I groaned and rolled over on the bed, reach my arm out, expecting to meet a warm figure and pull them against me, but I was met with cold, empty sheet. Groggily, I sat up and rubbed my eyes. Where did she go? Inhaling deeply, her scent was strong, meaning she was near. My wolf purred as our scents mixed together, claiming this as our den, our home.

The tv screen was black, the movie had ended sometime ago. Standing up from the bed, my body shivering from the contrast of the warm bed and the chilly room. Peering around the room, my eyes already adjusted to the dark, I looked for my mate. Sighing, I looked over her curled up form in the corner by the foot of the bed, the same corner I found her in before. Pain radiated from my heart throughout my chest. It pained me to see her take away simple luxuries such as a meal and a bed from herself. She deserved anything and everything she ever needed or desired but now that she has access to them, she punishes herself by not using them.

Shuffling to her to keep the noise minimum, I bent over and gently picked her up and cradled her into my arms. Her head rested in the crook of my neck, her cold, wet hair ticking my chest. She hadn't been out of bed long, otherwise her hair would have been dry. Standing up again, I led her over to the bed, sliding her under the still warm covers. My heart swelled in my chest as I saw her peacefully sleeping with her head on my pillow.

I was careful not to shift the mattress to much as I slid in next to her. This time, to ensure she got a proper goodnight sleep in a bed, a tucked her into my arms, keeping her close. Unknowingly, she cuddled closer, her face claiming its rightful place in my neck. Warm breaths brushed against my sensitive skin, making me internally groan with pleasure.

I've had wanted this. I have wanted this, craved this since I found out what mates were. I tightened my arms around her, pulling her as close as humanly possible. The tingles that dance across my skin were indescribable, better than I ever imagined. Leaning my head on top of hers, I inhaled deeply, taking in her mouthwatering scent. This time I allowed a small groan to form in my chest and escape my lips. The combination of the sparks and her scent sent me into a daze.

Wanting to enjoy this for as long as possible, I stayed up, watching over her. Running my fingers through her silky hair, I admired her. The moonlight that was peaking through my curtains made her skin glow, highlighting her features. Long lashes framed her eyes and beneath them sat a slim, upturned nose. Cute freckles adorned her cheeks, making her seem younger, especially with her relaxed, sleeping face. Then my eyes came across her beautiful, light pink lips. The lips that I had dreamed about kissing for as long as I can remember. To brush against her soft lips with my own, to taste her with my tongue and bring her absolute pleasure.

My hand shifted from her hair to her face, tracing her features, her nose slightly wrinkling and wiggling from my movements. Not wanting to wake her up, I decided on tracing her exposed arm, still being able to relish in touching her skin. I felt almost guilty as my fingers brushed up against the smooth skin of her arms, occasionally passing over risen scars. I felt as if I were taking advantage of her because I didn't have her permission to do this. She didn't know that I was doing this because she was unaware to the world going on around her, asleep.

The guilt settled inside me, building up more and more, not leaving. I eventually had to stop. I will not do this until has given me the privilege to. For now, I can just settle with her being tucked away safely in my arms, knowing that she wouldn't be spending tonight on the cold, wooden floor.

Malia's POV

I awoke slowly, rather than the sudden shock that I was accustomed to. My body felt tired and disoriented, confused that it actually got sleep. Trying to sit up, I felt heavy, a strange pressure was pushing against my stomach. Looking down to see what was trapping me down, I was surprised to see myself lying on a bed, a warm blanket covering my body, blocking my body from my sight. Peeling back the blanket, I almost screamed when I saw a thick, tanned arm wrapped around my abdomen. It was then when I felt the warm body lying behind me, the arm keeping me close to the foreign body. Slowly peeking over my shoulder, I was almost face to face with Alpha, making me jump. His dark hair was tousled from sleep and his lips were slightly parted, jaw slacked. As once arm was tightly wound around my waist, the other was lost somewhere beneath the pillows.

Completely overwhelmed, I tried to escape his grasp without waking him up. Gently grasping his wrist, surprised by the Sparks and that my fingers could barely even hold it since my hands were so small, I began to pull it from my body. His arm being so heavy with muscles, I could barely lift it because my body was still weak and drowsy from sleep. I instantly paused my actions when I heard his groan coming behind me. Holding my breath, I prayed that I didn't wake him up. My hopes were immediately shattered when I heard him speak behind me.

"Good morning." His voice was lower than usually, sending that strange feeling through my stomach. He must have realized that I was trying to escaped his grasp because the next thing out of his mouth was an apology. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that without asking you." He said while retracting his arm.

I didn't hesitate to sit up once his arm was gone. Watching as he stretched, still lying down on the bed. He let out a yawn and rubbed his eyes, reminding me of a child. When he was done, he opened them up and glanced up at me. Green eyes still heavy lidded and clouded with sleep, he sent me a small smile.

"How did you sleep?" He asked me, voice still lower than normal. Honestly, this was the best sleep I've probably ever had. Nightmares did not pollute my dreams and I didn't wake up in the middle of the night and not being able to fall asleep again, but I was too embarrassed to say that. There was no way I was going to admit that to him.

"Okay." Was my short, clipped answer. Despite my response, his smile grew wider, eyes lighting up.

" I'm glad." His voice was sincere, not at all malicious or sarcastic. Inhaling deeply, he stood up from the bed, the morning sun lighting up his naked chest. I turned my head away before he could catch me staring. "You can use the bathroom first if you need to." Alpha offered.

"No thank you." I shook my head.

"Okay, well um" He stuttered at first but then regained his composure. "I'm um going to take a shower and then we can have breakfast together." Turning his back to, he began rummaging through his drawers and grabbing clothes.

"Alright." I guess that meant I will be making breakfast for him, even though I was going to anyway. As the bathroom door shut, I got up and began navigating my way downstairs in the hope of making him a satisfying breakfast.