Returning To My Rejected Mate

Shay's Point of View

I wake up slowly and see it's still dark in the room. I try to find something on the nightstand that can give me the time buth there's nothing. I turn and reach out for Zane but he's not there. The bed is cold, meaning he's been gone a while now.

At once I'm wide awake and I sit up looking around the room, trying to hear if maybe he is in the bathroom, but everything is quiet. And I realize he's nowhere in the room.

A sense of deja vu washes over me and I try to swallow but I feel my throat starting to constrict. Suddenly I'm back here 5 years ago. Waking up alone in bed and my heart starts to beat erratically. I try to take a deep breath but I feel like I'm suffocating in the memory and I'm not sure how to get out of it.

The door to the room bursts open and I see Zane rushing in, putting down a tray before he gets onto the bed and cups my face. He tilts my head, making me look at him. I see him talking but I can't hear anything except for the blood rushing in my head.

I feel sparks explode in my lips, traveling through my whole body and I relax into the comforting warmth as it spreads through me. The sparks stop and I open my eyes to see Zane looking at me worriedly. I touch my lips, he kissed me, pulling me out of the dark memory.

"Shay, are you with me baby?"

I nod slowly.

"I think so.."

I whisper.

He brushes a tear of my cheek with his thumb.

"What happened? Are you okay?"

"I woke up.. And you weren't here..."

I whisper again, looking down at my interlocked fingers.

Zane pulls me closer and crushes me in a hug. Kissing my head while he rubs my back.

"Shit baby. I'm so sorry. I left you a note, saying I'm just down the hall. Cooking us some breakfast."

I see the note on his pillow and I push my face into his chest.

"I'm sorry, in my panic I didn't even see the note. I just.. Suddenly it was 5 years ago.."

He kisses my temple.

"I know little mate. And I'm sorry I did that to you.."

I wrap my arms around him and hug him tight.

"You're here now. That's all that matters.."

We sit like that for a while before I pull away from his comforting warmth.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Not getting mad at me, for kind of assuming the worst."

He gives me a small smile.

"I kind of deserve it. I've given you more that enough reasons to be skeptical. But I promise you

little mate, I won't do anything like that to hurt you again."

I nod at him and give him a small smile

"How did you know something was wrong?"

He brushes his fingers down my neck and over my collor bone and I feel the tender spot.

I gasp, getting out of bed and rushing over to the mirror.

"I completely forgot about the mark."

I say, moving my hair out of the way and staring at my mate mark.

I run my fingers over it softly and smile. Zane comes over and wraps his arms around me from

behind. Resting his chin on my shoulders and our eyes meet in the mirror.

"It looks good on you."

He says before he softly kisses the mark. I can't help the groan that slips out when sparks course through me and Zane smirks at me when I blush.

"It's beautiful. Let me see yours."

I say as I turn around in his arms. He pulls his color away a little and I touch his mark softly.

"It looks good on you too."

I smile at him and lock my arms around his neck.

"I can't believe we're actually marked and mated."

I say softly and he kisses me.

"Believe it little mate. Now you're mine forever. And I'm never letting you go."

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart. Now come on, let's eat before the food gets cold."

I nod and head over to the bed and snuggle back under the covers.

Zane hands me a plate with bacon and pancakes and my stomach grumbles as soon as I touch

the first piece of bacon.

Zane laughs.

"Someone is hungry..."

"Well I had a pretty long night."

I say blushing and Zane smirks but before he can say anything I push a piece of pancake into his mouth.

"Don't you dare say anything."

I glare at him, putting a piece of pancake into my own mouth.

Suddenly I put my fork down in my plate and look at Zane.

"Shit! Zayde! I forgot about him."

I say trying to get out of bed bed but Zane stops me.

"It's fine. I spoke to him and Ryan. He's perfectly content with spending the day with Jason.. So

we're good. We'll see him at lunch."

I frown at him.

"Lunch? Why lunch?"

"Because we're not done yet."

I blush.

"Didn't you get enough last night?"

He shakes his head and his eyes roam over me hungrily.

"I'll never get enough of you baby. So eat up, you'll need the energy for later."

"Stop looking at me like that."

He arches an eyebrow.

"Like what?

"Like you want to eat me."

"Oh but I do. You taste fucking devine baby. I can't wait for another taste. Maybe I should leave

the food and take my to devour you."

He smirks as me as I choke on my orange juice.

"You okay there? Your face got really red."

"Zane! Stop it."

I say blushing and cover my face with my hands and he laughs at me.

"Okay, I'm sorry. I'll stop. Please eat your food."

After breakfast Zane takes my plate and I lie back and snuggle into my pillow.

"I'm so sleepy now."

I say with a sheepish smile.

Zane smiles back at me and brushes my hair out of my face.

"Then sleep little one. I'll just take these to the kitchen then I'll come join you. Okay?"

I nod and Zane kisses me quickly before he stands and heads out the door.

I pull the comforter up to my shoulders and I feel myself starting to drift off, surrounded by Zane's scent.

I little while later I feel the bed dip, and a comforting warmth pulls me closer. I turn and snuggle

into Zane's chest. I kiss his chest softly and I smile when I feel his lips touching my hair.

I sigh contently. I could get used to this. This is how I want to go to sleep and wake up for the rest

of my life. I think, slowly falling asleep listening to Zane's steady heartbeat.