Midnight Mate

Calm

Falcon POV

I feared something bad would happen to Katya during the daytime when I couldn't protect her. I respected her need for time to think before going with me, even though a part of me, despite the promise I made, wished to simply whisk her away. But I couldn't force her. I couldn't be like the one who had been hurting her.

“If her heart recognizes us, then we can protect her and go with her when she leaves her home,” Ash said in my mind.

I cleared the empty plates from the table. I wanted to do anything I could to help and clean, grateful for the food she had bought me twice.

"Do you work tomorrow?" I asked.

She looked tired, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. "Yes, 10am until 5pm," she explained.

"You should sleep then," I suggested, hoping she would rest. I yearned for more time with her, to share the things I needed to tell her. But she needed rest, otherwise, she would fall ill.

"Um… well, I guess," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Trust me, I want more time with you as well," I reassured her. "But I hear everything you say while in wolf form."

She nodded, understanding. She turned off the television, plunging the room into darkness, and made her way to her bed. I settled onto the couch, the cushions soft beneath me.

"I'm kinda getting used to you sleeping in my bed or being in it with me," she whispered, her voice filled with vulnerability. I hesitated, unsure if that was a good idea. Holding myself back with her was a constant struggle, as the feral nature of my wolf threatened to take over. I refused to do anything she didn't want.

"It may be best for me to stay on the couch," I suggested, trying to keep my desires in check.

"Oh, okay," she responded quietly, disappointment evident in her voice.

"You hurt her, fix this," Ash growled in my mind. I didn't want to mess up.

"Katya, I told you, you make all the calls right now. But if I get in the bed with you, I'm going to struggle to keep control," I confessed, my voice filled with longing.

Katya was silent for a moment. Then, I heard her rustling out of bed, the soft sound of her bare feet padding across the floor. Turning towards her, I saw her approaching me.

"I know it sounds strange," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "as I think it strange even coming out of my mouth, but I don't think I can sleep without you."

Her words hung in the air, mingling with her delicate perfect scent. "It's not strange. It's normal for my kind, especially when we first sense our mates and the bond is new. I don't know how much you feel it since you can't sense it like me." I explained.

"I-I don't mind if you kiss me or hold me. You don't have to ask. I'll tell you if I want you to stop." She informed me.

Understanding the weight of her trust, I nodded, rising from the couch. "Just promise you will always tell me, as I never want to overstep with you. I want you to be comfortable with me, and I'm willing to wait for you to be."

Her eyes met mine, a glimmer of understanding and affection shining within them. "I know, and I think that's one of the reasons I'm starting to finally understand what love feels like," she responded.

The words echoed in my mind, causing Ash, to howl with joy. Unable to resist any longer, I whispered against her, pulling her closer to me. "Say that again," I urged.

"I'm falling in love with you, Falcon, and I'm falling fast," she whispered.

In that moment, everything seemed to fade away. With a hunger that matched her own, I pressed my lips against hers, feeling the heat and urgency of our connection. As our lips remained locked, I lifted her effortlessly, our bodies in perfect sync, and gently placed her on the bed. My hands trembled with a mixture of desire and tenderness as I explored her, my heart hammering in my chest.

She responded eagerly, wrapping her arms around my neck, pulling me closer. Her lips parted, allowing our tongues to dance in a passionate rhythm.

And then I gently pulled away, my fingertips lingering on her skin, wanting more than anything to continue, but knowing that I needed to wait. It wasn't just for her. As a prince, it is tradition to mark my mate at a marking ceremony. If I keep going right now, I may slip up. I moved closer, fully settling in the softness of the bed, and she shifted into a comfortable position against me.

"Your heart, it's beating so fast," she whispered, her body pressed against mine. I couldn't help but smile, feeling the rapid rhythm beneath my palm. "You made it beat this way, Katya. My heart is more alive when I'm with you," I admitted, my voice filled with sincerity.

"You can call me Kat if you want, most people do since it's easier," she murmured in my arms. I considered her words, knowing that her comfort was important to me. "If you prefer, I will," I said, my voice laced with tenderness.

"But I also like when you use my full name," she responded, her voice barely audible.

"I do too, since it fits you perfectly," I confessed, my fingers gently tracing circles on her. She nestled closer, seeking solace in our embrace. "Sleep well, Katya. I will keep you safe," I promised. I could sense her drifting off, her breathing growing steady and calm.

"The bond has been recognized, and your mate's heart has been awakened to your love. Now that her heart recognizes you, you have one week to bring her home, wolf prince," the witch's voice echoed in my mind. I was taken aback, realizing that she had been watching all along.

"I thought I had a month," I replied in my mind, a mix of surprise and frustration.

"One month for her to recognize her love, but now that she has, the clock ticks faster. You have one week to bring her to your world, and if you fail, neither of you will find your way to each other again," she warned, her voice resolute. I glanced down at Katya, her peaceful expression bringing both comfort and urgency.

"I will give you one helpful warning, wolf prince," The witch said. "There are some in her world that know of your kind and hunt them," she continued. Her words echoed in my ears, a chilling reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows. I could feel a sense of unease settling over me, like a heavy cloak. "And as for your mate. She is indeed human, not a mix, but she is special." The weight of her words hung in the silence that followed.

I had never been fond of witches, but their advice often proved invaluable. This specific witch, her presence commanding and wise, I knew she could not lie. Gratitude filled my heart as I turned towards Katya, whispering softly, "Thank you for loving me back, Katya. I won't let you down. You deserve someone who cherishes you, who helps you discover your true strength and amazing potential."

With those words, I closed my eyes, feeling the weight of the day slowly lifting off my shoulders. Sleep finally embraced me, as dreams of a future filled my mind.

________

"FALCON," Katya's startled voice snapped me out of sleep. I sat up instantly, pulling her against me, worried that something was wrong.

"You're squishing me," Katya mumbled as I loosened my grip.

"Is everything okay?" I asked her, concerned.

"Yes, it's just... you did not turn into a wolf," she said, as I noticed the sun shining into her room.

"No, and I wish I could tell you why, but I'm afraid I can't," I replied.

"I understand. I'm just happy I can see you more, not that I don't like spending time with Ash," she said.

"Do you mind if I go to your work with you?" I asked her.

"You can come. It may be boring, but my boss won't mind," she said, making me feel relieved that I could stay with her to make sure she was safe. Katya got out of bed and picked up her phone for a moment, but then she stood frozen, dropping it to the ground. I immediately got up and went to her as her eyes met mine.

"Trevor, he knows what you are," she stammered, as I bent down and grabbed her phone.

"May I?" I asked, and she nodded. I looked at the screen, a small video clip of me leaving her place earlier in the week, and a message threatening her, saying she is supposed to go to the listed address or I'm in danger. I sighed. I had tried to be careful, but clearly, I was not enough.

Her hands trembled as I grabbed them. "Don't go, stay with me and go on with your day, and I promise I won't let anything bad happen," I said to her.

"This is all my fault. All you have been doing is keeping me safe," she said, hyperventilating.

I grabbed her hand and gently led her into the bathroom, keeping the light off as I closed the door. "What are you doing?" she whispered.

"Calming you down, Katya," I said, as I turned her shower on and stood behind her in the dark for a moment, allowing the steam from the warm water to fill the room.

"I promise this will help you calm, but if you want me to stop, all you have to do is tell me," I said to her. She stood still and quiet as I moved her hair and kissed her neck, then I moved my hands to the hem of her shirt, slowly pulling it off of her. I put my hands at the hem of her shorts, waiting for her objection, but she did not. So, I slowly slid them and her panties to the ground, and then I guided her into her shower before removing my own clothing and getting behind her.

I reached for her bottle of body wash, the scent of lavender filling the air as I poured a generous amount into my hands. "Just relax against me, Katya," I whispered. Gently, I trailed my hands against her soft skin, working the soap into a gentle lather. The feeling of her warmth against my touch was intoxicating, but I managed to keep myself composed, my sole focus on calming her.

Once I finished washing her body, I turned my attention to her hair, running my fingers through the silky strands. "Feel better?" I asked.

"Much," she replied, her words barely audible. As she turned to face me, our eyes locked for a moment, a silent understanding passing between us.

She reached out and grabbed the soap. Pouring some into her hands, she hesitated for a brief moment before placing them on my body. "You don't have to, Katya," I reassured her, feeling the warmth of her touch sending pleasurable currents throughout my body.

"I want to," she whispered, her hands moving against me with a gentle pressure.

Once finished, I carefully wrapped her in a soft towel before wrapping one around myself.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude. "You always seem to know exactly what I need. And not just that, you made something I was honestly nervous about ever doing, relaxing."

"I don't know how long you have here, but if I can have just two days to say goodbye to this place, I'll go with you. Because you're the one I want to be with. You're the family I've been waiting so long for. You're the one that feels like home to me," she expressed, her voice filled with a mix of hope and vulnerability.

"I promise, Katya. Although it may take time for everyone to accept you, and it may be hard at first, I will make you feel at home," I assured her, wrapping my arms around her. "I know how difficult this is for you, so thank you, Katya. Thank you for choosing me."