Dawn

22

Hayden

It was hard enough keeping my hormones in check the longer I spent with Dawn, but with my wolf constantly whining to mate with her I was finding it increasingly impossible. When she slept next to me, I would often stay awake and watch her sleep, admiring her perfect features and the way her body cuddled mine in her unconscious state.

Not only was mating on my mind, but the half moon was on Dawn's. Tomorrow was Thursday, when the supposed battle would take place. Before I had met Dawn— before any of us had even heard of the second prophecy in Dawn's necklace, no one would have ever suspected that this would happen. But considering what happened with the Marking, we couldn't take any chances.

Beside me, Dawn began whimpering in her sleep, tossing and turning as though she was fighting off an invisible opponent.

"Dawn, baby," I shook her gently. "Shhhh, it's okay," I reassured her, holding her tightly in my arms and stroking her cheek. She stilled and her breathing became normal, so I settled back into my pillow and returned to my thoughts.

But then Dawn started to weep.

"Danny, what's wrong?" I asked, growing upset that she was suffering in her sleep.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault, it's my fault," she muttered, her eyes still firmly closed.

Shaking her softly, I planted a feathery kiss on her cheek, "What is, baby? What's your fault?"

"I told them this would happen!" she cried. "I should have gone, no, no, no, no," she sobbed, rocking slightly. "I love you, Hayden, I love you, I'm sorry, I should have left," she whispered tearfully.

Pushing myself on top of her, I buried my face in her neck and kissed both her cheeks, then her forehead, then the tip of her nose, and finally her lips. "Wake up, baby," I whispered in her ear.

I watched as her eyes fluttered open, and her expression transformed from devastation to immense relief.

"Hayden! You're here, you're alive, I dreamed you were dead—" I cut her off by kissing her. Pulling away briefly, I assured her that I was here and I wouldn't be going anywhere, earning a bone-crushing hug from her. She flipped us over and lay on top of me, kissing me relentlessly, as though if she stopped I would disappear.

"I can't let you go," she told me.

"I won't let you go," I told her.

"...Hayden," she murmured, her voice retreating to a whisper.

"Yes?" I answered in the same tone.

She was quiet for a while, before she sat up on my lap, staring down at me with determination in her eyes.

"Tomorrow, anything could happen. You could be injured. I don't want to think about that. But I don't want to wake up tomorrow morning knowing that there are so many things I missed out on— that we missed out on. No, I'm not just jumping into this from desperation. I've thought about it, and I want you to know that I'm ready," she said, meaning each word she spoke.

"Ready for...?" I questioned, although I knew the answer.

"I'm ready for the Mating."

My heart practically stopped as my wolf went wild. He screamed at me to take action, to show her what we've been dreaming about doing. I ignored him, though, staring at Dawn, looking for any signs of hesitation or that she felt forced.

There were none.

She looked back down at me with a shy smile, one that hid the determination beneath.