Chapter 18

[Amelia POV]
Seeing the cottage in front of me now out of thee car and up close, I took in a sharp breath and could not release it. It looked as if it was new, and a thought entered my mind. The idea that Owen had gone out of his way to build this place for them specifically and had hoped we would live her together. The thought made her heart race, it was such a big gesture that I was not sure I was ready to accept. I knew at some point we may have made plans to live together since we had grown close since we met, but in the human world it was not common to move in with your boyfriend until further in your relationship. Boyfriend? Was Owen technically my boyfriend? He never asked but he is my mate. He had not rejected me yet, but I was still not marked. Which as explained to me was an important step in being mates.
I felt like my head was spinning the more I thought about all of this. I found all that I was learning about werewolf life and customs overwhelming and confusing. Mostly I felt lost, like I was still not one of them and worried I could never live up to anyone’s expectations. I know these thoughts made me sound like a whining child, but I honestly was so confused in this world and felt like the ground had shifted and I was falling in darkness. Everything was scary to me, and I needed something to grasp on. Maybe if I let myself be close to Owen without fighting my own thoughts, he could be the anchor to keep me steady. He seemed so caring and patient, but that made me feel guilty for not fully trusting him.
Goddess, my emotions are all over and I have no idea how to rein them in!
“I know this may seem overwhelming right now, and if it is too much you can tell me, and I will have Owen and Olivia take you in until you are ready. I just wanted to show you this place because I had it built for you, and I want you to understand what my hopes for the future are. Because Amelia, you are the mate I never imagined I would be worthy of. You are beyond my best wishes and I will cherish you as long as I live. I want you to know I have no doubts when it comes to us, and I am one hundred percent yours.” Owen said standing in front of her taking both her hands into his and looking in her eyes.
I shivered at his words as the emotions descended on me. He was so good with words I could melt right where I stood. How does he do that? I wanted to say it was too much too soon, but I felt so overwhelmed with happiness and excitement that I couldn’t refuse his gift to me.
“Owen, this house is so beautiful! I love it! I admit I am a little nervous about all this, but I don’t want to be anywhere else. I want to be here with you.” I responded confidently giving him a small smile before blushing and looking away.
His stare sometimes was too intense for me to hold, but I knew it meant every word he said.
He reached up and softly turned my head to him and looked at me in a way that almost made my legs weak. Like he loved me more than anyone could ever love someone, and I was gone. I knew once I opened myself up to him with all my heart then I would be gone for him and never be able to pull away. I looked back at him as he slowly moved closer and instinctively I closed my eyes and froze. He softly pressed his lips to mine and my heart pounded loudly in my chest, and it felt like I was weightless. He kissed me a little firmer and moved closer to me bringing on hand to rest on my waist. He was being cautious I could tell, and that made me feel something strong toward him. We kissed for a couple of minutes like this before he pulled away and I let out a soft breath.
I had never felt anything like that kiss made me feel. Was it because I was opening up and accepting being his mate that made me feel this way?
“Do you want to see inside?” He asks with almost a deep whisper which mad me shiver once again.
“Ok.” I said softly in reply.
He took my hand softly and began leading me inside. I looked around and gasped at the interior of the cottage. It was beautiful and big! I did not expect it too look so spacious and big on the inside. The entrance opened up straight into a spacious living room and kitchen separated by an island. The room was so open, and I felt like I could see everything easily by standing in the doorway. I felt like I couldn’t move, like this place was too nice to be mine. The interior was cozy and rustic looking but in the best way. Owen ushered me inside and showed me the downstairs, including a small hallway leading to the laundry room and bathroom.
He led me upstairs which had an open loft space that you could stand and see the entire bottom floor. Down another hallway there were four doors. He told me one was his office, one was a guest room, one was a bathroom and the last door at the end opened into a giant master bedroom with its own bathroom. He opened the door and let me in and remained in the doorway and watched me explore the room. I must have looked silly with the way my mouth had dropped open in awe. It was massive and amazing!
“Owen this is amazing!” I gushed laughing a little.
He smiled and watched me fall down on the bed like a little kid and giggle like crazy. I had never had something so special and I did feel like a kid who got the most amazing present ever. Once I calmed down I felt embarrassed by how I had acted, but when I sat I saw Owen smiling in amusement.
“Sorry! I have never lived in such a big place before.” I admitted dropping my gaze to my hands.
“Don’t apologize! I love this side of you, the side of you that is free and happy. When you forget anyone else is around and you are just you.” He says happily.
I had to look at him and take that comment in. No one had ever told me anything like that before. Most people told me to act a certain way, to hold back and not embarrass myself or them. When I was with Owen for some reason the real me would spill out without me realizing it. I was so used to being buttoned up and reserved that it felt so nice to just be free. I didn’t realize that I had been watching Owen for a long time until he blushed a little.
“What? Do I have something on my face?” He asked teasingly.
“Sorry, no. I was just thinking.” I replied feeling embarrassed that I had been looking at him for too long.
“About what?” He asks me walking toward me and sitting beside me on the bed.
“Just that I have been more like myself with you than I have ever been. I guess I didn’t realize how easy it happened.” I admitted.
“I am glad you feel like you can be yourself with me! I never want you to be anything other than who you are. I love that side of you, you look happy and I love seeing it!” He says taking my hand gently.
“Thank you!” I say softly watching our hands come together.
“Now, I know us moving in together is already a big deal, and I don’t want to put more on you then you are ready for. So, if you want I can stay in the guest room, and you can stay in this room. So you can have some space to yourself.” He says sweetly.
He is trying to tell me that we can sleep apart if I am not ready to share a bed with him I am guessing. Was I ready? I guess I was a bit worried at the idea of being in the same bed with a man, one that I was just starting to get to know. It seemed crazy to have us sleep together, but part of me wanted him with me. I had always felt so alone, and to have this gorgeous man to cuddle with until I fall asleep sounded really nice actually. I knew I would regret giving in, but I was too far gone already. What would it hurt?
“No, you can stay.” I said simply.
He had a big smile on his face, and I couldn’t help but smile back at him. The truth was, I trusted him completely. I knew he would not force me to do more than I was ready for, and well maybe I wasn’t ready for too much more. I knew he would never force me or push things too far, so I was happy to agree to share a bed together.
“I will go get the rest of the bags, ok?” He told me before standing and walking out of OUR room.
I squealed and fell back on the bed again wiggling in happiness. I let out a content breath and stood to check out the bathroom. It was huge! It had his and her sinks, with a big spacious shower that had a stainless-steel accents. Next to it was a curtain that was pulled closed. I slowly pulled the curtain back to find a big bathtub, I think I am going to like this place. I walked out of the bathroom and opened a door next to it, and it was a walk-in closet. I gasped at the amount of space inside. Owen’s clothes were all neatly hung to one side, and on the other side were a ton of woman’s clothes. Seeing the woman’s clothes puzzled me a little because they did not belong to me. So, who’s clothes were they. I examined them and they seemed new, and unworn.
I heard Owen’s footsteps entering the room as I examined more of the clothes, still not sure what to make of them.
“I ask my mom and sister to buy you a few things because it seemed you were light on clothes options.” Owen said leaning against the door frame.
I turned to look at him with a confused look.
“These clothes are for me?” I ask.
He nodes. “I tried to explain to them that your style is more simple, but they bought you a few items they thought would look good on you. With my approval of course.”
I smiled at his last words. I smiled looking at the clothes again, and I had an urge to run up and hug him. So I did. I walked over and wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tight.
“Thank you so much Owen!” I said into his ear.
“Anything for you.” He replied wrapping hi strong arms around my waist and hugging me back.
I had never felt so spoiled in my life, and it made me feel wanted and cared for. He wanted to take care of me, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t love the feeling. We remained hugging for several moments, and when I began to step back he tightened his hold. I laughed and wrapped my arms around him again, I guess I can get used to this too.
“Can we stay like this for a minute?” He whispers to me.
“It’s already been longer than a minute now Owen.” I joke.
“Not according to my watch.” He says laughing.
“Well, I guess if your watch says so then I guess you can.” I say smiling.
He takes in a deep breath of my scent and nuzzles into my neck. Being this close to him would usually make me feel uncomfortable, but it actually felt so nice. He felt warm and I didn’t want to pull away either by this point.
“Sorry, its just Samuel whines constantly until he feels me holding you. He is kind of addicted to holding you now.” He admits pulling away slightly to reveal his eyes shifting from Samuel trying to break through.
“It’s ok! Anaya loves it too, and Samuel is a big cuddly wolf, so I understand.” I say smiling.
“You know he can be dangerous when he needs to be. He is only like that with you.” Owen says laughing a little.
“He is dangerous when he needs to be I am sure. You are an alpha so I am sure cuddly Samuel would not be very helpful in more serious situation, and I am glad he is only like that with me. It means I am special to him.” I say happily.
“You definitely are! Do you want to talk to him again?” Owen asks.
I think to some it would seem weird how Samuel would take over Owen but not shift into wolf form, but I didn’t mind it at all.
“Sure!” I replied softly.
Owen closes his eyes and when he opens them I know it’s Samuel looking back at me. He smiles proudly and holds me close to him.
“Mate.” He says giving a content smile and leans his head into the crook of my neck and nuzzles it.
“Samuel.” I say hugging him back.
Yeah, this feels like home.