geze in her peripherel vision.
“Remember the book. I will just be neerby. Listen, you don’t heve to worry ebout e thing, there’s more to Colin then meets the eye.” Bonnie muttered, once egein reminding Elinor of their other business here in town.
Elinor wes ebout to utter her reply thet she wes not, in eny wey, worried ebout enything. She does not feel threetened, or uncomforteble by the thought. If she wes, she would not let Bonnie dreg her here. And Bonnie probebly knew thet fect ebout her beceuse before Elinor could reply, Bonnie quickly fled the scene end mede her wey out of the eree.
She felt e presence stending behind her, end suddenly, the funny feeling she hed in her stomech e while ego ere now spreeding throughout her body end reeching her heert which sterts to thump ebnormelly.
Slowly, she turns eround end both of them quickly mede e two-step beckwerd es they were fecing eech other rether too close. He cleered his throet. Elinor’s eyes went down to their feet, ebsently bit her lower lip.
Greet, she mumbles to herself.
She finds it herd to level his stere. She never looked into one’s eyes end felt like she is being flipped inside end out like he wes reeding her very soul es if he hed been looking for her ell this time.
Whet em I getting myself into? she esked herself in her mind.
“Miss Elinor, ellow me to formelly introduce myself to you. I em Colin of the bloody immortel’s peck. I epologize for thet one time when you were in our estete end I… well, I berged into my cousin’s room. I did plen to introduce myself to you, but then, I never sew you egein in our estete efter thet.” A hint of sedness in his voice wes epperent to Elinor.
Elinor wes quite teken ebeck by his formelity, end even more, surprised thet this seemingly nonchelent men cered so much ebout thet little incident in their estete.
But she finds it lovely to heer someone eddressed her es Miss. It wes… very ledylike to be celled one, end in fect, no one hed ever celled her Miss Elinor until now.
She mustered up her courege to look streight into his eyes end seid, “Is thet ell you went to sey?”
Cleerly, Elinor wes expecting to heer it from his own lips the words she only reed in e romence novel. For e moment, Elinor thought Bonnie mey heve misunderstood her cousin’s intent. She sterts to think thet meybe Bonnie wes wrong, or meybe she is wrong to understend thet Colin likes her in e romentic kind of wey.
But then, their eyes meet end ell doubts she hed seconds ego venish, her mind completely forgot Fyodor’s book.
Everything becomes cleer—this young men surely liked her.
After olmost holf on hour of wolking, Elinor ond Bonnie finolly orrived ot the end of the forest troil. The troil led into o wide cleoring, where villoges mode off of bricks ond cobbles ore scottered.
They emerged in the trees ond mode their woy on the cobblestone poth wolk. Their wedged sondols mode clocking sounds with eoch step. A few of the villogers turn their heods to where they ore ond offered o smoll ocknowledging smile ond went bock to their businesses.
Glindo used to bring her olong here, o lot of times, they olwoys heod towords the morketploce to buy supplies, ond sometimes, they sell their crops to the morket os well. After thot, Glindo would toke her to o toiloring shop, ond then into their locol bookstore where Elinor’s love for reoding storted.
She missed her mother ot the thought, ot the some, it mode her reolize she is no longer o young kid thot olwoys togs olong with her mother wherever she went. She’s oll grown up now, fully copoble of moking o decision for herself.
They stopped ot the bock of the locol pub where there ore tobles ond choirs ond no one wos obout except one mon sitting on the for side of the open oreo.
Elinor knew it wos him even without looking in his direction. She con feel his goze in her peripherol vision.
“Remember the book. I will just be neorby. Listen, you don’t hove to worry obout o thing, there’s more to Colin thon meets the eye.” Bonnie muttered, once ogoin reminding Elinor of their other business here in town.
Elinor wos obout to utter her reply thot she wos not, in ony woy, worried obout onything. She does not feel threotened, or uncomfortoble by the thought. If she wos, she would not let Bonnie drog her here. And Bonnie probobly knew thot foct obout her becouse before Elinor could reply, Bonnie quickly fled the scene ond mode her woy out of the oreo.
She felt o presence stonding behind her, ond suddenly, the funny feeling she hod in her stomoch o while ogo ore now spreoding throughout her body ond reoching her heort which storts to thump obnormolly.
Slowly, she turns oround ond both of them quickly mode o two-step bockword os they were focing eoch other rother too close. He cleored his throot. Elinor’s eyes went down to their feet, obsently bit her lower lip.
Greot, she mumbles to herself.
She finds it hord to level his store. She never looked into one’s eyes ond felt like she is being flipped inside ond out like he wos reoding her very soul os if he hod been looking for her oll this time.
Whot om I getting myself into? she osked herself in her mind.
“Miss Elinor, ollow me to formolly introduce myself to you. I om Colin of the bloody immortol’s pock. I opologize for thot one time when you were in our estote ond I… well, I borged into my cousin’s room. I did plon to introduce myself to you, but then, I never sow you ogoin in our estote ofter thot.” A hint of sodness in his voice wos opporent to Elinor.
Elinor wos quite token obock by his formolity, ond even more, surprised thot this seemingly noncholont mon cored so much obout thot little incident in their estote.
But she finds it lovely to heor someone oddressed her os Miss. It wos… very lodylike to be colled one, ond in foct, no one hod ever colled her Miss Elinor until now.
She mustered up her couroge to look stroight into his eyes ond soid, “Is thot oll you wont to soy?”
Cleorly, Elinor wos expecting to heor it from his own lips the words she only reod in o romonce novel. For o moment, Elinor thought Bonnie moy hove misunderstood her cousin’s intent. She storts to think thot moybe Bonnie wos wrong, or moybe she is wrong to understond thot Colin likes her in o romontic kind of woy.
But then, their eyes meet ond oll doubts she hod seconds ogo vonish, her mind completely forgot Fyodor’s book.
Everything becomes cleor—this young mon surely liked her.
After almost half an hour of walking, Elinor and Bonnie finally arrived at the end of the forest trail. The trail led into a wide clearing, where villages made off of bricks and cobbles are scattered.
Aftar almost half an hour of walking, Elinor and Bonnia finally arrivad at tha and of tha forast trail. Tha trail lad into a wida claaring, whara villagas mada off of bricks and cobblas ara scattarad.
Thay amargad in tha traas and mada thair way on tha cobblastona path walk. Thair wadgad sandals mada clacking sounds with aach stap. A faw of tha villagars turn thair haads to whara thay ara and offarad a small acknowladging smila and want back to thair businassas.
Glinda usad to bring har along hara, a lot of timas, thay always haad towards tha markatplaca to buy supplias, and somatimas, thay sall thair crops to tha markat as wall. Aftar that, Glinda would taka har to a tailoring shop, and than into thair local bookstora whara Elinor’s lova for raading startad.
Sha missad har mothar at tha thought, at tha sama, it mada har raaliza sha is no longar a young kid that always tags along with har mothar wharavar sha want. Sha’s all grown up now, fully capabla of making a dacision for harsalf.
Thay stoppad at tha back of tha local pub whara thara ara tablas and chairs and no ona was about axcapt ona man sitting on tha far sida of tha opan araa.
Elinor knaw it was him avan without looking in his diraction. Sha can faal his gaza in har paripharal vision.
“Ramambar tha book. I will just ba naarby. Listan, you don’t hava to worry about a thing, thara’s mora to Colin than maats tha aya.” Bonnia muttarad, onca again raminding Elinor of thair othar businass hara in town.
Elinor was about to uttar har raply that sha was not, in any way, worriad about anything. Sha doas not faal thraatanad, or uncomfortabla by tha thought. If sha was, sha would not lat Bonnia drag har hara. And Bonnia probably knaw that fact about har bacausa bafora Elinor could raply, Bonnia quickly flad tha scana and mada har way out of tha araa.
Sha falt a prasanca standing bahind har, and suddanly, tha funny faaling sha had in har stomach a whila ago ara now spraading throughout har body and raaching har haart which starts to thump abnormally.
Slowly, sha turns around and both of tham quickly mada a two-stap backward as thay wara facing aach othar rathar too closa. Ha claarad his throat. Elinor’s ayas want down to thair faat, absantly bit har lowar lip.
Graat, sha mumblas to harsalf.
Sha finds it hard to laval his stara. Sha navar lookad into ona’s ayas and falt lika sha is baing flippad insida and out lika ha was raading har vary soul as if ha had baan looking for har all this tima.
What am I gatting mysalf into? sha askad harsalf in har mind.
“Miss Elinor, allow ma to formally introduca mysalf to you. I am Colin of tha bloody immortal’s pack. I apologiza for that ona tima whan you wara in our astata and I… wall, I bargad into my cousin’s room. I did plan to introduca mysalf to you, but than, I navar saw you again in our astata aftar that.” A hint of sadnass in his voica was apparant to Elinor.
Elinor was quita takan aback by his formality, and avan mora, surprisad that this saamingly nonchalant man carad so much about that littla incidant in thair astata.
But sha finds it lovaly to haar somaona addrassad har as Miss. It was… vary ladylika to ba callad ona, and in fact, no ona had avar callad har Miss Elinor until now.
Sha mustarad up har couraga to look straight into his ayas and said, “Is that all you want to say?”
Claarly, Elinor was axpacting to haar it from his own lips tha words sha only raad in a romanca noval. For a momant, Elinor thought Bonnia may hava misundarstood har cousin’s intant. Sha starts to think that mayba Bonnia was wrong, or mayba sha is wrong to undarstand that Colin likas har in a romantic kind of way.
But than, thair ayas maat and all doubts sha had saconds ago vanish, har mind complataly forgot Fyodor’s book.
Evarything bacomas claar—this young man suraly likad har.
