Big Bad Alphas

I lay in bed and stare up at the ceiling, still feeling the trace of his kiss on my skin. After our short moment in the kitchen we headed upstairs and I convinced him to let me sleep in one of the guest rooms, knowing that if I was in a bed smothered in his scent I would not be able to sleep. Though I am cozy under the covers my eyes will not shut. It is simple; I cannot fall asleep. Over the hours I have sifted through different causes: I'm still hungry, I don't feel good, I miss Kendra, I'm worried about my pack, I'm nervous about meeting Eric's Dad, and even that Olivia's acts have me worried.

I have tried it all: pacing my breaths, counting sheep, taking deep breaths, progressive muscle relaxation, visualizing a peaceful place, yet no matter what I do one factor stays glued in my mind; the fact that my mate is sleeping in the bedroom beside me and I cannot get to him. Obviously, I can physically walk over to him, but that is not the issue. I cannot simply barge in while he's sleeping and expect him to solve my problem. There's always the solution of sleeping in the same bed, together, but there is no way that is happening. Sure he has kissed my face, but sleeping in the same bed is on an entirely different level.

Rolling over, I groan for the thousandth time. All I can picture is his big arms holding me close, protecting me. Imagining the warm, intimate sensation of his breaths fanning the back of my neck make we want to scream. I want his touch and I want it now. Groaning again I shove my pillow in my face, hiding my intense blush from the world.

I didn't think about these things before— before him.

A part of me hopes he is struggling too, even though that is terribly selfish and egotistical of me. Yet, this part of me wants his thoughts to only be about me during times like these.

Kicking the covers off my hot body, I become frustrated. I just want to sleep.

Without him, sleep is becoming a chore.

Getting up, I roll out of bed and wonder over to the closest window. The moon still shines bright, yet every time I check it sinks lower and lower in the sky.

"Isabella."

jumps and I shoot around to see Eric standing in the doorway.

on you," he says and I glance at the clock resting

through the window and drips down his face, making him look like

crosses his arms. "You're still

"I can't sleep."

and my face heats up. "Nothing has to happen, but you can

I protest, "I can't, it's too... It's too early to be doing stuff like that.

have to

short wall of pillows in between us. He watches with his arms crossed until I finish.

covers and slither inside. The bed moves as he gets in and my heart will not settle down. I try and quiet my breaths but it only feels like I am suffocating myself, and soon my lungs burn. Knowing he is just on

the wall falls and I swiftly place the pillow back.

ceiling— just like I was in the guest room— only this time I have to distract my mind from my mate even more. Suddenly he moves and I notice him getting up. I close my eyes and pretend to be asleep while peeking through the

walks to the door. The hallway light illuminates his body as he leaves the room, and once the

side of the bed. Quickly I snatch it and breathe in his scent. "Oh my god," I mumble and hold the fabric to my

brush of his lips, burning as they make contact with my skin. His hand would slide around my waist and pull me against his hard body while his kisses fall down my neck to my