Shane's POV

I couldn't sleep.

My brain just couldn't process the fact that I laid a hand on Ariel in violence all because of my anger issues and whatever that dark feeling was.

I looked at my mate in my arms. The light from the crescent moon shone across her face, giving it an angelic glow. I smiled at how peaceful she looked when she was sleeping and how her lips parted as she breathed. How her chest steadily rose and fell. She was just breath-taking.  I pulled her closer to me and she automatically cuddled into me. I rested my head on her shoulder right next to her mark. I sighed and closed my eyes. "What am I doing?" I mumbled to myself. I looked at the clock which read 1:21.

Ariel shifted in my arms, turning so that we were face to face, then her beautiful eyes fluttered open.

Can't sleep? Her angelic voice rang through the mind-link. I nodded. Me either. I mean four hours with my eyes closed would've convinced my mind somehow, huh? She said with a slight chuckle.

I smiled at her. "You're the lucky one. I haven't been able to even close my eyes."

Well, we can not fall asleep together. She said as a smile stretched across her beautiful face.

"I'd like that," I smiled. She turned around and I pulled her even closer to me.

Shane, why me? She suddenly asked, causing my attention to turn from the moon in the sky to her.

"Why you what?" I asked furrowing my eyebrows.

Why'd you choose me? Why didn't you do what the other girls said? Reject me for someone bigger, stronger than me. But you kept me. Why?

"Because I love you, Ariel," I said. "And I will never, ever love anyone the way that I love you. Simple as that and there isn't a single person alive that I'd rather be with for the rest of my life."

She smiled as her eyes closed.

I...I love you too. She whispered. Just, please. Don't you, or your wolf forget that, okay?

A pang of guilt exploded within me and especially from my wolf.

"I won't, we promise," I whispered.

She nodded before slipping into a peaceful sleep, with me following after.
****
Unknown's POV

I must admit, I did a pretty good job with these two and they're pulling through these trials better than I expected. That just means that I have to make this next one hit where it hurts. Mess with their heads. Their hearts.

I have to make sure that these two are the right choice before I give myself up to them.

I watched as my glow became dimmer.

I have to hurry.

I'm getting too weak. It has within these next few months, or I'll die along with all of my pups.

I'm sorry if this hurts, my sweet children, but I have to. It's to make you stronger. Not to break you.

****

Ariel's POV 1 week later

It's been about a week since the whole thing and things have gotten better.

Every day would be the same: wake up, watch TV, do stuff on my phone, cook (which I'd developed a strong love for), do Luna duties, spend some time with Shane, then watch TV for a couple of hours before going to sleep. Shane and I were taking things at a much slower pace and I was 100% fine with that. We needed to slow things down.

"Whatcha making?" Shane asked as he hugged me from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder.

I'm going to attempt to make chocolate cake. Underline the word attempt. I chuckled as I continued following the recipe I'd gotten online.

"I bet it's going to be amazing," he whispered before kissing my mark, sending tingles up and down my body.

I continued following the directions, Shane making it very hard to focus due to the fact that he continued kissing my neck and cheeks. I didn't tell him to stop because I really truly didn't want him to.

After a few more moments, I somehow managed to get the batter into the oven. After I'd set the oven, I turned to Shane and looked up in his eyes. He put his forehead on mine and looked deep into my eyes, his breath fanning over my face.

I closed my eyes as Shane cupped my cheek and ran his thumb over it making sparks ignite all over. "You make a beautiful chef," He whispered, causing a blush to rise on my cheeks before I looked down.

He gently put a finger under my chin and made me look up. "Did I tell you about hiding your beautiful face from me?" he whispered, causing my blush to deepen. He chuckled. "You look so cute when you blush," he said before he slowly leaned in for a kiss. As soon as his lips touched mine, sparks erupted throughout my body. He wrapped his arms around my hips and I tangled my fingers in his soft hair. But like all great moments in history, it was lived short and interrupted by the doorbell.

Shane growled against my lips before he pulled away. "This isn't over," He said with a smirk, causing yet another blush to creep to my cheeks.

He went to the door and a male scent rushed into my nose. They talked in hushed voices so low that I couldn't hear it, even with my wolf hearing.

Finally, I heard Shane say "Thank you," before closing the door. When he came back, he let out a long breath and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Hey, Ariel, I got some bad news."

My heartbeat sped up. What bad news? Did someone die? Did he somehow find out my secret? Is he going to reject me? I felt my heart rate increase, but Shane quickly ran to me and wrapped me in a hug.

"Hey now," he said in a low voice. "It's nothing too bad. I just have to go to a meeting in our neighboring pack and I'll be gone for a little while, that's all."

He used his thumb and gently ran it over my cheek. "I would take you, but there are way too many un-mated males in that pack and I don't want them thinking about taking you away from me."

I nodded, but on the inside, I really didn't want him to leave.

"I'll be back by noon tomorrow. I have about an hour and a half to pack. You wanna help?"

I looked through the window of the oven to check on my cake then nodded. I had enough time. He intertwined our fingers and we headed upstairs to get him ready for his meeting.

****

Only a few more inches! I used all my might to pull the zipper to the very end while Shane sat on it to keep it flat.

Gosh, he packs a lot for one day.

Come on, Ariel! I said to myself. You can do this! I pulled just a little harder then a miracle happened. It zipped all the way!!!

I did a little victory dance before flipping off the suitcase, causing Shane to laugh as he stood up and turned his suitcase upright.

I rolled my eyes before an amazing, chocolatey scent rushed into my nose. The cake's ready! I squealed through the mind-link before running downstairs into the kitchen. I quickly slid on my oven mitts before opening it up and pulling out the amazing smelling cake.

I placed it out to cool as Shane entered. "Can I have some before I leave?" He asked.

In a few minutes. It has to cool first, dummy. I laughed.

"Fine," he huffed. "Then wait we shall do."

****

"Oh my gosh, Ariel!" Shane said as he shoved yet another piece of cake in his mouth, causing me to laugh at his new appearance. He had chocolate frosting all over his face and fingers. He'd even managed to get some in his hair!

He'd ditched his fork after taking one bite and ever since then, he'd eaten almost half of the cake. I'd cut myself a large slice for me to eat later so that he could eat all he wanted.

"This cake tastes so amazing," He gushed as he licked his fingers. "I'm going to need to take the rest of this with me."

Alright, I said as I wiped a glob of icing off his cheek and popped it into my mouth. But first, I need to get you cleaned up. I said before I grabbed his hand and led him to the bathroom.

I grabbed a washcloth and ran it under the sink and started washing his chocolate covered face. Shane just watched me with that cute smile that makes me melt into a pile of mush.

When I was done with his face, I did his hair then straightened out his clothes to my liking.

There, I said as I looked at my work. Now there's my handsome Alpha.

A smile played on his lips before he gave me a kiss. You taste like chocolate, I laughed as we kissed.

You do too, He smiled against my lips. And as if on cue, someone knocked on the door. "What?" Shane snapped, practically glaring holes into the wooden door.

"Uh, Shane. It's t-time to go." a small female voice said from the other side.

My wolf growled at the thought of another female with Shane. Especially when she was on a first name basis with him instead of calling him Alpha. She's not going with you, is she? I asked in a tight voice through the mind-link.

Jealousy looks cute on you. Shane mind-linked as he put his hands on my hips and pulled me into him. And no she's not.

Good, I said. Because my wolf was ready to cut her.

Whoa, someone's been watching way too many reality TV shows. He chuckled.

Guilty as charged. I chuckled with an innocent shrug.

I still smelled the girl on the other side of the door.

You need to go. I said, trying to hide the sadness in my voice.

I know, he said. I'll be back by tomorrow, okay?

Okay.

Maybe okay will be our always. He said in a low voice.

Are you seriously quoting the Fault in Our Stars? I chuckled. I'd recently watched the movie and was reading the book.

And now that I think about it, Shane kinda looks like Gus...

You know it, babe. He said before kissing my forehead and opening the door for me to walk out.

I walked out first then Shane followed then we walked to the front door where the girl was waiting. "Jessica, look after Ariel for me, okay."

"Of course," She said as she smiled at me. He gave me one last kiss before leaving.

I looked at Jessica and smiled. She had beautiful brown hair and soft brown eyes like Shane's. She looked like a really nice girl with a nice personality. "Hello Ariel," she smiled with a wave. "I'm Jessica."

Hello, Jessica. I said as I waved back. I have a feeling that we're going to be great friends.

****

Hey beautiful boys and girls (Do boys even read this stuff?) Sorry about this chapter. This one and the next chapter are more filler chapters because I have something big planned for chapter ten!! I think you're going to love it, but you're going to have to bare the next chapter.

Love y'all- Jordan 😘

P.S. That TFIOS refrence though!

EDITED JULY 12, 2016