Word Count: 1598

~Kezziah

It felt good sleeping next to Alden.

Sunlight streams in through the curtain, rousing me gently from my sleep. Stretching out, I bask in the feeling of warmth and comfort, feeling better than I ever have waking up before. When I glance over, I see Alden and his glistening navy blue eyes looking down at me, admiration and affection reflecting off them.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I say drowsily, realising last night I had snuck into his room, unable to help myself. I just wanted to see what it would feel like to have my mate by my side. And after Thought visiting, I've been nervous to spend the night alone. "I didn't mean to come in here without asking I just-"

"It's okay, you don't need to apologise," Alden says huskily, voice still raw after a nights sleep. "I'm glad you came in to see me. I've never slept better if I'm honest."

I couldn't agree more.

Rolling over, I lay down on his bare chest, feeling the flutter of sparks before they subside, and I concentrate on the steady beat of his heart. If the sparks weren't there to confirm it, the feeling of being next to him, even for one night has filled me with a feeling of comfort and home. I'm glad I decided to slip into his bed in the first place.

"I wish time could just stop," I murmur, tracing my fingers across the raised muscle on his stomach, watching him quiver. "Both Time as in the immortal, and the time around us."

Alden runs his fingers tentatively through my hair. "I wouldn't worry about him right now. Not today."

He's right. Not right now.

Instead, I decide I want to spend time with my mate. Everything has been so hectic recently, the last thing I want is to think about what I need to do to deal with Time. All I want to do is lie with my head on Alden's chest, stare out the window at the slightly overcast day, and think of the future after all of this.

It inspires me to ask him a few questions. "Tell me a fact about Alden.

"Interesting question," Alden muses, sitting up a little to think about what to tell me. I'm curious to learn anything about the Alpha who sparks everyone's curiosity. "I wouldn't say there is much to know about me. I'm more curious about you."

Rolling my eyes, I sit up, crossing my legs to face him. "You can't turn that on me. There is plenty about you that I want to know, trust me. Tell me anything."

"Well, as you know, I'm very interested in technology. It runs in our family I would say, however, I'm proud to know that during my reign, we have made the most technical advancements. I'm proud of this Pack. I'm happy that you will rule it by my side soon," Alden says warmly.

There's a glow in his eyes while he speaks. It warms my insides. Especially at the mention that I will be the Luna of this Pack with time.

All of a sudden I can't wait.

"I know we said not to speak about Time, but I've been wondering how you two came to hate each other so much," I say tentatively, hoping it isn't a sensitive topic to talk about after asking not to speak about Time. He doesn't seem too bothered, loosening a sigh.

"He started turning innocent people into Travellers around two years ago. He started it within my Pack, looking for the smartest to do his jobs. With no other Alpha's willing to help me, I had to work on dealing him myself. And it started with curing these poor people," Alden explains.

It suddenly reminded me of why I was branded.

"I still haven't fulfilled why I was branded in the first place," I say distractedly. It hasn't worried me for awhile, but now I realise Time might be waiting to strike. "What if he comes back for me?"

"I wouldn't worry about that. Not when we are trapping him soon. Plus, I think he only marked you to get at me. Somehow he must have known we are mates," Alden says.

Somehow, he must have known, wanting to get revenge on Alden. That must be why he killed my parents and not only branded me, but bonded to me like a mate. Anything to stop Alden from his main objective, which is removing brands from his travelers. It only makes me want to stop him sooner.

Knowing I shouldn't talk about it anymore, I change the subject. "Do you want kids one day?"

Alden blinks a few times.

"One day, when the threat of Time is over with," Alden tells, just when I was sure that question had rubbed him the wrong way. "And when I've been cured too. And I know our children could not contract it either."

"Noble. I agree," I murmur, lying back beside him again. He grabs my hand and clasps it tightly. It helps me relax after our conversation about Time.

After more conversation about everything from past memories to future aspirations, we decided it was time to get up and deal with the day, considering we had talked all the way to midday. I wanted to stay in bed all day, however, I knew we couldn't. The time that we did spend has left me all dozy and pleasant.

At some point as evening approached, Alden disappeared into the garden for a moment while I read a book. Then, he suddenly appeared at the door with a handful of vibrant wildflowers in hand.

My cheeks instantly warm.

"My beautiful mate, would you do me the honour of joining me on a date?" Alden asks, getting on his knee theatrically to offer me the flowers.

I take them with a giggle. "Of course."

After accepting the date, Alden expels me to my room, closing the door behind while he prepares. We can't leave the property without risk of being caught out, which means a date from home, that Alden has decided to put together. I passed time by lounging on the bed, reading the book Alden had on his bookshelf.

I felt the anticipation building in my chest as I waited for him, unsure of what to do with myself and the giddiness that won't go anyway. I feel like a young school girl waiting for her boyfriend to take her on a first date.

Finally, as night began to fall, and my stomach started to grumble, Alden opened the door to let me out.

He looks incredible.

I'm surprised he dressed up for me, putting on a blue dress shirt that matches his eyes, brushing his hair back. "I feel so underdressed."

"You look beautiful," Alden reassures me gently.

My heart didn't stop beating frantically until he lead me outside to where the fleeting brightness of day was being washed away by rich burning colours of orange and reds. Dusk will be here any minute, stars beginning to appearing in the sky with a slight glimmering wink.

He's laid out a blanket on the grass, the outside scattered with wilting wildflowers beginning to close up for the night. It's an oddly romantic scene that has my heart swelling with warmth.

"Did you really do all this?" I ask in disbelief, glancing back to look at my mate, who looks calmly back at me.

"I know it's cliche, but I couldn't help myself. You deserve something special," Alden tells me, grabbing my hand to lead me to the blanket. It's warm and fuzzy  under my feet as I sit down.

"It's perfect," I assure him.

It truly is perfect, as we lie next to each other, looking up at the sky, watching the colours drain from the sky, darkness slinking to catch up with it. Alden wraps his arm around me while I rest my head on his chest. Just like this morning, however this time, we have a phenomenal view.

"I can't wait until I finally get to mate you. To create that bond with you," Alden muses, sighing deeply.

A shimmer of excitement courses down my body. I know what that means, however, I'm too nervous to confront it right now. Instead, I quell my nerves by reaching up to kiss him in response.

It's a deep, intense kiss where I can feel more than just his lips against me. I can feel the true bond between us trying to break through the placebo one Time put in its place. No matter how strong of an immortal he is, he can't take away something like this. Something this special, and this natural.

I don't want to pull away, and I have no reason to until Alden does, still cradling my head gently between his head. Maybe he is catching his breath between full, graceful lips.

"I love you already. Truly, and deeply," Alden admits.

There is no flaw in his speech, no suggestion of empty emotion. He means it, and it hits me straight in the chest that someone truly cares about me this much. That no matter what, Alden will love me through everything.

I don't even hesitate in my response. "I love you too."

💚••💚

If you guys want more of Alden, the rest of available now on Radish (:

🌱••🌱

Sinful's own story is up now on Radish! I wanted to make it apart of the Seven Sins series (which will have stories involving Cian and other characters you've seen before)

☃️••☃️

Instagram: Sophie_Midika

~Midika 💜🐼