11: Raging Emotions

Kieran's POV

My mother wanted to fuss over them lying on the grass, but I shushed her away fast. This was my day. A gift. To spend the whole day with my mate without us bickering like an old couple, and I will savor every moment of it. I easily lifted each placing them on the blanket and sat at the edge of it watching them sleep. Luckily, the weather had got the memo. Daphne was the first to stir awake, almost four hours later. Her eyes squinted confused for a minute before she looked beside her and found her accomplice still out.

"How long?" She turned to me almost shyly.

"The day is almost ending." I pretended to look at the sun, which was about to set any minute.

"You could have woken us up." She grumbled.

"And risk your greedy asses eating me alive?" I retorted with a smirk. Her cheeks reddened instantly as she averted her gaze.

"This was supposed to be an exploring day." She said mostly to herself in wonder.

"I say mission accomplished." By my knowing smile, I knew she knew what exactly I was talking about.

"Like a dog with a bone." She groaned under her breath. "Will you ever let that slide?" I shook my head, smiling wider. Of course, I didn't like her comparison of me to a dog, but at this point, who cares! I am enjoying myself so much to do or say anything to jeopardize that.

"Is your stomach better now?"

Without a word, she turned and began patting Taylor gently. The groaned, obviously hating the fact that someone was disturbing his sleep. The boy can sleep. Most days I have had to scoop him from his bed and deposit him in the bathroom, and only when the water hits his skin does he open his eyes. "Daph…"

"I am here, babe."

"Daddy!"

"Are two okay now?"

Taylor rubbed his belly like he was trying to decide if it was better. "I could eat some more," Daphne said. I had a feeling she was fetching a reaction from me, but like the smart man I am, I smiled. Rendering her speechless.

"I can eat some more also," Taylor exclaimed, making us chuckle. What am I going to do with these two? They are definitely cut from the same cloth.

'Love them, what else can we do?' My wolf chimed in, sounding so proud. As an Alpha, it's my duty to protect the pack. That has been instilled in me since I could barely shift. But now I have a far, much more important task. Protecting my mate. And earning her forgiveness so she and I can complete our mating bond and be happy like we are supposed to be.

"Let's watch the sunset before going back," I suggested. Daphne smiled. She was with the idea. Getting on her feet, she shuffled awkwardly, attempting to tame her wild curls. Like second nature, I reached out and tucked a stubborn behind her ear. Her eyes widened, and so did mine. I opened my mouth to apologize for my spontaneous behavior, but no words came out. A dreadful silence fell. Taylor, poor boy, craned his neck back and forth between us, perhaps trying to ascertain if we were about to pick a fight. He definitely had caught on to the tension.

"Which is the best spot to watch the sunset, my little man?" Daphne exclaimed, turning to Taylor with a suspicious enthusiasm. As always, she was trying to use him to dissipate the tension, and I appreciated it in comparison to an argument I knew would have arisen if it were just two of us. She made it apparent that my touch was unwelcome when I instinctively kissed her the other night. But that doesn't mean I have stopped daydreaming of another change to so again. I have had to applaud my self-control so far because if I were to follow my feral instincts, I would have earned a few slaps from her by now.

As a response to her question, Taylor grabbed her hand and began leading her far East. I knew his destination by heart. He and I have sat in that same spot countless times. Poor me was left behind, gathering the blankets before catching up with them. In each other's company, I am practically non-existent.

*********

She was busy watching the sunset and I, her. Her eyes sparkled, and her whole demeanor seemed content. Something I rarely see in her. Secretly, I fetched my phone and clicked a photo of them. Taylor was leaning on Daphne's side and her hand was draped loosely on his shoulder. I can't tell how long we sat there, as the golden clouds disappeared slowly until all we were left watching was the remnants of what had been a perfect sunset. It was not my intention to interrupt the peaceful silence, but we had to get back. Apart from the fact that it was already getting chilly, darkness had also begun gracing the sky.

"We have to go." I whispered, for I felt any other tone would ruin the perfect evening. Daphne nodded, stretching her hands and jumped to her feet, pulling Taylor with her.

The walk back home was quiet. Each lost in our own thoughts. When we got back to the house, I encouraged Taylor to go upstairs and begin preparing for a shower, promising I would be there shortly to help him. Daphne kissed his cheek, reluctant to let him go. I am sure she figured out I wanted a private moment with her. Luckily, she held her silence and played along. The minute Taylor disappeared pit of view, she turned to me with a questioning glare. I could tell she was ready to pick a fight.

"Can we, please, not fight today?" I begged in frustration. A minute of silence passed, and the fight drained from her eyes. I took that as acceptance. Pocketing my right hand, I pulled out her pendant and dangled it between us. "Yours."

"Mine." She attempted reaching out for it, but I raised my hand quickly. Being her stubborn self, she jumped and ended up bumping into my chest. I snaked my hand around her waist, holding her in place, and nuzzled her neck.

"You promised." I referred to no fighting agreement.

"Then why must you provoke me?" She whined without attempting to move. She was relaxing in my hold and I loved every second of it.

"I just wanted to put on you." She raised her head and gazed at me quizzically. Perhaps it was the obvious yearning in my eyes, or she just decided to have pity on me, but without a word, she turned in my hold and moved her hair to one side. I let go of her waist and locked the pendant around her neck slowly. None of us moved for a while. This awkward territory was new for both of us. Acting on instincts, I turned her around and bumped my forehead against hers. We were sharing the same breath by now. I am certain my intentions were obvious.

"Kieran…" She whispered breathlessly. My name has never felt so good from another's lips.

"I must…" She shook her head. "Please…" Afraid that this opportunity might go wasted, I eagerly cupped her face and connected my lips to hers.