TBMA [Complete ✔️]

29. Children

Zane's P.O.V

I did not need to be told twice! My heart almost skipped a beat when my mate asked if I could stay with her, embarrassment rushing into me as I knew she'd heard it.

Perhaps it was only because she was scared of going back to sleep and I was just delusional but she genuinely looked like she wanted me to stay. Not only that but she looked like she wanted me to always stay. To be there with her.

Our eyes were both drooping closed by the time we got comfortable but she still used up her energy to snuggle into my side. I carefully wrapped an arm around her waist, afraid she'd move away.

I'd never been a shy guy, nor had I ever contemplated my moves much when around other wolves, but Rosalie - she made me think even about the way I breathed.

I wanted to be good to her, good for her. I wanted it more than I've wanted something before. Just to have her healthy, safe, and happy, in my arms was everything I hadn't known was missing from my otherwise great life.

I hadn't suffered traumas as she had. I didn't think of my childhood in a negative way because it was everything a pup could dream of - a loving family, friends, freedom. Though my mate couldn't boast about the same thing, I knew I'd spend forever giving her too many good memories for her to remember the bad ones. I'd give her the world because the world she deserved.

"Zane?" Her sleepy voice called, pulling me away from my thoughts. I could only hum in response, too tired to use my voice. "Thank you for today! For coming when you knew I needed it and for not making me feel stupid when I told you what was bothering me." I pulled her even closer to me, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair before kissing her forehead.

"Always, Angel!"

I faintly registered her shutting off the light, and though I knew I should ask her why and whether she was sure, sleep took me before I could.

Rosalie's P.O.V

When I woke next, the bed was cold and Zane was gone. His scent was all around the room but he hadn't been here for a while now. I silently thanked him for not waking me. I felt more refreshed than ever, as if no other sleep had come close to this one.

There was a note for me on his pillow, letting me know he was supposed to get to his duties earlier today, so he had no choice but to leave. He had also let me know that he'd left breakfast and coffee for me in the kitchen, which I'd just need to reheat in case I end up sleeping in.

The note made me smile, Rain wagging her tail like a lovesick puppy.

Well, I guess she was a lovesick puppy. But so was I.

I ran my fingers across the paper once more before tucking it into the pocket of my sweatpants and making my way into his kitchen.

Eating breakfast alone in the suite of your mate was disappointing, but I swallowed it down, the knowledge that I'd have to talk to my brother for this to end scaring me. If I wanted to move in with him, If we wanted a future, I'd have to face him soon enough. He wouldn't be happy but deep down, I knew he'd understand.

After I was done, I washed my dishes, taking time to do his too, as well as clean up the suite. I didn't have much to do, unlike him, so I was happy to help.

He had explained to me all the work he and my brother were putting in for the pack. Around the holidays, there were many schedule changes and breaks for working wolves, taxes, paychecks, bonuses and he didn't even want to get me started on approvals for wolves that wanted to leave the territory, so they could visit a relative in another pack.

My head hurt just thinking about doing the same with him as Beta female. I was used to being busy with my schedule as a pup, along with school, but being a Beta female in a pack without a Luna, a pack that may very likely never have a Luna, a lot would be on my shoulders. Still, as long as I was no longer alone and had my mate behind me, I'd manage just fine. I knew it.

When I finished his laundry and picked up around the place, I shot Zane a quick text to let him know I was leaving, leaving the cleaning part a surprise he'd have to come home to on his own.

***

A week passed and Zane and I had barely had time to see each other because of busy schedules, but that was over now. The most mandatory paperwork had been finished and I was done studying for my exams, that were coming up.

Today, on New Year's, would be our first date ever. Sure, we had kind of slipped into a relationship at this point, but we had never actually been on a real date. It was my first and I was very excited.

Sure, wolves didn't exactly wait and date before marking each other, leaving the getting-to-know-the-other part for later, but that wasn't the case for Zane and me.

I think what made me the most comfortable with him was exactly that - his patience. He was willing to do things differently for my sake, willing to wait, though I'd known him, and he'd known me, my entire life. He wasn't trying to push me into anything I wasn't ready for and my consent and best interest were always his highest priority.

Still, I didn't regret pushing him away for as long as I did. Yes, it was difficult fighting the bond, but it made things all the more worth it. It showed me he was willing to fight, that he wouldn't easily give up on us, and I think, deep down, I needed to know that.

I went back to getting ready, putting my thoughts to rest. I had chosen my outfit two days ago - just after he invited me. It was a dress I had fallen in love with at the store. The type that you had no idea where you'd wear but at the same time couldn't leave without. I had had it for months now but it would finally get to shine tonight at the party.

Zane got an invite from Francis and Mia, a mated couple he'd been friends with forever, his words, and didn't want to go alone. Truthfully, I knew he wouldn't be alone even if I didn't agree to go - he had more friends than I could begin to remember, and even if he didn't, he made new ones everywhere he went - but he needed an excuse to take me out.

I was excited to get to know his friends and hopefully make some of my own, but I was particularly excited to see if he'd kiss me tonight when everyone else was there to see and tease him about it afterward.

"You know he would!" Rain rolled her eyes. As much as she could for a wolf, that is. I shrugged.

"Yeah, but it's different when you see it and feel it!" I explained.

"Mhm. If you want to be kissed so bad you could just say it!" She snickered.

I ignored her, applying the last bit of my makeup before I would slip into the dress. I was going with a smokey eye and nude lips tonight, even putting on fake eyelashes to enhance my natural ones.

"You ready yet?" Zane asked through the mind link, making me curse inwardly. Obviously, he heard it, laughing at me. "I'll take that as a no, then."

"Give me ten minutes!" I replied before shutting the link off.

Quickly, I grabbed my dress and shoved it on, smoothing the fabric across my body. It was a gorgeous black, sparkly mini-dress that reached a little over my knees. The back was open with crossed silver-looking straps, that sparkled underneath the lights.

I looked in the mirror, taking a second to just admire the way it fit around the curves I had worked so hard for.

With a smile plastered across my face, I descended down the stairs, taking two at a time when I remembered who'd be waiting for me at the end of them.

As soon as I got into the car, I was assaulted by my mate's lips on mine, his fingers gently tilting my chin upwards. I was glad I hadn't put much blush on because I knew my natural one would be prominent tonight, starting now.

"I thought we were late?" I asked innocently once he let me go, watching as his lips curled into a smirk I had grown used to.

"Perhaps we should just stay inside, order pizza..." Zane trailed off, tilting his head and giving me puppy eyes.

I shoved his head away, laughing as he pretended to pout.

"I did not just spend hours getting ready to eat pizza on New Year's!" He took me in, his eyes slowly dragging all the way from my heels to the top of my head. By the time he was done observing, the tips of my ears were burning bright red and the car felt a couple hundred degrees hotter.

I shifted in my seat, breathing out a quiet sigh of relief as the engine finally hummed to life and the car started moving.

For the rest of the drive, he filled me in on more of the work he and my brother had been doing and their progress, and I filled him in on training and studying.

When I thought about it, the talk seemed dull and like something that would annoy both of us, but that's another thing I liked about Zane and I's relationship - we listened, we talked, and it was comfortable.

We were on our way to a party with friends of his I'd never met and the only thing I was nervous about was the idea of him being dragged away from me and leaving me alone in a room full of strangers.

We were on our way to our first official date, and yet there were no nerves in my belly, no racing heart, and sweaty palms. Perhaps it was because we had known each other since birth but it felt simply like any other time. As if nothing had changed.

There was no unnecessary anxiety, no wondering if I was good enough, or If we would click. It felt like I was simply meeting an old friend and rather than seeking his approval and wanting to be enough for him - I was excited to be by his side and have him by mine, while just being ourselves.

Rosalie and Zane - two wolves bounded by faith. Nothing more, nothing less.

"What are you thinking about?" My mate asked, interrupting my train of thought.

"Us," I replied honestly.

"Yeah? Only good things, I hope?" I could see him watching me through the rare-view mirror, deciding to tease him just a little. For the sport of it.

"Well, I don't know." I shrugged, catching him off guard. "We haven't really been the best match." My voice sounded strained as I got the words out, mentally patting myself on the back for my performance.

Zane gulped, turning to me.

"Are you serious?" He asked, gripping the wheel tightly.

"Of course not, i***t!" I laughed, pecking his cheek so he wouldn't pout for the rest of the night.

"Next time you're walking!" He threatened, making me gasp.

"In heels?" My hand rested on my heart as I pretended to be offended.

"In heels!" Both of us burst into laughter at that, shaking our heads at our own antics.

I realized, no matter what had happened in our lives, or between us, my mate and I were still children at heart and that was something I wasn't willing to let go of.

A/N

Hi, Treasures! Make sure you join my F-a-c-e-b-o-o-k group Teddy's Treasures for extra content and discussions! I'm very excited about this night - spoiler alert - it'll be epic! What do you expect to happen?