sebastian's pov

Nothing I said could make Thea feel better about what happened with Jace's mate. She couldn't stop stressing about it. It killed me to see her upset, but I knew it just came with the territory with her anxiety. All I could do was reassure her. Tell her everything was ok. I knew Jace wasn't upset with her. He understands that Thea would never say anything to hurt his mate, but Acacia was in a fragile state. Anyone could have triggered her, just like Thea.

*

I was finally able to coax Thea out of bed to eat breakfast. She'd barely uttered a word the entire time though. I tried not to be hurt by her silence. Her anxiety manifested itself in many different ways, this most likely being one of the ways her anxiety affected her. I tried to be cautious with her, not wanting to frighten her but I couldn't keep my hands off her if I tried. Luckily she didn't seem to be bothered by it.

"Little One? What sounds good for breakfast?" I spoke quietly trying to keep her calm. Well, as calm as I can at least.

My words seemed to barely register with her, her only reaction being a half-hearted shrug. Her stare was vacant, her eyes never meeting mine. I hated to see her so obviously upset. I wanted her to be feeling happy and loving life.

I let out a sigh and picked Thea up placing her on the stool. She immediately let out a surprised squeak, and absently grabbed for me;

"What's wrong Little One?" Her only response was her whimpers. I was almost brought to tears struggling with my control. My wolf was howling at seeing his mate in pain. I felt out of control, and I was at a loss of what to do.

Thea eventually calmed a little and began lifting my arms, trying to wrap them around herself. I masked a chuckle watching my tiny pipsqueak of a mate attempting to lift my arms, me being almost a foot taller than her. I didn't even hesitate to wrap her up in my arms. I wasn't going to deny her anything in this world. We sat in silence for a few minutes, me soothing her, rubbing her back, her clutching me tightly.

"Baby, we've got to get some food in you OK? We've got to get some meat on those bones." I kissed her head as I spoke. Thea just nodded against my chest, still hiding. I wracked my brain trying to think of what to do. Thea obviously didn't want me to let go of her, and having someone else come in and cook for her might make things worse...

*

Having settled for the lesser of two evils I texted Cassie and asked her if she could bring over some breakfast for us. She happily agreed and I asked her to just leave the food outside of the suite. I didn't want to test Thea's anxiety right now. She still hadn't let go of her hold on me. Hanging on me like a koala. Which would have been much more adorable, had I not been able to feel her panic whenever I moved.

Luckily I was able to mind link Jace and ask him to avoid the main kitchen for now. I didn't want him to trigger Thea, and send her into another panic attack. The other side of the suite had a smaller kitchen that they luckily could use in the meantime.

*

Thea jumped when there was a knock on the door. Cassie having mine linked me she was here, I walked over to the door keeping Thea comfortably against me. She tucked her head against my neck, brushing a light kiss against it, snuggling in. I couldn't help but smile. Even in her panic, she found a way to thank me. I mimicked her, tucking my head against her neck. Breathing in her intoxicating scent as I tried to get a hold of my emotions. My feelings for her floored me. I'd known her for only a little more than a week and already my heart ached at the thought of not being with her. Fortunately, Cassie was kind enough to leave the food outside, so I was able to grab the food quickly without forcing Thea into an anxious situation.

I sat down at the counter, placing Thea on my lap, and nudged Thea encouraging her to eat. Cassie had brought two plates of food, full of eggs, bacon, and hash browns. Deciding it'd be easier just to share the plate with Thea, I handed her a fork and we sat in comfortable silence eating.

Thea didn't eat half as much as I would have liked, but I didn't push the issue deciding to make sure she had a good lunch later today. I still couldn't get Thea to talk, luckily Thea was quite the expert at speaking non-verbally, and I had gotten quite fluent in Thea-isms. ;)

Thea continued to cling to me, whimpering whenever I shifted. All I did was kiss her beautiful face, and wrap my arms tighter around her every time. After lunch, I carried her back into our room, and after making sure the heat was turned up I carried her over to our bed. I situated us so that I was leaning against the headboard with Thea straddling me.

"Baby? What's wrong?" I cooed to her. Thea abruptly sat up;

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be clingy. Sorry. I'm sorry." She moved to sit away from me, but I grabbed her and held her head against my chest, rubbing circles on her back.

"Little One you can be as clingy as you want. I will never complain. I just want to know what's wrong, so I can help you." I kissed her head and breathed in her scent.

"I- I just- I" She shook her head as her brain tried to find the words. She shook her head, and nestled herself back into the crook of my neck, again brushing a light kiss across it. We just sat there together, close as two people could be, reveling in each other's touch. I thanked God for the blessing that was my beautiful Thea, her being anxious sucks, yes, but holding her in my arms is pure bliss. Eventually, I heard Thea's breath even out and smiled as she unconsciously snuggled closer to me.

*

I woke Thea up after an hour and coaxed her into eating lunch. She walked around like a zombie, nodding her head with vacant eyes. After lunch I carried her over to the couch, setting her on my lap, so she was facing me. I placed my hands on her face, forcing her to look into my eyes;

"Little One, is there anything I can do? Anything at all to make you feel better?" My words were desperate, I was practically whining.

"I'm sorry Sebastian-"

"No. There's nothing to apologize for. Got it?" I kissed her nose.

"It may not seem like it, but you holding me close, whispering sweet words in my ear is all I need. I'm sure this is boring for you, and if you have other things you need to don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I don't want to take you away from your work." I looked at her in awe. She had just given me the biggest compliment anyone has ever given me, the fact that my touch, my attention, and love, is the only thing that will make her feel better makes me feel more powerful than any battle ever has.

"Angel, that was the best compliment anyone has ever given me. Thank you." She blushed at my words, and I laughed at how adorable she looked. I'd definitely have to work on making her more comfortable accepting my compliments. A woman as sweet as my mate should know how amazing and worthy she is, "Is there anything you want to do today? Anything at all."

She looked at me skeptically, and I could see the excitement reach her eyes as she thought; "C-could w-w-we watch a movie?" She seemed to lose confidence in herself as she asked the question.

"That sounds great beautiful, have any movies in mind?"

"C-c-can we w-watch Beauty and the Beast?" The hope and hint of fear in her eyes floored me. I hated that she felt even for a second that I wouldn't give her the world on a silver platter. This girl owns me, heart and soul.

"That sounds great, I haven't seen that in ages. How about some popcorn to go with the movie?" I placed a kiss on her cheek, and after she nodded I picked her up and carried her over to the kitchen to make the popcorn.

"You don't have to keep carrying me around, I don't want to be clingy." I looked at her as she bit her lip looking at the floor.

"You said you feel safer in my arms, so that means I'm not letting you go for the rest of the day, or for as long as you need, OK? I've got your back beautiful. You can count on me." She just looked at me flabbergasted nodding her head.

After the popcorn was done, I grabbed some warm blankets and wrapped Thea and me in them as we watched the movie. I really needed to get Thea warmer clothes and just clothes of her own in general. I still sometimes see her shivering, since she's a runt she's more susceptible to the cold. There was no way I was going to let my little mate feel cold ever again. Thea snuggled close to me, throwing her arm over my chest. Her eyes never leaving the screen. In the moments that I feel so much anger that she had to go through so much, God gives me these little moments. Moments where I can see her happy and content, and loving life. And as a man, knowing that I provided that for her, makes me feel ten feet tall.

"Thank you, Sebastian. I never thought I'd feel safe, let alone happy, ever again," She looked up at me suddenly, "It's still hard for me to process how intense my feelings for you are in such a short time of knowing you, I know it's the mate bond, but still... I've never felt more content being with someone as I have these past few days with you. You make me feel cherished. So thank you." She blushed as she finished her mini-rant, and shyly raised herself so that she was nose to nose with me. Before I could even blink her soft lips were against mine. I tried not to let my emotions get the best of me, not wanting to scare her off. I kept the kiss slow and sweet, but my little mate's lips were so intoxicating I couldn't stop kissing her if I wanted to. Her movements were hesitant at first, but eventually, she became more and more confident in her kisses.

I held her even closer against me, as I coaxed her sweet lips open as I deepened the kiss. I barely held on to my control as she moaned. I kissed her lips a dozen more times, and I ended the kiss trying to take control of this situation that could quickly unravel what little control I have left. She blushed as she lowered her head, looking anywhere but my eyes.

"Don't be embarrassed Angel, that was the sweetest kiss I've ever received. If I wasn't addicted to you before I sure as hell am now." I chuckled as she blushed deepened, and I settled her back against me to watch the movie.

*

Ok, so I apologize that I've been kind of slow with updates, I just have a little writer's block! I hope you like the new chapter! Next chapter is this same day but with Jace and Acacia!

thanks,

-ej