Pic: Inspiration for Xavier's house.

I stirred from my slumber, my whole body covered in a noticeable tingling sensation. I was enjoying it, so I didn't really want whatever this dream was to end. I tried to force myself back to sleep, but it was fruitless considering that I needed the bathroom. There's no way I could get back to sleep now.

I let my eyes flutter open, the sun shining into them obnoxiously. I guess that's one downside to Xavier having entire walls made of glass. I lifted my arm, shielding my eyes from the sun, as I tried to move. Xavier's arms were wrapped around me tightly, as they had been all night, so moving was pretty difficult.

I managed to wiggle my way out of them, Xavier frowning in his sleep as I left his embrace. Something tells me he hadn't slept that well in a while, so I would do my best to let him sleep in. He was usually running around after me, after all.

I found a bathroom on the ground floor and slipped inside, closing the door as quietly as possible. I did my business, tying the comically large jogging bottoms securely around my waist again.  Looking in the mirror, I couldn't help but cringe at my own reflection. I did not look great in the morning. I pulled off his hoodie, since it was pretty warm this morning, and fixed my bed hair. There wasn't much that I could do for my teeth, since I didn't have a toothbrush, but I used some mouthwash I found and hoped for the best.

Creeping back into the living room, I decided to start to make breakfast. His fridge was surprisingly full, considering he was a busy guy. I was beginning to suspect that he had cleaners, since this place was immaculately clean and I doubt some big bad Alpha is scrubbing the hard wood floors on his hands and knees.

I decided to just make some kimchi pancakes, which I hoped he would like. I was in an oddly good mood, whipping up the batter happily for the two of us. I was glad I had listened to Xavier and gave him a chance to explain himself, but it was weird. Very weird. Whenever I looked at him, my brain just screamed 'wolf!'. Being around him now was taking some getting used to, but I was enjoying it.

Frying the pancakes was pretty noisy, so I was surprised that Xavier continued to sleep through it. I stacked the pancakes on a plate and placed a bowl of soy sauce placed beside them for dipping. I poured us both a glass of apple juice, setting it on the dining table. I managed to find the cutlery and grinned at how it looked. Who said I couldn't be a Lunar- or whatever it was called.

"Xavier? I made breakfast." I attempted to wake him up, crouching beside him.

He stayed still, breathing steadily with his eyes closed. I poked him- trying to get him up. The tingles seemed to wake him up, his eyes snapping open. He looked up at me, smiling groggily. He opened his arms for a cuddle and I awkwardly gave him one.

"What smells good?" He sniffed, letting me go.

"I made breakfast." I gestured to the table, "I hope you don't mind. I just thought it would be nice."

"Don't apologise, baby." He hushed, "What's mine is yours. We're mates... I like saying it- you're my mate, Cameron."

I blushed, taking a seat at the dining table. He beamed at me, his eyes dragging over the food hungrily and then dragging over me hungrily. I used to think the pet name 'baby' was overused, but it sounded so natural coming from his mouth. It made me flustered, hearing him use it. I felt quite awkward because I wasn't used to these romantic experiences; how the hell do I behave?

With my girlfriends, it was emotionless; there was no cooking breakfast, cuddling all night or giving each other pet names. I was completely new to all of this. I wonder if Xavier was experienced- it wouldn't be surprising to me if he was. After all, you can't look like that and get no romantic attention.

"This looks amazing." Xavier complimented, going straight for the pancakes.

He served me first, placing a huge portion on my plate, before placing the same on his. I eyed the portion warily- there's no way that I would be able to finish that. He must have a pretty hefty appetite... I wonder if it's because he's a wolf. Weird.

"Was that too much food?" He asked sheepishly.

"A bit. It's fine." I smiled, digging into the colossal plate of food.

Xavier practically moaned at the taste, making me turn a deep red shade- similar to a tomato. Xavier gave me a goofy grin, clearing his plate in a matter of minutes. I gave up, Xavier polishing off my leftovers. It was adorable watching him eat. I'm not sure if it's because I made it, but he looked so happy. He insisted on doing the dishes, cleaning them quickly while I sat at the counter watching.

"What are you doing today?" I questioned, making conversation to fill the silence.

"That all depends on what you want to do." Xavier replied, "If you want to go home, I can drop you off. I know it's a lot, so you must need time to process. Alternatively, if you want to stay we can spend the day together. You could come to work with me, or we could chill here. I want you to be comfortable."

He's being really considerate, which is very sweet. I must admit, I thought I was handling all of this very well, but I think that's only because I'm with Xavier right now. Being near him had a calming effect, especially after spending hours asleep on his chest. I was scared to go home just yet, in case I reacted badly to the distance.

The last thing I wanted was to feel that burning sensation again. 

"Could I stay here?" I requested, making him grin.

"Of course. My Beta will be here soon, so you don't have to make your mind up about what to do all day until then. If I want a day with you, he'll handle the work." He explained, which made sense.

"Like a deputy manager." I commented, him nodding.

I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do all day. It would be interesting to see what a working day is like for him, to get a feel of what it is exactly that an Alpha does and what a pack needs, but I didn't even know Xavier that well. I felt like I did, because of the bond, but in actuality we barely knew each other. I'd like to get to know him before I jump into the deep end with the rest of the pack.

Xavier finished the dishes, striding over and wrapping his arms around my waist. I settled my head against his chest, enjoying the tingling feeling and how soothing it felt. This feeling could solve all of my qualms; it was impossible to stay stressed while in his arms.

"Are you sure it's no trouble, if you spend the day with me?" I inquired, not wanting to be selfish.

"No trouble at all, baby." He murmured, resting his chin on top of my head and hugging me tighter.

I got those chills again, when he called me baby. It flowed off his tongue like water down a stream- smooth and natural. I spun around in my stool, hugging him back. I felt quite emotional, being able to hug him and act like this when I thought everything was over just a few days ago. I made a mental note of trying my best to embrace the mate bond, since Xavier had said he felt it too. At least I wasn't the only one who wanted constant physical contact; it made it less embarrassing.

"You slept like a baby last night." He teased, tilting my chin up towards him softly, "It made me happy. I know that it's hard for you to get to sleep."

That was true. I hadn't even realised it, but last night I had drifted off so quickly. It was probably the quickest I'd ever managed to get to sleep- if you aren't including the times I'd passed out from sleep exhaustion. Something about the tingles buzzing through my body had made the idea of sleep so appealing.

"Well fuck me gently with a chainsaw." A voice called from the other side of the room, making me jump.

The guy who had disturbed Xavier and I's moment together crossed the living room, entering the kitchen where we were. He was very tall- not quite as tall as Xavier, but tall none the less. His comment wasn't hostile, as I had first imagined, but joking. I presumed this to be the Beta Xavier had mentioned was visiting.

"You're early, Noah." Xavier groaned, dropping his hands from my face and wrapping them around me instead.

"I didn't know we'd have company." Noah defended himself, sticking a hand out in front of me, "Lovely to meet you- I'm Noah, Xavier's best friend. I'm sure he's mentioned me."

"He hasn't, but he had a hell of a lot to tell me last night, so don't take it personally." I joked, shaking his hand tentatively, "I'm Cameron, but people call me Cam."

This person was a wolf too. It was quite hard to believe- my head was struggling to grasp the concept. I still had a million questions to ask Xavier about it all, but I'd get that opportunity later. I was dead set on proving to people around here that just because I like to have fun, that doesn't mean I can't take things seriously too.

"You told him?" Noah's eyes lit up in surprise, "And you're still here?"

"We're spending the day together." Xavier seemed protective, pulling me closer to his chest, "He handled it really well."

"Well fuck me, welcome to the pack then. I honestly thought you'd go running, but no hard feelings. It just hasn't gone well for other people with human mates in the past." Noah grinned, eyeing the dining table, "You had breakfast without me?"

"Cameron cooked pancakes. Didn't you eat at the pack house?" Xavier inquired, resting his chin on my head again.

"I'd be lucky to get anything more than a slice of toast in that mad house." Noah shuddered, "It's chaos in there."

"There's a pack house?" I quizzed, curious.

"That's where the elderly, the non-mated adults and a lot of teenagers live." Xavier whispered in my ear, the hot air fanning down my neck, "Some parentless children too, unfortunately."

"So families move into the neighbourhoods?" I filled in the blanks, their system making a lot of sense to me.

"Exactly. Except my mate and I have to stick it out in the pack house- joys of being the Beta." Noah whooped sarcastically, biting into an apple that he'd stolen from the fruit basket.

"You complain, but you secretly love it." Xavier rolled his eyes with a smile, "Those kids see you as a father."

"You try having sex in that house and then tell me that I love it! I'd like to become an actual father one day, too." Noah shook his head, "Sorry for being crude, Cam. You're sat there like a champ, though- all things considered."

I coughed awkward at that, my face turning red. Xavier and I hadn't even kissed yet, let alone done what he was implying. Xavier must have been glaring pretty intently, because Noah's face was a picture of regret now.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I just figured that you had done it already, since you're mates and he knows now." Noah rushed to explain, the atmosphere awkward, "Plus, Xavier's been waiting so long I thought he'd jump at the chance to lose his V-card."

"Noah! We haven't... We haven't spoken about it. He didn't know." Xavier snapped, his voice full with authority and embarrassment.

Xavier was a virgin? Even after all of those years of University? That certainly surprised me. Of course there's nothing wrong with it- it was quite sweet actually. He must have been waiting for his mate... Waiting for me, I guess. I felt sort of awkward- had he expected me to wait? I looked down at the floor, swinging my feet. Great.

"I'm going to grab those files and leave before I say even more stupid shit. Have a great day and it was lovely to meet you finally, Cameron. Xavier's obsessed with you- you're all he talks about." Noah waved goodbye, making himself scarce.

"I could kill him." Xavier groaned, burying his head in his hands.

This was going to be an awkward conversation.