The next few days went by so fast. Helena couldn't deny she found Keiran's positive attitude contagious and his smile—alluring. She was at ease, finally together with the person she had been waiting for so long. But he was always so touchy-feely and wanted to be right beside her. It was making her nervous and unsure what to do. The big swarm of butterflies in her stomach was trying to consume her. It was so different from everything she had felt until now. Every move Keiran made, made her heart jump and stutter in tension.

Helena stopped in front of her bedroom and turned to him. Night had fallen so long ago, and she had somehow missed the last few hours. They had flown away like minutes. Taking a day off from her work to be with Keiran really had been a great choice.

“I had fun today. I'll take you to the cotton candy store tomorrow. It's a classic place around here.” She smiled and put her hands behind her back, leaning on the door. “Good night.”

She turned and reached for the handle, opening the door, when she felt a shadow behind her back. Helena spun around and looked at Keiran who was only a breath away from her.

“Um, what are you doing?” she asked, her cheeks flushing.

“I'm going to sleep,” he nonchalantly returned.

“And you have your room for that,” she mumbled, her heart squeezing. She felt on fire. He wanted to sleep together... In one bed!

Keiran looked flabbergasted before a deep frown marred his features.

“What do you mean? We are always together. We are mates. That's what mates do, don't they? Do I have to remind you that in my culture the mating act happens in the first two or three days after meeting?” His voice grew husky, and he put his hands on both sides of Helena's head.

She swallowed by his insinuation.

“I know I'm still not eighteen, and I intend on waiting for my birthday, but why should I wait after that? Are you not sure about our relationship? Do you not accept me?” he asked, and his tension crowded her. His eyes moved from her gaze to her lips, staring at them hungrily, and his jaw clenched.

He definitely wasn't afraid to state his opinions or desires.

This distance between them was killing her. He was way too close. Helena put her hands on his chest, making sure he wouldn't try to shrink the space between them even more. However, on the inside, she reveled into its hardness and the way his warmth embraced her.

“I know about your traditions. I've been reading about them these past few days. But I still want to wait for a bit and make sure that you feel comfortable enough here, in this pack. Besides, I know that you start searching for your mates at the age of eighteen, but almost nobody manages to find their chosen one that soon. It usually happens when you're nineteen or twenty.”

“I feel comfortable. Besides, I already found you. Why should I wait to be with you?” he repeated, his breath fanning her.

“Keiran...” Helena pushed him slightly, but he grabbed her wrists and kissed her palms. His eyes were trained on her face, not moving even for a mere second.

She squirmed, her whole body engulfed in emotions. This was all extremely new to her. She didn't know what to do.

“Look... I'm not talking about sex. I just want to sleep next to you. I'm not going to touch you until you tell me you want me to.” Keiran's other hand slid behind her waist and pulled her to himself. “Is that too much? Can't I ask for that?”

His words were saying one thing, but his actions were showing the complete opposite. Helena's breath hitched at the few inches left between them, and inappropriate thoughts flooded her mind. This only proved her point and hardened her melting heart.

She moved away and whispered, “No, sorry. I can't. See you tomorrow.”

Helena shut the door from the inside and locked it. She barely managed to hear Keiran's grunt through her wildly racing pulse.

...

It had been a bit over a week since the last time Keiran asked Helena to spend the night in her room. And since then, he had become a bit distant and cold.

And he left every single night. Where he went and why… Nobody knew.

Her heart started drumming. Insecurity and worry drowned her like a tsunami. Why was he doing this every single night? She shook her head and pushed these thoughts aside. Perhaps, he needed his nightly strolls. He wanted to hunt.

She huffed and relaxed her shoulders. There was one thing she couldn’t deny—a part of her enjoyed Keiran's stubbornness and desire to spend every night with her. The lycans were passionate and could become very attached to their mates. But this was not what she wanted. She desired his heart, not his instincts. It was easy to be with your mate by default, just because of the mating bond. But being with someone your heart chose was a whole other level of devotion and respect. And she desired that.

Her skin got goosebumps by this realization. She wanted love. The real deal and all the things it came with.

Still in her pajamas, Helena sprinted to Keiran’s room and knocked. When nobody answered, she opened the door and saw that the bed was empty and made. Her stomach dropped and crashed into tiny bits.

Grabbing her phone, she realized Keiran still didn't have a mobile device. He hadn't needed it because they were always together. She bit her lip as she found Shawn’s number and dialed.

“Shawn, morning! Have you seen Keiran?” she blurted after he picked up.

“Well, good morning, sunshine! It's almost nine!” he cheered in a merry tone. “I and Keiran have been kicking our asses off in the gym since the first rays of sunshine! In the werewolf gym! I can tell you that he is one crazy guy!”

“What? How come I didn't know about that?” Helena bit her lip, a bit hurt by that. She had quickly gotten used to always know where her mate was. Too quickly to her surprise.

“I don't know. He woke me up at four am, telling me he needed a place to cool off and use some of his physical strength. I just didn't know it was so much! Keiran said he hadn't trained since he came to the pack and wanted to catch up.”