It has been a few days since Ryan joined us and the end of the month was only a few days away. Having that fact in mind was making me restless. I was so nervous. I never dealt well with the pain. However, Ryan’s presence seemed to have a soothing effect on my nerves. With him here, I didn’t have nearly as much dark thoughts about my dad. If only he could make my pain disappear like that too. We only met a few days ago, and I already depended on him. Though, I didn’t have any reason to doubt him. He never did anything suspicious or worth resenting for. On the contrary, he seemed to know when I exactly needed him. He even held me in his arms, so I could enjoy the scenery and the fresh air blow on my face. I couldn’t be happier without him.

But...

There was always a little voice in my head whispering things that made me doubt myself. I couldn’t help it. Ryan is handsome, strong and capable. Who wouldn’t want a mate like him? But what about me? I will never be his equal and even less his mate.

"Keith, are you okay?" Sebastian asked while waving his hand in front of me.

"Yeah... What's wrong?" I asked back.

"Can you and Ryan go to the lake for some water? I'll go look for some wood for the fire camp," he explained as he stared at me for a moment. "You look pale, are sure you're okay?" he asked worriedly.

"I'm just tired. Don't worry. Yes, I can go with Ryan," I answered with a small smile as I stood up.

"Cool, then I'll go first,” He smiled back, but I could still see that he was still worried.

I nodded and looked at him take off. When I couldn't see him anymore, I called for Ryan. He was inside the cave taking everything out. I didn’t want to let our stuff and camp unguarded. Who knew what could possibly happen. So I decided to go alone.

"Ryan, I'm going to the lake for some water!" I shouted as I ran away from the camp, not really waiting for his answer. At least he knew where I was.

I walked for a moment, looking at my surroundings. Everything was so calm. It felt good to be alone for once. Finally arrived at the lake, I took out our gourds and started to fill them one at the time. While doing it, I started to hum softly. Ryan and I are mates... Ryan and I... Thinking about our relationship made me giggle.

...

Shocked about my behaviour, I splashed some water on my face. We were mates, but he didn't even want to complete the mating process with me. Or at least, he didn't show that he wanted to. That alone proved that he didn’t desire me as his partner right?

Depressed by my own thoughts, I slowly walked back to the camp with tree gourds full of water. All evening, I was trapped in my own sorrow and thoughts. I didn't talk nor acknowledged my friend and Ryan. I didn't even want Ryan to touch me. If he did, I wouldn't be able to face reality. I needed some time to think.

When night came, I went to sleep early. I wanted to forget about everything as soon as possible, and the better way to do that was sleep. I let myself doze until I was unable to keep my eyes open. In a matter of seconds, I was gone like a light.

Way too soon, I was woken up by something. I looked around in confusion. I noticed Sebastian and Ryan sleeping not far away from me. Then I looked at the mouth of the cave. The moon was high in the sky while beautifully shining over our heads. It was so beautiful. I needed to see more. I silently got up and headed out of our shelter. I sat down on a rock before looking up. There were so many stars surrounding the moon. It was almost as if the little glitters in the sky were protecting the bigger one.

I didn't know how long I sat there, but the more I watched the sky, the more I felt uncomfortable. Something was wrong with my body. It was itching, and my back was starting to burn. I wanted to go to the lake, but it was too far and too dangerous to wander in the wood at night. I didn't want to wake either Sebastian or my mate...

Mate… I started to pant and without thinking, I was already walking toward him. I wanted him. I needed him.

I sneaked up on him and refused to let go like a baby koala. My arms were wrapped around his neck as I leaned our chests together. I put my face in the crook of his neck and inhaled his scent. He smelled so good that I moaned. I wanted to taste more, so I started to kiss and lick his neck. Not only did he smell good, but he also tasted divine. Suddenly, something touched my back making yelp in surprise.

"It's okay, it's me," I heard his deep voice calming me instantly. "What's wrong?" he asked gently. As an answer, I only whimpered as the pain in my back became stronger. I started to sweat, and my hold on his neck tightened. "It's okay, I won't go anywhere. Tell me, where does it hurt?" he gently ordered.

"My back," I whispered in his ear. "I think... End of the month... Wings... Pill..." I tried to explain while waves of pain attacked me. "Help... Me..." I finally said trembling.

Without warning, he turned us around. Ryan was now on top of me with his hands on both sides of my head. He was everywhere. Everything my senses could pick up was from him. His breathing, his eyes, his heartbeat and his manly odour.

"I think I have waited long enough. I'll make you forget about your pain, your doubts, your insecurities. I’ll make you mine and give you everything in return. Never again will you need to be troubled about my love and affection. I don’t care if you don’t have wings. You’re perfect in my eyes," he confessed before kissing me lovingly. “Be mine and if you accept, I will make sure to claim you here and now," he whispered against my lips as he patiently waited for my answer.

I stared at him for a short while imagining our life together. No one ever promised me something like that before and it was tempting. This man is confessing his love to me, and I would be heartless to refuse it when I had been waiting for him all my life.

"Ryan, please, I want you to always be beside me, never leaving me. Save me, help me, love me. I have been waiting for you for so long and since I met you, my life has changed. So, please..." I answered with a shaky breath.

"I promise you'll never live a day alone ever again," he announced before kissing me more passionately.