Lost Luna

BONUS ~ close

adjective ~ only a short distance away or apart in space or time

PHOENIX

I was still reeling from the disrespect Jade had given me and I couldn't find sleep even if it took my hand and took me there. I sighed and rolled to my back, kicking off the duvet in the process and grabbing the sheet that lay beneath it. I stared up at the ceiling. The darkness of the night did nothing against my heightened eyesight.

The sound of Nova's door shutting downstairs had me on high alert, and I rolled onto my back to listen more attentively. I heard her shaky breath and spiking heartbeat as she began to climb the stairs to my suite. I held back a small smirk as she let herself into my front door, the electronic pad beeping as the door shut.

Her footsteps approached closer, and I heard her take in a deep breath, the air whooshing into her lungs. I gently rolled onto my left side, keeping my face relaxed and eyes closed before I heard her twist the door, the lock quietly clicking against the frame. She tried to keep her breathing gentle, something that was successful despite her nerves. But the thundering of her heartbeat was a huge giveaway. Nothing could keep me from being attentive to the sound throughout every moment of the day.

She seemed to be taking her time in entering the room fully, and out of blatant impatience, I opened my eyes in her direction. Her back was to me, her hair cascading down her back. She gently and slowly closed the door, her shoulders tensing at the slight click it made. She turned around slowly, keeping her gaze lowered as she watched her footsteps. Just as she took two steps forward, her curious eyes lifted to look in my direction.

She froze when she saw me already awake and waiting, and I couldn't help but smirk when her green eyes widened in surprise. Her heart stammered hardly, her breath hitching and unmoving as she waited like a prey to predator. Her bright eyes were admirable, glowing like stars against the darkness, even in her terrified state.

"Are you just gonna stare at me? Or you gonna get in?" I wondered.

She exhaled immediately and nodded her head. I pulled back the cover as she came to the edge of my bed and gently set herself down. Despite being so confident as to approach me whilst asleep and intrude into my room, she dared not move closer. She laid on her back and stared focused at the roof. I couldn't help but grumble, and grabbed hold of the silk sheet in between us, hating how stiff she was.

I moved my arm around her, wrapping my hand around her waist, and pulled. Once she was against my front, I made sure all the sheet was covering her, keeping her closer to me and safe. I felt her relax and Ares settled in my mind at the comfort she brought. I found my face bending down towards her neck, nuzzling at her skin. Ares grumbled in contentment, a purr that settled our mind and her body. I felt myself finally drifting away and was happy when I felt her relax completely and succumb to sleep beside me.

The faint shrilling of my alarm woke me the next morning, but I couldn't find it in myself to roll away from the warmth of my mate. I have never had such a good sleep, and I wasn't sure if I could ever sleep alone again.

The days she was gone, I would find myself in her room, taking in her scent that lingered in every fabric and material she owned. I had taken it upon myself to care for her plant. Knowing how much she loved them, I would hate to see them wither away. But I couldn't find the desire to open the window because that meant her smell would all but fly away.

I let out a small grunt when I felt Nova try to pull herself away from my chest. Her breath fanned against my bare chest and caused a trail of goosebumps to cover my skin. I opened my eyes at last and was blessed with the beauty of her face so close to mine. The shrieking of my alarm grew louder and, with small disappointment, I leaned backwards to smack the power button on my phone. Picking it up, I noticed it was six-thirty, which meant we only had a couple of hours before we had to leave.