The Beta's Young Warrior (Book 2 of Young Mate Series)

Chapter 17- Axel's POV

I walked out of my bathroom after my shower and looked to see that my mate was fast asleep, clutching my pillow. A small smile appeared on my face while I walked over to her, my footsteps silent against the soft carpeted flooring.

My heart ached while I stared at her, feeling guilty for leaving her on such a short notice when I had promised her that I wouldn't, not until she was safe and ready for what was to come.

But she is, a random thought said. She's been training since she was younger and harder now that she is sixteen be-

I pressed my lips into a thin line and quickly stopped that thought, not knowing if it was true or not.

I couldn't think it; couldn't risk it because I knew that she would be in danger if I did, even though I knew that she would be able to handle herself.

Better than I could even protect her...

Liz groaned and buried her face into my pillow. "Stop overthinking and come here, Axel" she said and held out her hand toward me. Her eyes were still closed, but I could tell that she was still awake

I bit back a small smile and dipped my head while I walked over to her.

My mate opened her eyes and watched me sit down and pull the covers away so that I could lie down. She slowly blinked before she looked at me, sleepily and smiled.

I smiled back and laid down before I pulled the covers over me, and instantly, my mate moved to my side with my pillow still in her grasp.

"You aren't getting your pillow back," my mate said and closed her eyes again, and I bit back a chuckle while I pulled her into my arms. "Of course," I said and took her pillow.

"Axel," she groaned but didn't take her pillow away from me.

I bit back a small smirk and closed my eyes. "I love you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper while I placed a kiss on her forehead and rubbed her arm.

"I love you too," she mumbled before she cleared her throat and grew serious. She sighed before she opened her eyes while she looked at me, and I pressed my lips into a thin line while I looked at her.

"Can we talk?" she asked softly, and I nodded because I knew that we were going to have to talk.

"Do you want to keep laying down, or do you want to go ahead and sit up and talk?" I asked and rubbed her arm.

"Keep laying down," she replied before she closed her eyes, and I hummed before I nodded.

"Ok," I said before I cleared my throat and grew serious. I sighed before I moved a hand across my face. "I'm sorry," I said, my voice still barely above a whisper.

Liz shook her head and pursed her lips. "Don't," she said softly. "Don't apologize, Axel. It's not your fault." She sighed and cleared her throat while she shook her head again. "It's mine."

I opened my mouth but closed it when she moved her head and stared at me with deep brown eyes.

"It is," she insisted. "I just got so nervous and scared and, and..." she trailed off and grimaced while she shook her head and cleared her throat.

"And?" I inquired and raised an eyebrow while I looked at her.

"And I thought you were going to leave me because I am not good enough," she said honestly, "and because I am too young a-"

"Hush, Liz," I softly scolded, interrupting her. "You are more than enough, Liz. You are good enough for me and even surpass me on some levels."

She bit back a small scoff and rolled her eyes but she didn't say a word.

"I'm serious, Liz," I said while I dipped my head closer to my chest. "You are better than me in many ways. You are good enough, more than enough for this world and anyone in it. Whoever says otherwise is lying."

Liz scoffed and rolled her eyes and still didn't say a word. She turned away from me, and I sighed before I placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

"How can I change your mind?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper and rubbed her arm, and she grew tense before she relaxed against me.

My mate sighed and stayed silent. She pressed her lips into a thin line, and I could tell that her mind was going a mile a minute, but I respected her privacy and didn't try to peek into her mind and see what was going on.

"Will you come back?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, and I bit back a chuckle and nodded.

"Always," I promised before I kissed her cheek, and she smiled a little and closed her eyes. "There is no need to be afraid of me never coming back to you."

"Hmph," she said and leaned closer to me. "I don't know how you can change my mind," she admitted, finally, and I bit back a small sigh. "It's just something that I need to deal with on my own."

I slowly nodded and licked my lips. "I will be here if you ever need me," I promised, and she bit back a small smile.

"Thank you," she said before she yawned and stretched. "Now, can we go to sleep?" she asked, and I bit back a small chuckle. "I need to get some sleep before school. Unless..." She pouted and cocked her head, silently begging me not to let her go to school tomorrow.

I smiled sadly and shook my head. "You still have to go to school," I said.

"Butthead," she scoffed and rolled her eyes, and I grinned, amused. "Did you know that you are a butthead?"

"Yes," I said and nodded. "Now, sleep well. I'll see you in the morning."

She smiled softly before she nodded. "I love you," she said, "and I'm sorry."

"I love you too, Liz," I said and kissed her cheek, "and I forgive you."

And with that, we both fell asleep, grateful to be in each other's arms even if it was only for the time being...

Thank, Goddess. Thank the Goddess for giving me a mate like her.

I wasn't sure what I would do without her...