Chapter 42

**Kataleya’s POV**

Tonight, was amazing. I did not think that tonight was going to go as well as it did. Justin was the perfect gentleman and he really did his research to make sure that he centered our date around me.

Even though, our questions did take a turn for the worse at one point. I didn’t want to lie to him about my fears, but I also didn’t expect his reaction to my fears, either. Then, he purposely let me steer the conversation to more comfortable questions.

He continued driving us towards the pack. He held my hand the entire drive back to the packhouse.

He pulls out front of the packhouse and we sit there for a second before he hesitantly spoke. “…am I staying with you tonight? Or do you want me to return to my home?”

I thought for a second. What do I want? It feels too fast to want him to stay with me, but let’s be honest, it is the only real way that I have been getting any sleep at night. So, what if that makes me selfish.

“I would like it if you stayed me with me tonight. I get more sleep when you are with me…and I like falling asleep and waking up in your arms. When I am with you, the nightmares aren’t so bad…”

“I will stay with you as long as you need me to. I will stay forever if you want. I have a question though…if sleeping alone scares you and brings the nightmares, why do you choose to say at the packhouse instead of going to stay at your parents?”

I laughed. He had a point. I could always stay at my parent’s house, but they usually hover, so I opt to stay at the packhouse. Plus, I don’t have to deal with the endless questions.

“I choose to stay in the packhouse. My parent’s like to hover and I sure they will hover more that they know I have found my fated mate. Also, I was often waking Michael up in the middle of the night. I couldn’t always stifle my cries and screams from the nightmares…Michael’s room is the closest to mine, so he often was woken up by my screams and cries…I used to have antidepressants and sleep sedatives that I would take, but Michael and Oliver found out and they asked me to stopped taking them, especially because I got the prescription without my mom and dad knowing about it…the prescriptions helped…they knocked me out, so that I was not dreaming. I did not see the nightmares of my past, which was helpful for me…since I am no longer taking the prescriptions, the packhouse was my salvation so I was not disturbing the peace at home. Mom and dad don’t know that I am still having the nightmares and I do not plan to ever tell them that I am still having the nightmares.

“Baby…you cannot keep everything bottled up like this. There are people that can help you when you are feeling like this. I would do anything to help take away your nightmares. If sleeping next to me helps you in the slightest, then I would gladly sleep with you anytime you need me to.” He smiled at me as he got out of the car and walked around to my side of the car.

We walk upstairs to my room and I unlocked my door. I walked in, leaving the door open for him. I begin pulling out some pajamas for myself.

“If you need some pants or something to wear, you can go next door to Michael’s room and borrow some of his clothes.”

I walked into the bathroom and jumped in the shower, washed off my make-up, brushed my teeth, and then made my way back into the main part of the room. Justin had apparently gone to Michael’s room and borrow some clothes and it looked like he also took a shower in his room too.

Justin hesitated before walking over to where I was standing at the bathroom door. He lightly placed his hand onto my face.

“Kataleya, may I kiss you?”

I slowly nodded my head and that was the only response he needed from me. He tilted his head and lowered his lips to meet mine.

His lips were warm and soft as they met mine. I parted my mouth slightly, allowing his tongue slipped inside. He pressed our bodies closer together, against the wall, and we were both breathing heavily as our lips were pressing together. His tongue played with mine, fighting for dominance, a battle that neither of us were going to win. Warmth blossomed in my chest and sparks were igniting as one arm wrapped around my waist while his other tangled in my hair. The strong scent of his shampoo was dizzying. All too soon it was over and Justin pulled back. He didn’t let go of my waist and he continued to hold me tightly against his chest.

“Thank you,” he whispered into my hair. “I really enjoyed myself tonight. Tonight, was everything that I had hoped it would be. Come on, let’s go to bed. We both have training in the morning and we probably don’t want to piss off the Alpha by being late to training.

I pulled away from him and walked to the bed. I pulled my blanket down and crawled under the sheets. I laid on my left side as Justin crawled into the bed behind me, pulling the blankets up the rest of the way. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me to him, so that I was snuggled into his chest. I must admit, I fit next to him perfectly. I could get used to this. I could enjoy waking up and falling asleep like this every night.

“Justin, thank you for everything tonight. I enjoyed the musical and getting to meet your friend. Then, dinner was an experience. I enjoyed the French cuisine, but more importantly, I loved our conversation and I loved learning more about you. I loved how you didn’t assume anything. Instead of outright assuming you were staying with me, you asked for my thoughts. You didn’t just kiss me like most men would have, you asked my permission making sure that it was okay with me. I absolutely loved that about tonight. You made sure that I enjoyed myself and that everything was perfect for me. I just wanted to say thank you. While, I can’t bring myself to use the big L word, I can tell you that I am falling for you and that I like you. I just fear what will happen to me if you leave me or if you decide waiting for me is too much…”

He kissed the top of my hair before speaking. “Baby, how many times do I need to tell you that I would never leave you. I love you even if you are nowhere near ready to tell me that you love me. I do want you and that is not going to change anytime soon, love. I love you, Kataleya. Goodnight. Sleep tight, my love.”

And with those final words, I fell asleep with a smile on my face.