Chapter Thirty Four: Sensible
Jessa

I watched as he jumped up from his spot on the window, he put his laptop down and came right over to me."Jessa?" He sounded unsure.

I shrugged nonchalantly, "Last I checked."

But as he reached my bed he didn't just stop and hug me or anything...no instead he bent down and kissed me.

It was a soft kiss and his lips lingered against mine then I felt moisture touch my cheeks, He moved...he was crying.

"I'm so sorry Jessa I..."

I knew what he meant. He shouldn't have kissed me, it only complicates our feelings for one another, knowing he has a mate. My wolf whined but we knew better.

Vale wasn't ours to love, he has a mate, and no matter how strongly we may feel for one another...he has to be there for her, for the good of the pack.

"Are you alright...are you in any pain...do you need anything...oh shit I have to call your mom." He sounded overwhelmed.

"Vale...calm down...j-just sit with me."

He nodded and took a seat before he grabbed my hand. But I carefully withdrew it. He looked hurt now.

"We can't." I whispered trying to hide the hurtin my voice.

"But I love you..."

And with that my tears finally fell, "You can't love me...you have a mate."

"I've been in love with you long before I met my mate...And you've loved me before anyone else ever has."

I nodded, "I have...but it wouldn't be fair to Shelby, or the pack...you need your mate as your Luna."

His eyes grew sad, and he shook his head now "...She died, it was the night of your accident, they had to deliver the baby early due to a complication and Shelby hemorrahaged before the doctors could save her." His voice cracking as he tried to keep from crying. "The baby is fine, she's small so she's still in the hospital for a while."

"Vale..."

I didn't know what to say...what do you say to someone who just lost there mate. I've been there, I knew exactly what he was feeling and I knew nothing anyone said would ease the pain, and definitly wouldn't bring that person back.

I simply reached out and took his hand into mine, "I'm here for you."

It was the only thing I could offer, and I meant it. I would be here for him if he needed a shoulder to cry on, an ear to let him vent, and the person to build him up when he feels defeated by all of this.

"I'm here for you and the baby...I always will be."

"I'm sorry for always expecting some much of you Jessa."

I shook my head, "it's nothing."

"It's everything." He countered.

"Vale..." I sighed. "What is everyone going to think...I'll just be the girl that was just waiting around for your mate to pass before I could step up and take her place."

He shook his head, "Everyone in the pack knows you...and they know you've been there this whole time...and most of them sort of already thought we were in a relationship."

"Even still Vale...it's in poor taste for us to even consider being together now...especially so soon."

So what...I'm just suppose to stay single forever?" He asked angrily now. "I am in love with you Jessa and a part of me always knew I was suppose to be with you and no one else...I'm just sorry I didn't realize it sooner."

I had to admit, it did feel good hearing him confess his feeling for me, but I simply shrugged. "Everything happens for a reason."

He didn't say anything, I knew him well enough to know that he'd be trying to figure out what reason this could all serve.

"I'm not going anywhere Vale, I will stay by your side and be whatever you need me to be."

"Except what I want you to be." He countered.

I closed my eyes and smiled as I thought of Vale and I finally together, the way I've always wanted. "Give it time, everything will work out."

He shook his head stubbornly.

"You're such a stubborn Alpha."

He smirked. "Not stubborn, just not good with waiting." he said before he bent down once again and kissed my lips.When he pulled away I sighed as I looked up at him."No more of that...now can you call my doctors and let them know I'm awake...but don't call my mom yet, I...I kinda want to enjoy just us."

He nodded nad smiled before leaving the room.

Once the doctor's checked me over and found that I was healthy enough to walk around they gave me the green light to go ahead and shift come morning.

"Once you've shifted your wolf should be able to heal any injuries that we've overlooked or prevented treating in the  very real likelihood we could do more harm than good." The Doctor said.

"I don't want any other visitors until I've shifted, and Vale will stay with me."

"I'll shift with her tomorrow, to make sure she's fine." Vale put in, I noticed he was holding my hand now.

I wasn't even sure when it had happened but  He was comfortably holding my hand and something told me he wasn't planning on letting go for a while.

When we were finally left alone again I sighed. "...I know i really shouldn't be doing this but..." I pat the bed next to me, "Will you stay with me tonight?"

He nodded and stepped out of his shoes before he easily got into the medical bed with me.

"I'll stay with you forever Jessa." He said as he took me into his arms and kissed my hair gently.

"Why do I have the feeling it's going to be impossible to stay away from you now?" I asked.

"I mean, is it really much of a stretch than where we already were before...other than hand holding and kissing we already do everything couples would do..go out to eat, we're with each other contsantly, you've spent the night at my place, I've kept an eye out on your place while you were gone, we hug or hold each other often, you've met a large portion of my family, we know each others pasts, we have nicknames." He smirked.

"So no kissing or hand holding?" I sounded.

"I would not mind at all...but I do have to admit it may be smarter if we were a little more cautious with our actions."

"I'm glad you're being sensible for once." I smiled.

"Says the girl who invited me into her bed."

"Says the guy who willingly got into my bed." I countered.

He smirked, and shrugged "Pretty girl invites me into her bed...I'm morally obligated to oblige her."

I rolled my eyes and he kissed my cheek,

"Get some rest...everything's about to change tomorrow and you're going to need your energy to keep up."

I closed my eyes and felt as his arm went around my waist and he pulled me in close to him, he smelt amazing. It was so soft and the familiar woodsy scent caused a wave of lighthearted emotions come forward. I buried my face against his chest and found a peaceful sleep easily.