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

Chapter 2- Lizzie's POV

I leaned against the doorframe and watched Axel walk around with Paige in his arms, humming a song with no words. My heart grew warm while I watched Paige's eyelids grow droopier and droopier with each passing second as Axel rocked her back and forth.

He turned to look at me and smiled, his brown eyes filled with contentment. My mate held his hand out for me, and I instinctively walked over to him, the pull of our mate bond growing stronger and stronger with each passing second.

My wolf purred in happiness while his scent filled my nose, and I could tell that she was at peace and happy, especially when Paige reached out and touched the top of my head before she grabbed some of my hair.

Axel pulled me closer to him, and I rested my head against his chest, being careful of the child he was holding. His whole chest vibrated while he hummed the song, and I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his waist, wanting to be closer to this male.

Finally, he finished humming the song and pulled away from me. He glanced at me when I opened my eyes and whined before he smirked and turned away to put Paige back into her bed.

'Meanie,' I said through the link, earning a chuckle from him. I huffed and folded my arms around my chest and watched while he gently set Paige down in her crib before he leaned over and kissed her forehead.

He whispered something in her ear, so low that I couldn't hear, before he pulled away, stood, and looked at me with a smile on his face.

I held my arms toward him and pouted. "Carry me," I whispered, and the smile grew brighter on his face, which led my heart to jump into my throat and make it so that I couldn't breathe.

Slowly, he nodded his head and walked to me. He picked me up, and I instantly wrapped my arms and legs around him before I buried my face into his neck. My mate started to walk back to the room that we shared, closing the door behind him.

I closed my eyes and sighed happily, letting my whole body melt against his while a wave of exhaustion washed over me. I let out another soft sigh, and my mate's body shook when he chuckled at my misfortune.

"I told you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper while he opened the door to his bedroom. "You should've slept while I took care of Paige."

"But I can't sleep without you," I whined. The sound of the door closing filled my ears before my mate walked over to the bed and set me down gently. "And I didn't want to be alone."

He chuckled and pushed me to the side so that he could get into bed beside me before he pulled me closer to him. "You can sleep without me," he replied. "I know that you can because I go and check on you sometimes."

I looked at him to see if he was joking or not and saw that he was sincere. A small blush appeared on my face, and I looked away from his soft brown eyes, not knowing how to react. I had no idea that he kept an eye on me before I moved into his room after training and felt kind of relieved as if he answered a silent question that I had. "Why?" I couldn't help but ask, not meeting his gaze. "Why do you come and check on me?"

Axel gave me a pointed look, even though I couldn't see it. He sighed and rubbed my arm, leaving a trail of sparks after each stroke. "Because you are my mate, and I want to make sure that you are safe while you are not in my care," he replied. "I also check on the kids while I check in on you since you go to bed at the same time as them."

"It's not my fault that you sleep later than us," I said with a slight scoff and eye roll. I smiled when he chuckled and closed my eyes. "Why do you go to bed later than us, though?" I asked, wondering if he would answer the question.

"To get some extra work done," he replied, "so that I can have some weekends off to hang out with my small family and my mate." He closed his eyes and yawned. "And because I wake up early too."

"But you get naps," I said. "Don't lie because I know that you nap during the day." I opened one eye to look at him and saw that he had a small smile on his face. "I see the pictures that your mom puts up."

Axel chuckled and nodded his head. "Yes," he said finally. "But they are quick naps because Paige won't nap until she has been in my arms for a while. Then I go back to work helping Parker with what he needs me to do before my kids and mate pull me away."

"Do we tire you out, Old Man?" I teased, earning a scowl from the male. "Do you need more sleep now that you are older?"

Axel scowled playfully and poked my side, earning a squeak and a jab in the ribs from my elbow. "Hey, now," he teased, pushing my arm away from his ribs. "Don't do that. I have a very sensitive side; thank you very much."

I snorted and rolled my eyes. "Ya, right," I said. I cocked my head and studied my mate. "You didn't answer my question," I pointed out.

Axel yawned and shifted until he was comfortable before he pulled me closer to him. "Yes, you all tire me out," he replied. "Especially you." He gave me a pointed look, and I smiled innocently.

"Oh?" I asked and raised an eyebrow, amused. "How do I tire you out?"

"With conversations like these," he replied. He kissed my lips, and I laughed and kissed him back. "I should be asleep, and so should you," he mumbled against them.

I huffed and rolled my eyes before I pulled all the way away from him and turned around so that my back was against his chest. I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep, even though I knew he could, that I was still awake.

My mate chuckled and placed a kiss on the back of my neck, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood at attention when he breathed on it. "Good night, my love," he whispered, intertwining our legs with each other before he wrapped his arm around my waist. "Sleep well."

I smiled and buried myself further under the covers and closer to him. I didn't reply and grabbed his hand in mine while I slowly drifted off to sleep.