adjective ~ only a short distance away or apart in space or time

PHOENIX

I was still reeling from the disrespect Jade had given me and I couldn't find sleep even if it took my hand and took me there. I sighed and rolled to my back, kicking off the duvet in the process and grabbing the sheet that lay beneath it. I stared up at the ceiling. The darkness of the night did nothing against my heightened eyesight.

The sound of Nova's door shutting downstairs had me on high alert, and I rolled onto my back to listen more attentively. I heard her shaky breath and spiking heartbeat as she began to climb the stairs to my suite. I held back a small smirk as she let herself into my front door, the electronic pad beeping as the door shut.

Her footsteps approached closer, and I heard her take in a deep breath, the air whooshing into her lungs. I gently rolled onto my left side, keeping my face relaxed and eyes closed before I heard her twist the door, the lock quietly clicking against the frame. She tried to keep her breathing gentle, something that was successful despite her nerves. But the thundering of her heartbeat was a huge giveaway. Nothing could keep me from being attentive to the sound throughout every moment of the day.

She seemed to be taking her time in entering the room fully, and out of blatant impatience, I opened my eyes in her direction. Her back was to me, her hair cascading down her back. She gently and slowly closed the door, her shoulders tensing at the slight click it made. She turned around slowly, keeping her gaze lowered as she watched her footsteps. Just as she took two steps forward, her curious eyes lifted to look in my direction.

She froze when she saw me already awake and waiting, and I couldn't help but smirk when her green eyes widened in surprise. Her heart stammered hardly, her breath hitching and unmoving as she waited like a prey to predator. Her bright eyes were admirable, glowing like stars against the darkness, even in her terrified state.

"Are you just gonna stare at me? Or you gonna get in?" I wondered.

She exhaled immediately and nodded her head. I pulled back the cover as she came to the edge of my bed and gently set herself down. Despite being so confident as to approach me whilst asleep and intrude into my room, she dared not move closer. She laid on her back and stared focused at the roof. I couldn't help but grumble, and grabbed hold of the silk sheet in between us, hating how stiff she was.

I moved my arm around her, wrapping my hand around her waist, and pulled. Once she was against my front, I made sure all the sheet was covering her, keeping her closer to me and safe. I felt her relax and Ares settled in my mind at the comfort she brought. I found my face bending down towards her neck, nuzzling at her skin. Ares grumbled in contentment, a purr that settled our mind and her body. I felt myself finally drifting away and was happy when I felt her relax completely and succumb to sleep beside me.

The faint shrilling of my alarm woke me the next morning, but I couldn't find it in myself to roll away from the warmth of my mate. I have never had such a good sleep, and I wasn't sure if I could ever sleep alone again.

The days she was gone, I would find myself in her room, taking in her scent that lingered in every fabric and material she owned. I had taken it upon myself to care for her plant. Knowing how much she loved them, I would hate to see them wither away. But I couldn't find the desire to open the window because that meant her smell would all but fly away.

I let out a small grunt when I felt Nova try to pull herself away from my chest. Her breath fanned against my bare chest and caused a trail of goosebumps to cover my skin. I opened my eyes at last and was blessed with the beauty of her face so close to mine. The shrieking of my alarm grew louder and, with small disappointment, I leaned backwards to smack the power button on my phone. Picking it up, I noticed it was six-thirty, which meant we only had a couple of hours before we had to leave.

I rolled back to see her staring up at me, not helping my amusement in her fuzzy state. "Good morning, sweetheart."

She sucked in her lower lip, a polite pink tinge gracing her cheeks as she stared down at the silken sheets that covered us. I shifted slightly, my hand aching to smooth the hair down her embarrassed cheek.

"Morning." She mumbled.

I smiled and pulled away from her discomfort. I sat on the edge of the bed, letting the sheet fall to the mattress as I stood. I had completely forgotten I was naked, and by the sharp gasp and squeal behind me, I realised she had not even noticed herself. I hadn't moved from my side the whole night, only to pull her closer to me as she, too, rolled onto her side.

As I made my way around my bed to walk to the bathroom, I caught her looking and laughed low as she squeezed her eyes shut. If possible, the pink twinge turned an even brighter red.

"I-I-sorry-I-

I gave into temptation and ran my hand down the side of her head, smoothing the puffed-up tendrils that gathered around her ears. She opened her eyes hesitantly at my touch, her green iris finding mine automatically. I smiled at her embarrassed expression. The colour changes always did wonders for her complexion. She was so beautiful in the morning; her hair was a wavy mess and her face was smooth and soft in the sunlight. She was warm, her voice a gentle caress every time she uttered a sound.

"You look beautiful." I couldn't help but admit it to her.

She dropped her gaze again, chewing on that damn lip. I didn't care if it was an accident. Every time she did that, I wanted nothing more than to suck it between my teeth and taste her. I moved my hand to cup her jaw, bringing her gaze back to mine. I would tease her as much as she was teasing me.

"And I apologise... I always sleep naked." I grinned.

Her jaw slackened against my palm, her eyes wide and I laughed at her surprise. I bent down to place a small kiss on her lips before pulling away. The need to get out of here before I jumped her was too great for me to hang around much longer.

I grabbed some clothes absentmindedly from my drawers nearby before making my way to my bathroom door. I was aware of her eyes on me, following my every move, and it caused the hairs on my neck and arms to rise to attention.

Suddenly, a low satisfied purr came from behind me and I hesitated from entering the smaller room. I felt myself tense up. The appreciative tone of her voice had desire flood through my veins. I inhaled gently, greedily taking in the smell of her inner desire. I felt pride my mate saw me so well, but the ache in my gut was desperate for me to turn around and claim her.

I swallowed harshly, battling Ares away from spinning round and dominating her. I turned my gaze over my shoulder to hide my excitement from her. If only she knew what that growl was doing to me; I couldn't imagine the effect she would have with more of her touch.

"I may suggest you calm your thoughts before I come over there and do it myself." I rasped, eyeing her from behind me.

If anything, her hormonal imbalance grew stronger, and I noticed the way her wolf rose to the challenge whilst Nova clenched her legs and fists tighter together.

I inwardly groaned and let out a short laugh. "It's taking me a lot of strain to stay away from you, Nova, so if you'll excuse me, I need a shower."

I gently made my way into the bathroom and closed the door gently behind me. Once the shower was running, I let out a groan of frustration. Oh, my little mate, you do not know what you are doing to me.

***

I had waited for Nova downstairs after noticing she escaped to her own room. I waited patiently for her, greeting eager pack members as the minutes went by. Once she descended the stairs, I couldn't help the large grin that graced my cheeks at her mere presence.

We had made our way into the kitchen after greeting Noah, a wolf joining us today. Nova had become shy of his outward respect for his luna, and I couldn't help but find her adorable when he called her Luna. After the meeting, many had accepted her, despite her not being marked or engaged in the alpha battle yet. That was still a large worry in the back of my mind, but I was hoping to speak to the king when I visited. I could only try.

I pushed Nova gently into the kitchen and helped myself to a large plate of breakfast items. I could drool at the sight of bacon and pancakes, piling enough to feed two Novas on my plate. Speaking of, I glanced at her from the corner of my eye as she opened one of the drink fridges. Luckily, she had chosen the one I had stocked with around fifteen cartons of orange juice. She let out a small squeak at the appearance of them, and a large smile lit up her features as she made herself her drink. I watched as she rooted through the freezer before adding her ice and yellow straw. She was so satisfied with her creation; that the grin never left her face.

"What?" she suddenly asked.

I blinked out of my daze, gazing down at my angel's eyes. I shook my head, assuring her it was nothing, before offering her to leave first. I wasn't happy that she only chose a drink today, but I could smell the fear coming from her, the anxiety that must be eating away at her. She was brave to want to come, to face the men who had tormented her and locked her away. My brave little Luna.

I grabbed my coffee from the machine and kept in step behind her. I eyed the people from over her head, her slight frame bringing out my protective instincts. When she addressed the crowd without prompt too, I felt a surge of pride in my chest for her confidence. I followed her to the table where she usually sat and waited for her to sit before sliding in next to my gamma. He gave me a curt nod before going back to his food.

I cut up my pancakes, chewing slowly as I watched the two girls in front of me squeal about the newfound mate-ship with Nova's brother.

"Oh, my, that tops the gamma brother role, sorry Sean." Molly laughed.

I watched as Nova giggled and turned to share a glance with Sean, but her face crinkled in disgust. From the corner of my eye, I saw him shove food into his mouth with his bare hands, a snort of laughter escaping between the grease. I smiled when her gaze met mine, content in sharing the morning with her despite my Gamma's bad habits.

These pancakes and bacon rashes were really good too; I could see why Sean was shovelling the bacon in at once. Nova gave me a timid smile before looking back at her friend and continuing their conversation.

As I ate, I kept my attention focused on her, entranced by the way she would smile and laughed with her friend. Now and then she would sneak glances at me from the corner of her eyes, but I just couldn't tear my gaze away from her effortless beauty. Ares grumbled in agreement, telling me how better she would look flustered and naked.

One day wolf. I agreed, licking my lips as I finished my breakfast.

I sipped on my coffee as we fell into silence, the mumbles of other wolves around us filling the quiet air. Nova shuffled, looking around before breaking the silence.

"So... we all ready?"

My gamma nodded. "Everyone is geared up and ready. Alpha just needs to brief them again and we're ready. Are you sure you're up for this, Nova?"

"Of course she is," I interjected. "I believe in her."

Nova blushed, smiling at me. "I am. I'm just nervous... about going back."

I grumbled at her fear. I would be right beside her, every step of the way. She had nothing to fear. The men who ever laid a hand on her would beg for mercy by the time I was done with them. I leaned back in my chair, finishing my hot drink as the two conferred with each other.

"We are the best warriors, after all."

'Damn right.' Ares snapped.

I felt my chest swell with pride, happy to have my pack spoken so highly of. I trained every wolf here. I was the one who brought Sean up to his gamma status. I was the one who raised this pack from the ground.

Nova turned to glance at me and I smiled at her as she returned. I was distracted from behind her as the two strangers carefully walked into the dining room.

Her parents.

"Nova?" the man called, his eyes noticing me briefly before settling on the back of his daughter's head.

She twisted around in her chair so quickly, the obvious relief relaxing her shoulders as she found her parents. I watched with keen interest as she jogged her way towards them. They seemed happy to be here, but I still was unsure since they arrived in the middle of the night.

When we set out later, I was going to have Charlie speak to them on my behalf. We don't know what they could truly hide, and Nova was blind to it since they were her parents. We just had to be sure.

I set my cup down and pushed the chair back with a gentle groan of metal. I nodded at the two left at the table, who bowed their heads in return. I silently made my way over to the group hug, coming to a stop directly behind Nova. Her father released her, swallowing down his fear as he looked up at me.

"Alpha, thank you for having us." He bowed his head.

I politely smiled. "I'm glad you're here safe. Nova has been worried."

Which is true and probably one reason she couldn't sleep last night. They had arrived late and exhausted, and she had not spoken to them since they arrived. I noticed she stepped to the side, and I gave her a smile when she looked up at me. That beautiful blush coated her cheeks again and I had to swallow down the laugh that wanted to escape. My mere presence made her such a pretty colour.

Her mother spoke, confusion in her words that had Nova looking around with nerves. I understood she wanted to speak to them in private and caught her attention once again.

"You can speak in my office." I nodded, taking a step backwards.

"Thank you, Phoenix," Her green eyes blinked up at me in wonder.

I smiled down at her, a small grumble escaping my chest that had her scurry off to lead the way. I followed her to my office, opening the door for them. They looked around nervously, but I trusted her enough to leave her here. She would one day be in here working with me. My space was hers. I gave her a small nod before I gently pulled the door shut. It clicked closed gently, despite its heavy weight, and I glanced at it longingly for a moment before turning around and making my way back down the hall.

*****

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