Dawson’s POV
I watch as Mason speeds off down the road. I have half a mind to chase after him, but decide to let it go. What were those two thinking coming here? I turn back and study the face of the border guard. I don’t think he heard the insult that girl dared spew at me. Good.
That lie about it Keira being at my sister’s was good one- she is planning on heading there in a few days- but it’s not going to hold them off forever. I need to fix this problem at its source. Keira.
I do feel guilty about what happened. Those bruises caught me by surprise, and to think she received them on our wedding night. No one deserves that. Least of all my mate. I need to get myself under control. An alpha should lead by example, and be good to those below him.
A pang of anger surges in my stomach when I remember that my own father threatened to withhold the position from me. I won’t let anything get in the way of my birthright. I need to makeup for what’s happened. I need to mend things with Keira. I will be Alpha.
Harrison’s POV
“Okay I think that’s enough.” I say to Dawson as he piles one more pancake onto the tall stack.
“Okay, okay, It’s just, she didn’t eat her dinner yesterday so I know she’s got to be hungry by now.” Dawson replies.
I look down at the tray in my hands.
“Coffee, sausage, a bacon and cheese omelette, toast, hash browns, oatmeal, and a stack of pancakes? This would be too much for anyone to eat in one sitting. Besides this tray’s getting heavy.”
Dawson furrows his brow.
“You need to work out more, I can’t have omegas walking around stronger than my own beta.”
I chuckle and kick him in the shin.
“You think this will be enough?” Dawson asks me.
“You mean to eat or to make up for it?”
He gives me a look. I know what he meant. I sigh, the jokes are over.
“Look to be honest man. No. I don’t think it’s enough, even the dinner tonight. You gotta stop drinking, do it for her.”
Dawson hangs his head. He knows I’m right. We make our way up to her room. It’s late morning, She should be up by now. Dawson knocks.
“Come in.” We hear softly from the other side of the door.
Dawson pokes his head inside, then shows Keira the tray of food. She nods and the Dawson grabs the tray and carries it over to the table at the end of her bed. I linger in the doorway. Normally i’d leave and let them have their private moment alone. But now I’ve been charged with protecting Keira. And part of that means not leaving her alone with him, unless she wants me to.
It’s clear by the distance Keira is keeping between herself and Dawson that she doesn’t want to be alone with him.
“Keira, I’m so sorry for what I did. I had no right, and I feel awful that I hurt you.” Dawson pauses for a moment. Keira’s expression remains firm. She’s eying Dawson.
“I’m ashamed. I broke your trust and I failed as your mate. But I want to try again, if you’ll let me. I will stop drinking, and I’ll work hard to be the best mate to you. The one that you deserve.”
“You’re really going to stop drinking?” Keira asks.
“I already have. Yesterday and today not a drop.” Dawson answers. Keira looks to me to see if he’s telling the truth. I nod my head. Her expression softens, but she remains silent.
“Here, I brought you some breakfast.” Keira walks over to the tray. She picks off a piece of sausage and eats it. Dawson continues.
“I know you can’t forgive me right away, but I promise things are going to change, I’m going to change. I’ll prove it to you, if you’ll let me.” Keira sighs, and sits on the bed.
“Dawson, you scared me. I was scared, not only of you but scared that if someone hadn’t knocked on the door that night, that you could have done a lot worse.”
I remember knocking on the door that night.
“I don’t want to be afraid of someone who is suppose to love me.” Keira wipes away tears from her eyes.
“I know. I understand if you can’t forgive me.” Dawson says.
“But- I’m willing to give you another chance.” Dawson’s head perks up.
“But maybe we should start over. I’m not sure if I can just jump back to how we were.”
“That’s fine. Whatever you need, I’ll do it. If you want separate rooms, separate wings, hell even separate houses, I don’t care. I want to prove it to you. I want to be the best mate I can be, for you, my fated.” Dawson grabs her hand and kisses it. Keira smiles.
“Okay, thank you for giving me another chance.” Dawson says.
“Now please! Eat. I know you didn’t touch your dinner you must be hungry.” Dawson pushes her down into her chair, and pushes the food towards her.
“Well I’ll leave you to it. Oh! And one more thing.” Dawson heads for the door but turns around before leaving.
“Would it be okay if I brought dinner up here and we ate it together?” He asks. Keira thinks about it for a moment before answering.
“Yes, that’d be nice.” She says.
“Great. Then I’ll see you for dinner.”
Keira’s POV
“You okay Keira?” Harrison asks me quietly from the doorway once Dawson leaves.
“Yes. I’m okay.” I answer. “You can come in, if you want.”
The room seems so quiet now that Dawson is gone. He always brings so much energy wherever he goes. He’s like a storm.
“Hey look- I know Dawson can be a bit much some times but he’s really a good guy underneath it all.” Harrison says.
“Did you have breakfast?” I ask, changing the subject. I don’t want to talk about Dawson. I am going to give him another chance. But for right now I need some peace.
“Not yet.”
“Would you like some?” I say gesturing to the buffet before me.
“I’m okay.”
“Please? I hate eating alone, I’m going to be stuck in here all day again, won’t you join me?”
“Okay fine, but only if you share the omelette.” He says. I smile.
Harrison has always been kind to me. With his short brown hair and his crooked smile. He always reminded me of a romantic- if they had a particular look. He always looked like he was waiting to be swept up in some romance. I know he’s been charged with protecting me, but whenever I see him, for some reason I get the feeling that I should be protecting him.
Harrison spent most of the morning with me. After we ate we exchanged stories of what our lives were like growing up. We both grew up in fairly large packs, and we were both born into beta families, so we had a lot in common. But eventually Harrison had to leave, and I was alone again. I spent the rest of my day just lounging around searching for the peace I’m so desperately craving. I took a long bath, and watched a movie. When it was getting close to dinner, I decided to get dressed up for it.
I pick out a nice dress from my closet, and curl my hair. Then I put on some make up. I debate whether or not to cover up the bruises on my neck, but ultimately I decide to leave them. It will do Dawson some good to be reminded of his temper.
I’m just putting on my earrings when I hear a knock at the door. I open it expecting to see Dawson, but instead I see a small group or omegas. Without a word they walk in and start setting up the table. They clear off the tray from breakfast and clean the surface, then they put on a tablecloth and even light some candles.
“Surprise.” I hear behind me. I turn and see Dawson standing there dressed in a suit.
“I see we had the same idea about tonight.” He says grabbing my hand twirling me around. I let out a small giggle. Dawson and I are truly in tune with each other, sometimes it’s like we share the same brain.
The omegas finish setting the table then bring in a small cart of food. I notice Harrison peering in at us from the hallway. I’m glad he’s taking his duty seriously. Dawson escorts me to my seat, and massages my shoulders for a bit, as the omegas set out the food.
Everything looks delicious, and my skin is tingling from the mate bond. Harper purrs in my head.
“Wow, this looks amazing.” I say as I take in the full spread. There’s salad to start, followed by roasted chicken and potatoes, freshly baked bread, pasta, and cheesecake for dessert.
“Shall we?” Dawson says. We dig in and everything is delicious, though I can’t help but feel and bit awkward. I’m not sure what to say to Dawson, so I stay quiet.
“My sister is excited to have you next week. If you still want to go, of course.” Dawson says breaking the silence. I’d almost forgotten about the trip.
“I still want to yes.” I reply.
“She’ll be happy to see you. Oh! I almost forgot.” Dawson says shuffling to his feet. He pulls out his phone and sets up a speaker, then he puts on a slow jazzy song in the background. He’s really put a lot of effort into this dinner. I can’t help but smile.
“Would you like to dance?” Dawson walks over and offers me his hand. I take it. He pulls me close, wrapping an arm around my waist. I’m stiff at first, but one whiff of his scent- bergamot and cherry - and all my anxieties melt away.
“Thank you.” Dawson whispers into my skin.
“For what?” I ask.
“For giving me another chance. I know I don’t deserve it.”
He tucks his head into the crook of my neck, and I feel his lips graze against my skin, sending tingles down my back. And once again I lose myself to the mate bond.
Before I met Dawson, I always considered myself a strong person. I fought with the warriors in my pack, and kept up with them easily. But the day I met Dawson something about me changed. I didn’t feel like the girl I was before. Now I feel weak. Weak to his touch, weak to his kiss, and weak to his words.
My urge be with my mate and breathe in his scent overpowers any reasons I have to push him away. I wanted to take things slow, but feeling his lips against my skin. I can’t help it. I wrap my arms around his back and pull him closer. Dawson is my weakness, and I can’t control myself.