C19 FIRST DAY AWAY

Maliya POV

Sitting in a tub, I crossed my ankles as I looked at the bubbles that covered my chest. My brown hair was up in a half ponytail; the other half was still too short and rested with a hot rag that was against my neck. I moved against the hot water and looked at the white wall I was facing.

Two weeks have passed, and I have started to feel much better. I haven't seen Cameron since he became my Beta; since then, Aeron has been by my side this whole time. But today he will be leaving to go to the pack house, so Cameron will be coming to our house to watch me. Liya purred as we lifted our arms and watched bubbles fall down our skin. I couldn't help but giggle. I haven't had a bath before, or I couldn't remember having one.

Aeron had made me this bath and promised to make breakfast before he left. I held a smile on my face as I scooted on the porcelain bottom.

Since I've spent so much time with Aeron, I was able to pronounce my words better, which I was glad for. When he was working, sometimes I would use a thing called a TV and watch the people in the shows.

With so much time passed, I had explored everything I could in this house as I tried to get used to being free. Being free in a house, I never thought this would happen. I had walked up and down the stairs until I was so tired that Aeron had to carry me back up the stairs. Some nights I would try to cook dinner, with him beside me, of course. He showed me how to work a camera, and I spent a whole day taking pictures out of the window. I learned more about the food I ate, and talking was slowly getting easier for me.

Most of the time, I enjoyed being cuddled up to Aeron and listening to his voice; he didn't speak much about himself. Instead, he told me about the weather and the pack. I closed my mouth as I tried to pronounce my name. I've been hoping to hear someone on TV say it. But I haven't heard anyone pronounce it. Liya would also help me sometimes. But all my thoughts went blank once I heard the whiny doorknob alert me that someone was on the other side. The water splashed as I jumped up when the door opened and Raymond peeked in.

The bubbles covered my body, but I still placed the rag over my chest as a blush crept over my face, "I'm sorry." Aeron said and covered his eyes. "It's okay," I said slowly and watched as he looked at me. He let a smile fall on his face as he got on his knees by the tub, his chin resting on the outlet. His eyes stayed on my face as his hand reached out to touch my cheek.

"I have to leave now." He said, I let myself softly pout as he rubbed his thumb under my eyes against my cheekbone, "I've gotten away with two weeks, but I have to make my appearance." He said and leaned over to kiss my forehead,

"I'll be home as soon as I can. Cameron will be here. If you start to feel uncomfortable, you can go into my office. No one is allowed to enter my office without my permission." He said and smiled towards me.

"How I-I-long w-will you b-b-b g-g-gone?" I asked and frowned.

"Hopefully, I'll be home before the sun sets. I don't know." He said and kissed my temple as he started to get up, "Have Cameron tell me if you want anything." He added.

"Hurry back!" I said a phrase I often tell him when he leaves the bed or the office for minor things. He smiled towards me and chuckled.

"Be a good little mate." He said and walked out of the bathroom. Once he closed the door, Liya and I let out a small whimper. I could hear him sigh as he opened the door and walked back into the bathroom, "I haven't even left, and I can't stand it. I don't want to leave you." He said and walked back into the bathtub with a frown on his face, "You can come to the pack house." He said, but I lowered my body in response as I shook my head. I was scared to think of what would happen if I went.

Aeron whimpered in response as he leaned against the tub and pushed his face against my naked neck, taking in a deep breath. I pushed my body against the tub as I lifted, doing the same to him. Instant comfort filled me as I grabbed hold of his shoulders. I was trying to hold him closer to me. I didn't care that my hands were making wet marks on his shirt. I needed him close to me, and I was terrified that he wasn't going to come back. Before I knew it, I was growling when he tried to leave.

Aeron chuckled and kissed my cheek as he moved away, "I'm going to be late." He said. I pouted once again and nodded as I turned back to the bubbles.

Aeron POV

She's perfect. She's the perfect mate, the perfect match for me. The last two weeks we've spent together were the best weeks of my life. We held each other and talked about small things. Well, I mostly said she was still learning, but she made an effort. I learned small details about her. How she loved being held from behind, and how she likes to sleep with only my arm. She likes cheese on anything, and she prefers milk over juice. She scrunches her nose every time she's about to yawn, and the way her lip moves to the side before she sneezes. Whenever she wants to ask me a question, she always fiddles with something, and when she's ready for sleep, she will lay her head on my chest. Her hair was now resting on her shoulders, and she seemed fascinated with it, and usually played with it when she was lost in thought. I wish I knew what was in her head.

As I walked out of the house, I could see Cameron sitting on the patio. We mind-linked yesterday, and he knew what to expect. He looked nervous, but I could smell the confidence in him as I held the door open for him, "Protect her." I said in a stern voice, "Any problems, from anyone, you come straight to me. That is an order." I said. Cameron quickly nodded and walked into our home. I was off the patio and started to walk towards the pack house. The snow was melting, but the wind was promising to bring more. I wondered if the house was warm enough for her. I stopped walking as I went to turn back around, but I stopped myself as I turned back around and continued to walk.

The quicker I talked to the pack, the quicker I could get back to my mate.

I held that thought in my head as I looked at the females who sat outside the pack house. I knew this would happen, Aero cursed in my head as we looked at the females we had spent time with. "Alpha Aeron!" They shouted and stood up. I nodded softly and walked into the warm pack house. The wolves looked at me and instantly jumped up, "Alpha!" They said and bowed towards me. I smiled and continued to walk towards the end of the lobby.

The pack house had three stories; the first floor was the kitchen, lobby, and living area, such as a dining area, and a hangout spot. The other two floors held rooms. The mated couples or singles who didn't want to live at the pack house lived in the small homes around the property, or they built their own. The pack gathered in the lobby and looked at me with questionable looks. Beta Jack weaved through the crowd and smiled towards me as Amanda stood beside him.

Traditionally, Amanda would be my Mate's beta. I didn't even think of her as her beta when I assigned Cameron to the role. Quickly, I clapped my hands together.

"Thank you all for coming here today." I said and smiled towards them, my smile was so wide my canines brushed against my lips, "I wanted to start this meeting by thanking all of you who have participated in helping the Black Moon pack these recent weeks. I also want to thank everyone here who has been protecting our lands, such as Beta Jack and his team." I said.

Jack beamed with pride as Amanda touched his arm with a smile, "After much consideration, I've agreed for some of the Black Moon warriors to come and search for the rogue around our lands. They will not interfere with our work or patrol, but I would appreciate it if everyone respected them as well as Alpha Kevin and Luna Jenny.