The sun rose, just like every other day, stirring me from my peaceful slumber. The birds sang their song, greeting the morning sun and everything that arose with it as it moved across the sky. Though, as nature did as it always does, something just felt off.

Still adjusting to the idea of waking up next to someone every night, arms holding me tight, radiating a comforting heat. He had already awoke, his fingers tracing my features, making me twitch my nose and peer open my eyes.

"Good morning, Beautiful." His voice was deeper than normal, green eyes still clouded with sleep. His shifted his neck downwards, giving me a lingering kiss on my forehead, a sort of routine he seemed to develop.

As he slid out of bed, I sat up and my eyes locked onto his exposed neck, showing off my mark that wasn't there the day prior. The mark that I had made, claiming that he was forever mine. Feeling my gaze on his uncovered skin, he turned, catching me staring at him. A knowing smile was displaying on his lips and I ducked, cheeks ablaze.

"I know how you feel." His knees set on the edge of the bed, crawling over to me. "I am throughly enjoying my mark on you." Gripping the soft fur blanket that covered me tightly, I tried to hide my discomposure.

"You know," He ran his hand over the blanket before prying my fingers of the blanket and began playing with them. "This blanket is actually part of a special ceremony of sorts in my pack." Peeking up at home through my hair, I saw him looking intently at my fingers.

"A blanket?" I've heard that odd things were used in ceremonies but never something as simple as a blanket.

"Mhmm." He hummed and placed a kiss to my knuckles. "This fur is made of rabbits that I had hunted down a few weeks before my fifteenth birthday. All males in my pack do something along the lines of this before they find their mates. It is a sign that they can provide and care for their other half. Some lower ranks make shoes or jackets lined with fur, smaller things."

"But why a blanket? It takes so much more work." Running his free hand over the blanket, he stared at it like he was reminiscing.

"I didn't really know what to do, how small or big you would be, but I knew rabbits fur was soft and warm. I thought a blanket you do it justice."

"I am very thankful that you made this. I enjoy it very much." Giving me a kiss, I felt his lips curve up into a smile.

"I'm glad that you do."

Training was running smoothly and many improvements were being made. Faster and stronger movements were developing as new warriors were being made. Sometimes joining in, I often observed the other as I have private workouts and training with my higher ranks.

Malia had even joined in, interacting with a few, but not many, members of our pack but also Ryland's. As she currently fought with Blaire, sh often hesitated, something I've seen her do many times. She was afraid to accidentally hurt her sparing partners or take it too far, as her past constantly haunts her. Even now, years after she escaped, she rarely ever goes on offense, always staying on defense.

It was hard to see her like this, struggling with even the simplest day to day activities. She had difficulties even conversing with me alone but with other people, she acts like a startled animal. Skittish and wary of people to get near her, hesitant answers and one worded responses at that. You can visibly see the scars she bares by the way she acts.

Yet, she's improved to much. She trust me more, allowed to to be gentle with her, the way I have dreamed of being with my mate. Though not often, she allows me to kiss her, hug her and pamper the way I have always wanted to. Every night I have the pleasure to hold her as close as I please, play with her hair or just run my fingers along her smooth skin.

She's changing, learning. Learning how a person deserves to be treated. Gaining the knowledge of how a pack should run. Learning how trust herself and others. It's amazing to watch, amazing to see the difficult process it takes for a person with a trouble path to live in a I guess you could say, normal way, in a normal world.

She is strong, incredibly brave. She is everything she doesn't see herself as but that's okay, because I see it. It's okay because the pack sees it and she's beginning to see it, deep down, she truly is.

One day, she will know. She will know how far she has come, how different her life is for the better. She will see how amazing she is, how much she means to me and others. One day, she will see how much I love her and one day, she will return those feelings. That day will be the greatest day of my entire existence.