You're Mine

23: Unexpected Insecurity

Rose's Perspective:

The next couple of days passed by quickly. Both days we woke up to have a slow morning together of cooking breakfast before a run and some training at the training facility, then headed back to the cabin to shower and change before going to the pack house for lunch and talking with the pack members. We stayed as long as we could until we had to get away from everyone and be along again, when we would go back to the cabin and talk and be close to each other until someone from the pack house brought us dinner. But each night was the same, trying to fall asleep despite the temptation to stay up all night feeling the explosions of our lips dancing as we let our hands admire the other. At this point, I was more than ready to marry Alexander Thompson and I dreamed of our wedding. I never imagined I would end up with someone so perfectly sculpted who loved and cared for me with the intensity that Zander did. I also never imagined I would be a werewolf or have a mate, but it was all my reality now.

Today's schedule was different. Rather than our typical slow morning of spending time together and training, Zander had to attend a meeting with his father and Alice invited me to a local coffee shop just out of town while he was gone, then we would have dinner with Zander's family. Alice and Mollie had become good friends over the last few weeks and even more so since my transition and being here around the pack all the time. I was dreading time apart from Zander as it seemed to get harder and harder each day, but I was also looking forward to spending time with Alice as I really trusted her and enjoyed her company.

Zander had gone outside to shower in the outdoor shower. He found it peaceful as he could have his privacy and be in nature at the same time. I headed into the Victorian style bathroom that I had come to love over the last few days. I took my time in the shower, knowing I had a couple hours before we had to leave and gave myself time to unpack all of the emotions I was feeling.

I was completely in love with Zander. I trusted him regardless of any situation he may ever find himself in and I knew that nothing could ever make me choose anyone else besides him. I adored his family and they were so happy to have me. His sisters were quickly becoming some of my closest friends and I loved getting to know them on a deeper level as well. Sienna was finally getting the chance to meet Dakota in just a few days, the man that Sapphire met years ago and felt connected to, believing he may have been Sienna's mate. I was hopeful for her that she would get to experience her mate as well, it was an experience I hoped everyone I loved would get to have one day. I thought of my mother and all the pain she had been through and how she finally found contentment in her own life by herself. I wished she could feel how it felt to be loved the way Zander loved me and a piece of my heart broke for her knowing she wouldn't have that in her life. I was glad that I found Zander here, in my mother's hometown, so that I could begin my life with him and still be close to her. I never wanted to break my relationship with her, it was the last piece of my humanity that I hoped to hold onto as long as she lived. She couldn't know my secret, but she could still be a part of my life. I thought of Ana and how excited she was to visit me. I hoped that if Zander and I were able to plan a wedding this summer that she could come and be a part of that with me as I always imagined she would be.

When the hot water started to feel cold against my skin, I wrapped my hair up in a towel and used another towel to wrap around my body as I made my way over to my dresser that Zander had so neatly organized my clothes into. When I rounded the corner I saw Zander sitting on the edge of the bed, with his feet on the floor, reading a book.

"Wow," he said quietly as his eyes scanned my body slowly. I smiled back at him and continued to open my drawer and find an outfit that felt right for the day. "Come here, Rose," he said in a different tone than I was accustomed to, more assertive and powerful. I approached him slowly and his eyes didn't leave me.