Save Me

CHAPTER 17: TWO WEEKS

Liam's POV

I'm in the kitchen cooking up a simple breakfast. There was food prepared earlier today by the pack members designated to the pack house, but it's long been eaten. Therefore, I had to cook something up to feed Twen. I decided on something small with small portions so as not to upset his stomach. However, his digestive issues have probably improved after regularly eating for a week.

I walk over to our walk-in pantry and grab a food tray. I go to the refrigerator, fill up a cup of water, and then grab some orange juice. Once I'm finished cooking, I hold a plate and place an over-hard egg, two sausages, and a half-sliced buttered toast on top. I put the plate and cups on top of the tray, then step back and smile at my creation.

"So, when do I get to meet him?"

I look up from the food tray and see my mother standing in the kitchen's entryway. She walks over and sits on a bar stool on the kitchen island.

"I don't know. Hopefully, soon." My smile fades.

"Well, didn't Rita say he's more comfortable with women and children?"

"Technically, yes, but that doesn't mean he's not wary of strangers. I promise that you will meet him, just not right now. I don't want to overwhelm him."

"Okay, I can wait."

"Okay, I need to go before this food gets cold." I grab the tray from its handles and pick it up from the counter; I walk around and head toward the entryway.

"Liam."

"Everything will be fine; before you know it, you'll also get married." I turn to look at my mother once again. I smile at her. "Thanks, mom." I walk down the hall and make my way to the stairs, excited that I'm going to see him again today. When I reach them, I carefully go up to the second floor and walk to the other side of the house until I reach Twen's room. I place my hand underneath the tray, balancing it like a waiter, and with my other hand, I knock.

"Twen, it's me, Liam....I brought you some food." I don't hear anything, so I knock again.

 "Twen?" After not hearing a response for a second time, I crack the door open and stick my head inside. 

"Twen?" I look around the room but don't see him. I walk into the room, set the tray full of food on the nightstand, and go to the on-suite bathroom. I knock on the door but don't hear anything again.

"Twen, I'm going to open the door," I take a breath before opening the door; I'm nervous; what if he's undressing to hop in the shower?

I open the door, but when I look inside, the light is off, and no one is inside. I try not to panic, but I can feel it increasing in my chest; any nervousness I felt has disappeared. I don't feel his presence or any of the symptoms when you're near your mate. I quickly walk across the room to the closet and open it.

"Shit."

He's not in here, either. I turn around and head for the door. As I'm about to run out of the room, I hear a whimper. I turn around and hear more whimpering; I follow the sound of the noise that leads me to the bed; I get on the ground and look under the bed. There I see Twen, sleeping, curled up in a ball, and crying. He often does that, cry in his sleep, nightmares, no doubt.

I collapse to the floor and now sit on the ground. "Hah, I'm an idiot." If I had stopped and listened, I would've been able to hear his heartbeat and breathing. I lay down on the ground and stared at Twen's sleeping face. "I'm not in my right mind when it comes to you." 

This is why I wasn't able to feel him. He's asleep. If we were mated, we would be able to feel each other at all times, regardless if we're far from each other or asleep.