Don't Leave Me, Mate (by AlisTae)

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"lan, why are you looking at them like this? They will feel easy," Ronald said to far.

For quite some time, Tan had been fixating his gaze on Ava and Stephen.

It bothered him that Ava was getting closer and closer to Stephen. He was mad at Stephen because, last night,

when he asked him about what Ava was saying to him, he replied that it was nothing much.

It was obvious that something was going on between them and he did not want to tell him about it.

"Don't you think he is talking too much with that nerd?" lab asked his friends.

"Everyone is aware of Stephen's personality. He never engages in unnecessary conversations with others. There must be a reason," Cryan assumed.

"But what might be the reason?" Paul asked.

"There is nothing, guys. He is a man. He can fall for anyone you know," Ronald said, glancing at lan.

lan furrowed his brow and turned to him. "What did you just say?"

"What? Did I say anything wrong? Don't you all agree with me?" Ronald asked others.

lan scoffed at him and replied,

"I know him. He can't fall for that nerdy omega. In fact, no one can fall for a weak girl like her." Ronald nodded his head. "Who knows what he really wants? But I feel like you are telling it to yourself." lan gave him an indifferent expression, indicating that he did not care.

"Why am I getting the impression that you are jealous of Steph because he is talking to your ex-mate?" "Excuse me? Is there anything about her that piques my interest or makes me jealous?" lan asked with a scoff. However, his eyes turned darker when he saw Stephen hugging Ava. His jaw clenched as he stared at them.

He saw Ava hand her phone to Stephen, as if they were exchanging phone numbers.

Ronald raised his eyebrows and looked around at his other friends, who were also looking at him.

"Cherry on top, he got the girl's number."

"Now this looks serious. We have to ask him," Paulo said.

lan tightened his fists. He had no idea what was causing him to feel that way

inside. He wanted to go to Ava and scolded her for giving her contact number to anyone else.

'How cheap she is! She is giving around her number to other boys!' lan thought.

After some time had passed, Ava left, and Stephen eventually came back to join them.

"What were you talking about? It took too long," Paulo asked him.

Stephen had a big smile on his face, which made lan frown.

"You look like you have won a lottery."

"Bro, I have got more than that. I can't explain to you all how happy I am right now."

30

Ronald patted his shoulder and said,

"Then tell us."

Ewetw

Stephen was about to speak, but he glanced at lan and recalled what Ava had told her.

She asked him to keep it a secret from everyone until their parents married.

"I am so sorry, guys. I can't tell you anything right now. But I will let you know about it soon. I promise."

lan did not say anything to him. He did not want to argue with his friend about anything. He was about to leave when Stephen stopped him.

"Don't forget about tonight's party."

"Not coming," lan replied without hesitation.

"Why?"

"Not in the mood today."

"You never say no to a party. In fact, I invited Nova for you.

Hearing that, lan glared at him. "Why did you invite her? You all know I don't like her at all."

Stephen shook his head and replied,noveldrama

"But you made her your girlfriend. How can I not invite her?"

lan rolled his eyes. "I'm leaving. I am not sure about the party."

He had no desire to attend any party tonight. The sight of Stephen with Ava

and Stephen's words coming out of her completely ruined his mood.

He turned around and started to walk. But he paused when he overheard his friend's conversation.

"Ava is also coming." 1

lan turned to Stephen and asked,

"Why did you call that nerd at your party?"

Stephen took a deep breath and tried to explain it to him.

"I have a request for you, lan. You are not Ava's mate now. So she said she wanted to stay away from you. I promised her that you would stay away from her at the party. Please keep that in mind."

lan raised an eyebrow when he saw how Stephen was talking about Ava. It looked like he cared for her. Ian walked up to Stephen and mocked him.

"What did you just say? You promised her? Have you two gotten so close that you have started to make promises to her?"

Stephen stared at lan's engaged face. He knew that lan was misunderstanding him. But he did not elaborate on that. Ava agreed with this condition, so he would have to make sure that lan would not get close to her.

"Look, buddy. You have already rejected her. There is nothing to argue over. You clearly mentioned that you have no interest in her. Or do you have

any?"

lan did not look away from him and replied,

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"Are you crazy? How can I get any interest in that girl?"

Before Stephen could say anything, Ronald spoke up.

"Then there is nothing to talk about. Ian does not care whether you invite

her or anyone else. He is coming tonight to join us."

lan glared at his best friend, who always interrupted him.

"I am not coming," lan muttered and left. 1

Stephen looked at his back. 'I wish I could tell you the truth But why are you reacting like this, lan?' he thought. Ronald gave Stephen a careful look. He understood that nothing was like what they were assuming. But he wanted lan to think like that so he could understand how he truly felt. "Don't worry, Steph. I can bet on it. lan will come to the party for sure."