chapter 14

I woke sweating, something warm enveloping me, I sighed contentedly my body relaxed and soothed; something I haven’t felt before. Not since I was a small child. I didn’t want this the end, the hard pillow I was laid on lumpy and warm. I opened my eyes when sleep wouldn’t take over once more, my eyes slowly adjusting to the sunshine breaking through the curtains. I smiled and sighed once more, my heart swelling with joy as I noticed I was laid on Zane’s chest, his steady heartbeat filling my ears.

I didn’t want this moment to end, but my bladder was calling me, pushing me towards the bathroom. Reluctantly I peeled myself away from the man who was my mate, a frown playing across my face as I rushed to the bathroom, quickly doing my business and then washing my hands.

I closed the bathroom door as quietly as I could before turning around, jumping slightly when I saw Zane sat on the bed, a wide smile filling his features. I smiled back, suddenly nervous that I may have drooled on his chest, or snored too loudly in my sleep.

“Good morning Love.” He says with a small laugh, his eyes filled with humour at my embarrassment.

“Morning Zane.” I smile, a blush creeping along my cheeks.

He shuffled himself off the bed, his smile still holding. “How did you sleep?”

“Better than I have in years.” I admitted, my blush worsening. “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me love, you are my mate. We’ll have nights like this for the rest of our lives.” He chuckled, “you are cute when nervous though.”

“I am not.” I say, knowing that my cheeks were the same deep shade of crimson as my hair.

“Agree to disagree my love.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that I don’t agree with you and you don’t agree with me, but we aren’t going to argue about it.”

“You’re very comfortable and warm.” I say, attempting to change the subject.

Now it was Zane’s turn to look embarrassed. “Er, thanks.”

“No need to thank me my love.” I say mockingly, a large smile on my lips.

“Oh I see how it is.” He bellows with laughter and rushes over to where I’m stood, throwing me over his shoulder.

He digs his hands into my sides and tickles me to the point I am sure I’ll need to pee again, both of our laughter filling the room. I loved this man, I realised, it might not be much of a feeling yet, but I knew he was right for me. He was somehow made just how I imagined a partner, he wasn’t pushy, he was fun. Almost carefree. He was perfect.

I giggled and snorted slightly when he threw me onto the bed to continue his assault, my legs flailing as he tickled my feet. I couldn’t remember the last time I laughed this hard, or the last time I laughed at all, it was refreshing. Something I didn’t even know that I needed.
“Stop. stop! I’m going to pee!” I cry between laughs, attempting to wrestle the bulk of a man off me.

“Say please and I might.” He laughed, continuing to tickle me.

“Please!” I cry, tears falling from my eyes and my stomach beginning to ache from laughter. “Goddess… stop!”

He chuckled one last time before he stopped and planted a kiss on my head. “I’m going to shower then we’ll go get breakfast.”

“Alright, I’m starving.” I admitted, smiling from ear to ear.

I watched as he stripped off his top on the way to the bathroom, the muscles in his back making my mouth water, and the perfect way his jeans stuck to his butt was driving me crazy. I wanted him in a way I never thought I would want anyone, from his blue eyes to almost white hair. He was perfect. So handsome in a strong and yet gentle way.

I sat on the edge of the bed and waiting the ten or so minutes that it took him to get dressed and shower, knowing he was moving quickly for my benefit, not for his own; making me want him more and more. I jumped up from my place on the bed when he came out of the walk-in wardrobe and rushed over to him, throwing my arms around his waist. He was much taller than I was, and much more bulky, though I knew my excuse; I was starved my whole life. Zane looked like he had never missed a meal, but in a good way, a healthy way. He took a sharp breath in surprise and then laughed, lifting me from the ground and spinning me around before planting a gentle kiss on my forehead.

“Someone’s enthusiastic today.” He smiled.

“You have made me feel happy.” I admitted, smiling up at him. “I haven’t felt that way since before my parents died.”

“It isn’t just me, Dean will treat you just as good, love.” Zane says slowly, “he’s waiting for us in the kitchen.”

“He’s calmed down?” I ask, remembering that when I last saw him he was on the verge of shifting and losing his cool.

“Yes and he feels awful about running off like that.” Zane nodded, his eyes bright with respect. “He doesn’t normally lose his temper. But knowing someone hurt you got to him more than anything else could.”

“I didn’t mean to upset him!” I frown, was I to blame for his anger?

“No!” Zane growled lowly, “I did not mean it was your fault, I meant that he already cares for you so much that he lost his temper at the thought of you being treated the way you were.”

“Oh.” I whispered, finally understanding. “Then let’s not keep him waiting.”

“And let’s get some food in that tummy.” He laughs, poking my flat stomach as I laughed.

“Ok.” I smile, taking his hand when he offers it.

We walked down the stairs and into the massive entryway, turning left and heading down a long corridor to the kitchen, which was equally as large, both Eve who I met the night before and Dean sat at the table surrounded by food. Clearly waiting for our arrival.

“Morning.” Zane called and they both turned to look at us, smiles on their faces.

“Morning.” They said in unison and I wondered what they were to each other.

“Good morning.” I repeated, trying to be polite and hide how nervous I was.

Zane led us to the table, still clutching my hand, Dean’s eyes finding their way their, to where we held each other. I could have sworn I saw jealousy in his eyes, but it was gone so quick that I wasn’t sure, and again I wondered who Eve was to him. We’re they related? Was she a friend, a lover? I wanted to ask, but I didn’t want to seem possessive when I hadn’t even met him properly yet, all I knew was that we were supposed to be meant for each other, that he was supposed to be mine.

I sat down and looked around the table, plates filled with all kinds of things I’ve never even tried, from fruit to scrambled egg. My mouth watered just looking at it all, but I waited silently to see what everyone else did first, not wanting to seem ungrateful.

“Annalise, I’d like to formally introduce myself I’m alpha Dean of the twilight pack. And this is my sister Eve.” Smiled the alpha, his tone soft and inviting.

I smiled at his words, feeling loads better knowing that they weren’t lovers, I didn’t know how I would have reacted if they were. All these feelings were so strange, I’d never felt like this for anyone before, let alone two at once. I wondered briefly how Balthazar would have reacted to me being with someone other than him, but he wasn’t my problem anymore. I was free, I didn’t have to worry about how my master would react anymore because I didn’t have one. I was my own master. My own person.

“Hi!” I say, waving awkwardly before turning towards Dean, my tone almost business-like. “Zane says you are my mate too.”