TTMA [Complete ✔️]

28. Reunion

Knox's P.O.V

After our conversation, we pretended to focus back on the movie, but our minds were too occupied with all the memories for the movie to be anything, but background noise. I was tired of fighting, of thinking, and I could tell my mate was too.

Not long after our conversation, I felt her head slowly become heavier and her body relax under my touch, her eyelids drooping closed. I draped a blanket over her sleeping form, since she was lying on my chest, it covered me too. My hands moved to the small of her back, enjoying the warmth her body produced under my touch.

Our breathing synchronized, the rhythm of our hearts beating in perfect synch. Her breaths were slow and steady, nothing like they used to be when she first opened her eyes. She felt safe, safe enough to fall asleep on me. I really did it, I gained her trust.

My own body relaxed underneath her, my mind clearing from the painful memories I recalled as we talked. Her sweet scent engulfed me in a warm embrace, allowing me to feel at peace. She trusted me. She didn't blame me for his death. For the first time, someone accepted me with my flaws, without trying to understand them, without trying to change them. She trusted that I had a reason to do the things I did and she was understanding enough to let me talk at my own pace. She trusted me with her life, when she knew I had taken another's. She was everything I didn't know I needed. She was everything I could ever want.

I was ready to live my life to the fullest because I had already lost enough time. No more fights, no more overthinking, just peaceful afternoons with the mate I never knew I need so badly, just like this one.

My attention went back to the movie, but soon my own eyes started drooping closed. It had been a hard, yet amazing night. It was the night my mate finally decided she was ready to be mine, but it was also a night of very little rest. So, when I felt my body grow heavy, I let it, embracing the peaceful darkness.

***

Zane's voice in my mind cut my slumber short. I opened my eyes with a groan, trying to not disturb my mate's sleep.

"Knox?" I heard his voice again.

"What's up?" I asked, annoyed that I had been woken up.

"Alpha business is calling! Alpha Cedric demands to speak to you." I groaned, not ready to hear him ask for help with something that he could deal with on his own.

"On my way," I grumbled as I shut off our link.

I looked down at my girl, already hating myself, and Cedric, for having to wake her up. With a sigh, I carefully push some hair out of her face and rub her back.

"Are you trying to wake her up or put her to sleep?" Kane mocked.

"What am I supposed to do then if you're so smart!" I hissed before shutting our link off.

"Dali?" I called quietly, shaking her as gently as I could. After a few seconds, her eyes snapped open and I was afraid that she would think she had made me angry, but to my surprise, when her eyes met mine, she lowered herself back down, her heartbeat relaxing as she inhaled my scent.

"I'm sorry, love!" I apologized, giving a light peck to the top of her head. "I need to go take a phone call. You wouldn't mind staying with Rose, right?"

I was hopeful that she and my sister had formed a friendship, or at least liked each other. I wanted to entrust Dali to someone I trusted, while I was away. At least until she was comfortable enough to stay by herself without both Kane and her panicking.

"Because you totally don't!" Kane defended himself, but I chose to ignore him, refusing to admit to him that for once, he was right.

If Rose and Dali liked each other like they had in the past, at least my mate would have a friend and some company. I loved spending time with her and I would be glued to her side for the rest of my life if I could, but soon enough I would have to focus more on my Alpha duties and I would hate for my mate to feel lonely in her own pack.

Rose could also use the company. Being pregnant, she could no longer train the female warriors, the task going to Paisley, which left my sister bored in her suit until Zane returned.

A smile curled on Dali's lips, her eyes almost glowing with excitement.

"I'd love to s-see Rose!" She told me, jumping down from the couch, already ready to leave. I got up as well, frowning at how easy it was for her to leave me, but a smile made its way back to my lips when she got on her tiptoes and pecked my cheek with her soft lips.

"It doesn't mean I'm not ex-excited for you to come b-back!" She giggled.

I linked my sister, asking if it was ok to leave Dali with her while I did some work. Her excitement was even bigger than that of my mate, leaving me with no worries about them not getting along.

"We'll be replaced soon!" Kane frowned, jealously pouring off of him in waves.

"Easy there, Kane, she's still ours only!" I replied, although I didn't sound half as confident as I would have liked, making him bark out a laugh.

My mate suddenly stopped, my steps coming to a halt along with hers.

"Can I um-" Blush crept its way on her cheeks as she struggled to ask me whatever was on her mind.

"You can tell me anything!" I reminded her as I tilted her chin and gave her lips a light kiss as if to prove my words.

"Can we have d-dinner with Rose and Z-Zane?" She asked. "I-I just wanted to tell them about us being friends my-myself." She hurried to explain.

I nodded, pride filling my heart. She was ready to speak to Zane again, ready to talk to another male wolf. She was growing more confident and it made my heart swell with pride and joy each time I saw her breaking the shell she had been stuck inside of.

"Thank you!" She smiled, taking my hand again as we made it to my sister's room.

"I'll have an Omega organize everything," I told Dali after making sure Rose and Zane were ok with having dinner with us. "Have fun! I'll see you again soon!" I said to my mate as I stood in the frame of the door, my sister desperately trying to kick me out.

"Can you leave us alone now!" She groaned, tired from the effort of failing to move me.

"If you need anything don't hesitate to tell Rose, I'll be here in seconds!" I shouted as the door shut in my face. My arms crossed in front of my chest, a frustrated groan escaping my lips. I heard the girls laugh from the inside. I rolled my eyes, but walked away.

"Missing your mate already?" Zane teased as soon as I walked through the door. He sat in the chair opposite my desk, a smug expression plastered across his lips.

"Don't even start!" I warned him as I sat in my own chair, ready to finish whatever I had to do so I could get back to her faster.

"It doesn't get easier you know?" My friend said, the smug expression no longer on his face. "Leaving your mate. It's still hard for me to leave Rose." He explained, causing me to sigh.

"So let's finish this call sooner and get back to our mates then!" I ushered, to which he nodded in agreement.

Zane dialed Cedric's number, put it on speaker, and set it down on the desk. He picked up not long after we had called, his gruff voice meeting my ears.

"Alpha Knox!" Cedric acknowledged, not waiting for a response before continuing. "I believe we had an agreement about a new pack member you were sending. I never ended up getting a new member, may I ask where the she-wolf is now?"

I bawled my fists as he referenced to my mate as just another she-wolf, but managed to keep my voice professional and focused.

"That she-wolf, Cedric, turned out to be my mate and future Luna! As you can probably tell yourself, I will not be sending you anybody!" Zane send me an encouraging nod, knowing how difficult it was for me to be away from my mate, as well as to hear someone belittle her, even if it wasn't on purpose.

What I didn't expect, however, was for the old Alpha to raise his voice at me.

"You promised me the girl!" He spat the last part on purpose, figuring out it annoyed me. "And I want her in my pack!"

Dalia's P.O.V

"I'm so happy for you and my brother! You guys are so cute together!" Rose gushed, squealing loudly in my ear as soon as we heard Knox walk away. My mood dampened as his scent no longer surrounded me and I was deprived of the comfort he provided.

"Thanks, Rose!" I hugged her back, although she was crushing me more than hugging me.

"Let me guess!" She sighed, sounding annoyed, even though a smirk made its way onto her lips. "You already miss your mate?" I nodded, my cheeks glowing a dark shade of red as she laughed.

"Hey, don't worry! I miss mine too!" She admitted when she noticed my embarrassment.

Rose and I talked for a while, although I mostly listened to her. I found I preferred to listen to others, rather than speak myself, and she was more than happy to talk about anything that came to mind. At one point, as the time of the dinner came closer, she talked to me about Zane and what he was like, trying to put my nerves at ease. It didn't erase them completely, but it definitely helped to be reassured by someone I trusted.

We made plans to go shopping together so she could help me pick up some clothes for myself. Apparently, this was one more thing Knox had asked her to help with, and once again, she was more than willing to. She went on and on about clothes, styles, and what she thought would suit me, even getting distracted and gushing about baby clothes at one point.

It seemed like fashion was a passion of hers by the sparkle in her eyes as she talked about clothes. I already knew her pup was going to be the best-dressed pup and I secretly even hoped she would let me babysit from time to time.

Dinner was served, cutting our time short. My mate had asked the Omegas to serve it in our own dining room so no one would interrupt us, which I was grateful for. I was ready to accept him as a mate and talk to Zane, but I still didn't feel ready to meet the rest of the pack, and I was more than happy that Knox wasn't pressuring me into anything.

My mate sat at the end of the table with me to his right, Zane to his left, and Rose next to him. He was currently holding my hand under the table, drawing soothing circles on the skin to calm me down. I was a nervous wreck as I awaited the perfect moment to confess the truth to my old friends and hope for the best.

"I'm glad to finally meet you!" Zane had said as we sat down. His words replayed over and over in my head - he sounded genuine, which meant he wasn't going to try to hurt me. He looked like the same Zane, just grown up. His eyes still had that mischievous glow to them and his smile, I noticed, had remained the same.

I held the spoon to my mouth, trying to eat the soup in front of me, but my shaking hands couldn't seem to work properly. Finally, I decided it was time to let it off my chest. I took a deep breath before turning to Zane and Rose.

"I ha-have to tell you s-something!" I announced, getting their attention.

Knox sent me an encouraging smile, which helped ease my nerves just a little, giving me the push that I needed.

"I was a part of the f-friend group before my p-parents died. I-I don't know if you re-remember me, but I'm the same Dalia." I said awkwardly, not meeting their eyes as mine scattered around the room.

Suddenly, Rose's arms wrapped around me, tears spilling from her eyes. I hugged her back, tears making their way into my own eyes.

"It's really you?" She sobbed, burying her head in my shoulder. I nodded against her.

"I've m-missed you guys!" I confessed. Rose hugged me tighter before going back to her seat.

Zane stood up, Knox and I following his every move. He walked closer and closer to me until his arms wrapped around me, making me instinctively flinch away.

"I-I'm sorry, Zane!" I mumbled. Knox let out a fierce growl, shaking the whole room, if not house.

"Don't touch my mate!" He growled again, his eyes glowing blood red. Kane. He was balling his fists, teeth snapping in his Beta's direction. Rose was looking at her mate, waiting for Kane to calm down so she could jump in his arms, and Zane was trying to put as much distance as he could between us, but I didn't feel scared. I knew that even though my mate was angry, he wouldn't hurt me.

I walked over to him, his eyes snapping to me, observing every step I made until I reached him. I placed my hand on his, rubbing circles on his skin the same way he had, hoping it would work.

"Kane, could y-you please bring Knox back?" I pleaded, and to my surprise, he immediately obeyed, the red eyes being replaced by Knox's grey ones.

He pulled me into a hug and cupped my cheeks, apologizing over and over again for letting Kane take control and scaring me. Guilt was laced in his tone, my heart breaking a little with each word that left his lips.

Had I been treating him so badly that he was afraid to make a mistake?

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! What do you think about Knox snapping at Zane, is it justified or unreasonable?

P.S: Bonus chapter since you guys are so amazing! Thank you so so much for 1k follows and 6.9k reads, I’m so grateful for every single one of you ❤️