Hey, again ya'll. Hope you're having a nice day.

I wanna start off this chapter with a big, fat, massive thank you for 300.000 reads. This is... incredible. I had never, in my wildest dreams, ever as much as dared to imagine this many people reading my book when I began writing it. I love you all so much and appreciate every single little read, comment, and vote.

Oh, and I immensely enjoyed writing the last line of this chapter.

Back to the show.

***

The heat was everywhere. Behind me, in front of me, under me, wrapped around me. I sighed and snuggled closer. Something tickled the side of my neck. "Looove... you have to get up,"

I groaned with a pout, Allen pulling me closer. "Trust me, my Love, if I could stay in bed with you all day, I would," he placed another kiss on my neck, his stubble prickling my skin. "I'll make some breakfast for us,"

I sighed and threw my hand over my eyes, blocking out the light when I heard the curtains being pulled aside, the light shining through my closed eyelids. "Nooo... please,"

I felt the bed dip behind me once again, Allen picking up my arm and removing it from my eyes. "Get up. There will be blueberry pancakes downstairs in 15,"

"Alright..." I huffed and forced my eyes open, immediately shutting them again when the light hurt my eyes.

After I'd somehow managed to drag myself out of Allen's bed, into my own room to find some clothes, and downstairs to the kitchen, I finally took a seat by the kitchen island, my jaw resting in my hands, eyes closed.

"Tired?"

I hummed in response, a small smile spreading on my lips at the sound of a plate being placed in front of me. "Thanks," I mumbled, fumbling around for the fork, finally getting hold of it and stabbing it into the pancakes. I half-moaned when it hit my tongue. "This is great."

He chuckled from the chair beside me. "Any chance I could convince you to open your eyes and take a look at it?"

With a sigh, I forced my eyes open, a smile spreading on my lips when I did. The pancakes were heart-shaped, the letters 'ILY' written in syrup on top. My heart felt like it was glowing in my chest, my stomach feeling warm. "Thank you, Allen, this is... very sweet," I smiled up at him, and he grinned back proudly, his chin jutting up.

"That shirt looks nice on you," he said in between bites, and I looked down, only now really noticing what I was wearing. It was a thin, portrait neckline, half sleeve shirt- pine green.

I let out a dry laugh. "Thanks, I was barely awake when I picked it out, but... thank you," I turned back to my food, a comfortable silence falling over us, only interrupted by our forks hitting the plates. I kept eating until my stomach felt like it was about to pop. But it was worth it. Nothing could ever match Allen's cooking- alright, maybe except for my pop's carbonara, but that was about it.

"And Paige..." I looked up from my empty plate. Allen looked different now. More business-y. Serious. I didn't know whether it was unsettling or hot. Honestly, I was leaving towards hot. He sighed. "Love, first of all, I'd like to remind you that what happened last night is... well, completely normal, giving the nature of our... relationship, and so, obviously nothing you should feel bad about, and also none of your parents business if you don't want it to be. And also, I want you to remember... that I care about you. I love you. No matter what your dad says. No matter what anyone says. And-"

"Allen, I know."

He paused, his eyes widening. "I... oh, then, that's... then that's great," he smiled and nodded to himself. "I just wanted to say it, in case your dad started talking shit again..." he shrugged, and placed his hand over mine, giving me a little squeeze.

I turned my hand around, tangling my fingers in between his', my brows furrowing. "I'm sixteen, almost seventeen... it's none of my dad's business who I... whatever. You're..." I let out a nervous laugh. "You're really sweet, to be honest, and he has no reason to be worried about me so..." I shrugged and half-smiled.

Gently, Allen brought my hand up to his lips, placing a quick kiss to each of the knuckles. When he directed his eyes back up at me, the circles around his pupils were yellow, making my heart skip a beat.

He leaned in slowly, his eyes turning more golden for each inch closer he got. My eyes fell shut, and our lips finally connected. I immediately gave in, and let him take the lead, opening my mouth to give his tongue access. His free hand gently found its way around the back of my head, his fingers wrapping into my hair.

The next second, I was shifted from the chair I was sitting on to Allen's lap, our chest pressed together, my heart picking up when I felt... that under me. His... I shivered, a groan leaving Allen as I did. He pulled back, resting his forehead against mine. A small chuckle escaped him. "I would love to continue this, my Love, but... we really need to get going now if I have to get you to your grandparent's place and make it to my therapist in time," he pursed his lips, kissing the tip of my nose, making my cheeks and ears. heat further than they already had.

I nodded, a nervous laugh leaving me. "Yeah, right, we should probably stop before we get too... preoccupied..." my voice faded into a whisper as I looked back into Allen's eyes, my heart skipping a beat.

The next second, I was laid down flat on the kitchen island, the sound of plates smashing seeming incredibly far away. Allen was on top of me, my legs spreading to give him room to lean in over me, the feeling of his erection against my inner thigh making me feel my heartbeat between my legs.

"Love, can I-"

"Yes, do it, whatever it is, please," I gasped, the electricity coursing through my veins, collecting at the deep pit of my stomach, just above where the heartbeat between my legs. Dear god this can't keep happening, but I just really want it to.

✨✨✨✨✨

He popped open the button and pulled down the zipper, and in the next moment, his fingertips were against the spot that felt like it was on fire. Dear lord oh mercy never let him stop.

His lips moved from my mouth to my ear. "We're in a bit of a rush, so this is gonna be a bit fast, that okay?"

A moan passed my lips in frustration. "Yes, please, do whatever you want, I don't care, just please do it now," I gasped.

He didn't waste the time. The next second his fingers were moving hard, fast, and determined, the heat building up faster than I'd ever felt before. I wanted to scream. There was no oxygen left in my body, no feeling anywhere- the only nerves that currently worked were the ones in that tiny little spot that Allen was currently torturing. Tears built up in my eyes. It was almost too much. And yet, still not enough.

The pressure kept building and building, and building until it felt like I was quite literally gonna die. And yet, it didn't happen, I wasn't toppling over the edge. My entire body was burning, begging for what I knew was about to happen, and yet it didn't. I realized what the problem was. He'd changed the pressure. It was in the wrong spot. It didn't feel as good.

I couldn't feel my body- I only faintly registered my hand joining Allen's between my legs and moving his fingers to the right spot, his hand moving along willingly. Thank god. He didn't slow down, and the next second, the world disappeared around me, a white light appearing behind my eyelids. I breathed deeply through the whole thing, my hands balled into fists around the material of Allen's shirt.

✨✨✨✨✨

Allen placed a quick kiss on my forehead, and then pulled back, a half-laugh leaving him. "We are going to be so late," he shook his head, taking a step back from me, giving me the opportunity to zip my pants back up. "Go, put on some shoes, Love, I need to was my hands real quick." he winked at me and headed for the sink. God no.

"You're not gonna do that in the kitchen sink?"

Allen chuckled nervously. "Love, trust me before you came around, this kitchen saw much worse than me washing my hands after pleasing you- don't worry about it." he grinned and shook his head with an eye-roll.

A deep pit opened in my stomach, and I silently got down from the counter and headed for the hallway, his words churning around in my head. Before you came around. Before me. Before me, Allen had... with other people. I mean, of course, he had- I mean, how couldn't he, looking the way he does?

But still...

The thought was unsettling. Someone else. Someone sweeter, prettier, probably skinnier than me... with Allen. Did he wish I was different? Looked different? A different hair color? A more narrow face? Nicer nails? I looked down at my hands, my nails chipped.

What if he doesn't like my stretch marks? I felt the familiar zing of phantom pain shooting through the little, light pink lines I knew stretched over my thighs, hips, sides, and upper arms... what am I even thinking? Why did I let him take off my pants last night? Did he see? And if he did, why didn't he mention it? Was he just being polite? I felt the pit eating away in my stomach.

I put my shoes on and leaned against the wall, my eyes meeting Allen when he came out of the kitchen, a smile on his face. I did my best to smile back. It seemed to work- he didn't say anything, at least.

Neither of us spoke as we headed off to the garage. The pit just kept digging itself deeper. Why am I even thinking of this?

I'd never been one to feel insecure. I mean, of course, no one can help but compare their looks to those of others sometimes but ... I'd never been insecure of my appearance. I'd always been pretty confident, for a teenage girl, anyways.

I glanced back up at Allen, the pit growing just a tad darker. What does he need you for, when he looks like tha?

It must look almost comical to an outsider, honestly. Me and him together. It was almost laughable. He was so... well, first off, Allen, and then... his perfect, chocolate brown hair, the matching, beautiful doe eyes, the forever charming smile, the little dimple that popped out whenever he laughed...

And then there was me. I'd never been extraordinary to look at. But I had always thought of myself as pretty. I wasn't too tall, too small, too wide, too narrow, too big or small-busted,... everything about me was within average norms. Average. That was the best word to describe me. Average. Nothing out of the ordinary, not special, completely, utterly, regularly normal.

Allen held open the door for me, and I gave him a weak smile as I got in, staring straight ahead when I finally got into my seat. He probably doesn't even think that you're pretty. He only tells you that so you won't cry and make yourself even more unattractive than you already are.  He wishes you were different. He wants you to be another person. He never asked for you. Why would he? You're boring, bland, unlike him.

There's nothing special about you. He only keeps you around because he has to. He probably doesn't even like you. He's only staying with you because you're his mate, otherwise, he would've never even considered you. I wanted to scream.

"Love, is something in the matter?"

The words passed my lips before I could even think. "Do you think I'm pretty?"

Allen furrowed his brows, his eyes shifting between the road in front of us and my face. He let out a laugh. No, he doesn't think you're pretty. You were right- he would've never chosen you. "What are you even talking about? Of course, I think you're pretty, I think you're beautiful. The most... stunning human being on this earth. Why would you even ask that, is something wrong?"

"I just, I don't know... you mentioned before me, and I couldn't help but think... if they were... if I was... if they are maybe... better looking than me..." I shrugged, my voice fading into a whisper. Oh, and now you're whining like a baby about it too- nice going, Paige.

Allen shook his head. "My love, first off, everyone is beautiful in their own way. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and second off... you are gorgeous. Sure, were the women I've slept with beautiful? Were the men handsome? No doubt about it, but none of it beats you-"

"Wait, a minute, men? You've slept with... with guys? LIke... men? With like... penises? That kind of men?" my cheeks and ears turned red. You just said the word penis. In front of an alpha.

Allen chuckled. "Yes, my love, I've... been with men. I've known I was bi since I was what... 12? I mean, it's mostly been women, if you're looking at it like a pie-chart, but there are men too. Haven't I mentioned?"

"Do you... would you rather be with a guy than... me?"

Allen huffed. "Love, I'm going to say something now, and I want you to listen very carefully, and quit the worrying- there is no one I would rather be with, than you. Not in matters of looks, personality, humor, or anything else. You are the most wonderful person I have ever met in every aspect. Don't even worry about it, please. There is no... competition. It's not like I do ranking, but if I were to, you'd be at the top in every category. How many times do I have to explain that I love you? I have never told anyone, man or woman, that I've loved them... or well, except for my family." he shrugged.

I bit into my lip. "Really?"

"Really- Love please, I have been in one what you could call a somewhat serious relationship in my entire life before I met you. And she's happily mated today, so there's really nothing for you to worry about her either."

"Oh," I whispered, my cheeks tainting red. You're being dramatic, again paige. Get your sht together. "Sorry," I muttered, avoiding looking into his eyes.

He chuckled beside me. "Nothing to feel sorry for, my love. Nothing at all- honestly, I just don't know where you would get that idea. And I also think that it's sweet that you care... very sweet, actually. but really- nothing to worry about. You're my one and only, and will always be,"

"Sorry for being a drama queen," I whispered. still not looking into his eyes.

"it's fair... hormones," he shrugged.

"What?" My head whipped around.

He pressed his lips together, a little cough leaving him. "Love, I can still... smell when your period is coming up. So it's reasonable that now, out of all times, you may be a bit more emotional than usual... it's alright, really."

My cheeks tinted deep red and I immediately looked away from his eyes. This is so humiliating. Allen wrapped his hand around mine, giving me a little squeeze.

"I love you;" he said, his tone so... I felt forced to turn my head. He was staring straight into my eyes, the red light in front of us giving him plenty of opportunity to. "I love you, with all my heart, so much, every day, and I will, for the rest of my life. You are beautiful, and sweet, and fun, and generous, and kind, and I could keep going all day- don't even worry about none of that, kay?"

I couldn't help a little smile spreading on my lips. "Yeah. Kay. Thanks.... Allen."

He looked back at the road when the light finally turned green but kept his hand where it was- where it belonged. Around min.

***

Around an hour later, Allen stopped the car in front of what looked more like a hotel than anything else. But.. a hotel in two-story, and it was just more wide than tall. And with its own little park.  a massive moving van was parked out front, the ramp being folded out... or whatever.

"I'll be here around 12, I really have to get going- I hate being late. I'll see you in two-three hours,"

I made my move to open the door, but no sooner had the door popped open, than Allen's finger had hooked into one of the belt loops in my jeans. "Hey, don't I get a quick goodbye kiss? I won't be seeing you for three hours," he jutted out his bottom lip just a little, his eyebrows doing that thing... the puppy dog eyes.

My eyes flickered between the building and Allen. If someone was looking out the windows... got forbid my dad. Sure, he shouldn't rule my life, but I'd really prefer for him not to kill Allen... or me...

Allen followed my eyes. "Right. Of course. Nevermind, Love- I'll be seeing you, soon enough. And when we get back home, we have the whole rest of the day to ourselves.. and the next day, and the next one after that. Don't worry- go in, say hi to your pops and nana for me, will you?"

I smiled and nodded, my logical brain turning off for a second before I placed a quick, stolen kiss on Allen's cheek, slamming the door behind me. I really hope no one saw... I looked around the area. A few seniors were walking around the lawn in front of the center, talking to each other, but none of them seemed to have noticed me, or the kiss... I sighed, heading inside, a sense of dread filling me more and more by the second I got closer to the entrance. I'd tried to avoid thinking about seeing my dad again, but alas, I couldn't avoid him for the rest of my life. With a deep breath, I headed in through the doors, my eyes widening immediately when I entered.

The waiting room was so open, so warm- potted plants, large glass windows, a nice reception desk with a man sitting behind it, tabbing away at the computer in front of him. I walked up to him slowly, looking around. Was I in the right place?

"Uh... excuse me, I'm here to see my grandparent Zara and Walter... uh White... they are moving in today? My name is Paige White... uh, alpha Allen mate?" I whispered. His eyes perked up at the sound of Allen's name.

"Yes, of course- the alpha did mention that you would be coming over- '' he got up from his chair. "Right this way, ma'am," he smiled and walked me down the hallway. It was all light and open, the left wall being completely made up of windows, giving a view of the little yard in the middle of the whole place- a lady and a man were sitting on a bench by a little pond, and another elderly man was sitting on the grass, two children by his side as they all stared at some LEGO. Wow, this place is fancy.

He suddenly stopped and came to a halt in front of me, gesturing to the door next to him, on the opposite wall of where the windows were. "This is your grandparents' apartment, if any of you need anything, feel free to ask me or one of my coworkers- have a very nice day."

I sighed, and carefully knocked on the door.I wanted to squeal at the sound of a familiar voice saying 'come on in'.

I threw the door open and basically ran to my grandfather, wrapped my arms around him as carefully as I could, wanting to sob at the feeling of his embrace. "Hey pops," I whispered, tears threatening to leave my eyes.

"Heya, bunny. Come on, let me have a look at you," he pulled back, his eyes scanning over me. "You look fresh, bunny- everything good?"

I choked back some spit and nodded. "Yeah, all good," I looked around the room and went to hug my nana, who placed a real granny kiss on my cheek. I turned back around, to the couch, where my mom was currently sitting. I leaned in for a hug. I looked around the room once more. "Where's dad?" I whispered, my heart