His Guardian (MxM)

Chapter 3

Benjamin

Fire.

Red, yellow, and orange flames licking up the walls, consuming everything in it's path. 

Screams.

I could hear my name being called in the distance.

The fire began closing in around me, the smoke making it near impossible to breathe or even see.

Heat.

It was getting hotter. Closer.

Just when I began to close my eyes and accept my fate, my body was yanked away from the chaos.

I sat up with a gasp.

Looking around my room, I sighed in relief. Just another dream.

This was my least favorite dream. The day that I lost everything. My home. My parents. My family.

I hate to recall it.

I shook the thoughts from my head as I scooted to the edge of my bed, placed my feet on the cold, wooden floor, and stretched my arms far above my head. Judging by the sunlight just barely sneaking it's way through my curtains, I knew it was early. This time of day reminds me of Jackson now. I grinned at the thought. My Alpha mate. His tall figure towers over me, his voice so deep, and his biceps about 5 times bigger than my own. But he does not intimidate me in the slightest. He makes me feel safe. He is my safe space.

I wish I had his mark so everyone would know I am his. I wish he had mine for the same reason. We would be able to communicate remotely as well. Without either of us being marked by the other, that just isn't possible. But it just wasn't safe now. For me, and although he won't admit it, for him either.

I stood up with a yawn, and made my way to the bathroom. After a hot shower, and feeling refreshed from brushing my teeth, I walked out and made my way downstairs.

I lived in the Sylvan Ash orphanage. Have since my parents died. It's not too bad here. It's an old townhouse that was converted into the orphanage long ago.  There are about 7 children besides me living here at the moment. Though I have seen many come and go over the years. The place is owned by Ms. Tallie. She lives here, she cooks, cleans, does it all. Since I am the oldest one in her care, I often assist her in her laborious tasks. She has done so much for me, it's the least I can do to help her out. Especially with her getting older.

As I reached the bottom floor, I knew one other person would be awake at this hour. As I walked toward the kitchen, my suspicions were proven correct. Ms. Tallie was hard at work preparing breakfast for everyone. She looked up from her biscuit dough and smiled at me. When she smiled, her glassy green eyes wrinkled at the sides. Her smile lines around her mouth were very prominent as well. This was proof she has spent a lot of time smiling over the years. Her long, curly hair was naturally red, with about half of it's length now grey. She currently had it tied into a braid which fell down the side of her neck as she worked away. She had an apron attached to her waist, with flour everywhere but in the dough, I assumed. I love Ms. Tallie. She is genuinely the closest thing I've had to a mother since I lost mine 13 years ago.

"Ben, sweetie. Good morning. Bad dream?" she asked.

I just smiled halfheartedly and nodded.

"You know I'm always here to talk, don't you?"

"Of course, Ms. Tallie. I just don't really want to think about it right now," I spoke.

"Sure thing, dear. Here. Come over here and help me get these biscuits made," she said as she handed me a biscuit cutter and pointed me toward a large spread of dough that had been rolled out on the counter.