The next few days went by so fast. Helena couldn't deny she found Keiran's positive attitude contagious and his smile—alluring. She was at ease, finally together with the person she had been waiting for so long. But he was always so touchy-feely and wanted to be right beside her. It was making her nervous and unsure what to do. The big swarm of butterflies in her stomach was trying to consume her. It was so different from everything she had felt until now. Every move Keiran took made her heart jump and stutter in tension.

Helena stopped in front of her bedroom and turned to him. Night had fallen so long ago, and she had somehow missed the last few hours. They had flown away like minutes. Taking a day off from her work to be with Keiran really had been a great choice.

“I had fun today. I'll take you to the cotton candy store tomorrow. It's a classic place around here.” She smiled and put her hands behind her back, leaning on the door. “Good night.”

She turned and reached for the handle, opening the door, when she felt a shadow behind her back. Helena spun around and looked at Keiran, who was only a breath away from her.

“Um, what are you doing?” she asked, her cheeks flushing.

“I'm going to sleep,” he nonchalantly returned.

“And you have your room for that,” she mumbled, and her heart squeezed into a ball of embarrassment and excitement. She felt on fire. He wanted to sleep together... In one bed!

Keiran looked flabbergasted before a deep frown marred his features.

“What do you mean? We are always together. We are mates. That's what mates do, don't they? Do I have to remind you that in my culture the mating act happens in the first two or three days after meeting?” His voice grew husky, and he put his hands on both sides of Helena's head.

She swallowed by his insinuation.

“I know I'm still not eighteen, and I intend on waiting for my birthday, but why should I wait after that? Are you not sure about our relationship? Do you not accept me?” he asked, and his tension crowded her. His eyes moved from her gaze to her lips, staring at them hungrily, and his jaw clenched.

He definitely wasn't afraid to state his opinions or desires.

This distance between them was killing her. He was way too close. Helena put her hands on his chest, making sure he wouldn't try to shrink the space between them even more. However, on the inside, she reveled in its hardness and the way his warmth embraced her.

“I know about your traditions. I've been reading about them for the past few days. But I still want to wait for a bit and make sure that you feel comfortable enough here, in this pack. Besides, I know that you start searching for your mates at the age of eighteen, but almost nobody manages to find their chosen one that soon. It usually happens when you're nineteen or twenty.”

“I feel comfortable. Besides, I already found you. Why should I wait to be with you?” he repeated, his breath fanning her.

“Keiran...” Helena pushed him slightly, but he grabbed her wrists and kissed her palms. His eyes were trained on her face, not moving even for a mere second.

His gaze... these bright green eyes set her on fire. Flames of desire exploded through her and covered every part of her body to the tips of her fingers. She was thrumming with her mate's presence, with his warmth, scent... beautiful features, and sinful voice. The attraction was unbearable. And scary. She squirmed and tried to take a breath, but her throat was closing up on her. It was trying to betray her, just like her body. This was all extremely new to her. She felt lost in her thoughts and desires that were, unfortunately, on two very different sides.

“Look... I'm not talking about sex. I just want to sleep next to you. I'm not going to touch you until you tell me you want me to.” Keiran's other hand slid behind her waist and pulled her to himself. “Is that too much? Can't I ask for that?”

His words were saying one thing, but his actions were showing the complete opposite. Her breath caught at the few inches left between them, and inappropriate images flooded her mind. This only proved her point and hardened her melting heart.

She moved away and whispered, “No, sorry. I can't. See you tomorrow.”

Helena jumped into her room, shut the door from the inside, and locked it. She barely managed to hear Keiran's grunt through her wildly racing pulse.

...

It had been a bit over a week since the last time Keiran asked Helena to spend the night in her room. And since then, he had become a bit distant and cold.

And he left every single night. Where he went and why… Nobody knew.

Her heart was drumming. Insecurity and worry drowned her like she was caught in the claws of a tsunami. Why was he doing this every single night? She shook her head and pushed these thoughts aside. Perhaps he needed his nightly strolls. He wanted to hunt.

She huffed and relaxed her shoulders. There was one thing she couldn’t deny—a part of her enjoyed Keiran's stubbornness and desire to spend every night with her. The lycans were passionate and could become very attached to their mates. They were like obsessive cats that could easily be provoked and jump from loving and kind to volatile and irritable. This superficial bond was not what she wanted. She desired his heart, not his instincts. Being with your mate just because of the mate bond was the easiest, the simplest choice. It didn't require any special efforts. But being with someone your heart chose was a whole other level of devotion and respect. And she desired that.

Her skin got goosebumps by this realization. She wanted love. The real deal and all the things it came with.

Still in her pajamas, Helena sprinted to Keiran’s room and knocked. When nobody answered, she opened the door and saw that the bed was empty and made. Her stomach dropped and crashed into tiny bits.

Grabbing her phone, she realized Keiran still didn't have a mobile device. He hadn't needed it because they were always together. She bit her lip as she found Shawn’s number and dialed.

“Shawn, morning! Have you seen Keiran?” she blurted after he picked up.

“Well, good morning, sunshine! It's almost nine!” he cheered in a merry tone. “I and Keiran have been kicking our asses off in the gym since the first rays of sunshine! In the werewolf gym! I can tell you that he is one crazy guy!”

“What? How come I didn't know about that?” Helena bit her lip, a bit hurt by that. She had quickly gotten used to always know where her mate was. Too quickly, to her surprise.

“I don't know. He woke me up at four am, telling me he needed a place to cool off and use some of his physical strength. I just didn't know it was so much! Keiran said he hadn't trained since he came to the pack and wanted to catch up.”

...

Helena reached the gym and entered the VIP salon. The small VIP sign was made specifically because of the humans. It was forbidden for them. Her pack members and security officers greeted her, and some even congratulated her for her mate.

When she reached Keiran and Shawn, she saw them fighting one against the other. Shawn, as a Beta, was one of her best officers. He was quick, quiet, and stealthy.

But he couldn't compare to Keiran's abilities. Keiran looked fierce while fighting him. His every move was calculated and precise. Shawn couldn't even get to punch him once. Helena's mate always predicted the opponent's next step and acted before him. Not only that, but his fighting skills were amazing. Where had he learned all that?

Their duel had gathered a crowd of cheering werewolves.

When Keiran noticed his mate's scent, his eyes immediately glided to her and, without looking at her Beta, held his hand and stopped Shawn's fist from hitting his face. Shawn froze, surprised and aware it was time for a small break.

The mass of people started parting, and Helena took the time to shamelessly ogle at her mate. His sculpted muscles and chest were available for everyone to see, as Keiran was naked from the waist up. His hair was slightly damp and in his eyes, but he wasn't even noticing it.

She swallowed. Seeing him like this was making her feel too excited. It was teasing her belly and making her want to squirm, to move, to... get rid of the sexual attraction and tension. The way just looking at him made her feel was amazing.

“Hi...” he greeted with a small smile, his eyes also roaming over her.

She straightened her posture and pushed her breasts up, all too instinctively. His appreciation was ticklish and so desired.

“Hi,” she said and put a lock of her hair behind her ear.

“Hi,” Keiran repeated with a bigger, mischievous smile.

She giggled.

“So, you've been training since the morning?”

“Yep, I really needed to catch up on my workouts. Missing almost two weeks is inexcusable for me. I can't let this happen.”

Helena hummed and looked at him, noticing his eyes were gleaming again.

It hit her like a wrecking ball. This only happened when Keiran was looking at her, and it reminded her of the way werewolves' eyes gleamed. It usually meant they were excited or angry. And in this case, it definitely meant Keiran was excited.

A small blush crept up on her cheeks.

“Are you... maybe hungry?” she asked with a trembling chest. Keiran was getting her high on him just by looking at her. “Have you had breakfast yet? The food at home was left untouched, just like it was yesterday night.”

“I'm not that hungry yet. I think I'm going to wait for lunch and then I'll eat.”

“Oh...” Helena breathed out, squeezing the bag of food she had brought.

“But if you brought me something to eat, I'd eagerly finish it in less than a minute.” Keiran chucked and grabbed the bag out of her hands.

She smiled, relieved at how easygoing he was. It was a pleasure to talk to him.

“I brought you your favorite—meat. But there's a fridge here, so if you feel full right now, we can put it there. You don't have to force yourself to eat.”

“Oh, it's from my favorite restaurant!” he exclaimed, examining the packaging. Helena's favorite place had quickly become his usual spot too.

“Thanks!” he said and embraced her, squeezing lightly.

A few whistles filled the room, and Shawn shouted, “Oh, come on, don't tease them! You also have mates, you know!” But he himself was chuckling, obviously glad his best friend was happy.

“Thank you for your approval, people, but please return to your own business and don't mind us!” Helena half-joked, holding back a laugh.