I stood by the stairs as I anxiously waited for Zeke's arrival. He had to spend an extra week at the hospital, they kept wanting to run tests to see if the silver still lingered around in his body- and thankfully it looked like none did.

I sat down on the steps as time passed by like thick jelly. I was all alone in the castle, well with the exception of the help. All of the families filtered out of here, finding the strength to return to their dwellings.

Mandy and Penny did not leave the hospital once Penny found out Zeke was awake, and Mandy not wanting to leave her mate alone.

Lucas had left thirty minutes ago, to go pick up the trio. I had debated inviting Dolores over, after calling her a couple days after the accident to ensure that she was alright. But she said that she wanted me to spend time with Zeke, saying she understood what it felt like- being injured to the brink of death.

I snapped out of my thoughts as I heard the front door open, I glanced up and saw Lucas holding the door open. He made eye contact and threw a small smile in my direction as Zeke walked inside.

Quickly getting off my butt, and towards Zeke, I carefully wrapped him in a hug. At first, I felt nothing, he didn't move an inch and only seemed to have his body grow colder and more rigid. I pulled away, hurt evident in my eyes and confusion set in the crinkles on my forehead. I looked up to face him but his own eyes weren't on me. They were set forward, ice cold eyes staring absently at the world infront of him.

"Zeke?" I whispered.

He moved out of my grasp and out of my way walking up the stairs and towards the wing of his room, and away from us. I just watched painfully as I felt dejected. I turned my head to face Penny, who had entered the house in time to see the awkward cold encounter between Zeke and me.

"Don't take it personally, Dawn," Penny whispered, setting her coat on the railing. "He's been like that ever since the Doctor broke the news to him."

I swallowed and nodded, glancing up at the stairs he walked up to. I felt Penny's hand come up to my shoulder, "Doctor says he's probably going to be like this for a while. I don't know exactly how long but, he said we can shorten by spreading joy around the house."

I felt like laughing at her words, Zeke was the only one who spread joy in this house and now if we were to do the same. I doubt he'd feel better in this century.

"I'm going to make some cookies I think he might like," Mandy added. "Anyone want to help?"

Penny nodded and they both walked out of the foyer and towards the kitchen. Lucas walked towards me, his hands sunk deep in his pockets.

"You alright?"

I nodded, "I'm just worried about Zeke."

He sighed, "Me too, have any ideas on how to spread 'joy' around this sad place?"

I shrugged before an idea clicked into my head. "Operation make Zeke happy..." I whispered under my breath.

Lucas chuckled at my words, but I waved him off, too concerned about Zeke to blush over his teasing.

"Can I bring Dolores here? And her family?" I asked, and Lucas slightly tilted his head like a confused dog, man... he really is a wolf. "Dolores would know what to do."

"Alright, I'll be in the kitchen," Lucas said while turning on his feet.

I cooed, "You're going to help Mandy and Penny?"

"No." He scuffed. "And you're not going to either." He pointed a finger towards me. "Last time you burned Mac N cheese, I don't trust you in my kitchen." He teased.

"Hey!" I started defending myself. "I'll have you know that I worked at a bakery before..." I held my hands and motioned around. "All this."

Lucas laughed, "I wouldn't call standing behind the cash register baking, Dawn."

Zeke's POV:

Of course, I felt like a complete ass leaving Dawn hanging like that. I wanted to hug her back, tell her I was alright, but the words couldn't form and my hands didn't move. So instead I walked away.

I sat infront of the painting, admiring the brush strokes that created the dress. I smiled softly at it, bringing my hand up to touch the canvas. The painting felt cold, I furrowed my eyebrows and looked up, the A.C vent positioned right on top of it, the cold air rushing out on the painting.

My hand found itself towards my beating heart after she died, I know a piece of me died alongside her.

I wish I had died alongside her.

Flashback

"Zeke!" She laughed. "Slow down!"

I turned on my skates, the ice scratching beneath my feet as I did. I looked over her, the snow falling on her, contrasting against her deep skin.

"Amarey, it's not my fault you're slower than a snail." I teased, skating towards her.

Her mouth dropped and she gawked at me, "I am not slow, Ezekiel. I'm just challenged at... moving fast."

"Babe. That's what slow means."

She threw her scarf at me, "I'll show you slow!"

I watched as she jetted off, her skates gliding with the ice. I heard her laugh at her own amazement, she was going fast and by the looks of it she was doing great. I watched her with pure love in my expression, every day I thanked whoever was up there for blessing me with such an incredible mate.

She started moving too fast and her laughter ceased, and with a slip, she landed flat on her butt. An incredible mate... who's incredibly bad at ice skating.

Laughing as I reached her, she broke out in chuckles. That was something I admired about her, she wouldn't dwell on the negatives in life. I lent her my hand and she quickly grabbed onto it, pulling me down with her as she seemed to posses the strength of Zeus.

I landed on top of her, effectively causing all air to escape her lungs.

"Damn woman, you lift or some shit?" I wheezed out as I moved off her, and sat on the frozen lake.

She bit her bottom lip as she smiled, nodding back to me. She grabbed the ends of the scarf she threw at me that was now wrapped around my neck, pulling them towards her.

"Something like that."

I smiled as my lips connected with hers, the warmth of her spreading like a wild fire through my body. I leaned closer, pushing her against me, she tasted like candy. And with all of these kisses, it wouldn't be a surprise if I became obese soon.

End of flashback.

"Zeke, darling."

I snapped out my haze, looking away from the painting I saw Dolores.

She was a nice lady, I met her once the day of the mating ceremony. She claimed I had the cutest cheeks, and to be honest, she wasn't lying. She had pinched them between her two fingers as she cooed at me.

Wanting to say hi, but not finding the energy within me I simply nodded, acknowledging her presence.

I watched as she limped closer to me. Setting her small bag down next to her as she plopped down to sit next to me. I saw her wrinkled face light up once she saw the painting of my mate.

"This is Amarey? Isn't it?" She asked, still transfixed.

My fore head crinkled, it had been ages since I heard someone else say her name. "How-" My voice cracked. "How do you know her name?"

Her soft gaze fell on me, "Oh honey, how could I ever forget the name of such an amazing woman."

I smiled at her, my mate was amazing.

"You know, this was back when she was younger but, she lived in the same city as me. Pennington." I nodded, wanting her to continue. "She was a couple years younger than my daughter, so I never really saw her around much, but oh when she did come around you would just know. I swear that little girl had the air of magic surrounding her!"

I laughed, knowing exactly what she meant.

"Always baking little cakes and pies, though they were absolutely atrocious. She never picked up on how to bake."

"Or ice skating," I added as a joke.

Dolores smiled at me, pausing before she continued, "You miss her a lot, don't you?"

I just nodded, my gaze returning to the painting. "More than life."

"Ezekiel... what's going on? I heard that, well. You're not feeling well."

I shrugged, I knew why I was acting this way. But couldn't find the words to exactly convey it, so instead I just didn't answer, only longingly looking at Amarey.

"You wanted to be with her." Dolores interrupted my thoughts. "Didn't you?"

My eyes wet, as I nodded. "I-" Sniffling before I continued. "I was so close to being with her, you know? But life hates me enough to keep me here to live the rest of it in pure misery."

She patted my knee, "Je sais, ma cherie."

(I know, darling)

"I was in the same boat as you, trust me. When my mate died I didn't know how I was supposed to move on from it." I sat there intently listening to her words. "You just have to find something to live for."

I nodded, already knowing the three reasons downstairs I needed to live for.

"Now come on," She said throwing her hands up. "I heard a certain Luna's going to teach us how to tango." She teased. I smiled as I got up and helped her to her own two feet.

"Tango, huh?"

Next chapter, oh my god y'all. I promise it'll be long af.!! pinky swear.

I love you all my queens, and i'm sorry if i miss a comment that you all leave, im just very busy and i really try to reply to as many as I can see.

that being said, i notice some comments that seem... concerning. Dont be alarmed if I hop into ur private messages and ask if everything's alright.. ♥