Alpha's Mate (Completed)

Chapter 24

~Kimbriella POV~

''Mrs. Aldaine?! Anne?!'' I call, hoping she'll be here.

''Kimbriella!'' She jumps up and hugs me. ''How can I help you?''

''How'd you know I needed help?'' I mumble, eyes half closed.

''Because you kind of look like you're dying. Not to be rude or anything.''

''Why can't I sleep? Ryker can't either.''

She clears her throat. ''You're not going to want to hear this.

''Hit me with it.'' I sigh.

''Because of your mark and the new strength of the mate bond, you and your wolves can't really sleep... apart from each other.''

''Are you saying I have to sleep with Ryker?'' My eyes are wide open now. In fact, they're just about popping out of my head.

''Yeah, pretty much.''

''Oh, heck.'' I growl. ''I am NOT SLEEPING WITH HIM.''

''Sleeping with who?'' Ryker enters the room.

''Did you follow me?'' I glare at him.

''Mayby.'' He grins sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. I love that little habit of his. It was just... adorable.

''Well, because of this.'' I point at me neck, jabbing it with my finger. ''We can't sleep apart from each other.''

''Darn.'' He remarks, shrugging sarcastically.

''Ryker!'' His mother gasps. I slap his chest.

''I'll have you know, I'm not going to do it. I'm not.'' I declare.

''Have fun dying of sleep deprivation then!'' Ryker throws his hands up in the air. Mrs. Aldaine gasps again.

''You better not have known that was going to happen after you bit me.'' I warn him, expression murderous.

''You see, I sort of did, but I definitely wasn't thinking about that at the moment it happened.'' He admits, rubbing his neck yet again.

''You are in so much trouble, mister.''

''Don't come crying to me when you can't sleep and you're tired.'' He replies, turning to walk out of the library.

''Ryker Jared Aldaine!'' His mother yells, her extremely scary Luna voice commanding. He freezes and turns around very, very slowly.

''Yes?''

''You ought to be a little more sympathetic.'' She says reproachfully.

''You ought to take your own advice.'' He spits mockingly, and this time she lets him leave.

''I'm so sorry-'' I begin, but she cuts me off.

''Don't be. It's his temper.I'd imagine that all he wants if for you to agree to sleep in his room. He wants to sleep as much as you do, wants you in general, has ideas of where it might lead, and you refusing makes him rather upset.''

I feel the blood rush to my cheeks. She doesn't have many boundaries, I was coming to realize.

''Ah-well, um, erm, I'm not sure I'm ready for that.''

''You might have to be.'' She shrugs, and it wasn't supposed to be motherly reproachful, or rude, or even harsh. It was just the truth.

''That's what scares me.'' I murmer, eyelids drooping again. I drag myself in the general direction of the door. ''Thanks anyway.''

''Anytime.'' She offers, returning to her book. Having nothing better to do, I return to my room and attempt to sleep, which of course is hopeless. Several times I move to enter Ryker's room, the prospect of a good night's sleep tempting.

''No.'' I repeat over and over. ''Take Brinely's advice. I am a strong, independent chicken nugget, and I don't need no man. I am a strong, independent chicken nugget, and I don't need no man...''