DANE'S POV.
It had been six weeks since the full moon, two weeks since our heated argument, and six weeks since we last addressed the growing distance between us.
I was unsure of how to behave or what to hope for, but it seemed I had reached my limit.
She nestled even closer against me, and I couldn't help but smile as I watched her gradually wake up, a soft yawn escaping her lips.
“Good morning, my love,” I greeted her gently, my voice filled with warmth. She responded with a faint smile, her eyes still heavy with sleep, and instinctively drew even nearer to me.
I cherished these moments deeply; times when our world seemed to shrink to just the two of us, and all our worries faded away.
I wished for nothing more than to hold onto these serene, intimate moments forever, where the only thing that mattered was being wrapped in each other's embrace. This was my sole desire, and it was enough to fill my heart.
“What?” she asked, her laughter bubbling up as she noticed my unwavering gaze. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and amusement.
“Nothing. I was just wondering if everything is alright,” I asked softly, my eyes still locked on her. She offered a faint smile, her cheeks flushing slightly, and then let out a gentle, melodic laugh.
“You keep staring at me; it makes me a bit anxious,” she confessed, her voice playful yet tender. I leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to her temple, and then captured her lips in a gentle, loving kiss.
“It’s just that you look even more beautiful when you’re asleep,” I murmured against her lips.
“I couldn’t bear to look away. Every moment with you is perfect, and I wouldn’t want to miss a second of it. You truly are breathtaking, my soulmate.” As I spoke, her laughter grew louder, filled with joy.
“You’re really quite the cheeky man, aren’t you?” she teased, her eyes dancing with delight. I tilted my head, a playful pout forming on my lips.
“I’ll be as cheeky as you want me to be. I’ll be flirty, charming, or anything else you desire. Just say the word, and I’ll gladly oblige,” I responded with a mischievous grin, teasing her right back.
A soft groan escaped her lips as she tried to get out of bed, but I swiftly grabbed her arms and pulled her back toward me.
She tumbled against my chest, her attempts to pull the duvet over her head met with my refusal.
I gently tugged the blanket away from her face, and when she tried to shield herself with her arms, I began to tickle her sides.
Her laughter erupted, breaking through her defences as she squirmed and giggled uncontrollably.
After a few moments, I finally stopped, pulling back to look into her eyes.
“Thank you, Astrid,” I said, my voice soft and earnest. She blinked, a hint of confusion crossing her features at my unexpected gratitude, but she remained silent.
“Is something wrong today? You’ve been acting a bit sneaky,” she inquired, her brows furrowing slightly as she watched me. I slouched my shoulders and leaned in closer to her.
“I’m just overwhelmed with happiness,” I explained.
“Having a mate like you is more than I ever could have hoped for. You’ve been my rock, saving me from exposure and helping me manage my curse.”
“ And now, here you are, in my arms, exactly where I’ve always wanted you to be. I love you so much, you know that, right?” I asked, my voice filled with sincerity. She nodded, a small smile forming on her lips as she slowly got out of bed.
“I know you love me, Dane. You don’t have to repeat it a million times. So, what do you want for breakfast?” she asked, raising an eyebrow in a playful manner.
“Would I sound too cheesy if I said I wanted you for breakfast? I’d love to devour you,” I joked, grinning as I swung my legs out of bed and began to stretch.
“No, thanks, I’ll pass on that,” she replied with a playful smirk. “I’ll whip up some bacon and eggs; that should suffice.” With a cheeky wink and a blown kiss, she made a swift exit from the room.
As she left, I sighed contentedly and sank back into the bed for a moment of relaxation. Despite the warmth of the moment, I couldn’t shake the lingering concern that clouded my mind.
She remained unusually calm, never bringing up the issues we had faced or expressing any coldness toward me.
I had shut her out, ignored her pleas, and yet she had managed to move on without addressing it.
She also hadn’t mentioned anything about the baby or its father. The silence on that front was unsettling.
I chose not to bring it up myself, hoping to avoid another unnecessary argument. I knew it was pointless to press her; she would share what she felt ready to disclose in her own time.
Though it worried me, I understood that I couldn’t force her to reveal anything before she was prepared.
Resolving to push aside these troubling thoughts, I stood up and ambled toward the bathroom.
I took a quick, refreshing shower and prepared myself for the day, trying to focus on the present rather than the multitude of dangers Astrid had faced and her remarkable strength in dealing with them.
As I dressed and readied myself, I did my best to set aside the dread of past threats and her brave handling of them, not wanting to make the situation more distressing than it already was.
I slipped into a fresh set of clothes and gave myself a final check in the mirror. Just as I was adjusting my collar, a sharp knock at the door drew my attention.
“Who’s there?” I called out, recognizing that if it had been Astrid, she would have simply walked in.
“It’s Beta Ivar,” came the response from the other side.
“Come in,” I replied with a casual shrug. I could sense his tension even through the door, a clear sign that whatever news he carried was likely not good.
Ivar entered, his expression serious and his posture rigid. I raised an eyebrow, noting his demeanor. “I believe I’ve cleared all my duties. And given that you’re coming to my bedroom so early, whatever you have to say couldn’t it have waited?” I asked, my tone tinged with irritation.
“I’m sorry, Alpha, but this couldn’t wait,” Ivar said, his voice steady but filled with urgency. The gravity of his tone immediately caught my attention, making me realize that something serious was unfolding.
“Alright, go ahead. Spill it. It better be as urgent as you claim,” I said, my sarcasm barely masking my growing concern.
“It’s about your brother, Ethan,” Ivar began, his words coming out with deliberate seriousness. “He’s back in the pack.
A deep frown immediately settled on my face as I heard the news. What could Ethan possibly be doing here? Why had he returned so suddenly and without warning?
“What does he want? What’s his purpose? He shouldn’t be back in the pack so soon. What happened?” I demanded, my frustration mounting.
Before I could receive an answer, the doorknob began to turn, drawing both of our attention to the entrance.
The door swung open, and Ethan strolled in with an air of nonchalance, a smug grin plastered on his face. His presence alone stirred a mix of emotions within me, primarily anger and confusion.
“Ethan, why are you here?” I asked sharply, making no effort to conceal my displeasure. My tone was icy, and I felt my fists clench involuntarily at my sides.
“I’m here to visit my pack and my brother,” Ethan responded, his voice laced with a hint of mockery.
“I missed you, brother. Didn’t you miss me?” His smug grin only widened as he met my gaze with a defiant glint in his eyes.