I stare blankly at the screen as I lie beside Brandon on the couch. I have no idea what movie is playing. The only thing I could tell you is that it's based in some dystopian future where the entire world is destroyed, and people are having to fight for survival. It's late, but neither of us can force ourselves off our positions on the couch. I've tried to ask Mason how much longer he will be, but he hasn't answered me back and it's been over three hours now since I heard his voice. My wolf is starting to get restless again, and I want to go out and find him, but I know that isn't what he wants or needs me to do right now.
"If you don't stop biting your fingernails, there isn't going to be any left by the time they get home," Brandon murmurs without looking at me. I sigh and pull my hand away from my mouth. I hadn't even noticed I'd started chewing on my nails to begin with. It's a bad habit I picked up when I was a kid. I thought I'd grown out of it, but I guess not.
"I can't help it, I'm just anxious I guess," I whisper, looking over at him. He nods his head and yawns. He leans his head back against the back of the couch and takes a deep breath. I lean my head against his shoulder and turn my attention back to the TV. I pull myself up into a sitting position, closing my eyes to push away the ache of my ribs. Once the pain has gone, I lean over and rest my head against his shoulder and close my eyes. My wolf doesn't like me leaning on him, but he's the closest person I can get any sort of comfort from when Mason is out there doing who knows what and fighting whoever is left to fight. She knows better than anyone that we're just friends, but she's so wound up with this situation going on that she doesn't care who Brandon is to us. She just knows he's not Mason.
"My wolf won't be still with you leaning on me," he whispers after a couple of minutes. I can't help but chuckle.
"Mine won't stay still either but with everything going on right now with Mason and Mary, I just need some kind of comfort. You're my best friend and you're comforting me in a completely appropriate manner. If it bothers you that much, I can move away," I answer back and start to move, but he shakes his head.
"It's fine. If it will keep you from destroying your fingers until Mason gets back then it's okay." He squeezes my hand lightly as he watches the movie. I smile and just rest against his shoulder. I try to force my mind to stay focused on whatever the hell is happening in this movie. On any other day, at any other time, I would be enjoying a movie like this, but right now I can't even stay focused on the screen long enough without my mind wandering and imagining the worst-case scenarios. Every second that ticks on while Mason is out there feels like an eternity and my stomach knots up even more.
Suddenly the front door bursts open, causing Brandon to jump up from the couch and stand in front of me with his eyes locked on the entrance. I take a second to adjust to the sudden movement through my ribs before pulling myself up and standing with my crutches behind him. My wolf starts going crazy in my mind, pushing against the walls, which can only mean one thing… Mason. I start moving past Brandon to get to my mate, but he quickly grabs my arm and stops me from going any further out of the room. I look up at Brandon like he's crazy. It's clearly Mason, not some threat here to hurt either of us.
"Stop," he speaks sternly, his eyes focused on the front door. My frown deepens at him talking to me that way.
"You can let her go, Brandon," Mason's voice fills my ears. He moves into the room and looks at the two of us. He's dirty and covered in blood, but I swear I've never seen anything more beautiful in my life. I can't help the shuddering breath as I stare at him. He's here. He's alive. "I appreciate you taking care of her and not letting her go out there without knowing it's safe though." The two of them share a nod and Brandon releases my arm and moves out of my way. I wobble on my crutches as I move faster than usual until I faceplant straight against his chest. He wraps his arms around my waist and lifts me off the ground. "God, I missed you," he whispers into my hair as he breathes in my scent.
"I was so worried," I exclaim against his chest. I pull back and look up at him. Even with everything going on I can see him fighting a smile. "You can even ask Brandon. I destroyed my fingernails because I was biting them without even realizing how much I was biting them while we waited for you. He pretty much had to tell me to stop before I eat my fingers," I explain, as I rest my chin against his chest but keep my eyes on his face. Mason chuckles and leans down to kiss my head. I smile and tilt my head to kiss his chest in return before lying back down. I move my head back after a few minutes of silence to get a closer look at his face. He doesn't seem to have any marks on his face, and if he did they obviously had enough time to heal before he got home. I let out a breath that I feel like I've been holding since I woke up to find him gone as I tighten my arms around his waist.
I glance over my shoulder at Brandon whose face is still filled with worry. He's moved back to his seated position on the couch with a defeated look on his face. I look back at Mason confused before looking around him to find Mary, but she's not there. "Where's Mary?" I ask Mason. I watch Mason's eyes close slowly before glancing back at Brandon to see him flinch. What's going on? Clearly she's fine or Brandon would have felt something. I don't even know if he felt that she was in danger or else – orders or not – he wouldn't have been able to stay with me at the house.
"Aiden is still looking for her. He caught her scent near where the attack was, but it was faint. It was like she hadn't been there for hours. How long ago did she leave the house?" he asks Brandon.
"Maybe an hour before the attack started. She was going for a run so if she was there her scent should have been strong enough to follow." Brandon shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair, tugging the ends in frustration. "Why would her scent be faint like that after such a short period of time?"
"I don't know, Brandon. It could be that there were so many other wolves there that it's masking her scent somewhat. Aiden is looking now, he knows her scent well enough to follow it, faint or not. I'm sure he'll find her," Mason reassures him as best he can. "Brandon, she wouldn't have gone that far. You can go help Aiden look for her now that I'm here. I'm sorry to keep you away from the search for so long." Brandon's head shoots up and he's off the couch before even a second seems to pass.
"Thank you, Alpha," he mumbles before heading out of the house on a run. I watch his back until he shuts the door behind him.
"I feel so bad for him," I whisper as I look up at Mason. "I have been feeling like that since I woke up and you were gone, but you're here with me now. You came home, where he has no idea where Mary even is. He can't get in contact with her either." I shake my head and reach up to run my fingers along his jaw. "I can't even imagine what he's feeling right now."
"Mary's alive," Mason says quickly. "Brandon would have been able to feel if she wasn't, so let's just hold onto that for now. I have Aiden and now Brandon looking for her along with a few other pack members. They'll find her, and if they can't then I'll send out some trackers who are more equipped to handle this situation than those searching now. Aiden and Brandon know her best, so they have the best chance of finding her."
I nod my head and just look at him. I want to memorize every inch of his face and body. I could have lost him today, and the last thing I would have discussed with him was the Alphas from the other territories. The pain that slices through my chest is almost overwhelming as I rest my hand against his cheek and do my best to keep my tears at bay.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asks as he runs the back of his hand not holding me against him down the side of my face. I close my eyes and lean into his touch. My throat is thick and my eyes are burning.
"I was so scared, Mason," I whimper. "I know you told me that you were okay, but then I didn't hear anything from you for hours! I know you're strong and you're very capable of taking care of yourself," I pause and look up at him. His face blurs from unshed tears. "I couldn't stop myself from thinking the worst. I couldn't stop myself from thinking I was going to lose you while I was stuck inside because I'm injured." I feel a tear slide down my cheek. I don't want to cry, but after today I have a feeling that it's inevitable. Every emotion flowing through me is so overwhelming I feel if I don't let them out then I'm going to explode. That phone call from my father put me on edge and then another attack put my mate and other pack members in danger.
"Oh, Red," he murmurs as he wipes away the tears. "I didn't want to scare you today, but I was dealing with the Rogues after the fight. I'm sorry I didn't answer you sooner and caused you to worry." He leans his head down until it's pressed against mine. I stifle a sob as I cling to him tighter. "I will try to at least let you know that I'm okay from now on, okay?" He softly caresses my face in his hand as he pulls me closer to him. I nod my head and wrap my arms around his neck as I tilt my head so I can reach his lips.
I don't care if my leg and ribs are hurt, I need him right now. I need him to make this feeling go away. I need to feel his love surrounding me as he holds me in his arms. I pull myself higher in his hold and tilt my head, deepening the kiss. He pulls back with a groan and shakes his head.
"Red, we can't. You're still hurt, and I don't want to make that worse."
"Mason, please," I plead with him. "I need you. Please, make this feeling of losing you go away." I know I'm begging, something I never did, but I don't care. I need to feel my mate holding me. I need to feel that connection, and I need it now. I lean up and kiss him again, hoping to help weaken his resolve. I know it'll be okay. "Please," I whisper against his lips.
He groans and gently sweeps my legs out from under me. My crutches clatter to the floor as I quickly wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him harder. He turns and carries me up the stairs and into the bedroom without once losing my lips. I tangle my hand in his hair and tug slightly. I swallow the appreciative groan as he lays me back on the bed. I keep my arms around him, not giving him any chance to try and back out of this now. He climbs on top of me, being sure to keep the touching to a minimum to avoid putting his weight on me. I know he's trying to not cause me any pain, but I need him closer to me. He breaks the kiss and looks down at me. I can see the hesitation in his eyes, but I can also see he's losing whatever battle he's waging on himself.
"I don't want to hurt you, Alaina."
"You won't," I shake my head slightly and reach up to pull him closer to me. He falls down on his elbows but still keeps his weight off me. Better, but not great. "We can take this slow, but I need you to do this with me, Mason. I love you and I thought I lost you today. So please, just make love to me." I wrap my good leg over his hip and pull him the rest of the way down to me. I can feel his length pressing against me through his shorts. He wants this as much as I do, he's just afraid to let himself give into it. I tilt my hips, moving against him as a soft moan passes from my lips. I watch as the dam breaks behind his eyes as he leans down and runs his nose along the length of mine.
"You're going to be the death of me, woman!" he growls before attaching his lips back to mine. I reach for the hem of his shirt and start pulling it up over his back. I want his clothes gone now. He pulls away just enough to rip the shirt over his head before coming right back down to me. I run my hands along the length of his back, raking my nails lightly across his sun-kissed skin as his tongue explores my mouth.
He pulls away slightly. "I love you. You're my one love, my queen. If this is what you need then I'll be happy to oblige," he growls against my lips. I moan as his hips press firmly against my center. "If anything starts hurting then you tell me." I give him a look and a smile spreads across his beautiful face. "Lie back, Red, and let me take care of you," he whispers before his lips press back against mine. Before I know it my clothes are gone and everything from that day fades away into nothingness.