Morning came easily this time. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to credit my wonderful sleep to the exhaustion from my sexual release or if I should blame it on my mate who actually stayed with me the whole night. Either way, it didn't matter. I felt better than I had in months and waking up with Grant's arms around me was enough to make my heart flutter.

I rolled over so my face was pressed against his chest and I breathed in his scent. If we made sleeping together a habit I would definitely become a morning person.

"Hey." Grant said, spooking me slightly.

"Morning." I murmured, nuzzling the skin on his chest.

He sucked in a breath, like he loved the way I was touching him, and wrapped his arms around my body. "How are you?" he asked, sounding a little wary.

"Mmmm," I purred before I kissed his chest. "I'm really great after last night. I'd even go as far as saying I can't wait until my next heat."

Grant let out a sigh, "So you aren't mad that I did anything to you?"

"I told you that you could. I wasn't lying when I said I wanted you from the first day I saw you. I really appreciate that you want to be respectful of my choices, but I chose you a long time ago, okay?"

His arms tightened around me, pulling me tighter against his body, "I'm glad that that's the case. I'd feel awful if you didn't actually want me and you only let me touch you because of your heat."

"I'm definitely not mad." I whispered, moving up so I could give him a kiss on the lips.

Those gorgeous green eyes locked on to mine as I neared him for the kiss and at the last second he turned away, "I want you, I really do, but I'm worried about rushing things and I know if I let you kiss me and we stay in this bed we're going to be doing a lot more than what I'm comfortable with." Grant rambled nervously.

"Okay." I said.

I felt a little dejected; I really wanted to expand on our relationship now that he had opened the door. But he had respected my boundaries last night, and if we're being honest it's not so much that he opened the door but more than I broke in and forced him a little. He was right when he said going into heat was similar to being drunk, but it wasn't always one sided. Listening to me moan and whimper upstairs must've made his wolf compromise on a lot of things. So if he needed a day off to get his head on straight then that is what he would get regardless of how I felt.

"Can I actually ask you a favour?" he questioned.

"Absolutely."

He hesitated again and he was unable to meet my eyes as he scratched at the back of his neck.

"I know it's a lot to ask, but do you think we could go to my old pack? My parents are still there and I haven't talked to them since I left. They must be worried sick about me. Also, I don't know if there's anything left of my house, but if there is I wouldn't mind picking up some things."

"That's not a big favour at all Grant." I said, slightly astonished, "I'm so sorry that I didn't realise this before. Your poor parents. We can leave right after we get dressed and eat something."

"Thanks V." Grant babbled in relief.

I couldn't help myself I gave him a cheesy smile and softly repeated my nickname.

Grant appeared horrified for a moment, "Oh, I mean no disrespect, Vien- Alpha Vienna." He stuttered.

I giggled, "Grant, I'm not mad. I think it's quite cute and you never have to call me "alpha". You're my mate, we're equals."

Despite our intimacy last night Grant got changed in the bathroom and I changed in the bedroom. I ended up wearing a nice, dark pair of jeans and a simple blouse with cute underwear underneath just in case the opportunity arose. But when Grant came out of the bathroom I finally noticed that he was still wearing pieces of clothing that Greg had donated to him.

"Do you mind if we go to the mall before we go see your parents?" I asked, "I really think it's time to get you some of your own clothes."

Grant stiffened, "But I don't have any money."

I gave him a little smile, "You don't have to worry about that." I said, "I'll pay for it."

"I can't accept that, I don't even pull my own weight around here, you've already given me so much, you couldn't possibly give me more." He argued, shaking his head.

"Think of it as a thank you for last night." I whispered.

My statement effectively stopped his argument and made his face flame so I deemed that a victory.

I made a quick phone call to Greg, letting him know that Grant and I would be out for the day so he would have to keep everyone in line. Then I phoned the alpha of Grant's old pack so I wouldn't be caught trespassing again. Everything went smoothly and no one had an issue with our departure.

"Do you want to drive?" I asked, dangling my keys out for him to grab.

Grant looked at me, completely astonished but then he lowered his eyes to the cement flooring of my garage. "We didn't have a car in my old pack so I never learned how to drive." He confessed. His cheeks flamed bright red and he kept his head lowered until I slid my hand in his.

"No worries, I'll just have to teach you some time, it's easy once you get the hang of it."

The drive to the mall was quiet. I wanted to talk, but every time I tried Grant would become upset and tense, I think driving stressed him out. I wasn't the best driven, but I was, by no means, awful. I kept safe distances, braked when needed, and changed lanes smoothly. But now that I was armed with the knowledge that Grant had never driven or owned a car it was plain to see he had never been in a car.

"You could've told me you weren't comfortable with driving." I said softly once we were parked at the mall.

Grant just shrugged and I could tell he was embarrassed so I chose not to push the topic.

At first the mall wasn't that bad. We went in through a less popular entrance and since it was early in the morning there were relatively few shoppers around. I mean, Grant was still a man and I had to literally beg him to try on clothing, but he often gave in and within the first two hours we had a couple of pieces he could convert into decent outfits. I was almost content; I just wanted to get him a sweater, basketball shorts, and a couple pairs of shoes. Considering he hadn't been picky I figured it wouldn't take long.

But now it was almost lunch time and the mall had become significantly more packed with humans. I had no issue with this and attempted to prance through the herd with my usual arrogant demeanour. Then I felt Grant's hand tighten around mine as he stopped moving, successfully pulling me back into him.

"Come on!" I squealed excited, spinning around.

My giddiness died when I saw Grant's pale face and felt his hands begin trembling.

"Grant?"

He didn't reply, his eyes looking glazed over.

"Grant." I said more urgently, giving his hand a tug.

"Can we go?" He asked, his voice sounding choked.

"What's wrong?" I asked, stepping closer to him.

He stumbled away from me slightly; like he had lost his balance and his breathing became more rough and unpredictable.

I had never seen anyone have this kind of reaction to anything, but it didn't matter. My instincts kicked in. I grabbed both of his hands in a tight hold and pulled him towards the nearest exit. I watched the people in front of me, making sure I didn't run into anyone or cause a fuss, but I kept my ears tuned in to Grant's breathing and made sure he wasn't tumbling behind me.

Eventually I got him outside the mall and into the parking lot, near my car. Once I felt we were at a safe distance from the commotion and the prying eyes I let go of his sweaty hands, spun around, and scanned him over.

He was mumbling something to himself, like he was trying to talk himself out of the attack and now that I had released his hands they went straight to his hair, pulling on it quite hard.

If I had been human I would've stayed away in fear that I would make it worse, but I knew my wolf could calm his wolf down, at least a little bit. I took a nervous step forward and then slowly slithered my arms around his waist. I kept my hold loose to make sure he wouldn't feel trapped but gently leaned my head against his chest to listen to his heartbeat.

He kept mumbling and panting, even as his heart rate slowed and I became more bold as I felt him calming down. I started by running my fingers down his spine and then softly talking to him, saying nothing in particular just mumbling soothing words.

"Oh God Vienna." He gasped, burying his face in my hair.

"It's okay handsome, it's alright." I cooed, rubbing the small of his back.

"There were so many people in there, oh God."

"We're not in there anymore, it's okay."

"I never want to go back in there."

"Then we won't." I promised, pulling away so I could look up at him, "So it was the people who scared you?"

Grant swallowed hard and nodded.

"They're just humans Grant, they're harmless."

"But there were so many of them."

"Why didn't you tell me that you didn't want to go in there? I would've understood."

Grant rolled his eyes, suddenly frustrated with me. "It's hard to know that you would be scared of something you've never experienced." He snapped.

I furrowed my brow while I moved away from him, stunned and confused, "It's a mall, everyone goes to the mall." I argued, "You've probably gone at some point in your life."

That really set Grant off, his eyes narrowed down on me and he took a step closer as if he were trying to intimidate me, "Listen Alpha Vienna," he mocked, "not everyone is as privileged as you. Not all of us grow up as the offspring of alpha's. Some of us don't have everything handed to us. I, like every other omega, grew up on hand-me-downs and bread crumbs. I didn't just get to drive cars and run away to the mall to spend a couple grand."

"I don't want to fight with you." I said evenly, "We're finally at a good place in our relationship and I don't want to lose that. I understand that you're upset and I'm sorry that I accidentally put you in a position that made you uncomfortable. I didn't know that you had anxiety around people."

Grant shook his head, still seeming angry and ready to pounce. Then I remembered the way my father behaved in emotional situations. He would rather get angry and try to be tough instead of face them. And if what Karma said was true about Grant being intimidated by me then that would only heighten it.

Grant had shown me that he wanted to be powerful, even if it was only in bed and even if he was only willing to do it when I allowed him. If he was truly intimidated by me it would make sense that he would become furious and frightening to cover up anything he felt was weak. He wanted to power of an alpha and having anxiety attacks made him think he wasn't good enough or strong enough. The fact that I was there to witness it made it much worse.

"You're brave." I blurted. I was trying to damper the fury he had, but it was true.

"What?" Grant hissed, ready to take another shot at me.

"I think you're brave for getting into the car with me when you have never been in one before. I could've drove terribly and killed us both, but you came anyway. You're brave for going into a giant place you've never been that was filled with people. And you're brave for wanting to go back into that horrible pack that didn't awful things to you just so you could tell your parents you're okay."

Grant seemed taken aback as he simply gawked at me.

"You're a strong man, even if your pack didn't let you show it."

Grant looked away, no longer appearing to be mad, but ashamed. I swear I saw tears gleaming in those beautiful green eyes but when he looked back at me they were gone.

"I didn't mean to take it out on you, V." he whispered.

"I know, you were just upset. I get it." I murmured, "Just remember I'm on your side, okay? I want to help, even if I suck at it."

He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me against him, "Thank you, you don't know how much that means to me."

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Thoughts? Feelings? Concerns? Comment anything, let me know what goes through your head! I love reading them. Someone asked me for more information on Grant's history and it's finally coming! Let me know what you guys like and don't like! You people have been super supportive of me and I'm really excited to say that this story is taking off so thanks so much to those of you who vote and comment and get my writing out there! You're the best.