Vanessa frowned, her mate's laughter floating from the foyer to the alpha’s second-floor office along with a soft wave of unease. “Alex?” Vanessa squeaked, her brain was suddenly filled with reasons why her mate was so uneasy and they all seemed…world ending. She was so caught up in her worried thoughts she didn't even register Alex’s fast-approaching figure as the beta barrelled up the stairs toward her. The two met halfway up the staircase. Vanessa only realized that she had gathered too much momentum to stop as she collided with the beta, their eyes locking onto each other. Alex seemed surprised at first then, as natural as breathing, she wrapped her arms around Vanessa effortlessly turning around before allowing the momentum to shove her on her ass. “You okay?” Alex huffed, her grip tightening as she cradled Vanessa.

Vanessa nodded, looking down at her body, “How did you do that?”

“I’m your mate, it's my job to catch you when you fall,” Alex answered smiling down at Vanessa, “plus a lot of experience with close calls with kids and some adults. A beta’s job is to protect the pack, sometimes that means a physical threat but others…are in here,” Alex tapped her chest, her smile growing downcast. 

Vanessa frowned, her hand coming to rest on Alex’s chest, “Do…do you have threats here?” Vanessa whispered, concern and interest washing over her features.

“Everybody does,” Alex smiled, her hand moving to rest over Vanessa’s, “But yes, I do…is…is that okay?”

“No,” Vanessa pulled her hand away as if she had been burned. An icy cold washed over Alex as she began to leave her body, as if she were watching a TV show, she watched as Vanessa climbed out of her lap. ‘Again’ was all she could think as she watched the woman who was supposed to love her no matter what stand and walk away from her. She sat there, for god only knows how long, before Vanessa’s voice cut through the thick fog, “I need your key,” Vanessa stated, holding her hand out, having walked back down the stairs to Alex’s side. Alex nodded numbly pulling her keys out of her pocket, “Can I get my stuff before-”

“Get up,” Vanessa ordered, grabbing Alex’s arm and giving it a gentle pull. 

Alex froze, “Don’t-”

“Up,” Vanessa insisted, gently pulling Alex up to stand.

“Vanessa-”

“You are moving into our room,” Vanessa whispered, pulling Alex in close, “I’ll sleep on the floor or order two twin beds if I have to I don't care what I have to do to get it into your head that I'm not going anywhere, that I will always be there to catch you,” Vanessa’s voice cracked as she ran her hand over Alex’s heart, “That night…when my toe was broken when you…you weren't just tired here,” Vanessa pressed her fingers to Alex’s forehead, “You were tired…here,” Vanessa stated knowing the answer, her hand falling to Alex’s chest. 

Alex nodded, holding Vanessa’s hand to her chest, “Sometimes…I get tired. So tired it can take everything in me just to make my lungs inflate,” Vanessa's hand clutched Alex’s shirt, fear overtaking her face. “It won't be easy…loving me,” Alex choked back the tears that began to force their way out.

“When is love ever easy?”