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Did she see past his simple question to extract the concern that hid behind it? It seemed like she might have with the questioning look she had that alighted her pretty features. He met it with a continually innocent and well-meaning smile. She went on to counter his observation with words that made her sound both brave and humble, quite a feat that most could not pull off in so few words. Everyone around here is kind enough. A pretty wolf like yourself would only find trouble in Alistair and his flirting. Jaden complimented shamelessly.
There was a bit of a silence that settled between them soon after that. The Obsidian male knew of many questions he could ask but opted not to. Rio seemed to be thinking rather intently about something and was afraid he might interrupt. It only prolonged their quiet moment until the other broke it with a sudden question. It left a lot of assumptions to the male. Why ask about his mate specifically? Was she that interested in him? Of course, he could have been just looking too far into her simple question. There was a strong possibility this was the case, but he was still embarrassed by her question. His claw slid back and rubbed at his neck lightly while laughed dryly before he answered, It is a bit more complicated than that. His warm smile melted into an awkward grin. We are very good friends, but to call her and I mates? Behind that awkward grin the confliction of present circumstances and small bits of pain lingered but he chose not to touch at them. Rio was doing well at distracting him from all of that at the moment. No, not mates. Not yet, at least.
That last bit was all he could manage without thinking too hard about it and possibly souring his mood. The conversation needed to be diverted from this subject and he tried smoothly. And what about you? You have no family that fear for your safety out here all by yourself? The question landed again on what he thought to be her inability to defend herself. It wasn’t insensitivity that drove it, but genuine concern. He had seen much bigger, much more skilled fighters nearly meet their ends at the jaws of the wild.
Jaden does. Jaden speaks. Jaden thinks.
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