‹ K O L B E

Beau drove us to the mall, during the ride there, my mind couldn't stop replaying the events of the morning. Despite my one track thoughts, I was excited to see Rowan again. I found her funny and it was fun being around her. Maria was more subdued in nature but I liked her company as well. Where she was sweet and a little soft-spoken, Rowan was confident and outgoing. I liked them both a lot.

Beau finally parked after circling around a lot of cars a few times once he had found a spot close to the entrance. I couldn't hide my curiosity. My eyes danced from vehicle to vehicle in wonder at the different variety of sizes and color. They were all so cool and shiny. Beau smiled indulgently at my antics as he took my small hand in his larger one. I was a little overwhelmed by the number of people in the mall, there were so many faces and even more scents. I clung to Beau's arm a little unsurely. My mate said nothing, he simply wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me close into his side causing my unease to dissipate considerably.

"Kolbe!" was all I heard before I was pulled out of Beau's embrace and into the arms of Rowan. I hugged her back timidly, unable to see anything because my face was swallowed by her bosom. 

"You're suffocating him!" Beau huffed, snatching me away. My back hit his chest and I tilted my head to see the annoyed expression he was giving his sister. 

"No I wasn't," Rowan whined frowning at her brother with the same level of annoyance. "Give him back!" She held out her arms making grabby hands. Maria stood behind her girlfriend looking amused.

"No," Beau growled, pulling me into his side and twisting his body so that I was further away from Rowan. I noticed some people glancing towards us and I couldn't help but hide my red face in Beau's shirt. "He's mi-"

"He's not a toy, guys," Maria giggled. Rowan turned from glaring at her older brother before walking over to Maria. 

"I know, I just like messing with Beau. Did you see his face?" Rowan snickered, kissing Maria on the cheek. Maria blushed, shaking her head at Rowan's antics.

It was hard not to get distracted by all the cool things in the mall. It took everything in me not to press my face against the glass of every store. And there were so many stores! Although I was curious and wanted to explore a little, I refrained from straying out of arms reach of Beau. As exciting as everything was, it was also a lot to take in at once. I was glad that Beau didn't mind me holding his hand or sometimes hugging myself to his side. 

"Is there any store you want to go in, Kolbe?" Maria asked with a gentle smile. Rowan glanced at me curiously, to see what my answer would be. I blushed. I didn't know the name of any store in this place. I shook my head shyly.

"I know the perfect place," Rowan spoke up with a Cheshire grin. Beau groaned lowly as if he was dreading following his sister into whatever store she had in mind. We walked for a few more minutes before stopping in front of a shop named Spencer's.

"Really, Rowan?" Beau growled.

"Yes! He'll love it!" The bubbly woman smiled, or should I say smirking. "I'm sure he'll find something that you'll both like." Rowan wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"No, " Beau said flatly before placing his large hands on my shoulders and leading me away from Rowan and her antics.

"Prude!" She called after us.

"Ignore her, she's crazy, " Beau said, pulling me against his side.

"I like her crazy." I smiled, looking up at his face.

"I bet you do, " he muttered, not looking at me. A while later we entered another store. There were clothes everywhere. "Pick whatever you like," Beau instructed encouragingly. I nibbled my lip as I began looking around. My fingers trailed over all the different fabrics as I examined them thoughtfully. I wasn't quite sure what to look for. It's been years since I had worn any clothes.

I took my time looking through them and Beau was never far from calling distance. When I found something I liked he walked over and would grab a different size of the same thing and put it with the rapidly growing pile in his arms. I looked around for a bit longer but couldn't find anything that really caught my interest. 

"I think I'm done," I said as I turned to face my mate. Beau nodded and we made our way to the cash register. There was a short line we had to wait in but Beau didn't seem to mind and neither did I. 

"I can hold them, you don't have to." I murmured a little awkwardly once I realized I was kind of treating him like a pack mule. My mate just smiled down at me softly, causing my insides to flutter. 

"It's alright, I don't mind," Beau assured me, before moving up as the line shifted. I nibbled on my lip again to keep myself from pressing the issue. It wasn't a big deal, I just didn't like the feeling of making him do all the work. "Stop biting your lip, it's driving me crazy. " Beau groaned, his voice audibly deeper. His dark orbs were locked on to the abused pink flesh, I could see an internal struggle raging within him. It the same look he had when I sat on him this morning. It was a look I didn't quite understand but was beginning to figure out the meaning of.

For some reason, the intensity in his eyes and the deep timbre of his voice caused my face to flush. I released my lip and my mate exhaled in relief. I opened my mouth to say something, but without my noticing, we were at the register and Beau was conversing with the lady behind the counter.

"Find everything okay, sir?" she asked politely as she began scanning the items and placing them in a large bag. She sounded a little robotic as if she'd uttered the words a thousand times already.

"Yes, thank you," Beau replied with a polite smile. Once everything was bagged up and paid for, Beau grabbed my hand and led me out of the store. "There is one more place we gotta go and then we're going to meet up with Rowan and Maria in the food court,"

"Where are we going?" I asked curiously. After all the things we just got I was under the impression, we had gotten everything.

"To get you some shoes." I wiggled my toes that were currently encased in a pair of plain sneakers that I was borrowing from Rowan. Our feet were roughly the same size as her's being a tad bit smaller but it was either these or Beau's and there was no way I'd be able to walk in those sasquatch shoes. 

"Okay," I agreed.

The shoe shopping part of our trip took even less time than the clothing had, for which I was grateful. I was beginning to feel hunger pangs coming on. All this walking had me starving. When we entered what Beau had referred to like the food court, my nose was assaulted with all different types of mouth-watering smells. There were seven different places to choose from and I was a bit in awe. The mall had to be the coolest place I had ever been There were so many neat things here and they had food! I love food.

Maria and Rowan weren't hard to find, once we spotted the table they were sitting at we quickly made our way over. Ellery was suckling a bottle in Maria's lap while her mom ate her own food. Rowan looked at all the bags we were carrying and raised an eyebrow at Beau who simply shrugged in response.

I sat down and Beau placed the bags down next to me, causing me to look up at him curiously.

"I'm going to order some food, is there anything in particular that you want?" I nibbled my lip as I looked around. All the places looked good but I couldn't decide and at this point, I don't think my stomach cared what I ate as long as I fed it. I shrugged.

"I'll eat whatever you eat," I responded.

"Okay, I'll be back in a second," he said leaning down and placing a kiss on my forehead before walking away. I couldn't help the blush that filled my cheeks as I watched his retreating form. I felt Rowan's eyes boring holes into my face so I turned and looked at her. Her Cheshire grin was back and bigger than ever. I was beginning to think that it meant she was up to no good.

"Great, now that he's gone..." She reached under her chair. "This is for you." She handed me the bag and I took it smiling gratefully. It was very kind of her to get me something, I just wished I had the ability to get her something as well. 

"Thank you, Rowan." I beamed at her. Her eyes sparkled at my enthusiasm.

"Your welcome, cinnamon roll, but you got to promise me you won't look in it while knucklehead is around, okay?" She whispered while leaning forward. Maria rolled her eyes at her girlfriend's antics. My brows furrowed.

"Why?" I asked in confusion.

"It's a surprise that he's gonna love to see you in." Rowan winked. A smile pulled at my lips as my doubt slipped away. I was excited about surprising Beau with something he'd love, even though I didn't quite understand why it was something I had to wear. As long as it would make him happy I was willing to overlook it.

"Can I look now?" I asked excitedly. Rowan shook her head, her brown eyes practically glowing with mischief.

"Nope, it's a surprise for the both of you." She smiled. 

"Here, you meddler, burp her for me please," Maria laughed before handing Ellery over to Rowan who took her with a wide grin.

"Hey pretty girl, come to Moma." she cooed, making faces as the giggling baby. 

I looked at Maria as Rowan placed Ellery on her chest on of a blanket she placed over her shirt and began to pat her back gently.

"Can you tell me what's in the bag?" I asked. I was terrible with surprises. Maria blushed as she looked away, not meeting my eyes. 

"Ummm..." she cleared her throat. "I c-can't, sorry Kolbe." Maria's whole face had gone red and I narrowed my eyes at her. I wonder what she was blushing for. Whatever was in this bag must be amazing! Rowan smirked, as she wiggled her eyebrows at the blushing woman.

"I can't wait to see you in yours when we get back to the hotel." Rowan licked her lips, with a look in her eye similar to the one Beau had given me this morning. I gasped internally. I think Rowan is going to eat her! 

"R-Rowan!" Maria huffed as even her ears turned pink. Rowan just laughed, although the intensity of her eyes did not dim.

Beau returned a moment later with our food. He was gone maybe ten minutes but it felt like an hour. When he sat down next to me it was like my whole being came back to life. I beamed at him and his lips curved into that irresistible smile of his and I practically turned to mush.

"Here you go," He said handing me a burger and some fries with a drink. "You can never go wrong with a burger." he intoned before biting into his. I turned to mine and took a much smaller bite out of it than he had. My eyes fluttered as I moaned softly. It was so good. I bit into it again, trying to fit as much of it into my mouth as I could. Beau chuckled causing me to look at him. "Do you like it?" I nodded my head vigorously, before swallowing.

"Yes, it's very good, thank you." I licked my lips, drawing his attention to my mouth. He leaned down and used his tongue to remove the remaining food on the side of my mouth. Pecking my lips he straightened himself, a small smirk on his face as he took in my slightly dazed expression.

"You missed a spot," he murmured. I swallowed thickly as my brain took it's time rebooting.

"Really? Right in front of my salad?" Rowan asked dramatically, causing Maria to chuckle. Beau just rolled his eyes and went back to eating his food. I didn't quite understand, she wasn't even eating a salad. "We can be cute too," she huffed before readjusting her hands on Ellery so she stayed pressed against her bosom as she leaned forward with her lips puckered. Maria laughed, meeting her halfway and laughed harder when Rowan released a dramatic 'mwah' as they parted.

I couldn't help but laugh along as Beau snorted lightly in amusement. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was where I belonged. Coming from someone who had given up hope of ever finding a home, that meant a lot. 

I wasn't lost anymore. 

Beau smiled down at me as he took in my laughing face, a tenderness I had never seen before in his gaze. Our eyes locked.

This was home.

‹ AUTHOR'S NOTE

I don't know why I'm up at 3 am writing, but you guys can thank my insomnia. 😧

Anyway, hoped you liked the chapter, next one should be up soon- don't know how soon, but soon.

As always, please leave your thoughts on the chapter in the comments. I love reading them. 😍

Love,
-J.T.