Alpha's Mate (Completed)

Chapter 22

~Kimbriella POV~

'Come to me, Kimbriella.'' The voice cuts through everything else, it's clear precision uncanny. ''Ryker?'' I say uncertainly, peering through the fog. I know it's not Ryker, I would recognize his voice. ''Ryker,'' The voice scoffs. ''Ryker. No foolish girl, I am far more powerful than your silly Ryker.''

''What does that have to do with anything?'' I ask.''

''You were a fool not to abide by the plan.''

''What plan?''

''And because of it, you will pay.''

''You aren't making sense!'' I exclaim, throwing my hands up in the air.

''Sense has nothing to do with it. And if you don't do what I ask, your pretty boy will pay too.''

''Ryker? Don't you dare threaten him.''

The mysterious, foreboding voice takes on a ghost like quality, becoming haunting. ''All you have to do is what I will ask of you, and no one will get hurt..'' The voice trails off as I sit up straight in my bed, startled and soaked with sweat. Last night, it had taken me forever to fall asleep -no clue why- and once I had fallen asleep, it had been in fitful, fifteen minutes intervals, and finally, this creepy dream.

Reluctantly, I peek over at the clock. 3.54 A.M. Great. Exhaling slowly, I place my arms behind my head and recline back on the pillows. My newly sensitive hearing picks up the sound of footsteps, shuffling gently across the hard wood flooring of the hallway. Standing up, I swing both feet over the edge of the bed and put them on the ground. Snaking my head around the door frame, I catch the back of Ryker's form disappearing into the bathroom. Water begins to run and I can hear him slurping from the sink. Holding back a giggle I slip silently outside the bathroom door. When he emerges, I grab him, once hand firmly over his mouth and the other around his waist.

''Freeze, or I'll make you eat peaches.'' He stops his useless freaking out and thrashing as he recognizes my voice.

''Holy crap, Kimbriella.'' I release him and he turns around. ''I had almost a heart attack. Why are you even up?''

''I could ask you the same thing.'' I point out, quirking an eyebrow and trying to figure out his answer that didn't involve telling him about the nightmare.

''I was thirsty.'' At my giggle he rolls his eyes. ''Jeez- you know what I mean. For water. Anyways, why are you up?'' He stumbles over his word choice, turning the focus to me.

''I haven't been able to sleep very well at all.'' I admit. Technically, this isn't a lie.

''Me neither. Join me?'' He cheeky grin brings a smile to my face as I roll my eyes.

''One step at the time.''

His pout does give me second thoughts, but to my satisfaction, I stay firm. ''Yeah right. Thirsty for water my butt.'' I scoff, walking away and closing my bedroom door gently. I roll over to go to sleep. Of course, this doesn't work. After about an hour, I pull out a book and read until it's reasonable hour to get up.

''Holy.. chicken.. nuggets.''Looking at my face and outfit in the mirror, for a moment I am unable to recall why on earth I don't cake my face with makeup. This hideous black smudges under my eyes do NOT accent my face well, and I look so unbelievably tired. The only thing that I have going for me is that the mark had faded to an elegant silvery color that makes my tan skin pop, giving the appearance of a really cool tattoo. Then the sense I had been missing returned to my head. ''Oh yeah. It's because I don't want my face to look like it got raped by Crayola.''

Ryker's head pops around the corner of the bathroom wall. ''Did I just hear what I think I heard?''

''No!'' I screech, covering my face. ''I mean, yes, you heard what you heard, at least I think you did. The no is no as in please don't look at my face.'' I separate two fingers, allowing me a small peephole. His hair is mussed, spiked up in some areas and randomly flattened in others. I notice that we both have the black smudges under our eyes. ''Nevermind, you look almost as bad as I do.''

''You just look.. a little tired.'' He stumbles into the bathroom. ''What can I say? I need my beauty sleep.'' I lift my head up to glare at him. ''What? I'm serious!'' Since I lack in response to that, I continue my waking up process.

Once I'm finished I poke Ryker.

''What?''

''Let me smell you.''

''What?!?''

''Oh, just get over here. '' I lean my head on his shoulder and inhale him, not moving from my spot for a good two minutes. Then I pop up, a little more awake.

''Why do you smell so darn good?''

''I imagine it has something to do with the mate bond.'' He replies sleepily.

''I wanna sleep.''

''Me too..''

''Why can't we...''

''We?'' I fight back my blush.

''You know in separate beds.''

''Because I promised Elison I would discuss things with him over breakfast.'' His morning voice is so extremely hot. ''You're going to include me right?''

He nods.

''Then wake upppp!'' I grab his cheek and pull it back and forth rapidly.

''Jeez. That hurt. And it didn't even work.''

''Do you have a better idea?'' I remove my hands from his cheeks. After a few moments, his eyes shoot open. ''Actually yes.''

He grabs my face pulls it into his own. He tastes like the minty flavor of toothpaste. Like our teeth- brushing, our lips are also synchronized, moving together. he puts his hands on my waist, their heat burning through my shirt.With a sudden pressure, he lifts me, placing me easily on the counter top without breaking the kiss. Once I get that awkward urge to rip his shirt off, I break the kiss.

Suddenly bright-eyed and awake, I breathe heavily, trying to regain my composure. To my satisfaction, Ryker pants as well. When we both recover, we stare at each other for a moment. The silence is in desperate need of breaking, and I feel the responsibility falls on me, because Ryker doesn't look like he's going to say anything, seeming perfectly content to just stare at me.

''I knew you weren't thirsty for water.'' I grin, and bounce out of the bathroom, feeling his eyes on me the whole way.