C17 LUNA'S BETA

Maliya’s POV

For two days, I stayed beside Raymond as he searched for 'Morana’s daughter'. If only he knew she was sitting beside him. Liya told me that I had to stay calm and not allow myself to get distracted. So I kept my focus on Raymond. It was difficult to be around Raymond for long; I was waiting for the moment when he would snap. I was waiting for him to hurt me, but he never lost control of his anger. He never even grew frustrated with me. The females were long in the past, as I tried to remind myself to keep my distance from him. I should be angry, five days wasn't enough- but it was. I had completely forgiven him, like the idiot I was. But, out of all the men I've known, he was the only one who showed patience with me.

Sometimes throughout the day, he would say a word and make me repeat it. My voice was still soft, but I could feel it growing every time I tried to speak. "Raymond," I said, and looked at his shocked face. I gave a small smile and touched his stubble cheek, feeling shocks fly into my fingertips, "Raymond." I repeated. I've been teaching myself this word. A smile formed on his lips as his eyes glazed over.

"I love hearing you say my name." He said and grabbed my hand, quickly he kissed the back of it and looked up at me, "Please, say it once more?" He asked.

"Raymond," I said and smiled as he pulled me into a hug.

I held onto his large body, and I enjoyed touching him. It gave me sparks I never felt before. He made me feel protected, and sleeping beside him made the nightmares go away. I held onto his arm at night as if it were a pillow and curled against it. He didn't seem to mind as we slept in the bed. Raymond looked down at me and very gently placed a kiss on my forehead, sending a wave of shock through my body. I had to jump after a second to make sure I was still on my feet.

Raymond laughed at my reaction and tried to kiss my forehead again, which I quickly dodged. I took in a deep breath and held his hand as he sat back in his chair, pulling me into his lap. I enjoyed our time together, just the two of us. I haven't been outside since I got to the house. But, some days I looked out to the snowy forest that surrounded the home and watched as the flakes fell gently through the air.

Raymond’s hand was on my stomach, his palm opened wide as his fingertips wrapped around my side. My heart started to quicken its beat as I looked at his warm palm. Slowly, I placed my hand beside his and widened my eyes at the comparison. His hand was so much bigger than my own. I let my hand travel to his wrist as I leaned back against his chest. Turning towards him, my nose brushed against his jaw as I smelled his scent. A soft moan filled the back of my throat as I took another deep breath.

Instantly, I could feel him shifting under me. "I'm sorry." He said and closed his eyes. I sat up and turned around to look at his red face, "It's hard to, it's just you were pressed up, you see when you moan-," Raymond tried to spit out what he was thinking, but he couldn't get it out. Only then could I feel something stiffen against my back. I went to get up to see, but he only pulled me against his chest again.

"Raymond?" I asked, and I could see him biting his lip with his eyes closed.

After a moment, he sighed and looked down at me. His eyes were filled with a strange emotion as he kissed my forehead, and the waves were radiating through my body as I leaned against his chest. His lips stayed on my skin as his arms wrapped me into his chest.

Liya purred at the touch of our mate, his hands holding onto my skin as if I would fall from the chair. His breathing was slowly growing heavier as my body pushed against his. I wanted to turn around; my instincts told me to turn around. I wanted to see his face, I wanted to feel more of his body. And my neck was starting to ache from twisting it.

And even with the ache, I still twisted my neck to get a glimpse of him. After a moment, I kicked my feet up and turned to the side, so we weren't pressed against each other, but I wasn't straining my neck either. I sat fully on his right leg as I touched his cheek.

My fingers trailed down his skin, down to his neck and then to his collarbone. My fingers softly ran along the bone as his hazel eyes watched me.

My heart pounded in my chest as I worked up the courage to get closer. Liya was purring with joy as I slowly leaned down and brushed my cheek against his. The sparks filled my face as I softly planted a kiss on his jawline. I heard his breath hitch in my ear, but before anything could happen, someone was knocking on his office door.

"Alpha." A male's voice said after the third knock.

My heart raced as I pushed away from Raymond and fell to the ground. Raymond looked down at me as he reached to grab me, but I was already moving. Quickly, I crawled under the desk until I hit my head against the wood. I pulled my legs up to my chest as my heart raced, and fear filled my body as I pulled my feet away from Raymond. He leaned down and looked at me, his hand reaching out as I flinched and hid my face in my arms. "I forgot I called them here," Raymond said in a small voice.

Since I've been in this house, people have only gone to the front door, never inside the home. I didn't want to be here; I was cornered. I was vulnerable and weak; I didn't want to see anyone. I didn't want anyone to see me; I didn't want to see any males. What if I saw them?

What if it was the men who had hurt me that was behind the knocking door? What if they hurt me again? I didn't realize I was breathing loudly until Raymond got off his chair and crawled close to me. He placed a hand over mine and looked at me. "I'm sorry." He said, "You can come out; no one will hurt you. I promise you." He said.

Looking up to his hazel eyes, I knew that was a promise. And that promise was truthful; he wouldn't allow anyone to hurt me. But I still shook my head as I grabbed his hand. Raymond gave me a small smile as he moved away from the desk and got back in his chair. Slowly and quietly, I moved closer to him as his chair slowly pulled forward.

With his knee under the desk, I let my body fall against him. My head rested on his lap once he lowered the chair. My hand clung onto his. Aeron chuckled as he used his other hand to adjust his chair, and once he was done, he gently squeezed my hand, "You may enter." He said in a deep voice. I heard several footsteps enter the office, stopping by the desk. Then came the sound of them sniffing the room.