"Octavia, it is hard when two minds are working at the same time in one body but in the end you and your wolf are one. Look into your heart and mind—read the signs. Will it be really that bad if you mated with him?" Her mother asked on the other end.

"No." She answered immediately.

"Do you think he will ever hurt you?" Her mother asked.

She pondered the situation. "No."

"Then what are you waiting for?" Her mother asked.

Octavia repeated her mother's questions over in her mind over and over. She knew her mother was right. There shouldn't be anything holding them back. Now that she came to think of it, she was being stupid for waiting. Maksim has been sweet and patient. Most male wolves wouldn't have had that much control especially when it came to them being in heat. She thanked goddess above that Maksim was strong enough to give her this much time.

There was a knock on the door and she got up from where she was sitting at the table to go answer. She thought it was Maksim coming back as it was a little late but it was actually his sister who stood in the doorway. Octavia opened the door wider for her to come in.

"I hope I am not intruding but I wanted to speak with you before Maksim came back." Natalya said.

"No, you are fine. Come on in." Octavia closed the door behind Natalya as soon as she entered her home.

Natalya turned around to look at Octavia and Octavia took this time to really look at Maksim's sister. She was very pretty, a small dainty face but underneath that Octavia could see a very hard set interior. She was a lot stronger than her tiny little frame was indicating. She held her shoulder strong and her back with poise.

"I wanted to speak with you regarding my brother." She said.

"What about him?" Octavia asked.

"He is my brother and although he might not say anything I can see it in his eyes. He cares for you." She responded and Octavia noticed how Natalya was becoming a little defensive.

"He is my brother. I want him to be happy. He clearly cares for you and have gone this far to earn your respect. It is more than any other man will do. I haven't seen a single man who has what he has besides my father. You are lucky to have him as a mate. I urge you to open your eyes and really see what Moon Goddess has given you. I know I should intrude on you and his private life." She continued but her eyes became hard. "I love my brother and I will cut any person who hurts him."

It was clear. Natalya just threatened her. Octavia wasn't offended at all; instead, she was happy that Natalya came here to talk to her. It clearly showed how much she cared for Maksim and how much of a good person Maksim was. If anything, it only enforced her decision already.

Octavia turned away and looked out the window just to make sure that they were still alone. There was barely any light outside now. She knew that they only had a few minutes left. Sighing slowly she turned back to Natalya.

"I care for him too." She admitted and softly laughed as her mind was running a million thoughts in under a minute.

"Then why are you fighting this? I will kill to be in your spot at the moment. I always wondered what it would be like to have my mate next to me." Natalya replied.

"I wanted time to get to know him but I didn't realize just how fast I was falling for him." She told the truth to Maksim's sister. Natalya's eyes softened tremendously.

"You love him." She confirmed and Octavia felt heat crawled on her face again. Her heart raced just at the thought of Maksim.

"I do and it isn't just because of the bond. I see what you see in him and I can't help what I feel." Octavia said with a shrug. Natalya squealed and gone was the protective sister. She jumped and wrapped her arms around Octavia's body.

"I am so happy to hear this!" Natalya squealed again and Octavia laughed at her reaction. Natalya squeezed her tighter. "You won't regret this."

"I have to ask you to not tell him." Octavia said.

"Of course, I just needed to make sure you weren't going to hurt him." Natalya said immediately.

The door opened and Maksim entered. His eyes finding his mate wrapped tightly in his sister's arms. Natalya untangled her arms around Octavia and smiled widely at Maksim who was looking at her suspiciously.

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

"I was just visiting my brother's mate." She shrugged with her arms behind her back and a sneaky smile on her face. Maksim looked back at Octavia who continued to look at him blankly.

"Well, uh, I got to go." Natalya skipped out of the cottage before Maksim could question her further. He looked at her for a moment before looking back at Octavia.

"What was that?" He asked.

"Nothing." Octavia replied and walked over to him. She missed him terribly and seeing him had her feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. He wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head.

"I could get use to this." He murmured.

"To what?" She asked.

"Coming home and seeing you waiting."

She laughed and pulled back a little to look up at him. He looked a little tired and like he had a long day. Amazingly, they went throughout today without a heat wave. It was strange.

Maksim needed a shower and brought some clothes to change into. She told him she had already made some dinner and will heat it up while he showered. She watched him walk into her bedroom and a few minutes the shower running.

They ate together comfortably. After polishing off their plates and with their hunger for food completely gone, Maksim and Octavia cleaned up in the kitchen before crawling into bed where they cuddled each other so easily.

It was amazing how comfortable Octavia has become around Maksim. It felt like she had known him for forever and this was like an everyday routine. She remembered what he said earlier.

She could also get use to this. She could imagine a life with him. Her finger unconsciously traced his biceps as she thought silently to her. Maksim was her mate. She waited for him and yes he came at the wrong time but it didn't mean she regret finding him.

Then her thoughts flickered to Alpha Hansen, if anything ever happened to Maksim—goddess just thought had her filled with fear. She stopped tracing his arm and looked up at him. He felt her shift and looked down at her thoughtfully.

"Promise me you will be with me forever." She said.

His eyebrows crinkled in confusion at her sudden change in behavior. She pushed off him a little to look at him clearly. He kept his arms firmly wrapped around her and so she could only push away from him a little.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"I need you to always come back to me, Maksim. Promise me that no matter what, no matter where you are or what you are doing--you will always come back to me." She demanded.

He nodded seeming to see where this was going. "I will always come back to you."

She nodded feeling satisfied with his answer and wrapped her arms back around him. They snuggled back closer to each other and Maksim soothed her fear by rubbing her back. It also lulled her to sleep. He listened to her even breathing.

His mate was afraid for him. He could see it in her eyes. The fear that reflected in those dark chocolate eyes tore at his heart and he couldn't find it himself to tell her that there might be a chance he might not come back.

And so he promised.

He promised that he will come back and it was a promise he will do everything he can to keep. He wasn't going to give up. He knew that it couldn't be avoided. His feelings for his mate—he cared for her more than anything. He will give up his life to save hers. He will walk through fire to protect her.

He glanced down at her and felt his heart swell with an emotion that he knew all too well. He was in love with his mate. Completely and madly in love with her. She was beautiful and stunning. Her heart was soft. Her mind and soul was strong. She was a very complex woman but it only made him admire her even more. Why wouldn't it? He enjoyed every bit she gives him and enjoys seeing everything about her. Goddess, he was a love struck man. She had him completely wrapped around his finger and only she can do that. No other woman has ever caught his interest like hers.

He chuckled a little. His mother was right. She was every bit worth the wait even if it killed him, he wanted their time to be special.

It was late into the night when they were both asleep when the next heat wave hit them. This time it came at full force and no amount of will or control can stop what was about to happen next.

Author's Note:

Next chapter will be in the Private Chapters book. Once it is published, you can head on over there and check it out

I will be updating katana hopefully finishing it this week

By the way, I didn't have a chance to thank all of you for all the book recommendations. I am carefully going through all of them.  

Leila Vy