“Talking about mates…” I pause, my voice trailing off.
“Okay,” she smirks. “Lay it on me. Did you lose your virginity to him?”
“No.” I pause, blushing a bit. “Not yet. We almost went all the way, but I got scared, and he stopped.”
“I commend him for doing so. Some Alphas just take what they want and blame the mate bond for it later on.” She pauses, looking at me thoughtfully. “So, what’s the problem, hun? Don’t you want to get intimate with him?”
“Hell yes, I want to. But he is…” I flush. “Well built.”
“Oh.” Her eyes widen.
I nod. “I know he will be gentle and all, but I wonder how he will fit inside me. I mean… I’m feeling a bit worried, but I want him so much. I want to be prepared.”
“Being prepared is the key,” Harmony points out.
“What do you mean?”
“There is foreplay. He can stretch you… there is lube,” she explains. “Don’t forget to buy some.”
“But don’t we get wet anyway? Why use lube?”
“Yeah, not using lube is so last century,” she snorts. “Listen, Annie. Lube helps to slick him up more. Why not take advantage of something we have so easily available!? It makes everything more fun and less painful. Eventually, you might not need it, but for the beginning… give it a try.”
I nod tentatively. “Ella said her first time hurt.”
“It’s not the same for every woman,” Harmony explains. “If you want, I can give you a few tips and tell you how it was for me.”
I nod, thankfully. “I owe you one.”
“You don’t,” she laughs slightly.
We continue chatting and talking for most of the night until finally falling asleep in the early morning hours. Talking with Harmony was the best idea I have had in a long while. Suddenly my fears are a lot less scary… they are still here in the back of my mind, but my urge to get closer to Liam is stronger. It’s all right to want him. The Moon Goddess paired me with him. She wouldn’t have done that if we weren’t compatible.
When Dave shuffles past me, a box with some cups in his arms, it feels like a déjà-vu.
“Wow,” Ella states dryly. “Please tell me your man pays because I can’t afford this shit.”
“He definitely pays,” Ari smirks. “You think I would be able to afford this place otherwise?”
The place Liam rented is too large than what I was going for. Me, Ella, and Ari… and all my other friends could fit in here comfortably. Including their to-be mates and probably even their parents. And their pets.
“You really are his princess,” Ella muses. She tries to go for a teasing tone, but I can hear the fondness in her voice. I hug her and press my lips against the side of her head. “Thanks for playing along with this.”
“I would never leave you alone in this situation,” Ella says. “If you are his princess, you are my queen.” She grins. “And who am I kidding? Staying in this apartment for free is like a dream come true.”
Ari laughs, nodding.
“You can continue to stay here when I move out,” I tell her. “I know you still have your dorm room, but actually, the plan is to have Finn move in here too. Ever since these guys snuck into my dorm room and took these photos, Liam and his father are both on edge.”
“She is right,” Ari nods. “Alpha Elden was furious, and he doesn’t quite trust the dorm’s security system anymore.”
I take her hand before Ella can tell me she can’t accept Liam’s offer. “Liam said that if you really don't want to stay, I should explain it to you this way: you would be doing him a favor if you stay here and make sure the apartment is being well looked after.”
Ella tilts her head. “You mean I could clean and do some housework and in return stay here?”
“What do you think?”
“I think I could live with that,” she muses. “Your mate is nice, and he doesn’t even know me yet.”