Harry pov

"I love you, mate."

I was so thrown off and surprised by those words that I didn't see the kiss coming. Suddenly, Cade's lips were on

mine. The kiss itself was a surprise too. I figured that, him being the more animalistic side, Cade's kisses would be rough and passionate, but his lips were incredibly gentle. As if all his emotions were being conveyed in the short kiss. It felt magical, the sparks started slowly spreading through my body and the gentleness of the kiss made me feel all warm inside.

When he broke the kiss he had his eyes closed, and I knew that zayn would be back if he opened them again.

"I love you, mate." Those words were echoing through my mind. Already? Isn't that going a bit fast? I mean, he was talking about having kids with me.

"Hey" I heard zayn's voice again as he opened his eyes.

"H-hey" I stuttered, mentally scolding myself for it.

Zayn chuckled, "Sorry, Cade is a bit much at times."

I shook my head, "It's fine. I-it's just a bit fast paced."

Zayn sighed, "For Cade, there is no barrier. He's an animal. As soon as he saw you he knew you were his mate. No questions asked, no answers needed. He started loving you the moment we met and won't stop

loving you until the day we die. You could probably stab us in the heart and Cade could still forgive you. That's the power of the mate bond." He explained.

"Oh... um..." I was figuring out what to say to him. He just proclaimed his love for us and I didn't say anything back.

Zayn seemingly read my mind and chuckled, "Don't worry about it. You don't have to say anything back. Like I

said, Cade is an animal, for him there is no barrier. For humans it's much more difficult. I don't think I could say it yet either. Those three words."

"But aren't you the same person in a way?" I asked.

Zayn nodded, "Yes, but for me the barrier of humanity gets in the way. From the moment we saw you I knew you would be the one, which sounds crazy by itself. But the mate bond doesn't automatically make me love you, only my wolf side. If I had to describe my feelings for you right

now I'd probably say that I'm falling in love with you, but i'm not there yet." I blushed, he's so certain of everything it's kind of scary.

"But, keep in mind that we've known you are our mate for two weeks already. You have just found out. For us the mating process is clear. Don't feel pressured into saying anything just because we are further along. Take your time, we'll wait for as long as it takes." Zayn reassured me.

I smiled, trying to get rid of the blush that was still very apparent on my face, "O-ok. Thank you for being so

patient with me."

Zayn smiled, "No, thank you for being so accepting. Any other person would have probably run for the hills when

someone starts talking about having kids with them before even taking them out on a date first."

I giggled, "It was tempting, but I decided that I'd give you a chance."

"Good," zayn pulled me close, "Thank you."

---

The next morning, I left with the house with my 'dog' on the leash. Once we reached the forest zayn shifted and put on clothes and we headed into town for a shopping

session. We decided that zayn probably needed a good pair of pants and shoes and zayn wanted to get a

haircut as well. Apparently he used to have short hair before he started living in the forest.

When we reached the forest, zayn turned to me, "Do you have anything planned this Tuesday?"

I raised an eyebrow, "No?"

Zayn smiled, "Then, will you do me the honor of going on a date with me that day?"

I blinked. Zayn and Cade have asked me this before. But they said that, since they don't have any money, they

would wait before officially asking me. I guess his plans changed. "Sure!" I replied.

Zayn beamed and walked over to me, engulfing me in a tight hug, "Thank you." He spoke into my neck and he

gave my sweet spot a gentle kiss. I shivered as the tingles made their way through my body, making zayn chuckle.

"You know," he started as he backed away from my neck, "usually, that spot will become even more sensitive once marked."

"What?! Even more sensitive!?" I yelled. Jesus Christ, I can't even control myself now let alone when he marks me.

Zayn let out a full laugh, "Indeed my little mate. I can't wait to see how you will respond to every touch after

we've marked you." He spoke huskily with a dangerously hot looking smirk on his face.

I don't think I have ever blushed this deeply before. Why does he have to be so incredibly hot?

"D-don't you have to shift or s-something?" I asked, trying

desperately to change the subject.

"Did we make you flustered?" Zayn asked as his smirk grew even wider.

I huffed, "Sure! I'll admit it! You made me flustered. Now, go change into a dog so I can punish you for it by

collaring you!"

Zayn chuckled and pulled me close. "Kinky, I like it."

I blushed even deeper. Thankfully, zayn stepped away from me and took his clothes off to shift. I turned around in embarrassment. Once I heard his bones crack I turned

around again, being met with Cade.

I didn't dare say anything, as I could clearly see the hungry look in Cade's eyes. I just put on his collar and

picked up the shopping backs before heading home.

---

I sighed as I looked at myself in the mirror. Zayn hadn't specified what we'd be doing on our date, just that I

should wear casual clothes. And so, on this Tuesday afternoon, I stood in front of the mirror in a black jumper with blue jeans I was also wearing some boots, complimenting the look.

My hair was in a French braid making me look more girly. I turned myself in the mirror again, would this be ok? I sighed, I've been in here for a full hour now. I wonder if zayn is scared I died. As if on cue, someone knocked on the door, scaring the living daylights out of me.

"Jesus!" I yelled as I tried to calm my rapidly beating heart. I heard a chuckle from the other side of the door.

"Sorry, love. Are you ready?" Zayn asked.

I looked in the mirror once more before deciding that I couldn't back out now. I then opened the door of the

bathroom. Zayn was wearing a simple black t-shirt and his newly bought pants. He was also wearing shoes for once.

When he saw me a breathtaking smile spread across his face, "You look beautiful."

I blushed, "Thanks, you don't look bad yourself."

Zayn chuckled, "Thank you, though I'll have to take it off to shift."

I nodded, "I'll put your clothes in my bag."

With that zayn shifted and we headed out to the forest. Once zayn had shifted back and put on his clothes I

figured we'd head back into town but instead zayn grabbed my hand and led me deeper into the forest.

"Ah, I see. The moment has finally come where you lead me into the forest to kill me." I joked.

Zayn laughed, "I wouldn't dream of it, love."

After around 20 minutes of hiking we reached a beautiful clearing next to the stream. In the clearing laid a blanket and a basket.

"Did you prepare a picnic?"

Zayn scratched his head, "Yeah, I would do something more fancy but I'm currently living off your money."

I smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "I think I like this better." I spoke before heading towards the blanket and sitting down.

Zayn followed and opened the basket.

A wide variety of food came out, most of which I recognized from my own fridge. "When did you set this all

up?" I asked.

"When you were in the shower. I snuck out." Zayn explained as he handed me a sandwich. I thanked him

and gladly took it.

We talked about various things. I realized that even though we had been living together and we had talked a lot about how things were different between humans and

werewolves, we hadn't actually gotten the time to get to know each other.

Zayn talked about his life back at his pack and when he lived in the forest. He talked about how him and his best

friend Noah used to prank a lot of the teachers in school and how they often went on camping trips.

I learned that, behind the calm and controlled base that zayn sets up, he is full of mischief and sarcasm. He's

also incredibly caring and protective of his friends and family.

I told zayn about my friends and family. About how my sister and I would prank teachers by switching places. Dressing up like each other, because we where the same height, and imitating each other's voice. And

that eventually why they refused to put us in classes together because people couldn't keep us apart. This of course caused us to take it a step further and switch classes to mess with our teachers. We even went as far as switching places while taking tests. I don't think I would have

passed math without Harley.

Eventually, we just ended up asking each other random questions. I called him out on it being a cliché date thing

but he just shrugged.

"Favorite food?" I asked him.

"Steak." Was his simple reply.

"You're such a guy." I laughed.

Adam chuckled too, "What can I say. When the BBQ comes out I'm all in. How about you?"

"Hmm... probably cauliflower soup." I answered.

"Cauliflower soup?" Zayn asked with a raised eyebrow.

I nodded, "My grandma makes the best soup in the country. I can't wait to go home for Thanksgiving this year

and have some."

Zayn hummed in response, "Sounds interesting."

I nodded. "Well, your turn to ask a question."

"Um... Favorite season?" he asked.

"Lame question, and spring!" I answered.

Zayn chuckled, "Well, I'm sorry for lacking creativity. For me it's fall." He answered.

I smiled, my next question already thought of, "Would you like to meet with Alpha Thomas again?"

Zayn blinked and frowned, "What?"

"When you were talking to Jasper I noticed that you liked talking to someone of the same species. I was wondering if you'd be willing to meet up with Alpha Thomas. He was

a friend right?" I elaborated.

Zayn looked away for a second, lost in thought, "I suppose it would be nice to see an old friend. I don't know, Cade and I have been alone for so long. The idea of going to a pack is daunting."

"It's not like you're gonna join the pack though right?" I asked.

He nodded, "I guess. I think it's also daunting because the last time I saw a pack it was one that had been burned to the ground." He spoke softly.

I froze. Right, maybe this question was a bit personal. I reached over and grabbed his hand, knowing that physical contact would provide a calming effect.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

Zayn gave me a sad smile, "No, it's fine. And you're right in a way, I did enjoy talking to another werewolf. Maybe it would be good for us to visit a pack. It might even help with Cade not being used to other people anymore as well."

I gave his hand a squeeze, "Just let me know. I can text jasper to set up a meeting if you want."

Zayn pulled my arm and engulfed me into a hug, making me freeze. "Thank you." He mumbled into my neck. I

smiled and placed my hand in his hair, softly playing with his strands.

We stayed like that for a bit, until zayn pulled away. "Is it time for the next question?" he asked me.

I nodded, "Sure."

Zayn pulled me a bit closer, making my face heat up as I felt his breaths on my cheek, "Can I kiss you?" he asked.

I was completely flustered. So, not trusting my voice, I gave him a nod. He wasted no time before pulling his lips to mine. It was a gentle kiss, but the tingles that exploded all over my body as his lips met mine were indescribable.

For a while though, it was just that. A soft, gentle kiss. A careful kiss, one that was testing the waters. I softly

played with his hair and zayn had his hands on my lower back and behind my neck.

Eventually, I felt zayn pull me even closer to him, so that our chest were pressed together. He let out a groan and his kiss became rougher. I tried to keep up the best I could as we slowly became more passionate.

Zayn changed my position so that I was straddling him and broke the kiss. We looked into each other's eyes for a bit before he started peppering kisses along my jawline. I felt him slowly take off my scarf so he had access to my neck, and he didn't waste any time before placing butterfly kisses all along my neck and shoulder.

As per usual, when he reached my soft spot I moaned and melted into his body. A warm tingling feeling spread

through my body and I pushed myself closer to him.

Zayn's hold on me tightened as he started sucking and nibbling the spot. I was a mess at this point, breathing

heavily and moaning without restraint. I felt zayn's chest rumble as he let out another groan before he moved from my neck back to my lips and kissed me again full force.

My hands left his neck and hair and I placed them on his broad shoulders and arms, feeling the muscles ripple

underneath my fingers. I felt zayn's hands leave my neck and lower back too, slowly sliding down my body until he was holding my bare thighs. He pulled me up even closer to him, and I placed my hands on his back.

When we finally broke the kiss, we were both breathing heavily. We looked each other in the eye for a bit,

catching our breaths, before zayn placed a soft kiss on my forehead,

"God. You're perfect."

.....................