Sweet Redemption: The Morningstar Series Book 3
Sweet Redemption Chapter 38

"What are you doing?" I asked Bou who just crawled into bed with me completely naked.

"Oh. Should I not be naked in this world?" He asked completely serious.

I turned around in his hold so I could face him.

"No you shouldn't." I told him.

Bou cuddled up to me more anyways.

"Hmmm. Guess you should probably protect me then." He teased.

"You are unbelievable." I grumbled.

Bou bent his head down to kiss my lips. I couldn't stop myself as my hands reached up to tangle in his hair. It's not fair how addictive he is.

Bou ran his tongue along my bottom lip and I didn't even hesitate to open up for him. He slipped his soft tongue into my mouth and I moaned. What was I becoming?

As soon as I was completely taken with him he pulled back. My eyes fluttered open to see his perfect face. He was smiling down at me adoringly. f**k, I wish he'd stop looking at me like that. It makes all of this a million times harder. A million times more confusing.

When Bou confessed to me earlier that he would never let me go I thought I was going to break then and there. I had be beg Selma not to mark him. She was starting to take control and my will power was weak in that moment.

Still, I couldn't bring myself to let go completely with him. When he said those stupid three words overwhelming sadness and happiness flowed through me. It was strange to feel those two emotions so strongly at the same time. It was the only reason Selma backed off.

I was fighting hard not to cry. My first mate told me he loved me too. Then he ripped my heart out like I was nothing to him.

I knew Bou was being honest. I knew he was telling me becasue that's what he felt, not because that's what he thought I wanted to hear. Still, the words struck a sensitive nerve.

No matter what I did Bou was still glued to my side. The more he showed me he wasn't going anywhere the less I tried to push him away. That fact alone was terrifying me. "Bou?" I asked.

"Hmm?" He hummed back as his fingers brushed across my cheek.

"What was it like for you when you first saw me?" I asked.

Bou scrunched up his face at me. "What do you mean?" He asked.

"Well, for Werewolves, their wolves tell them when they meet their mates. Selma screamed it in my head. Vampires I think just know. What was it like for you? How did you know we were mates?" I asked. Bou smiled.

"So you're admitting that we're mates now? I like that." He said as he kissed my forehead.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"The moment our eyes connected, tiny, intense tingles ran across my entire body. I felt the connection instantly. It was like I found something that I didn't realize was missing from my life. Like I was missing a piece of my life that instatnly clicked into place when I saw you."

He was looking at me with so much love I almost choked.

"Then you f*****g died in front of my eyes and it felt like the sun was stolen from my world. I was on the verge of panic before I realized who you were. I don't ever want to feel pain like that again. We weren't even properly mated and I already felt like my heart died with you. I would have been there when you woke up if your twin wouldn't of kicked me out." He told me chuckling.

"She wasn't kidding when she told me 'Good luck' either."

I rolled my eyes at that. It was interesting to hear how it felt for him. I panicked for different reasons when I saw him. Selma was feeling hopeful while I only felt dread.

"I don't think I can handle being rejected again." I whispered as tears filled my eyes.

Bou cupped my cheek again. His face turning serious as he pulled me even closer to him. My mates piercing blue eyes bore into me.

"I will NEVER reject you. We belong together." He said every word slowly, as if that would help it sink in better.

I sighed.

"I need more time." I whispered as I looked into his eyes.

Bou had been so patient with me already. Even if it had only been a few days. I wasn't sure how much more he was willing to put up with.

Bou started to brush his thumb along my cheek again.

"I know baby." He said. "You take as long as you need. I will always be here waiting for you. I'm not going anywhere to begin with but I'll be ready to be marked the moment you are ready." He told me.

"You're already warming up to me. Even if you don't want to admit it. Plus I've already had a taste of you. I don't care if it takes years Acaisia. You are not getting rid of me." Bou pressed his lips to mine in a quick kiss.

"Now go to sleep, who knows when our shift will start." He said to me.

At that moment we heard moaning from outside our tent. Bou and I froze, our ears perked up at the sound. The moan came again but it wasn't what I was expecting.

"Ahkari.." Came Bianca's voice.

I flinched and gagged. Bou only laughed. I think that was more at my reaction than hearing his sister moan my sisters name.

Ahkari you disgusting lesbian! I can hear your mate moaning! I scolded her through the mind link.

I couldn't give less of a f**k right now. She replied then cut the link.

We heard Bianca moan again and I sat up ready to march over there my damn self. Bou pinned me back down on he bed. He pulled my head to his chest and held me there. His hold wasn't aggressive and I could easily take him down if I wanted. But he was too comfortable I didn't want to move.

"Don't ruin there time. I've never seen my sister this happy." He told me.

I had to agree. I've never seen Ahkari this happy either.

"I'm just supposed to listen to your sister moan my sisters name all night?" I asked annoyed.

Bou chuckled.

"No, just ignore it." He said.

"How am I supposed to do that?" I asked even more annoyed.

"Have I told you about my favorite place I had ever visited?" He asked and I shook my head. "There's this small town in Tennessee. We had to camp out in the woods back then. I think I was about 15. Max and I went exploring one day and found this beautiful waterfall tucked deep in the woods." I relaxed against Bou's chest as he told me the story.

His heart was beating strong in his chest and he began rubbing my back soothingly. Before I knew it, sleep had claimed me.

**********

Acaisia get up. Our watch. Ahkari's voice floated through my head.

I peaked my eyes open. Bou and I were tangled in each other still. He was sleeping soundly next to me. Gosh he's so cute.

Me and Bou? I asked her.

No, I figured our mates could get some sleep and we could take over. We have been spending a lot of time apart these last few days. She said.

Okay I'll be right out. I told her.

I couldn't help but take a moment to admire Bou. Last time we slept together I passed out so hard I didn't get to look at him. He looks so peaceful in his sleep. I rolled my eyes, Bou always looks peaceful.

Dude didn't have a care in the world most of the time. But this was different. His dark locks hung over his closed eyes. I never noticed that his nose is crooked before, must have broken it a few times.

My eyes raked over every inch of him, memorizing all of him just in case. Just in case he decided he didn't want me.

Reluctantly I untangled myself from him, immediately missing his warmth. The blankets fell off of him as I got up and I couldn't help the small giggle that escaped me. I can't believe he came to bed naked in a world he's never been to.

There could be all kinds of bugs and small critters here. Well, there is but the tents kept them all out, not that Bou knew that. I pulled the blanket back over him and he sighed in his sleep. Going over to our suitcases I rummaged through mine before going to Bou's. I'd been trying everything to not feel closer to Bou. The more he pushed himself into my life the less fighting I wanted to do. He comforted me no matter how much I tried to ignore it.

So, I opened his suitcase and quickly found a black hoodie. Sliding it over my head it nearly reached my knees. I pulled the front of it over my nose and inhaled deeply.

Selma purred in my head.

What are you a f*****g cat? I teased her.

Selma huffed. Don't act like you don't like his scent too.

I chuckled back at her. She was right. I love his scent. Hot chocolate and pine. He reminds me of Christmas. I love Christmas.

Deciding that my sweatpants were good enough, I slipped on some sneakers and walked back over to my mate. Bending down so I could give Bou a quick kiss on the cheek. I moved some of his hair out of his face and then walked out before I woke him up. When I walked out of the tent Ahkari was sitting by the fire that Simon had made. It was directly in front of the cave, while our tents were off the the side that didn't have a giant black root sticking out.

Ahkari was sitting in a chair staring into the cave as I walked over to join her. I sat down in the chair right next to hers.

"Anything interesting happen yet? Ya know, besides anything having to do with Bianca." I teased my twin.

She rolled her eyes before they met mine. Ahkari looked me up and down, a smirk forming on her lips. I only stared at her blankly as I waited for her own teasing to come.

"Nothing yet. Seems some things have been interesting with you though. I thought you hated your mate?" She said smirking still.

I shrugged.

"Hate is a strong word. But he's still annoying." I said crossing my arms and sticking my nose in the air.

Ahkari snorted. "So annoying that you have to be surrounded in his scent I see."

I stuck my tongue out at her.

"Mind ya buisness." I said making Ahkari snort again. "So." I said after her laughter died down.

Ahkari looked at me and I gave her a sly smile.

"Things seem to be going well for you and your mate."

Ahkari bit her lip as a wide grin spread across her face.

"I didn't think she was going to accept me. When she asked me for my mark I thought I was dreaming." I could see the memory playing behind her blue eyes as she told me it. "She still wasn't completely on board but how the hell was I supposed to say no to her asking me for my mark?"

I knew her question was rhetorical but it made me think back to when Bou had asked me. Guilt spread through my chest as I recalled denying him.

"She's been.... different since." Ahkari finished.

"I know I didn't know her to begin with but it does seem she's acting a bit different. Almost like a little love sick puppy." I said laughing.

"Yeah.." Ahkari trailed off smiling. "It's f*****g hot. But hard."

I frowned. "Hard?"

Ahkari nodded.

"Something is definitely weird with her." She mumbled as she looked back at the tent. "Like the bond is already complete or something. She's already getting some of my werewolf abilities. I think the mark only made her want me more." "You don't sound as thrilled as I expected you'd be." I commented.

My twin sighed. "I want to be... Sometimes I'm so thrilled I can't contain it." She smirked.

"Gross." I commented making her laugh.

"I just don't want her to wake up one day and regret being with me. There's still something she hasn't been telling me. Something else she's worried about that I can't quite put my finger on." She told me. "Not only that but shes distracted now. That terrifys me." I furrowed my brow. "She's distracted and you let her come anyways?" I asked incredulously.

Never would I have let Bou come if I was worried he couldn't hold his own. I'd chain him in the f*****g cells in the basement of the school before I let him come here with me.

Selma growled her agreement.

Ahkari snapped her eyes to me.

"Don't give me that s**t. This means the world to her. You think I was on borad with this from the beginning? f**k no. Bringing our mates here after we barely made it out? Ha!" Ahkari scoffed at me.

"I'm only okay with it because I'm right here by her side and I knew she would never accept me if I didn't give her a chance. I'm f*****g terrified Acaisia. Her being distracted is only making it worse. But she needs this. She needs to know that I don't think she's weak. And I don't. I've seen a few of her skills she's actually a very good fighter. We'll all be fine." I could tell that her last sentence was more for her than for me.

I put my hand on my sisters shoulder and waited for her to look at me. When her deep blue eyes met my identical ones I gave her a small smile. I squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.

"Hey. She will be okay. We're both here and so is Simon. If she gets too distracted at the wrong time you guys have back up, alright?" I told her.

My twin nodded to me. "Thank you." She whispered.

I smiled at her and sat back in my chair.