TTMA [Complete ✔️]

29. Birthday present

Dalia's P.O.V

The sunlight hit my eyes, waking me up from a peaceful sleep. It was shining brightly, peeking through the blinds. My mate's strong arm was lazily drooped around my waist, making me stuck in his hold. I, however, didn't mind one bit. I snuggled further into him, while still being careful not to wake him up.

I took advantage of the fact that he was asleep, letting my eyes roam around his face and body. My wolf licked her lips, enjoying the view. I completely agreed with her. His black hair framed his face, wild strands messing up the perfect image he tried to uphold in front of others. His eyes closed, he looked content and peaceful.

His abs were poking out of the T-shirt he had put on and I had to suppress a giggle when I noticed. I found myself losing touch with reality as I focused on the way his chest rose and fell in a perfect rhythm as I tried to match it to my own.

After Knox snapped at Zane and I managed to calm him down, he apologized to all of us (multiple times) before he finally went back to normal. I slowly started loosening up and enjoying my time with my new family. Zane was very careful with the way he approached me for a while, but by the end of the night, he was the same goofball I had hung out with as a child.

We all shared childhood memories and made up for lost time. Zane and Rose talked about how they met and about Knox's reaction. His cheeks were practically red with embarrassment as he rubbed his neck, telling me he would explain. He didn't have many stories to share and it made me a little sad that he wouldn't let me in, but I didn't press on the matter.

Zane and Rose, on the opposite, both loved to talk so they managed to entertain us through the night. My sister-in-law even shared a story about how she had thrown water in his face when she had just found out they were mated.

We ate delicious food and although I couldn't finish even half of it, I really enjoyed the flavor and the different textures. Everyone else had some drinks, but I stayed away from them, knowing that I barely managed to stomach food so alcohol wouldn't be a wise decision.

Even after the fun we had, I couldn't help but wonder if I was treating Knox badly. The fear in his eyes when he gained control back, thinking that he had scared me, it hurt. I didn't want him to feel as though he had to walk on eggshells around me because I was starting to get used to this new life. I wanted to get to know him, all of him, not just the parts he was sure wouldn't scare me. I wasn't scared, not of him. Not anymore.

I drew my attention back to my sleeping mate as I continued staring for a while, taking everything about him in. From the warmth his skin projected, to the strands of hair flying wildly around his face, I enjoyed each and every part of him.

"Let me know when you're done staring so I can open my eyes!" Knox mumbled, peeking through one half-closed eye. I jumped back, my heart stopping for a second before heat rose up to my cheeks.

"Busted!" My wolf laughed.

"Well aware of it, thank you, Delilah!" I hissed before blocking our connection.

His eyes were now open as he stared at me with a mischievous glint and a smirk on his lips. I hid my face with my pillow, feeling embarrassed about being caught.

"Oh, don't shy away now, my love, you seemed to enjoy what you saw very much!" He teased, holding back his laughter.

He took the pillow from me and threw it across the room before dragging me back into his arms.

"You're not going anywhere yet!" He grumbled playfully. I snuggled closer again, already missing the body heat his body gave me. My head rested on his shoulder as he played with my hair, my thoughts wandering back to my treatment towards him. A sigh escaped my lips, making my mate's attention snap to me.

"What's wrong?" He asked, concern swimming in the pools of familiar light gray. I kept quiet. Not only was I not sure if I wanted to annoy him with my sob stories any longer, but I had also never talked about my problems to anyone so this was all new to me.

"I can't be there for you if you don't let me!" He sighed, his fingers tipping my chin so my eyes met his. "Let me be there for you, talk to me!" He pleaded, my heart clenching at his tone.

I was doing it again - putting my fears, my own problems, in front of him, which was the exact reason I felt bad in the first place. He was right, he couldn't be there for me if I didn't let him and we had both promised to try.

"I don't want you to feel l-like you can't make mistakes because of me," I told him as I took a deep breath, interrupting him before he could say anything. "I saw the way you tensed up after gaining control, you felt scared I would be afraid of you, but I'm not. I don't expect you to be perfect, because, for me, you already are! I love you, Knox, and I'm ready to be with you, every part of you!" I froze as the last sentence left my lips, shocking both of us.

I told him I loved him too in the kitchen, but this was different. This time, it was me, who said it first, it was my heart that screamed it. At this moment, my mind truly accepted the fact that this was my new life. It was surrounded by good people that loved me, memories - good and bad, and soon a pack I would become the Luna of. I came to terms with the fact that what happened in the past couldn't be erased and although I would never forget it, I also wouldn't let it dictate my future.

"I'm proud of you, Dali!" Delilah linked me, snuggling against our bond to show her love. I smiled as I felt Knox's arms wrap around me tighter, my face getting showered with his kisses. His eyes seemed to sparkle with joy, a wide smile dancing on his lips.

"I'm afraid of messing things up and losing you, but it has nothing to do with your fear, love!" He looked deep in thought for a second before he continued. "No one had ever accepted me without trying to change who I was. You make me the best version of myself I can be! I love you too! So much!" He kissed my forehead, my fears melting away under his soft lips.

"Wait here!" He commanded as he jumped out of bed and ran into the closet.

I sat up, listening as he shuffled some things around before he finally came back with a cupcake, a candle on top of it, and a small box. He carefully brought the candle to my lips, asking me to make a wish as he sang happy birthday to me.

Throughout the years, in which I was living in the Trade, all I wished for was death, an escape, my wolf, anything that would help get my sister and me out of there. When I lost her, I lost the final piece of my soul I had managed to keep, all hope dying with it. Right now though, as I watch my handsome mate hold a cupcake in front of me as he sings happy birthday to me, my soul felt whole again.

It felt almost as if the missing pieces of the puzzle had gotten found and glued back together. There were some pieces I would never get back, like the love of my parents, but others, like hope, I had glued back. I felt hope that I would be reunited with my sister again, that she would throw her arms around my neck, I would introduce her to my mate and watch as she found her own, both of us creating happy lives together.

I blew out the candles, feeling tears prickle in my eyes, but I blink them away. I was hopeful again, happy, tears shouldn't be a part of the new life I was trying to build. My mate removed the candle from the cupcake, setting both of them aside as he handed me the small package, which was wrapped in pink wrapping paper with a bow on top.

"May 19th, your birthday!" He grinned. "I haven't forgotten!" I smiled at his thoughtfulness, wrapping my arms around his neck before taking my present and ripping the paper away. Inside, there lay a small black box with a rose gold bracelet in it.

The bracelet was delicate and elegant, yet classy and beautiful. Two charms were attached to it - a flower and a moon.

"The flower honors your name and your parents' love for you and gardening, while the moon honors our pack and the beginning of your new life, just like how one day dies, gets replaced by the moon, and a new raises." He explained, eyeing my reaction. "You can add any other charm you want!" He added.

Happy tears fall neatly down my cheeks as I already failed my first rule for a happy life. I felt happy. This was one of my happiest moments.

"I love it! Thank you so much!" I saw the way he exhaled slowly, relieved that I loved my gift. He grabbed it from me and clasped it around my wrist, the gold shining beautifully against my pale skin.

I moved the box aside and wrapped my hands around his neck again, enjoying the way our bodies felt against each other. He carefully lifted me as he sat against the headboard and placed me in between his legs. I rested my head on his chest as I ate my cupcake, giving my mate a bite from time to time.

"Dali?" Knox called out as I continued munching on my cupcake, which was taking me way too long to finish. I stayed in my spot, feeling way too comfortable to move, but he knew I was listening. "I promise to bring Ali home!"

I froze, my hands trembled, and my lip became to quiver at the mention of my sister, especially her nickname, which I hadn't said, or heard, in a while. I knew he had known her since he was born and that the two didn't like each other very much, but hearing him mention her, it made it feel real. I knew he wouldn't break his promise, he would try whatever it took to bring her back home.

"I still remember how much she cried after you threw sand in her face!" I laughed through my tears, inhaling as much of his scent as I could to calm myself down. A sad smile grazed his lip as he too recalled their memories.

"We didn't like each other very much!" I nodded, a whimper escaping from my throat.

"Little did we know what the Moon Goddess has in store for us." I choked out. "You, the Trade, us separating, our parents' deaths." I grew quiet, my mind going blank as I mentally checked off most of the things that had happened.

"But for the first time, because of you, I have hope in the Moon goddess and her plans for us!" My hand held his, but his escaped from my hold so it could rub soothing circles over my skin.

Us, my mate and I.

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! This book, as you have already noticed, is a slow burn, but I promise it will pick up. For now, enjoy the drama-free, cute chapters.