Chapter 23 (Good Morning?)

***Laura’s POV***

I woke up laying on top of something warm and breathing, I opened my eyes to find myself sprawled over Aiden, he was sleeping pretty deeply. Eight times last night, holy crap I have never experienced anything like that in my life.
Slowly, so I don’t wake him I move myself off of him and the bed, I cringe as I stand up; every muscle I own is crying out in pain. It was hard to walk at first as I made my way to the bathroom.
I look at myself in the mirror and notice on the base of my neck a rather unique looking hickey, at least that is what I thought it was at first anyway. When I moved in closer to the mirror; I noticed that it was red but healing into the shape of a crescent moon.
Some of the things from last night were foggy still but coming back, I start the shower and get in under the steamy water just soaking the heat into my sore muscles. Bringing back everything that happened last night with a groan.
Most of me was happy and content about it, there was a part of me though that was wondering what the hell was I thinking, he isn’t human, he is a wolf shifter. My best friend is a tiger shifter; Oh, what have I gotten myself into? How many shifter types are out there? He said that I had to live fully in his world.
Does that mean he expects me to give up mine? Toss away everything I worked so hard for? I decided that it was time to sit down and have a long talk. I need to know what he expects from me? That little voice in my mind spoke up again, too late now.
I got out of the shower, getting dressed I needed some kind of barrier around me so I can have a talk with Aiden, he is going to have to get dressed too. I am not going to be tempted into losing my mind again, until we have things sorted.
I made my way to the kitchen and got a pot of coffee going, I was starving so I decided that I would make breakfast for the both of us, I made scrambled eggs, bacon, and pancakes. As I was setting the table I could hear movement coming from the bedroom.
Perhaps he had read my mind, as I watched him go into to the living room and gathered up all his clothes and then headed to the bathroom. That is when the strangest thing happened that made me flip a pancake up in the air.
***“I can read your mind, in time you will be able to read mine.”***
What the holy hell was that, it was as if Aiden was right there in the kitchen with me; but I could hear him in the shower. The pancake had went flying over my head and landed with a splat onto the floor. I didn’t care I just stood there dumbfounded.
What the hell just happened? Perhaps I am losing my mind after all.
***“You are not going crazy, this is the mate bond we are mind linking, go ahead speak to me with your mind see if it works.”***
He sounded amused and a little smug, it was a strange kind of feeling; but what the hell in for a penny in for a pound at this point.
***“We have a lot to talk about don’t we, Aiden?”***
***“Yes, little dove we do. I will be out in a minute then we eat and talk.”***
Just like that he was gone out of my mind again, I grabbed my coffee and started to drink it down I needed fortification if I am going to make through this day. I looked down at my phone to discover that I had several messages from Sue; asking if I am alright and do I need her to come over.
I quickly texted her back that I was fine and that we will discuss things later. She gave me the smiley face and the thumbs up, that was it for her reply.
It was a strange feeling inside me, it was fear, not fear of Aiden just fear of the future and all that it entails. Everything is so upside down now. I look out my kitchen window to see delivery man driving into the drive way, terrific another surprise, just the added element that was need to complete this day.
I watched as the driver get out of the van, I felt arms wrap around me and knew that Aiden must of felt my fear. I lost track of the delivery man as he came around the other side to my back door and knocked.
Aiden let me go and went to answer the door, when he opened it the driver had him sign for the box. Shutting the door Aiden walked the small box over to the table and sat it down.
*“It is from your ex-boyfriend, would like me to open it for you?”*
*“Yes, I can’t wait to see what his next idea is for me to go back to him.”*
He stared at me for a little while, I could see his eyes turn from a warm blaze of blue, to an aquamarine frozen nightmare in the matter of seconds. I nodded my ok for him to open it.
His fingers moved with precise movements, he pulled out a carousel music box and handed it to me as he pulled out a note that was under it. I knew exactly why Devin had sent the carousel, it was our first official date as a couple. It was almost perfect, the colors were different but all in all it looked the same as that carousel that was in the park.
I felt anger rise up inside me; without realizing it, I threw the carousel with all my anger into the wall as it smashed into tiny pieces. Aiden stared at me and came around the table to hold me to him, I felt myself calm down immediately.
*“Do you want to read the note or do you want me to read it for you?”*
“*You can read it if you want, I am getting tired of him telling me I have to come back.”*
Aiden unfolded the note…

**My Dearest Laura,
I still love you even though you are acting like a child, come back and we can start over again. I promise that your brother will not come between us again. If you would give me one more chance. I promise that if you do; then bad things will not happen to you in the future.
You don’t want to tarnish your reputation after all, wouldn’t look good on your application for adopting that sick child. Would be heartbreaking if you were to lose over something so trivial.
The choice is yours. By the way your mother still doesn’t know where you are either, perhaps you should give her a call to let her know you are alright.
Always yours,
Devin**

I was so angry I could spit nails, I picked up pieces of that carousel and threw them at the wall again. I went to the living room and flopped onto the couch, completely disgusted by Devin’s lack of reality.
Aiden sat down next to me, I could feel the waves of anger coming off of him, good maybe with the energy between us Devin’s head will explode. He reached over and tucked my hair behind my ear. That simple caress calmed me down enough to at least not want to kill anyway.
*“He has to be insane Aiden, it is the only explanation left.”*
*“You do not have to worry about anything that arrogant prick has to say, I will make sure he gets the message this time. As for his threats do not worry about them, I have lawyers of my own and a whole pack of wolves for back up.”*
*“Just be careful Aiden, he has friend in high places and is very good at manipulating people into thinking and doing what he wants them to do.”*
*“Don’t worry little dove, I got your back.”*
*“I am not worried about what Devin can or can’t do; nor am I afraid of him. I am just tired of all of it, it feels like it is sucking my soul dry every time I have to deal with him. No, you don’t have to worry about me going back to that idiot. Never Again has become my motto, though it didn’t seem to work with you.”*
He gave me a thousand watt smile that made my heart skip a beat, truly he shouldn’t be allowed to just roam the streets as he pleases, too many woman would have heart attacks. I know I should be going crazy trying find out all the things I didn’t know.
Right now though, I all cared about was the feeling of home that I had found in Aiden’s arms.