Jason's POV
She turned down my offer but requested permission to check into bed since she was worn out. I nodded in haste, not wanting her to remain up late when she was exhausted. I brought her to the room that would soon be ours—my room.
(Jason's bedroom)
I was quite disappointed when she turned down my offer of meals (but with this bed instead). I am the one who supplies food and other essentials for my pack since I am the Alpha. They accept it by eating it as a token of gratitude or appreciation for my providing for them, and in turn, I get the same in return. They may choose to work as laborers to construct the pack's dwellings, as warriors to defend the pack, as medics to care for the pack, and so on. It's their way of letting me know that they appreciate my leadership and want me to keep up the good work.
She has never been spotted consuming any of the food that was given to the pack. I wouldn't say it was rude, but it was a little distressing and painful. It was a subtle way of telling me that she didn't want me to be her Alpha and mate or to take care of her. An Alpha, like most men, likes to take care of his partner.
Although I don't think she was being rude, I found it disturbing that she wasn't consuming the food that had been supplied for the pack. It was almost as though by rejecting what I had to give, she was implying that she did not accept me as her mate or Alpha.
I decided to be productive and finish all the paperwork that was piling up on my office desk because it was still early in the evening, about nine. Attacks were being launched from a nearby pack. I had a great buddy and ally in the nearby Alpha. With the facts he provided, I tried to identify a reason and formulate a strategy for the circumstance, but I found it difficult to concentrate. The thought of my partner kept coming to mind, particularly because I could smell her enticing aroma just down the hall. She would not leave my mind. How tender her touch was, how the embers lit up my arm and warmed my whole body. I was too preoccupied to do any job. After sighing and placing everything in a manilla folder, I left.
Her aroma became more intense as I moved closer to my room. As soon as I got outside the door, I breathed deeply. My wolf growled in delight as my smell mingled with hers. I walked into the guest bedroom down the hall since I knew she wouldn't be comfortable with me sleeping in the same space as her. I got up onto the bed after taking off my shirt and slacks. I slept off while inhaling the hazy aroma of my roommate, who was just next door.
Megan's POV
I didn't sleep, and I hadn't intended to either. I was facing the bedroom door while leaning up against a wall. The fragrance in this room let me know it was his, yet I heard him enter the room across from me. I then waited. Despite having a hurting back and a numb butt, I remained still. I awaited his admission that he made a mistake. I anticipated him storming in, grabbing me by the neck, and tossing me to the ground like a rag doll. I anticipated him coming to discipline me for being in his room. to come paint his walls and floor with my blood, crush my ribs, break my bones, and then force me to clean it up.
I wouldn't be taken by surprise this time. I decided that I would wait this time, and I did. I spent the whole night gazing at the golden doorknob.
Jason's POV
I extended my arm to draw my partner closer, but all that touched me were chilly, empty sheets. The moment I opened my eyes, the sun blazed in my face. I sighed, sat up, and rubbed my eyes. I got out of bed, made the bed, and gathered the soiled clothing I had left there the previous evening. All of my clothing, which I required clean garments for, were in my room. I made my way down the hall and knocked on the door (obviously). I didn't want to interrupt her and be impolite. She wasn't responding, so I assumed she was either asleep or perhaps taking a shower.
I opened the door hoping to find my partner asleep or maybe in the bathroom, but instead, I saw a made bed, a space, and a musty smell. I put on a pair of unplanned sports shorts and went downstairs.
She could be in this area.
Until I reached the bottom, I followed her stale aroma. "Megan?" I yelled as I got to the ground level. I went into the kitchen after her. Except for a platter of French toast, bacon, sausage, and scrambled eggs, it was empty.
Megan's POV
When I served him breakfast, I made sure he was still dozing off. I made certain to wash and return to their original locations all the utensils and dishes I used to prepare him. He would be upset if he woke up to an unclean kitchen or no breakfast. Madness entails punishment, which includes a beating, and a beating entails pain. I finished cleaning and then snuck out of the home and into the woods.
Now it was nearly afternoon. I attempted to sleep, but I only managed a brief, erratic snooze before awakening. I was pursuing a rabbit that took a while to return to its nest. I was too worn out to carry anything heavier down. I was pure white like the rabbit, and I blended perfectly with the wintry surroundings. Like me, they were hiding in the forest's new snow, not wanting to be seen or observed by anybody.
I was moving slowly and trying not to make any noise with my paw pads. I dropped myself to the ground as I approached my target, my soft underside scaling up against the chilly, uneven woodland floor. I crept up behind a bush and was ready to spring.
A loud commotion surprised both my victim and myself just as I was about to leap out from behind my cover. The rabbit fled farther into the trees, and my head jerked up. I quickly raised my head in time to see the disappearance of his fluffy cotton tail.
I turned to yell at whatever disrupted my hunt, but as I was faced with a set of emerald eyes, my mouth locked shut.