I layed there, quiet as i could possibly be while Zaryn had his ear directed toward the area where the stream lay, where the sound had come from.

I was frozen in fear of getting caught.. or even worse, someone who had been following our actions

My breathing picked up as i imagined all the possibilities.. it could be anyone from the pack.. they would tell Alpha immediately once they found out he had put a ban on Zaryn and i being alone together...

No one knew as of yet.

Except for the people in the room with us at the time of the meeting which were my brother, Deacon and my parent. My parents wouldn't be up here.. Nic would probably be wherever Grace was.. he seemed to care more than he let on.. and Deacon..

Deacon knew about my sneaking off with Zaryn. Apparently i wasnt careful enough and he caught a scent off of me. Deacon wouldn't tell on me. He was my best friend. He would be disappointed if he saw us up here, but I would just explain to him that Zaryn wanted one last moment together.. he would understand.

But I dont think Deacon would be up here this time of night.

Panic gripped me from the inside, coiling my stomach with fear of the unknown..

"Nova. Calm down" zaryn whispered. "I can smell your panic. They will too. Just calm down." He urged me.

Taking a deep, calming breath, i closed my eyes and relaxed. What were the odds of anyone even coming up here if we didn't go down? The tree house was hidden amongst leaves branches and ivy.

I got up without making a sound, realizing i was still naked. Zaryn gazed at me breifly before he threw me the T shirt i was wearing. I quickly pulled it on while he got dressed as well, quietly as we could be. He picked up the masking spray and turned to me with all seriousness.

"Close your eyes." I could feel his breath cooler now on my heated skin, but my lust had already gone. Looking up high above me, my eyes found his, confusion in mine, glancing from him to the spray in his hand.

"What are you gonna do!?" I whispered harshly, hoping it wasnt what i thought he was thinking..

Sighing, he dropped his hand and kissed my cheek softly, mouth going to my ear. "Whoever is out there will see us and tell if we go down together. Im going to go check it out. Im going to mask you fully so you can wait here for me to return. If the coast is clear, then we can continue where we left off." His lips kissed my neck, lingerng. The electric currents that buzzed where his lips touched, instantly had my lower muscles clenching.

But sainer heads prevails.

Snapping out of the lust driven stupor, i backed away slightlt, staring in his eyes. "Z, no. As much as I want to be here with you, i cant risk anything right now. We will get caught. I can't look like a fool to everyone and i wont be the butt of gossip. And... i dont want to hurt even more." My eyes drifted to the floor. "We need to just leave. Go down, check it out in wolf form so you can catch the scent.. then leave. Ill come down a little while after."

His eyes seemed to sadden as he looked down to the floor as well, a small crease between his brows. "So this is it?" His voice held that pain that i have held onto for a while... one that i knew all too well.

Stepping into his warmth, feeling the connections between us spark, I pressed myself into his tall form.. my head coming right to his chest. His arms came around me, holding me tight and his eyes looked up slightly to meet mine. I held my breath while one of his hands slid up my curves to cup my cheek, stroking my face gently with his thumb. My skin strummed with pleasure.

It was impossible not to lean into that embrace. Every fiber of my being wanted our souls to connect.. my skin actually crawled, trying to get in contact with his. Having a mate, being around them.. its utter bliss. Your body does things you never thought possible.

"Nova.. i dont want to leave this spot with you. I would say lets run away.. but..."

"But you need to see if your pup is going to live or not. I understand Z." Just saying it hurt but i did understand.

His eyes found mine.. scrutinizing me. "Are you sure you want to leave? We dont have to.. there is no threat till my dad announces the command to the pack which he wont do tonight. Not until he sees how the witch fares." He brought his nose down to mine, our foreheads pressing together, that hand on my cheek bringing heat forth.

"The witch?" I meant it as a question but my voice broke from feeling so much contentment with his skin on mine.

"Its Grace's new name. I cant stand calling her Grace now. But are you sure you want this to be over with right now? We wont get another chance.. not with everyone on alert. Tell me.. please." He urged me.. begged me. Hand pressing my lower back further into his body where I could feel his arrousal.. its like neither of ours ever goes away around each other.

I closed my eyes in pain.. my heart seemed to stop beating as i voiced my decision. "Im sure. We cant Zaryn. We just cant risk it. Im sorry." I looked up to see regret in his eyes.

This was the right decision. I couldn't risk my family's reputation more than it has already been compromised nor could i risk punishment.. putting shame on our family name. More importantly.. i couldn't keep doing this to myself.

Sighing deeply, he placed both arms around me, pulling me into him. I could taste the forlorn misery off of his skin. Inhaling his scent deeply, it engrained in my memory.. something i would never forget.

He pulled his face away to look down at me. Skies so blue meeting my grass so green. "You know i will love you no matter what. Remember everything we have talked about tonight. I won't be with Grace. I am happy to be a father but i wish it was later on in life and i wish it was with you. No matter what happens, know that i love you and only you." His words brought tears to my eyes, stinging my nose as emotions so confusing and deep played inside of me.

Tears cascaded down my cheeks while he gazed down at me with so many emotions. Taking my cheek once more in his large palm, he lifted my face upwards and claimed my lips with his own. So soft and sweet. My bottom lip was taken between his teeth, his tongue sliding across it slowly before he grabbed me roughly up in his arms, plunging his tongue inside my mouth to explore me. My tongue danced with his as he held me with such a possessiveness, my wolf wanting to meet his but the masking scent not allowing her to push through. Arms wrapping around his neck, our kiss became passionate. Full of a lust i could not comprehend. All i could feel were bolts of electric desire spilling out of each of our bodies into the other.

He was mine. But not right now. If ever. Im always left with hand me downs.

A sound..

another sound in the distance of twigs being snapped, had my mind surging back to reality.

Someone was still down there .. out there close by somewhere.

Zaryn heard it too, bringing our kiss back to the sweet ones we started out with before pecking my lips one last time before he pulled away.

"I dont want to leave." He whispered. "But im going to do the right thing and respect your decision. But first.." his body left mine, pulling away. I felt a cold numbness set in that made my skin feel as if it was trying to crawl back to his.

Now i know why mates are always touching each other or holding each other. It feels... magical.

I watched with curiosity as Zaryn walked quietly to the other side of the treehouse, careful not to bump his head on the ceiling, as he was about 6'3 and this tree house was made for children. He removed a piece of wood from the wall and took out a small wooden box. It must have been placed there recently because there was no dust on it from what i could tell.