Lessons in Love

Chapter 49: To Fall Asleep

POV: Beta Ben Westlake

I went into my suite quietly to find my mother coming out of the spare bedroom. She was in her night clothes, her hair hanging around her face instead of in its usual bun. Riley was fast asleep on the couch, still dressed from work earlier in the day. My mother smiled shyly at me and went into the kitchen. I followed her.

“What are you doing up?” I whispered, intent on letting Riley get some sleep.

“I dropped a suitcase ten minutes ago, sweetheart. A bomb wouldn’t wake that one!” She snickered, speaking her normal voice as she put the kettle on. “Would you like some tea, dear?”

I shook my head. “You didn’t answer my question.” I said gently.

“I fell asleep earlier when you first brought me here. I can’t seem to fall back asleep now.” She smiled.

“You dropped a suitcase while you were unpacking?” I asked.

“No,” she waved me off, turning to the cabinet to get a mug. “I’ll be going home in the morning. Your father …”

“Mom, you’re not going home to him.” I said gently. “You may not be able to go home at all tomorrow.” I added.

“Ben, I know things looked bad …”

“Looked bad?” My eyes went wide. I couldn’t believe she was rationalizing this beating. “Mom, I’ve been in those chains. You can’t lie to me about what happened this time.”

My mother rested the mug down on the counter, busying herself with the tea bag instead of looking at me. “Ben, please.” She said softly, tears in her voice.

“No, mom. No.” I answered back, shaking my head. “He’s done. It’s all done.” I said.

Her head snapped up. “What do you mean?” She asked.

“We have enough to arrest him and have him stripped of his title. Rick and I are going to arrest him tomorrow morning. The council has been sent the necessary information, and he’ll face trial for what he did to you and what he’s doing to this pack.” I knew we didn’t have enough evidence for all that, but I needed her to know she never had to see him again.

“Ben, you can’t.” She said softly, the tears in her voice now becoming real. “We’ll die.”

“How?” I asked. “He’ll be locked up, and the key will be thrown away. He won’t hurt either of us ever again.”

“That’s how I thought, but he never said he’d kill us.” She said, shaking. “He always said we’d die, Ben. You and Riley were talking about curses. She said you found a stone. What if the curse is for us?” She started crying. “What if we’re already dead and don’t know it? You have to send me back home. I can’t let him take you.”

I moved slowly toward her. “Mom,” I said gently, reaching for her. She let me draw her into a hug. “You are not going anywhere near him again. I’ve already sent everything we have to the council.” She cried harder into my chest. “It will take some time for the council to review the evidence. He’ll be locked up until the council makes its decision. Nothing will happen to him or us in the meantime. You need to trust me. You need to believe me when I tell you you’re going to be safe from now on.”

She shook her head. “I believe you.” She said, pulling back from me. “I’m just afraid he’ll hurt you again.” The kettle whistled, and she pulled away from me to tend to her tea.

“Rick will keep me safe while I keep you safe.” I said to her with a bit of a smile.

“And Riley,” she smiled at me. “She will protect you.”

“We’ll protect each other.” I corrected her. Her smile broadened.

“Well, I was going to take my tea and relax, but maybe I should put a few things in the closet.” She blushed. I smiled at her. “You should take Riley to bed.” She said, heading for the door with her mug.

“Mom!” I exclaimed.

“No, not …” her face went red. “She fell asleep on the couch. That can’t be comfortable for her, and she’ll sleep deeper, not that that’s necessary, surrounded by your scent.” She laughed. “Good night, sweetheart.” She said, turning to go.

“Good night.” I said, following her out of the kitchen. She went into her room and closed her bedroom door.

I stood in the living room staring at Riley, contemplating my mother’s advice. I felt a peacefulness rolling off Riley as she slept, and I realized she’d probably fallen asleep about two hours ago. I had been sending the report to the council when I had felt this same sensation from her and had gotten tired almost instantly. I moved to the couch and knelt on the ground next to her. I brushed her hair off her face gently. She didn’t move.

“Riley?” I whispered. “Riley.” I said a little louder. She was out. She didn’t flinch or scrunch up her face, nothing. I wondered if I could carry her to the bedroom without waking her up. I got up and went to my bedroom. I changed into sweatpants and a t-shirt, then pulled the blankets back on the bed. I went back to the living room to find her still blissfully asleep.

“Riley,” I said normally. Still nothing from her. I slid my hand underneath her back and lifted her gently against my chest. She grumbled something unintelligible and nuzzled her face into my neck. I froze. Her warm breath floated over the spot at the base of my neck, where it was common for wolves to mark their mates. It was a sensitive spot, an erogenous zone for wolves. I shuddered involuntarily at the feel of it as I moved her free arm over my shoulder. Each breath she took sent a small wave of pleasure through me as she exhaled over the spot she would one day bite.

I slid my other hand under her legs, feeling the firmness and shape of her thighs. I stilled again. If I couldn’t keep my arousal in check carrying her, should I carry her into the bedroom at all, I wondered. Her arms wrapped around my neck lightly in her sleep, and she nuzzled closer to me. I took the unconscious move as permission to move her. Even in her sleep, it was clear she wanted to be held. I would not deny my mate that. I lifted her gently off the couch and carried her to the bedroom. I stood there, staring at the bed a moment, feeling the weight of Riley in my arms.

I had intended to tuck her into the bed next to me. As I stared at the bed, I didn’t think I could put her down. I certainly couldn’t let her go. I walked around to my side of the bed and sat down. I wriggled around a little until I was on the bed properly, sitting with my back and head against the headboard. Keeping one arm tight around her, I pulled the blankets up over us and wrapped my arms around her tightly.

Riley never woke up, but she did curl into a ball against me, the top of her head right under my chin. She moved a little, like she was burrowing into the warmth of me and the blankets, then let out a contented little sigh. I smiled down at her, putting a kiss on the top of her head and breathing in the smell of jasmine.

“Riley,” I whispered into her hair, getting no reaction from her. I kissed the top of her head again. “Riley, I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without you.” I said quietly. “You’re the reason I’m strong enough to stand up to him. You’re the reason I’m able to do any of this.” My arms tightened around her. “I never thought it would feel like this. That I would feel strong and whole. I don’t know what I give you, but I promise I would give you the world if you asked for it.” I kissed her head again, breathing her in as I did.

Riley’s breathing didn’t change, and she didn’t move an inch. She just slept in my arms, her body pressing against my chest and shoulder. I don’t remember much after that. I fell asleep quickly with my mate wrapped in my arms.