Chapter Sixteen

                                    

                                          
She stares at the painting, green eyes staring back. She traces his sharp jawline, his thin lips. She sighs softly. He was gone again, leaving her with only one thing to do, snoop around. She was in the library, which was covered with dust and cobwebs. The shelves were packed with books, the air in the room stale. She goes to the far corner, pulling the thick drapes on the window open. Sunlight lit up the room.  
She smiles, before returning her attention to the painting. She was sure it was him. She didn't realize as he walked in. "What are you doing in here?" She spun around, her grip tightening on the painting. "Is this you?" He broke her gaze and nods. She glances at the picture then at him, and smiles. "Both handsome". His head snaps up to meet hers. She flushes at the look in his eyes, before clearing her throat. 
"Handsome?"  He questions. She nods. "I'm hideous". She frowns placing down the painting carefully, making her way to him. She traces the scar on his chest from the bullet wound. "You're beautiful Matthew, inside and out, and I'm an idiot for realizing too late that what you are doesn't matter, and no matter what I think, it will never be your fault that my father doesn't approve of a female Alpha". 
She gently grabs his chin, turning him to face her. "I'm willing to try this", she waves a hand between them. "I'm willing to try to be a good mate to you and I know I'm stubborn at times-". His large pink tongue shot out lapping at her face. She laughs. "Stop licking me Matthew, I'm trying to-". She continues to laugh until tears sprang to her eyes. "You would be an an amazing Alpha, love", he says seriously. She nodded in reply, as her throat was clogged up with so much emotion she didn't know how to reply. She could count how many people who supported her wanting to be an Alpha on one hand, and that coming from him meant a lot.
He wipes her tears carefully, making sure not to hurt her with his sharp claws. She leans into his touch, feeling the slight tingle from where his body touched hers. She shivers, feeling it race through her body. She looks up at him, wondering what it would be like to be able to kiss her mate, to see him in his human form.
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After the rain had stopped, they went outside for a run. The path to the waterfall was wet under her feet as she tried to outrun the lycan in her human form, and so far, he was winning. She wills her feet to move faster, arriving at the waterfall only a few minutes behind him. "You cheated", she says, struggling to catch her breath. "How can I possibly cheat when you're so slow?" She glares at him, a smile on her lips. 
She strips, remaining in her underwear. "I'm taking a swim, you game?" She watches his green eyes take her in. "Yes". 
He runs pass her, jumping into the water, splashing her. She laughs, hurrying in to join him. 

"Here, I got you this from the library", she looks up at him and at the book in in his hand. She takes it. "Thanks", he nods, making himself comfy on the bed. "My mother used to read it to me when I was a pup before bed. I think you'll like it". She smiles at him, using her hand to sweep the dust off the book. 
"How does this place have running water and electricity?" She asks. The lycan turns to face her. "I use magic". 
"So can you fix up this place, not to be rude, but this is a dump". She heard his soft chuckle. "I know, but I'm not planning on staying here any longer, if I change back to my human form-"
She interrupts him. "Not if. When". He nods at her correction. "When I change back, we'll get our own place, and if you desire, we could start the venture to create our own pack where you will be Alpha." 
Once again she was subjected to a moment of crying. He comforted her, and they fell into a comfortable silence. Alexia yawns. "Get some sleep love". He lays on the bed, facing her. She smiles at him, scooting towards him. She felt him stiffen behind her before slowly relaxing. She grabs his arm, pulling it over her waist. He moves his head closer to her, inhaling her scent deeply.
"Good night Matt", she mumbles, leaning more into his warm embrace. He stiffens once more. "Good night love". He licks her jaw making her laugh. 

Strong arms tightened around her waist, tugging her against a hard body. Fingers skimmed across her belly, and she yawns softly, looking at the hands around her waist. Human hands.