Chapter 31 Chapter 31
ZANE
I stared at her wide-eyed, my whole body filling with fire. I could feel my wolf howling and jumping in my head. A shock burst through me, and I could feel the small pull I had toward her grow.
Had she really just said that? Did she really just give me another chance?
After a moment, my mind came back to the present. Her eyes were filled with worry. I knew she was nervous about giving me the power to hurt her again.
The smile that spread across my face was huge and happy. I pulled her close to me and brushed my lips against hers.
“My mate,” I whispered before kissing her again.
It was gentle and soft and slow. My feelings for her poured out in every touch. I pulled away, brushed stray hairs from her face, and met her eyes.
“I promise this time will be different. I’m never going to let you go again. Before, my pride didn’t let me see how strong and beautiful and kind you are. I’m not going to mess this up.”
Ella beamed up at me, and I could see how she felt without even speaking.
When we finally decided to let ourselves leave the bed and wander downstairs for dinner, I could feel the mate pull getting stronger. All I wanted to do was go back upstairs.
We made our way to the kitchen, and I met eyes with Sophie, the bright look on our faces informing her of good things.
Ella and I sat down at the island, hands locked together, and Sophie smiled at us.
“Have a nice day off?” she teased.
We both chuckled. She had no idea how nice.
“It’s been a good day,” I replied.
“We’re going to have to adjust your new schedule, though.”
“Oh? Why is that?” Sophie looked up in confusion.
“My luna will be a little too busy to be helping in the kitchen.” I smiled and turned to Ella, who smiled back at me.
Our faces snapped back to Sophie in surprise when we heard her scream in excitement. She ran around the counter and pulled us both in for a tight embrace.
“Finally!”
Ella laughed.
“What do you mean, finally?”
“You two were driving me crazy. I knew you were meant for each other, but you are both so stubborn.”
We laughed and after dinner decided to go meet with Alpha Daniel. I could see she was a little nervous, and I squeezed her hand before walking into his office.
“Dad?”
“Mhm?” my father replied from the couch in his office.
“Have a minute?”
“Yep.” He set the files down and sat up, motioning for us to enter. A small smile crossed his face when he saw our intertwined hands.
“Well…” I rubbed the back of my head, suddenly nervous.
“I want you to meet my mate.”
My father smiled brightly and stood to hug me.
“I knew you’d realize how amazing your mate is.”
Ella laughed.
“Took him long enough.”
Great. Now I had two people to give me a hard time. I rolled my eyes and laughed.
“Yeah, yeah, I know. I was an idiot.”
They both shot knowing looks at me in unspoken agreement. Alpha Daniel smiled before walking over to his desk.
“The next full moon is in a week. Do you think that’s enough time to pull together a luna ceremony, or should we wait until next month?”
I turned to Ella, who shrugged at me.
“I already wasted too much time. We’ll do it next week.”
My father clapped his hands together.
“Alright then! We’ve got a lot to do. I expect both of you in my office first thing after breakfast tomorrow morning.”
We both agreed and said our goodnights before heading upstairs. I was happy and excited until Ella let go of my hand and walked into her room.
I followed her in.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Ella turned to me with a confused look.
“Well, I was going to change and then probably go to bed?”
“And you’re doing all that in my room, right?” I gave her a sly smile.
Ella laughed out loud.
“Zane, I’m not sleeping with you tonight.”
I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her waist, giving her my best puppy dog look.
“Why not?”
She pushed me off.
“Just because we’re mates doesn’t mean I’m moving in just yet.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what that means!” I replied. With one swift movement, I picked her up bridal style and carried her to my room.
“Zane! Put me down!” she squealed.
I dropped her on the bed and moved close to her.
“Ella, as your alpha I require that you sleep in this bed.”
I could see she didn’t like that statement.
“Zane Davis, if you think that—”
I crushed my lips to hers, the passion I’d been holding in all evening igniting.
Ella kissed me back, meeting my passion with hers, and we spent a long time holding each other close, entangling ourselves in each other.
When we finally came up for air, Ella smiled at me before climbing off the bed and walking to the door.
“I was serious, Ella Matthews. You better get your butt back in this bed.”
Ella turned to me, a smirk on her face.
“We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
She walked out of the room and left me breathless at the sight of her hips swaying as she walked away.
I ran my hand through my hair. This girl was trying to kill me.