Safe Haven

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

There was something touching my head. As I swam more and more into consciousness, I realized that it was a hand. There was a hand running through my hair. And someone was singing. Well, humming, actually. I reveled in the feelings for a few more minutes before finally making myself known.

I turned my head toward the sound and cracked open my eyes. I was surprised to see Jensen smiling down at me.

“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty,” Jensen chuckled.

I smiled tiredly and took in my surroundings. Apparently, I was in my basement bedroom. The lights were dimmed, and it was quiet. I looked back over to Jensen to find that he still had that loving look on his face. "What?” I asked quietly.

He shook his head, “Nothing. I just love watching you sleep.” He continued to rub his hand through my hair, and I sighed.

“Just don’t go all Edward Cullen on me.” He chuckled. I closed my eyes. “That feels really good,” I whispered. “Don’t stop. Please.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t. Just as long as you tell me what the hell happened yesterday.” The loving look had been replaced with a stern gaze.

I sighed, not exactly sure how I should tell him. Then, the words just started pouring out, “I’m sorry, really, I am! It’s just… I didn’t want you to feel like you were being pressured into doing something that you didn’t want to do, and I didn’t tell you what would happen to me because I knew that would just pressure you further, and I wanted you to find someone that you actually loved, I didn’t want you to be stuck in a relationship that you didn’t….” I had to stop, I couldn’t breathe. I laid my head my head back against the pillows, closed my eyes, and concentrated on my breathing.

“Hey,” Jensen chided. “Hey, take it easy, okay? You’re still pretty weak.” He laid a hand on my chest, and put the other back in my hair. I relaxed instantly. The touch of the mate is said to be able to tame even the most rogue of vampires. And, considering how relaxed I was right then, I would have bet all of my life force that it was true.

As Jensen raked his fingers through my hair and played with my shirt, I felt myself falling again. Whether I was falling into a deep sleep, or falling deeper in love with Jensen, I knew then that I never wanted that feeling to end. As I felt sleep claim me, I knew that it would be a very peaceful sleep. No pain, no rejection. Just peace. And my mate, of course.

…………….

I must have been out for a while after that because it was dark by the time I came to again. Jensen was asleep in the chair next to my bed. Curled up into a ball with a blanket draped over him, he looked so young and innocent. Like a child. But I knew otherwise. I knew that there was something different about him, something that forced him to grow up too fast. I could sense it. It surrounded him like a force field. I wondered why I had never noticed it before.

I’ll have to ask Sire, I thought.

Just then, I felt more than heard Jensen waking up. His presence drifted into my mind and filled into the empty space. I lifted my head to look into those beautiful bright blue eyes.

“Good evening,” I smiled. “Or at least what I think is evening.” I chuckled.

Jensen smiled and looked at his wristwatch. “Actually, it’s about 3:00 AM,” he looked up at me, “but close enough.” He dropped his hands into his lap and looked at me seriously. “How are you feeling? Hungry? Thirsty? Still tired? Because you shouldn’t still be tired. I asked your mum and she-”

“Whoa! Calm down!” I laughed. “I’m fine. I feel great, actually.”

Jensen blushed and looked down at his hands so I was left looking at the top of his beanie. “Sorry,” he sighed. “I’m just worried, is all. You gave us quite a scare for a while there. We thought you would never wake up.”

“Wait… How long have I been asleep?” I asked, confused. It couldn’t have been that long, right? I mean, Jensen was still in the same clothes that I had last seen him in.

“You’ve been out for almost a week.”

“A WEEK?!” I shouted, bewildered as all hell. “But…! But…! How?!”

“Your parents said it had something to do with your body needing to adjust to the new qualities that finding your mate brings. And the fact that you almost died kind of plays into that as well.”

I just nodded. I laid my head back against the pillows and just stared at the ceiling. We lapsed into a comfortable silence for a while, until Jensen broke it.

“I, uhm…” he hesitated. I looked over at him to see his eyes flutter closed and his hands grip tight to his knees. “I need to tell you something.”

“Go ahead, hun.” I spoke softly.

“I… I have a secret.” Jensen whispered. “And, I… I don’t know how you’re going to take it. You, or your parents.” He kept his eyes closed, but I could hear his voice cracking. He was about to cry!

Jensen never cries, I thought. “You don’t have to-” I began.

“No,” he interrupted, “No, I do. I have to tell you this.” He sounded determined now.

“Okay, okay,” I sighed. “Just… When you’re ready.”

“Alright,” he breathed, “Just don’t interrupt until I’m done, okay? Because I need to get this out if this,” he swiped his hand between the two of us, indicating our close proximity, “is ever going to work.”

I nodded, a bit concerned now.

He took a deep breath to build himself up. After what seemed like forever, Jensen finally opened his eyes to stare straight into mine. He spoke, “I’m a Lycan.”