Zina enjoyed being cradled in Owen's arms.
His hot breath seeped into her hair to caress her scalp gently, and the feeling of their naked bodies pressing on each other was out of this world.
She started the morning by coming on his tongue, and then they made love twice and Zina realized why newly mated couples don't leave the bedroom for days, but their situation was not normal.
"We should go down for breakfast." Owen groaned in displeasure and tightened his hold on her. "Do we need to?" "Unfortunately, we do. We can't spend the day here." "Why not?" He whined. Zina loved how clingy and childish he was. Was this the fierce warrior from the Red Moon pack? "Don't you need to work?" She asked. "I will tell them I'm sick." Zina looked at him in disbelief. Unless it involves wolfsbane or silver, "We don't get sick" "I saw it in movies. A guy calls in sick to work and..." "That's for humans." Owen pouted. "How about you come up with something believable?" "You can always say that you are exhausted after a night of lovemaking."
Owen's face fell. One night of lovemaking is nothing for a werewolf in his prime. "I still have plenty of energy."
"You should use that energy for work" "You are my work now, angel. You are my everything." Zina smiled foolishly. "You are a sweet talker." Owen's eyes fell on his mark on Zina's neck. "Do you really want to leave this room and let your friend see that?" Zina puffed her cheeks. She wanted to go everywhere and proudly show Owen's mark, but she knew that was not wise. "I can cover it up with makeup, or with a scarf." "You thought of everything other than how to stay with me here." Staying with Zina, just the two of them, came with peace and excitement Owen never experienced before and he really didn't want to part with her.
Zina's heart cracked when Owen's emotions washed over her. The fear of abandonment was real. Zina loved that she meant so much to hint The mate bond was new for her also, but she had friends and family while Owen was an orphan who grew up in a dog-eat-dog environment.
"What you said is wrong," Zina said. "I am thinking of how we can stay together. What will happen if you avoid work? Someone will look for you and they will find you here, with me. How long can we stay in this room? I want to be with you, but the reality is that we don't have a plan and until we figure out things, we need to act like everything is normal."
"This IS normal," Owen protested. "You know what I mean." Owen pressed his lips into a line, but she could feel that he accepted her words. He was clingy and lusty, but he was not stupid. "Will you come here for lunch?" Zina asked. "Nothing will stop me from coming here." "Don't do anything reckless." "I will try."
Zina could feel his impatience mixing with anxiety and she felt the same. Was there an easy way out for them? What if they just go to the Dark Howlers pack? Would Owen be willing to go? He said that location was not important, but saying it and doing it were two different things. What if Alpha Edward uses that against Damon and the Dark Howlers pack?
Was there a point in worrying about it now after Owen marked her? Probably not.
She hugged him tightly, savoring their last moments before they needed to leave the peace that their bed provided.
Owen got out of the bathroom and Zina stared at his exposed torso.
He smirked. "If you like it this much, you could have joined me in the shower."
Zina forced her eyes to move up to meet his gaze. "If I did that, you wouldn't have this." She threw a t-shirt at him.
Zina tidied up at record speed and then she mind-linked Dawn to send a t-shirt. Dawn was not surprised that Owen spent the night in Zina's room, and Zina was happy that Dawn was not aware of Owen's mark on Zina's neck. Yet.
Owen put the t-shirt under his nose and frowned. "I will smell like George." The t-shirt was freshly washed, but Owen could pick up lingering scents.
"Either that or you walk topless, and I don't want females to ogle at my handsome mate." Owen loved how possessive she was. He stalked to her and pulled her into his embrace to give her a long sensual kiss that made her toes curl. Zina melted into him, hoping that this bliss will last forever. And longer.
Owen and Zina came to the dining room to find George and Dawn at the table. Estelle was also there, and they were discussing arrangements for the afternoon. With Nora coming, they needed a strategy.
Unfortunately (or not), Nora knew that George and Dawn were mates. George thought that they could use that to their advantage, but Nora didn't fear George how much she feared Talia and Damon, so they needed to talk to those two with the hope that Damon and Talia will force Nora to cooperate.
The whole situation was such a mess that Dawn was nearly bouncing from anxiety.
Owen and Zina sat at the table and Owen started piling food on Zina's plate. After a whole night and morning of lovemaking, they were famished.
Zina waited for Dawn to notice Owen's mark on her neck She thought of concealing it to avoid drama, but Zina needed Dawn to make it through the upcoming event, and secrets like being marked would introduce unnecessary complications. To ensure that Dawn will see it, Zina lifted her hair into a ponytail. It looked like a hickey, but Zina was confident that Dawn would know better.
Owen stared at Zina who happily chewed the food he gave her. She was beautiful. If she went out, people would take notice. What if some warriors end up hitting on her? Was she supposed to submit because Omegas don't retaliate? His blood boiled at that thought. Eventually, Estelle left, and Dawn turned to newcomers. Dawn's eyes flashed in surprise mixed with outrage. "You didn't!" Zina reached to the left side of her neck. "We did." "Zi!" Dawn exclaimed. "I told you to wait." "What's the big deal? If it's about tonight, I will cover it up with clothes or makeup."
Dawn exhaled in frustration. "This is more than just visual. With the mark being fresh, Owen will be overprotective and if any guy dares to look at you the wrong way, Owen will..."
"Snap his neck," Owen finished for Dawn. Dawn waved at Owen. "Exactly!" She turned to George. "Tonight will be a disaster." "Not necessarily," George said coolly. "You approve?" Dawn asked George.
George cut a piece of sausage and stuffed it in Dawn's mouth before responding with, "Owen and Zina are grownups, and they are mates. I would have issues if Owen was wishy-washy about claiming your best friend. Considering that he sneaked into her room and marked her, tells me that he is taking their bond seriously. Anything less would be unacceptable.."
