His Second Mate

Chapter 5

Lillian-Marie's POV

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I sat frozen for a solid 3 minutes before I heard Lia's voice "we should get ready now" . "Yes we should" I said out loud, then I began to pick up a few stray items and put them back in their proper places. My heart started to pick up and I tried miserably to slow it, Alex would definitely know something was wrong. Get it together. Get. It Together. He is just my best friend, nothing more, don't make this weird now. Taking a deep breath, I went to light my favorite candle, and turn on my stereo, for background music of course. I looked around my dimly lit living room. This was too romantic, a blush came over my face just thinking of any romance between us. Lia let our a half purr and feral growl. I could not have these thoughts right now, she would just have thoughts 10x worse. At just that moment there was a knock on the door. s**t.

I opened the door to a smiling Alex, a smile that quickly faltered when he saw my facial expression. "What's wrong Lilly?" He asked while ducking slightly and stepping inside, "oh, hey, I love that new painting." He said gingerly while walking over to my latest project. Painting was a therapeutic for me, helped me to clear mind. I usually used oil as my medium and this was no exception, in the far corner of my living room sat my little station littered with cups, brushes, and paint, my painting wasn't completed yet, I only had the background, the forest. I pulled a lot of inspiration from the forest. It was my favorite, second to Alex. Of course.

I shut the door and turned to see him bending slightly, inspecting the painting. His shirt rose up slightly exposing the small of his back, my eyes darted down and I felt a deep blush settle in my cheeks. How was I going to do this? Every part of me burned for him, a hot green fire eloped my whole being and he had no idea. "Thanks," I managed to squeak out, I quickly cleared my voice "I have hot coffee ready!" I said as enthusiastically as I could.

He was smiling when he turned my way, in four long strides he had made his way to the dinning table, and in no time was standing right in front of me. I couldn't help the smile that came over me when his green eyes captured mine. He held his arms out and I shamelessly closed the gap between us. I buried my face into his chest and felt the tension release from my body.

"What's wrong?" he asked while gently playing with my hair. I let out a laugh and spoke the truth before I could even stop myself, "I missed you" His arms wrapped around me slightly tighter after that and we sat in silence for what felt like hours, though it couldn't have been more that 2 minutes. He leaned down, kissing my forehead, "I've missed you too Lilly" he said with a sad smile. Then he turned to start plating and I made up our hot coffees.

"I know we haven't had much time to catch up," Alex started as soon as I took a bite, he smiled and took a huge bite himself, "but that is going to change soon.".

I finished chewing before answering, "Is that so?" I tried to sound neutral considering the simple fact that I didn't know if I could function everyday if I knew the chance of running into him around every corner was extremely high. He let out a loud deep laugh and the corners of his eyes turned up and as he threw his head back. I began to laugh myself, he was just so infectious. "It didn't sound like you were that excited Lilly," he said smiling, he picked up his coffee mug and I knew that was my cue to explain myself. "Of course I am happy about seeing you more Alex," I spoke, keeping my voice steady.

It was already easier, just being around him. "But is everything okay? I know you have been busy and the rogue attacks have been more recent around the country. His eyes suddenly darkened and I was reminded of his status. Yes, he was my best friend and a big cuddly bear but he was also the alpha and could rip almost anyone into shreds.

"That is part of the reason," he sighed while setting down his fork and placing his head in his hands. "on Monday we have a council meeting and Josh will be there with us to discuss our strategy." I nodded, I knew my brother would be involved in alpha business sooner than later, we all did, I was proud of him. And once he met his mate, he would be that much stronger.

Oh, right. Mate. I made eye contact with Alex and saw the stress weighing him down, he needed help, help he could only get from his mate. Sadness came over me and I couldn't help myself when I went to sit in the chair next to him to rub his shoulder. His eyes seemed to light up just a bit, and I had a glimmer of hope. As long as things stayed the way they were, maybe I could live like this.

"What do you say about a little cuddling and a movie, for old times sake, and then we can go for a run. Bernulf hasn't seen Accalia in months now," he said with a small smile, "we always seem to miss each other these days.". I stood up, being closer to his height while he was sitting, and set my hands on his shoulders, "It's a good thing you'll be around more then." I said with a smile.

He began to stand and wrapped me in another hug, again silence fell over us and my body started to heat up. Lia had began purring softly ever since we sat next to him, she was practically drooling at this point. I had to get her under control, and fast. "Why don't you choose a movie and I'll change into something more comfortable and grab some blankets?" I suggested while pulling apart. Looking into his green eyes, I saw a peek of the more relaxed Alex, not the alpha, but my big cuddly bear.

I carried three pillows and two blankets with me into the living room, don't ask why I have so many, I get cold at night. Alex laughed when he saw me, "You look like a fort monster." He seemed so relaxed and happy, I let out a low groan and zombie walked toward him slowly. He jumped up in an instant and seems to effortlessly pick me up by my sides. I let out a shriek and held onto his shoulders. He roughly but very protectively placed me on the couch, hovering over me he began to tickle my sides. As much as it tickled and I laughed, I couldn't stop thinking of the way he was laying over me, and the way his shirt came up slightly, and if I were to put my hands up I would be able to touch his bare torso. Not that I haven't touched him before, we were best friends, but this felt different, this felt wrong, but it also felt so right. So I endured the tickling much longer than I would have normally and I let my hands find his smooth rough skin, and I let myself smell his scent as we were laughing, and when He buried his head in my neck I let my fire k****e. Soon we were in a heap on the couch panting and giggling.

In a swift movement he had his shirt off and was turning on the overhead fan. He grabbed the lightest blanket I brought and the few pillows and set us up nicely on the couch. Then he pressed play on a movie, while spreading his arms to welcome me into a cuddling session. A lazy and content smile played on his lips and my heart felt like it could stop. In that moment I was hyper aware that I had on a pair of shorts and slightly oversized shirt, and yes, I may have worn one of my best pair of panties. My eyes ran over his body, inviting me in, when I made eye contact again his eyes held cockiness and we loved it, "Liking what you see?" He slyly spoke, while wiggling his eyebrows. I swear my face turned a deep shade of red, "Oh, shut up," I half joked, while snuggling up close to him, "what are we even watching?" I inquired, trying desperately to change the subject. Alex let out a deep chuckle and pulled me in closer while getting more comfy himself, "I chose beauty and the beast, live action.". I grinned, he knew how much I loved disney, how much I was a hopeless romantic. He knew almost everything about me. I then took a deep breath and then relaxed into his embrace. I could do this.

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"Lilly, this will be torture" Lia groaned. I rolled my eyes, I could tell she also was the most comfortable she's been in months. Being around your mate was like healing to your bones. It made you feel safe, alive, calm.

'Oh shush, you know you love this.' "But how can we continue everyday with him not knowing?" annoyance laced her voice. 'It's either this or not seeing him anymore, you know what will happen if we tell him'

"You don't know that she pouted"

'I don't enjoy it anymore than you do Lia, you know that' I thought annoyed, we had been over this countless times before. That's one of the reasons she hasn't seen Bernulf in so long, I've seen him, but not while shifted, it's harder for her to contain herself.

"Don't worry, I'll be on my best behavior" she said seductively, I gritted my teeth and tried to contain myself, the last thing I wanted was explain to Alex that I was arguing with my wolf.

"You may not be able to touch his perfect body the way you want to, but Bernulf and I will sit next to our creek and swim and play and run." I smiled, feeling a warmth from her that I haven't felt in a while.

'As long as you don't do anything stupid, you can have your fun too.' She started to purr and her thoughts faded into my background. I leaned even deeper into Alex and focused on his breathing.

Yeah, I can do this, we can do this, I won't jeopardize our friendship. But I had hope, maybe one day things will be different. One could only hope.