The next day.
The two of them went to the amusement park.
Everything Eulalia wanted to do with a mate(like going to the amusement park, eating cotton candy, going to a couples' restaurant, etc.), Grey could accompany her.
It was Wednesday, the weather was nice, and there weren't many people at the amusement park.
Eulalia wasn't sure how others saw them—were they a couple, siblings, or classmates? Well, she had a big face, so no way would they be mistaken for classmates.
Though Grey was tall and broad-shouldered, his frame was slender, and there was a strong air of youth about his brow.
He wore the black hoodie he had bought last time, his gray hair falling casually around his face. Though his features were youthful, his eyes carried the weight of someone who had seen much. There was a calm, composed air about him that seemed out of place for someone so young.
Anyone who looked at him could immediately sense that he wasn't the type to be carefree, cheerful, or boisterous.
"What do you want to play?" he asked.
Eulalia snapped out of her thoughts, no longer concerned with how others might see them. Her career had already destined her for solitude, and her friends had their own lives. But now, with Grey accompanying her for this outing, that was enough.
Her eyes glinted with determination. "Everything."
She wanted to try every single attraction in the amusement park.
The nearest one was the carousel. Eulalia had always wanted to experience it, but it seemed like it was meant for children, and she couldn't bring herself to sit among a crowd of little ones.
Now, she had someone with her, and that was enough.
"I want to sit on this one." She walked over and asked. With Grey being so tall, sitting on it would make him look huge—some men were particular about that and felt embarrassed.
Grey had no idea what she was thinking. When she pointed at the carousel, he simply nodded.
The two sat down one after the other. The music started, and the ride began moving up and down. A gentle breeze blew over, and Eulalia let out a few laughs, feeling a little childish.
Grey didn't understand what was fun about this, but he was just here to participate.
After getting off the carousel, Eulalia said, "Next, let's try the pirate ship!"
On the pirate ship, several people screamed, "Aaaah!" Grey felt puzzled, not understanding.
Eulalia found it a bit amusing. She hid behind Grey and covered her mouth, sneaking a laugh.
Grey was even more confused. "What are you laughing about?"
"Cough cough..." Eulalia said, "Well... don't you think their screams are funny to watch?"
Grey didn't think so. He just found it noisy.
Then...
A while later, seeing Eulalia next to him screaming "Aaaah!" he twitched his lips, then silently reached up to cover his ears.
The next second, his arm was suddenly tightly hugged. Eulalia screamed as if she were drowning and clutching a life raft. "Aaaahhh! Hahaha! Grey, why aren't you screaming?"
Grey felt her arm clutching him tightly. He paused for a moment but allowed her to keep holding on, not pulling away.
When they got off the pirate ship, Eulalia's legs were weak, but she was a little too excited. "Let's go ride the giant swing!"
"Aren't you scared?" Grey couldn't help but ask.
Eulalia replied confidently, "It's only fun if you're scared!"
Alright then.
As expected of you.
Sure enough, another round of screams followed.
When Eulalia got off, her body felt even weaker. She couldn't help but think, if her partner were here, she would cling to his arm, using his strength to pull herself along.
But here, it was Grey.
Though they were out together having fun, it was impossible for her to view Grey as her romantic mate.
"Let's rest for a bit," she said, finding a place to sit.
Grey stood next to her like a straight wooden post, waiting for her.
Eulalia glanced ahead at a dessert stand. A young man, holding two cups of juice, walked toward a girl. She felt a twinge of envy. She had been calling out just moments ago, and now her throat was dry, craving something to drink.
She and Grey were siblings, so she could naturally ask him to go buy something, but somehow... Eulalia thought it felt different.
The juice bought by a partner, the juice bought by a younger brother... although they both tasted the same, the meaning was completely different, and the feelings were different too.
She thought, if it were her mate, someone considerate and gentle, they would have already gone to buy it for her.
They could hold hands, stroll together, and chat.
Eulalia thought, it really would be nice to have a mate after all.
"You want juice?" Grey noticed Eulalia kept looking in that direction and said, "Wait here."
He turned around and went to buy the juice.
He soon returned with a cup of orange juice.
Eulalia was a little surprised. "How did you know I like the orange juice..."
"You always drink this." Grey thought her question was a bit pointless. He didn't have a three-second memory or was an idiot. It was simple to figure out what she liked, as long as he paid attention to what she said and remembered it.
Eulalia didn't expect him to remember these little things, and felt a little touched. She smiled at him. "Grey, thank you."
Grey seemed momentarily stunned, then turned away, raising a hand to awkwardly touch his burning ears.
He thought, the way this woman smiled so sincerely was quite cute, with a dimple too.
She was a pure human, the kind he had once despised most. Yet, she was so adorable, so kind, and treated him with such warmth, flashing him that sincere, cute smile.
The more Grey thought about it, the harder his heart pounded.
After finishing her juice, Eulalia decided not to try any more attractions.
"I'm a little tired, let's head back."
As they neared the exit, they passed a cotton candy stall.
"Hey, that's cotton candy," she said.
Grey, upon hearing this, walked over decisively and ordered two: one white, one pink.
Eulalia took a bite of the pink cotton candy. "So sweet."
Grey tried a bite himself. The cotton candy melted instantly in his mouth, leaving behind a burst of sweetness.
It was his first time trying cotton candy.
And here she was, sharing the same treat with him. Amidst the crowd of pure humans on the street, she was only with him, only talking to him.
Grey inexplicably felt his mood lift, his heart feeling as light as cotton candy, sweet and warm.
He took the initiative to ask, "Didn't you want to go to the haunted house?"
Eulalia shook her head. "Let's not go for now. I'm a little scared, and it's not like I have to go."
Grey pressed his lips together. "I'm not afraid of the things you humans talk about. If you're scared... you can hold onto me..." By the end of his sentence, he spoke in a tone almost like he was saying something shameful, his face flushed with embarrassment.
Eulalia didn't notice his discomfort and took a bite of her cotton candy. "Let's talk about it later."
But Grey seemed to take an interest.
The next day, they were supposed to go to the couple's restaurant she had mentioned.
Eulalia thought for a moment and then shook her head. "Let's not go after all."
Grey paused, his lips slightly pressed together. "What's wrong?"
Eulalia gathered her words, "I think these couple places are more fun for actual couples. Honestly, after yesterday's trip to the amusement park, I realized I'd rather do those things with someone special."
The more Grey listened, the more his expression became distant.
What she meant was clear: going with him to do those activities hadn't given her the feeling she wanted.
He didn't understand why it had to be with a mate to feel meaningful.
They weren't a couple, but he still found it fun.
He was only twenty, and in werewolf terms, still a young wolf. Most werewolves wouldn't find a mate this early, unless fate intervened.
For example, he hadn't considered finding a mate.
However, this woman was almost twenty-six, at an age where a human body was in its prime for bearing children. In the end, Grey concluded: Eulalia wanted a man.
She just wanted a man.
It wasn't about the amusement park, or the couple outfits, or the couple's restaurant—she just wanted a man!
For a moment, Grey's emotions were complicated. For everything else, he could cooperate with her, help her.
But now she wanted a man... he...
His face flushed. Sorry, this... he couldn't help with.
A werewolf could only have one mate in their lifetime. It was impossible to be intimate without falling in love and confirming a relationship first.
So...
Grey remained silent.
Eulalia started going on blind dates again.
