Finn

I couldn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes my brain started to churn. What she had been through. How close I had come to losing her. As soon as I thought about how she looked, bending over spewing her guts all over the ground, my eyes would snap back open all on their own to study her, watch the lazy rise and fall of her chest as she breathes, ogle the pink in her cheeks ensuring me that there was blood in them. Thst she was still alive. I would press myself further against her, allow her warmth to seep into me like a balm for an open wound.

It wasn't until these quiet moments that I would allow myself to think on what happened. Even though Calli’s experience was much more traumatic than mine, the feeling I had when I found our empty bed still causes my heart to race and palms to sweat. I'm terrified if I close my eyes she'll somehow disappear.

Or be taken from me.

The thought makes me choke on air as my throat constricts.

I involuntarily squeeze my arms around her tighter. She rolls in my arms and tucks her head into my side before swooping her leg over mine, entwining them together.

There.

I close my eyes as content sweeps over me. Now she's stuck and I would definitely wake up if she moved.

Or would I?

My eyes pop open again.

Ugh. Fuck.

That's how I stay as Calli sleeps the afternoon away safely tucked in my arms. At some point I fall into a restless sleep until I feel movement next to me. I instinctively tighten my arms around her as my heart starts to pound.

"Where are you going?" I ask and the panic in my own voice makes me cringe.

"To the bathroom. Are you ok?" I open my eyes and meet her green ones, filled to the brim with concern.

"I'm fine, just worried about you. Come back quick." I say and try to smile, but judging by the look on her face she's not buying it.

'Try to be a little less pathetic.' Titan says. I roll my eyes internally.

'Don't act like you're not just as whipped as me.' Titan scoffs and curls up in a ball in my mind.

'Yeah, but I'm still a bad ass.' He says and I block him out.

I don't need his criticism right now.

Calli pads across the bedroom back to me and my eyes trace every inch of her naked body, my fingers aching to trace every part of her.

"You're so beautiful." I murmur under my breath. I don't think I will ever stop being amazed by her. She giggles a little and slips in beside me, pulling me close to her.

"You're pretty handsome yourself, stud." She teases before kissing me chastely.

"I love you. You know that, right?"

"Of course, Finn. I love you too." She says quietly and hearing those precious words from her makes my body instantly relax.

"I think I'm ready to see Layla." She says quietly nuzzling her face into my chest and planting gentle kisses along my muscles.

Titan purrs in approval.

Fucking purrs.

Lovesick pup.

"Whenever you want, sweetheart." I say kissing her head. She nods and melts in to me. I get the feeling she doesn't want to leave and honestly, neither do I. She sighs heavily before extracting herself from my grasp and rises to get dressed. I watch her, admiring the view when she bends over to put on her panties.

"Take a picture. It'll last longer." She throws over her shoulder.

"Don't mind if I do." I respond going to grab my phone.

Her face burns bright red and she scoffs before smacking the phone out of my hand.

"Don't you dare!" She squeals and I can't stop my laughter. She smiles that warm, loving smile at me that I've become addicted to and I pull her in for a firm kiss. She moans into my mouth and pulls away quickly.

"Let's go before this turns into something more. I miss our bed. This one isn't as comfy anymore since you've spoiled me." I smile at her with the words 'our bed' still ringing in my ear as I dress, take out the garbage and grab everything else so she doesn't feel the need to ever come back here.

I wish she'd just sell the place so she's never tempted to run here again.

"Where's your coat?" I ask her, my eyebrows knitted in confusion. She shrugs and avoids meeting my gaze.

"At home. I didn't grab it. I didn't want to.... uh... wake up the guard." She says quietly before looking at me cautiously. I shake my head and wrap my arms around her.

"I had words with that guard." I told her and she gasped.

"Did you hurt him?" She asks, obviously worried and I shrug.

"Not really. But he'll definitely be demoted. Or sent back to training." I say with a clenched jaw. She nods in understanding and walks toward the door. I grab her back to me.

"Wait here. I'll warm up the car. I don't want you to get cold." She looks up at me and her eyes soften. I lean down to kiss her forehead before going out to clean snow off the car and start the engine, letting it idle until warm air is blowing from the vents. I walk back into the house and see Calli looking around wistfully. The thought that she misses her house makes my heart hurt.

"Do you miss living here?" I ask her and her eyes flash to mine before she shakes her head.

"No. My best memories in this house are with you. It's not the house that matters as long as I'm with you."

Ah, fuck. Just when I thought I couldn't be any more of an emotional fool she says something like that to make my heart flutter. I smile at her and wrap her in my arms.

"The best memories of my whole life are with you." I whisper to her and she smiles at me before I scoop her up to carry her to the car. I tuck her into the passenger seat and buckle her seatbelt for her before sliding in the driver's side. I angle all of the vents so the hot air is blowing on her and she chuckles at my mother hen actions.

But I don't care if I'm being ridiculous. This girl is my world, I can't have her getting sick. I reach over for her hand and bring it to my lips, kissing each knuckle then holding onto it as I rest both our hands on her thigh.

"Let's go home." She says squeezing my hand. I nod in agreement since I can't speak around the lump of emotion in my throat.

It's not lost on me that she called this a house, and where she lives with me her home.

We pull onto packlands and the feeling of safety and completeness washes over me. I look over at Calli and can tell from the look on her face she feels the same. We pull up in front of the Alpha house and Ian comes sprinting down the stairs. I hurry out of the car, concerned something is wrong, but he ignores me and goes to Calli’s side. He unbuckles her seatbelt and pulls her out of the car into a firm hug. She slowly wraps her arms around his waist, obviously confused by this sudden act of affection. Titan snaps in my mind, irritated by another male touching what is his, but I shoosh him knowing that this is innocent.

"Thank you so much, Calli." I hear Ian murmur. "I'll never be able to thank you enough."

His voice catches and I am astounded. I've never seen Ian's emotions waver. He's always calm and collected, it's basically a requirement of Alpha's

"No need to thank me." Calli says while patting his back and pulling away from him gently. She looks over at me, obviously worried I'm about to blow a gasket at her being touched by another man. I just smile at her reassuringly and she smiles back.

"Well, am I expected to walk like a mere peasant?" She asks cheekily and I chuckle, rushing to her side and scooping her up.

"Never, my queen. Thou shalt never dirty thy feet when your noble knight is at hand." I respond and her giggles warm my heart almost as much as the kiss she places on my mark.

I carry her up the stairs and into the living room where Layla is lying bundled up in blankets and pillows. She is still weak from the drugs that fucker used on her and the thought makes me angry all over again. Calli jumps from my arms, running to Layla and they fling their arms around each other and hold each other for a long while. I look over at Ian and nudge him to get his attention. He raises a brow at me in question and I take a deep breath.

"Let's go burn that fucking cottage to the ground."