*reminder above of what alessandra looks like :)

alexei's pov

My little mate was worn out, she'd snuggled into me with her soft hands curled around my shirt. I didn't even know how it had been, I just held her close listening to the soothing sound of her breathing. We have many things to overcome, relationships don't develop overnight, but she was worth any trouble, any stumbles in the road. For her, I'd give her my everything. She deserved that, and more, from me.

*

"Well, this is not what I expected." I looked up, Sebastian standing in the doorway of the kitchen, Thea peeking out from behind him.

My milaya started to stir at the noise, so I simply signaled Sebastian to keep quiet and he gestured down the hallway to the small bedroom. After making sure she was settled I walked out to Seb and Thea.

"Keep it down a bit, she seems to be in need of sleep," I spoke softly not wanting to wake my milaya.

"Are you going to explain what you are doing wrapped around my baby cousin?" Sebastian bit out his words, Thea was obviously surprised at the sudden change in her mate's behavior, and I just rolled my eyes, knowing his little mate wasn't used to his "Alpha" behavior.

"Do you wanna explain what you are doing in my mate's apartment?" His eyes grew cold at my defiance.

"Al is your mate."

"Al? Is that her name?" I repeated the name, trying to place the name with the pixie I met today.

"OK, now you're telling me you had her wrapped around you like a damn koala, and you don't even know her damn name?" Sebastian just rolled his eyes, and Thea gave him a smack on the head in reprimand. He just chuckled giving her a soft smile.

"Stop b-being a-a bully Seb-bastion." She put her hands on her hips, her face turning into what she probably thought was a stern look.

"Thank you, my dear Luna." I gave her my best cheeky grin, and she blushed, "So, is Al short for something?" I wanted to know all that I could about my milaya.

"Her full name is Alessandra Knight. Her father is the second of my father's brothers. She texted me earlier, and she seemed a little upset, so I wanted to check on her, and Thea wanted to see Al again." Well, that clears up the questions of her Alpha connections.

"I got back from my run, and felt her panic again, my wolf took over and I found her here. She was having what I'm guessing was a panic attack. Apparently, she was feeling the bond and was scared I wouldn't accept her. I fucked up Seb, my cowardice hurt my little Milaya. How can I forgive myself for that?" I just shook my head, my heart hurting thinking of what I put her through.

*

"Sebastian? What are you doing here?" I turned around at my mate's sleepy voice. Smiling at her ever sweet and quiet lilt. I stopped short when I could feel her panic.

Ushering her over to me I wrapped her up in my arms kissing her on the head. She stood up on her tiptoes and I leaned down, she whispered to me, "I thought you left. Or that it was all just a dream." Her sad smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Never Milaya. Never again will you wonder where I am." I spoke so that only she could hear me, and we stood there basking in each-other until Alpha dumbass ruined the moment as he cleared his throat.

"H-hi Al, sorry if we interrupted your day. We j-just w-wanted to see you. I've b-been bugging Seb about it f-for a while now." I smiled at our little Luna's ability to diffuse a tense situation. Her sweet and quiet disposition made it impossible not to listen to her.

"No problem Thea." My milaya was definitely a woman of few words, but that soft lilt of hers transfixed every one around her.

"S-so you and Alexei are m-mates?" My milaya turned herself towards me with a smirk,

"So, your name is Alexei?" She raised her eyebrow at me, and I was helpless to do anything but smile.

"Yes my beautiful, Alessandra." I gave her a kiss on the nose as she giggled. Her laugh was music to my ears.

Being the jackass that he is, Sebastian yet again, cleared his throat ruining the moment. I held my mate closer to me, growling at him.

He just rolled his eyes, "Al, I just wanted to make sure you were OK, you seemed upset earlier."

Alessandra wiggled in my arms until she was facing Sebastian, but I kept my arm around her waist. Her head just almost reached my shoulders, so she was the perfect height for me to rest my chin on her head. I could tell my milaya was uncomfortable with the sudden attention on her. I was fighting with myself to let her stand on her own, even though a part of me wanted to wrap her up and hide her from any pain. I didn't like being so in the dark about what she was dealing with. I wanted to understand, so I could be there for her.

"I'm fine Sebastian, sorry I worried you." I could tell Sebastian wanted to argue with her nonchalant answer, but I shot him a warning look. Surprisingly he backed off, and Alessandra let out a sigh. Her nerves hadn't quite gone away, and I knew I needed to do something to ease it.

"Well, as lovely as it has been to see you both I think Alessandra and I need some time alone. I've just got her, and I kind of want her all to myself right now, you get it right Seb?" I gave him my best wolfish smile, and he growled at me.

*

I could feel my milaya's relief as the couple left after saying their goodbyes. I knew there was a lot we needed to discuss with each other, but for now, I wanted to hold her close and soothe any fears she had. I knew there was no way she would trust me overnight, and I didn't expect that of her. I was willing to do whatever it took to make her feel safe and loved. To make her realize I was a safe space, our love was a safe space, for her to voice any doubt or fear she had.

"Thank you."

"For what milaya?" I knew what, but I just wanted to hear her my pixie speak. 

"Why do you call me that?" We were now sitting on a small couch with her sitting on my lap facing me. Her head was tilted like a little bird, her sweet smile drew me in.

"Call you what, princess?" I played dumb, slipping my hands through her soft locks.

"Don't play coy with me mate." The little spark of her temper was a bit of a surprise, but even angry my fairy was angelic.

"Alessandra, whatever do you mean?" She glared at me, the spark in her deep brown eyes. I laughed, biting her little button nose. She let out a squeak in surprise. She finally let out a huff in annoyance;

"That word,  milaya. It sounds similar to Russian but not quite." Showing off her fairy-esque personality, even frustrated her soft lilt remained the same.

"Well, my darling, remember I am Ukrainian. Milaya means my darling, pretty, beauty, mine. It encompasses you quite well I think." I gave her a kiss on the nose, losing myself in her sweet and innocent beauty. It didn't take long for this little fairy to make me fall under her precious spell.

"I like it." I smiled softly down at her, having quickly become fond of her habit of saying very little to express herself. She was quiet that much was clear, but something told me she wasn't always that way. There was a fire in her eyes that didn't quite match her pixie appearance. I couldn't wait to draw that fire out.

"I'm glad my little pixie." She tilted her head at my description of her, and once again I was floored by the way she could look at you and make you feel as if she could see right through to your soul, "Are you feeling better now?" I looked her up and down, not happy that she had been in such an upset state not too long ago, one that left her exhausted.

"I'm OK. Just tired." I could see the ghost of bags under her eyes. I could feel how skinny and frail she was beneath my arms. She was by no means unhealthy, but I could tell whatever put her in such a state had taken a lot out of her.

"Well, then I need to get you to bed then my princess." I went to pick her up in my arms, but she moved suddenly.

"No." Her eyes got wide, and her breathing picked up.

"What's wrong milaya? I'm right here, take a deep breath." I was utterly still as I tried to soothe her.

"Please. Don't leave." I could see tears forming in her big brown eyes. Her lips quivering, adding to her sweet appearance.

"What are you talking about my little fairy? Where would I be going?" Doesn't she know that as long as she'd have me I'd stay by her forever? This little fairy had me under her spell, and I was very content with that.

"I don't sleep very well. Too many things to think about." She scrunched up her face as if she was in pain. Her eyes glued to her lap.

"Maybe I could help." I was absolutely dying for her to ask me to stay with her. For her to allow me to hold her in my arms, all night. But, it had to be her decision. I didn't want her to feel like she had to just because we were mates. If she's not comfortable now I'll wait until she is. I'll stay on the couch, whatever she'd allow me. I'm putty in her little hands.

"C-C-could you....Could... maybe you could stay with me? If you want to that is. If you don't that's fine." Her words were quick, and her eyes held trepidation.

"I would be honored to be allowed to hold you close, in my arms, as we sleep. To watch over you, and soothe any worry you might have. If you are comfortable with this I'm in. All in." She nodded at my response, a small smile appearing on her face.

*

so.... were you surprised? what do you think of our precious alexei and his mate alessandra? don't worry next chapter we'll be back to sebastian and thea, and i want to keep developing acacia and jace and get more of a friendship dynamic rolling but I'm still setting everything up so get ready for a long book ;)

thanks for reading,

-ej