TBMA [Complete ✔️]

28. Dark

Zane's P.O.V

The weight off my chest seemed lifted ever since my mate accepted me, though the burden of work became heavier. As Beta to a pack without a Beta female or a Luna, the Alpha and I had a lot on our plates during the holiday season. I often wondered how my mom did it for so long, and so well, especially after dad was killed and both the Alphas relied solely on her.

Rose and I haven't had much time for each other since our dinner together, my wolf whining at the thought. I would have too, had I not been in the same room as her brother, who had already once broken my jaw.

I made sure to text her about my day and ask her about hers since even though we lived in the same house, I was far too exhausted to sneak around after the long days filled with paperwork.

"You're free to leave if you're this bored!" Alpha Knox growled, snapping me out of my thoughts. I quickly picked up my stack, sorting through it to look like I was doing something.

"I'm sorry," I muttered, doing my best to stop my eyes from drooping closed. I stole a glance at my phone, groaning inwardly as I saw it was already late. We had been at the stacks for days now, working from early morning to late at night and no obvious progress looked like it had been made.

"Go, I don't need you sleeping on the desk. You can come earlier tomorrow." He told me, not looking away from the computer in front of him. I was about to tell him I was fine and continue, when he glared at me, making me decide it wasn't worth it.

"Goodnight, Alpha!" I nodded respectfully, walking out of the office with a sigh. Immediately after I unlocked the door to my suite, the one I hoped I'd share with Rose someday soon, I plopped on the couch, reaching for my phone again.

A smile danced across my lips as I found a message from her, asking if I wanted her to bring me pizza since she had ordered some. Although I could barely keep myself from falling asleep, I let her know I was waiting for her, the thought of seeing her and being in her presence way more appealing than that of going to bed.

***

My mate's scent engulfed me mere minutes after. I opened the door for her before she could even knock, helping her set the boxes on the coffee table.

Once her arms were free, I pulled her into mine, holding her there for a while before she forced me to let go.

"I missed you too but I'd rather not eat my dinner cold!" She laughed, while I rolled my eyes but let her make herself comfortable on the couch.

I quickly went to the kitchen to grab some soda and two plates, settling them in front of her.

"Thanks!" She smiled, my heart flipping in excitement at the smile she flashed being just for me.

She smiled at me more often than she rolled her eyes now, but the thought of her fearing the bond again scared me. I needed to relish in each smile, in each embrace and kiss, I needed to get enough of them while she was willing to give them.

We settled into comfortable silence as I practically inhaled piece after piece.

"Haven't you eaten today?" I settled the one currently in my hand down, wiping my hands before scratching my neck.

"Only at breakfast." The frown on her face made me smile.

"Don't smile at me, i***t!" She huffed, though the blush coating her cheeks said otherwise.

"You're an Angel and I'm an i***t!" I crossed my arms over my chest with a pout. "Seems unfair to me!"

She pushed my arms away and wrapped them around herself, melting both of our frowns, playful or not.

"I hear you haven't eaten once more, I'll barge into that office myself and shove food down your throat!" My mate warned me before the sweet smile returned to her face as if she hadn't just threatened me.

"Females are scary!" Zion huffed.

"Tell me about it!"

"Sure you would," I replied to Rose, hurrying to finish my piece before she actually shoved it down my throat.

After we ate everything, I let Rose choose a movie for the two of us, covering us with a blanket as we lay on the couch.

Sadly, I didn't push her into laying with me, something I deeply regretted, so she was on the other end, while I stayed on mine. I contemplated on asking her to come closer now but she looked far too comfortable to move, so I let her be.

I could feel her glance at me from time to time, sometimes waiting for my reaction at a certain scene, other times, I hoped, to check me out.

My exhaustion had flown out the window because even now that we had shut the lights off and the only light came from the tv, I had no desire to go to bed. I'd spend as much time with my mate as I could, even if it meant I would regret my existence tomorrow.

She, however, was snoring soundly not even halfway into it. I stifled a chuckle as I wondered how bored she had to be of her own movie choice to fall asleep so quickly, but stayed quiet so as to not wake her.

I shut the tv off, sighing in longing, knowing I'd have to go to bed now if I wanted a chance of waking up earlier tomorrow as the Alpha requested.

I untangled my limbs from the blanket and quietly pushed myself off the couch, covering Rose and watching as she snuggled deeper into it.

I had wanted to carry her to my bed, so she could sleep more comfortably, though it would still be without me. Accepted or not, my mate hadn't yet told me what she thought about moving in with me, or many of her boundaries except that she didn't want Knox to know just yet, and I didn't plan on pushing her.

Just her being here was enough. Loving her from close up instead of from a distance, was enough.

Since she looked comfortable enough and I was afraid she'd wake if I were to move her, I let her keep the couch, silently making my way into my bedroom and shutting the door behind me.

I could only take my shoes off before I collapsed, the previous exhaustion catching up to me and forcing my eyes shut.

Rosalie's P.O.V

I rolled over to the edge, my eyes snapping open as I almost fell off wherever I was sleeping. Frantically looking around, I realized I wasn't in my own bed, my surroundings both familiar and not at the same time.

And that's when it hit me - the darkness. My biggest fear. It was stupid, really, I was a werewolf, a creature of the night that worshipped the moon, yet I was terrified of the dark.

The worst things always happen when it's dark. My worst memories, almost every bad thing I remember from my childhood had happened at night. I couldn't bare it.

In my room, I still slept with a nightlight, even though it made me feel stupid and weak. I'd grown more comfortable with the idea after I saw there was no way to get rid of my fear, but I wasn't in my room now.

I was in Zane's living room and he was nowhere to be found.

I reached for my phone, throwing the blanket to the floor in a panic but still not managing to find it.

My breathing became more and more raged as I struggled to find anything I could use to get a little light into the room.

I knew my wolf was trying to speak to me but I had no idea what she was saying, the panic making my thoughts jumbled.

I got up on shaky legs, my knees nearly collapsing from underneath me. A whimper escaped my lips, my hands frantically reaching around both to steady me and to search for the light.

I knew where it was. I had been here before and I had seen Aunt Zaria, back when she lived here, turn it on and off countless times but I couldn't get myself to think straight.

I pulled at the collar of my top, trying to rip it away from my throat and lessen the burn in it.

Just as I pulled my legs forward, I ended up tripping over something, my hands flying out to stop the fall. I cradled my wrist to my chest, hissing at the pain just as Zane flew into the room, searching for either what made the noise or me. Perhaps both.

His eyes finally landed on me as he ran to turn the light on, a quiet, relieved sigh leaving my lips. My mate then made his way over to me and helped me back on the couch, his fingers gently brushing the hair out of my face.

"You okay?" He asked, concern swirling in his gorgeous eyes. I could only nod. After all, what was I meant to say when it sounded so stupid even without pronouncing it out loud?

"Why are you crying?" I hadn't noticed I was before he mentioned it. My cheeks turned red with embarrassment as I hurried to wipe the tears away. Zane took my hands and pushed them away from my face, holding them in his.

They were still shaking, and he'd noticed, but now that the lights were back on, and I was sure there was nothing to hurt me in the room - I could slowly feel myself start to relax.

"I'm okay, don't worry!" I gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "You can go back to sleep." I had just noticed the dark purple bags beneath his eyes, feeling guilty for pulling him out of his much-needed sleep.

"I'm not going anywhere until I know you're okay!" He huffed, shaking his head. "What happened?" His voice became softer, quieter. For some reason, I felt compelled to tell him even if I'd regret it later on.

"I'm scared of sleeping without a light. When there was none, I panicked." I mumbled, my cheeks heating up once more. I had to fight every instinct in my body to stop myself from shutting my eyes as I waited for him to laugh.

He didn't.

"I didn't know, I'm so sorry!" He pulled me into his arms, holding me so tightly as if there'd been actual danger he needed me safe from.

I listened to the sound of his heartbeat to calm myself down for a second, being in his arms already doing it for me.

"It's not your fault. It's not like I meant to fall asleep, anyway. I haven't told anybody before." Zane let me pull away but he continued to hold my hands as he asked, "Why?"

"It's embarrassing." I shrugged. He looked at me as If I'd said the most ridiculous thing on the planet.

"Your fears are valid, everyone has one they find ridiculous, even if it never is!" I snuggled back into his side.

"Yeah? And what's yours?" My mate pretended to think for a second before he turned serious.

"You promise not to laugh?" I scoffed.

"We're up in the middle of the night because I, a werewolf, am scared of the dark, I'd be a hypocrite to." He didn't appreciate my answer but let it slide, just this once.

"I," he paused dramatically, "I'm scared of being boring!" I laughed as he shuddered, rolling my eyes. "So much for not laughing!" He mumbled under his breath.

"So much for being serious for one second!" I looked down at my hands, finding out they were no longer trembling.

By the knowing smile on his face, that had been his plan all along.

"What about your wrist? Does it hurt?" I rolled it around a bit, waiting for any sort of pain, satisfied when there was none.

"It's perfectly fine," I replied.

"Ready to go back to sleep?" I froze but quickly came to my senses, glad I wouldn't be keeping him awake any longer.

"Yup. Let me find my phone and I'll go to my room!" I said, searching for it again. Zane growled, it was the most possessive I had ever seen him be.

I didn't hate it.

"No way!" He stalked over to his room, pulling the door open. "There's a night light in there, I'll take the couch, you can take the bed since I know you don't wanna share yet." Before I could even protest, he cut me off with another low growl. "I don't mind the couch if I know you're not afraid!"

Knowing there was no point in fighting him, I walked into his bedroom, having him put the light on immediately.

"You wanna change into something comfier?" I looked down at my clothes, a simple pair of grey sweatpants and a tank top, and shook my head.

He watched as I lay down, smiling as he tucked me in.

It didn't take me over a second to make up my mind when I asked,

"Can you stay?"

A/N

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