They Took Turns Pretending to Be My Mate Chapter 08

They Took Turns Pretending to Be My Mate Chapter 08

After two weeks of rattling along with the convoy, we finally reached Northreach.

It was far colder than Southridge.

The wind swept down from the snow-covered mountains and cut across my face like a blade.

Lola was bundled in the young white wolf’s coat, her little brows furrowed as she tried once again to braid

the scarlet cord she had been struggling with throughout the journey.

Her small fingers worked clumsily at the cord.

The knots kept coming undone no matter how many times she tried, until frustration brought a fine sheen of

sweat to the tip of her nose.

“This part goes over.”

Sam spoke softly and reached out to turn the cord in the right direction for her.

I watched the two of them sitting close together and could hardly bring myself to interrupt.

Before the journey, I had assumed he was cold and difficult to approach.

Later, I realized he was simply reserved.

He blushed whenever someone stood too close while speaking to him, and if a conversation lasted more

than a few sentences, he began to stammer.

The first time it happened, I had stared at him for several seconds in surprise.

The grizzled convoy leader later mentioned that the young white wolf had secretly slipped away from

Northreach.

He had apparently wanted to gain experience and see more of the world.

Despite his height, he had only recently come of age.

The sun was nearly below the horizon, so I finally reminded her, “Lola, it’s time for us to get off.”

Lola reluctantly stuffed the half-finished cord back into Sam’s hand.

“Sam, I have to go.”

“I wanted to finish this and give it to you, but I ran out of time…”

She paused, suddenly rose onto her toes, and planted a loud kiss on his cheek.

“Goodbye, Sam!”

Then she hurried over to me.

I took her hand and was about to climb down when a voice called from behind us.

“E-Ella.”

I stopped and looked back.

Sam stood at the edge of the truck bed, his icy blue eyes startlingly bright.

Realizing he had stammered, he pressed his lips together before trying again.

“H-Have you found somewhere to stay?”

“If you haven’t…”

“Of course we haven’t!”

Lola cut him off excitedly.

“Sam, you’re from Northreach, right?”

“Then you must have somewhere to live.”

“Can Mommy and I stay with you?”

She clasped her hands together and looked at me pleadingly.

Her expression left me torn between amusement and exasperation.

My gaze drifted toward Sam, and I caught sight of his ears, which had turned completely red.

After hesitating for a moment, I looked down at Lola.

“All right, but we can’t keep imposing on him.”

Then I looked up at Sam.

“Would that be okay?”

Sam nodded almost immediately.

Without another word, he grabbed my travel bag and jumped down from the truck.

Once his feet were firmly on the ground, he turned and held out his hand to me.

I hesitated, suddenly feeling warmth rise into my cheeks.

Before I could reach for him, Lola impatiently grabbed my hand and placed it directly in Sam’s palm.

“Mommy, hurry up!”

“Sam has to lift you down first, and then it’s my turn!”

“You little troublemaker…

I glanced back at her reproachfully but still tightened my grip on Sam’s hand.