Lycan's Mate (His Claim) Chapter 80

Fiona's POV

I simply laid there on my bed, my eyes wide open as they followed the small shadows that were now casted along the length of these walls. They danced happily above me, a perfect distraction from my never ending thoughts that consumed my mind. No matter how hard I tried to grasp onto sleep and welcome it with open arms, it would slip right through my fingertips, causing an aggravated groan to escape my parted lips.

I turned to my side to face the window in front of me, letting out a small sigh as I stared up at the glistening moon above. Why can I not sleep? I know I've had trouble doing so before, but never had it taken me this long. Tilting my head slightly, I gazed at the bright numbers to my left, noticing that it was already 3:37 in the morning. Are you kidding me? It'll be a matter of time before I have to wake up and get ready for work. Wait a minute, I have the weekend as well as Monday off, so I had no need to worry. Earlier this week I couldn't wait for Friday to arrive and relax the way I had wanted to. But after what had happened only a few hours ago, I wanted nothing more than to distract myself with a large amount of work instead. Then again, having the Alpha of the Lincroft Pack working under the same roof as me wasn't exactly something I looked forward to either

Finally giving up after who knows how many useless attempts, I sat up on my bed and leaned against the headboard. I crossed my arms over my chest and stared harshly at the purple sheets in front of me. Even though I had brought many things from home with me, it never compared to how safe I felt back in Black Forest. But somehow, now, I felt more at home than I had ever done so before for some odd reason, and I somehow knew why

Tilting my head towards the door, I listened carefully for any sign of movement in the living room. Ugh, if only I had the same hearing ability as a werewolf does, because all I was able to hear was the sound of my own heavy breathing

I leaned forward on my bed, pressing the palm of my hands on the edge as the distance between the door and I decreased. There was absolutely nothing! No sound of any movement or snoring. Then again, I knew from all the times Blake had sneaked into my room at night without my father's approval that he wasn't one to snore, thankfully

A pang of pain spread across my chest as my mind replayed the memories I had desperately tried to keep hidden. Like a tidal wave, it all came rushing back with such great force that the grip on my sheets tightened immensely. My heavy breathing came out in small gasps as I nearly found it impossible for me to breathe in this small room of mine. I had to get out

Without thinking twice, I pulled back the covers and swung my feet over the bed until they were planted firmly on the ground beneath me. Trying my best not to make a sound, despite how old the floorboards were, I crept up to the door and felt a small shiver run down my spine as the cold metal collided with my fingertips. Twisting it open, I quietly made my way towards the kitchen at the other end of the apartment. From the corner of my eye, I noticed a dark figure sprawled across the length of the couch and I felt my heart quicken in pace as I passed near him.

Without thinking twice, I pulled back the covers and swung my feet over the bed until they were planted firmly on the ground beneath me. Trying my best not to make a sound, despite how old the floorboards were, I crept up to the door and felt a small shiver run down my spine as the cold metal collided with my fingertips. Twisting it open, I quietly made my way towards the kitchen at the other end of the apartment. From the corner of my eye, I noticed a dark figure sprawled across the length of the couch and I felt my heart quicken in pace as I passed near him.

Finally in my destination, I opened the refrigerator and was immediately illuminated by the bright light from inside. I shielded my eyes as I reached out for the gallon of water I always bought from the grocery store since the water in this building wasn't at all that sanitary

Not wanting the light to awaken him, I closed the refrigerator door quickly, concealing the light immediately before opening a cabinet and reaching for a freshly washed glass cup. Leaning against the counter, I poured myself a glass and relished the cool sensation of the liquid as it rushed down my raspy throat. Satisfied with the drink, I placed the cup inside the small sink until I felt something stir behind me. Turning around slowly, I nearly let out a piercing scream as a dark figure hovered over me, completely idle as it stared down at my petrified frame. It took me a few seconds to realize who it was, but I somehow managed to calm down my now fast beating heart.

Taking in a deep breath, I leaned back against the sink and crossed my arms over my chest as I glared up at him.

"You nearly scared me to death," I muttered before looking away

A small chuckle escaped his lips as he leaned against the fridge, the object letting out a small groan of protest under his weight.

"Looks like somebody wasn't able to fall asleep."

I averted my eyes back to him as I exclaimed,

"I was, too, sleeping!" I paused before muttering under my breath,

"I just got thirsty and decided to get a glass of water."

"Says the girl who has been tossing and turning, as well as letting out frustrated groans every now and then, in her room," he said with a teasing smile.

My mouth dropped open in shock as I stared up at him.

"How do you know?"

Without a single word, he raised his left hand until his index finger touched the tip of his earlobe. With a few taps and a sly smile now plastered on his lips, I understood what he meant. Damn him and his werewolf senses

"And besides, you're not the only one who hasn't been able to sleep," he said with a small sigh before returning back to the couch he was previously lying on (as well as the only couch I was able to purchase for such a small apartment)

As I watched his figure collapse onto the small couch, I walked towards the light switch beside the door and flicked it on. The room immediately became illuminated by the bright light above our heads and it took me a few seconds to adjust to the new lighting. Walking over to the couch and sitting on the arm rest, it was then that I realized how tired looking Blake seemed to be. Large, dark circles beneath his eyes were easily seen from where I sat. His chiseled features still remained, but it seemed to me that he hadn't even bothered to shave recently. His hair was sticking up in every direction like he had just ran his hands through it. To verify my assumption, he lifted up his right arm and passed a shaky hand through his dark locks. I couldn't help but allow my eyes to wander towards his arm as he did the movement. It was clear to me that he had increased in muscle size as they flexed easily from that small gesture. His chest moved up and down with every breath he took and I fought the massive urge to reach out and allow my hands to stroke the fabric of his shirt as I relished the feeling of his broad chest beneath my fingertips

I shook my head to rid myself of such thoughts and was relieved to hear the sound of his voice interrupting my train of thought

"So what was keeping you awake?" He asked as he placed both hands behind his head and leaned back against the couch. His dark eyes pierced through mine as he waited patiently for my response

Seconds passed before I simply shrugged, my mind coming up blank for a reasonable answer.

"I have no idea," I said as my eyebrows pulled together in frustration.

"And what about you? You haven't gotten any sleep since you got here?" I asked, looking back at him with questionable eyes

He mimicked my earlier actions as he let out a soft sigh.

"Sadly, no. I'm actually surprised since we ran most of the way over here." My eyes widened at his words as I continued to stare at him. Was he serious?

"What do you mean you ran most of the way?" I asked slowly

With a quick glance in my direction, I could see his body tense slightly at my tone. He knew better than anyone that whenever that tone leaked into my words, it was best to choose your response carefully. One could say I can be a ticking bomb at times, but can you blame me when your mate practically ran across an entire country just to find you?

He bit his bottom lip as he said slowly, yet cautiously,

"We decided to shift and run most of the way since the states down South are more rural than those on the eastern side." I was about to retort until his next words silenced me.

"But don't worry Fiona, just so the humans wouldn't go crazy after seeing three large wolves running across a city, we boarded on an airplane and flew over here," he said with his hands raised in front of him in mock surrender

I took in a deep breath and simply nodded, leaning back against the couch and swinging my legs back and forth since I was still sitting on top of the arm rest

"Why not sit down? I'm pretty sure neither of us are going to be falling asleep any time soon," he said while scooting over on the couch and patting the space beside him. I stared down at his hand for a few seconds before taking his offer. Sliding down the arm rest until I was sitting on the cushion, I pulled both legs up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them to keep them in place. With my back still pressed against the arm rest, I made sure to keep as much distance between us as I could despite the burning desire to press my body against him. He seemed to notice how hard I was trying to stay away from him because I heard a small sigh escape his lips as I leaned my chin against my knees

Feeling the atmosphere change to one that was slightly uncomfortable, I decided to strike up a conversation with him. Might as well, right? It's not like he was going anywhere any time soon

"So how are things back home?" It felt weird calling it that since it has been a little over two years since I have last visited

"Things are pretty well over there. There have been minimal rogue attacks, but none that we weren't able to handle. We had recently been training some of the younger men to patrol the perimeters. Pretty much what you will find in any other pack's territory, really," he responded in a rather monotonous tone

I nodded, biting my lower lip as I asked quietly,

"And how are your parents? And Sara?" I asked, a guilty feeling filling me down to the very core as I thought of the beautiful blonde I had left behind in Black Forest, Colorado

He looked at me from the corner of his eye, his face expressionless as I waited patiently for him to speak. The silence that hung in the air between us became suffocating and I was relieved to find him responding to my questions. That is until my mind processed his next words.

"They're fine. Moving on with their lives as well as missing you."

Did he seriously have to make me feel even more guilty than I already was? Then again, I probably deserved it. I did leave them all without a single explanation as to why I was leaving so suddenly

I let out an audible sigh as I muttered, "That's good. And what about my dad? How has he been doing?"

He raised an eyebrow in question as he turned to look down at me.

"You mean you haven't talked to him since you've left?"

"Of course I have. I call him every now and then when I have the chance. And besides, he's come to visit me during the holidays and my birthday."

He nodded in understanding.

"Yeah, I'm aware of him visiting you."

"How?" I asked, not bothering to hide the curiosity from leaking into my voice

"Your father works for mine, remember?"

"So?" I asked, not comprehending his words

He let out a patient sigh as he faced me once more.

"So, that means he has to ask permission to have some days off at work in order to come visit you."

"Oh," I said quietly, suddenly feeling stupid for not understanding what he meant to begin with

He chuckled at my expression as he leaned his head against the couch and stared up at the ceiling above, his eyes rather distant.

"He does seem a bit lonely, you know"

I nodded in agreement, my heart sinking at his words as I thought of my dad living all alone in our home.

"He's always felt lonely, even while I was living with him." I paused as I tightened my grip around my legs, whispering,

"He really does miss her." I was secretly hoping that he hadn't heard what I had just said, but his highly sensitive ears picked up on every word I spoke

"Who? Your mother?" I simply nodded as I stared down at the fabric beneath my feet.

"You've never told me about her" I shrugged my shoulders.

"You never really asked before"

"I never wanted to force you to speak about something that is highly sensitive for you"

"It's not that sensitive for me," I muttered, closing my eyes as I took in a deep breath, an unwelcome feeling filling my chest

I could practically picture his expression as he asked quietly,

"Why not?"

I shrugged my shoulders once more. "Because it doesn't matter.