No Matter What: A Chasing Forever Novel

3 Months Later

 *Chyenne's POV*

 I'm laying on Jake's chest, watching his face as he sleeps. He's been having nightmares lately, mostly about losing me and Emilio, but they've gotten so bad that he spends most nights just staring at the ceiling in silence waiting for me to wake up or for the baby to start crying just so he doesn't have to close his eyes. It's a miracle I even convinced him to sleep tonight, but then again, there must be something uniquely terrifying in the look a she-wolf gives her mate when she's worried about his health because he's never actually listened to me the first time I told him to do something for his own safety.

 I reach up, touching his cheek and moving my thumb softly across the stubble. He's got bags underneath the bags under his eyes and the stress lines are already starting to come out by his eyes. The strain of his father staying in Spain with his other wife instead of coming home the past few months has finally started to wear him down. He won't admit it, but I see it. Mates always do.

 You okay mama?  My wolf, Roxy whispers through the link.

 He's changing, Rox.. I whisper back. And not because he wants to, but because he has to. His father hasn't been here, his mother barely leaves her house, he's been in charge of scheduling patrols and trainings- it's becoming too much, I'm not sure how much more of it he can handle.

 He's sleeping, She says quietly. I know it doesn't seem like much but that's a victory Chy. He's finally sleeping.

 I know, but-

 But nothing. She cuts me off, sympathy in her voice. I know you don't want to hear it and you probably wish he had less stress but the fact is, he can't. He is the Alpha's son and Beta. That makes him in command of the pack when the Alpha isn't here to make decisions.

 I sigh. She's right of course, I think, ignoring her chuckle through the link. I just wish it didn't have to happen so soon.

 That's the thing about being the Alpha's first born son. The second the Alpha isn't available, you have to be. Whether you're ready for it or not.

  I shut off the link, laying my ear against his chest to hear his heartbeat before closing my eyes. "I love you so much, Jacob Francis.." I breathe, tapping to the beat of his heart. "More than you'll ever know."

 It's quiet for so long after that I almost scream when I hear him whisper back in his sleep. "I love you too."

 His eyes are still closed and his breathing just as even as before but he tightens his arms around my waist, pulling me tighter against him. I cuddle into him, enjoying the familiar warmth of his body pressed against mine, and close my eyes again and let his breathing relax me into sleep.

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 "Angel," I roll over, snuggling deeper into Jake's side, trying to ignore his attempts to wake me up. "Angel wake up, I miss you."

 I groan. The sound of his voice is impossible to ignore, especially when he's still groggy from sleep and his voice cracks slightly with every other word. It's like a drug to me, I can't help but respond. I flip over onto my back again and look at him. "Why can't we sleep in like normal people?"

 He grins his lopsided grin at me and I roll my eyes, trying to pretend like that smile doesn't still make my whole body go up in flames. "Because if we slept in we wouldn't ever have any time to do anything."

 "Meaning?" I ask, reaching up to push his hair out of his eyes. I've been meaning to cut it, but both of our schedules have been hectic for months and we can never seem to find the time to do anything other than eat and go to sleep together.

 He leans down, kissing my neck softly, his teeth just barely pricking my skin, and yet he sends a million chills down my body. I moan lightly, pulling his hair, as he trails his tongue down my neck to my collarbone before pulling away. "I was thinking something along the lines of that but by all means, if you still want to go back to sleep."

 "Oh shut up," I say, pulling him on top of me under the blankets and kissing him. He presses against me as he kisses my chest and I pull his hair again, my breathing ragged. "Please."

 "Please what?" He teases, pausing and looking at me.

 "Please don't stop," I breathe, keeping my eyes closed. A moment later I feel his lips on my neck again and I give into the longing, my entire body aflame with his touch.