I walk over and sat on the blanket next to Thaddeus instead of across from him because I wanted to look at the lake. I was also hoping he wouldn't see my neck.

It doesn't hurt anymore or even feel like it's bruised. Maybe I got lucky and it's not noticeable anymore.

I glance around and my stomach does the little flutter thing again. I can't believe he did all this for me. No one's ever did anything nice for me before I thought to myself.

I look over at him and noticed he's looking at me.

"Y-you did all this for me?" I said in a quiet voice.

"Of course I did this for you. I know it's not much, I hope you like it." He said.

"I love it!" I said, glancing around.

I looked at my lap as I said quietly, "no one's ever did anything nice for me before. Especially something like this....Thank you!"

I felt his warm hand lift my chin and cup my right cheek.

"You deserve this and so more!" He said looking into my eyes. I smiled and leaned into his hand enjoying the warmth and tingles spreading across my cheek. I closed my eyes nuzzling his hand. I felt his lips press against my forehead and my heart felt like it was going to burst.

Suddenly there was a loud growl and my cheeks turned red with embarrassment. I wanted to hide my face in his hand. I actually tried turning my face into his hand.

He chuckled, "sounds like somebody's hungry. Let's get some food in you." He said chuckling again as he let go of my cheek. I suddenly felt the warmth of his touch leave and felt cold.

He opened the lid on the basket and I was surprised how much food was in there. My jaw hung open a little in surprise.

He started pulling everything out. There were six sandwiches in there, and these weren't little sandwiches either.

They were loaded with different meats, lettuce tomato and I couldn't tell what kind of dressing or sauces were on there yet. There was a casserole dish still warm with homemade macaroni and cheese, Some sort of sauteed veggies and potato salad. There is also some of that delicious Boston cream pie! My favorite I thought with a smile on my face.

How in the world are we going to eat all of this I thought.

He grabbed plates from the bottom of the basket and after loading up both plates he past one to me. I took it just staring at it. He seemed to sense my dilemma and chuckled lightly saying, "don't worry, you don't have to eat it all if you can't. Just eat what you can."

I unwrapped the sandwich and dug in. I came close but I couldn't quite eat everything on my plate plus I wanted to save some room for dessert.

Thaddeus on the other hand is an eating machine! I have no idea where he puts it all but he ate the other five sandwiches.

How in the world does he stay so fit eating all that I thought to myself.

As he was placing my slice of pie in front of me he said, "let's play a game."

I stiffened at that, it made me a little nervous, where he was going with this. "A-a game?" I questioned nervously.

"Yeah the 20 question game to get to know each other." He said.

I relaxed and let out of breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Sure." I said.

"I'll go first" he said, "what's your favorite color?"

"I'm not sure, blue I guess. What's yours" I asked?

"Hmmm it was black, but gray has become my new favorite color. Specifically the color of your eyes". He said. I blushed and smiled real big at him.

We kept asking each other questions back and forth. I learned his favorite food is steak, he loves the river, he has no siblings and his father is dead. His mother is alive but moved back to her original pack to be with her sister once he took over as Alpha. She was too sad staying here. There were too many memories of her mate.

We kept talking learning more about each other. The more we talk the more I loosened up and felt more comfortable around him. More comfortable to talk and look at him without being afraid. I was even laughing at some of his jokes.

He actually has very cheesy jokes. They remind me of dad jokes. I think Xander is rubbing off on him, I thought chuckling to myself.

I grabbed one of the pillows and laid down on my back letting out a breath as I relaxed. It was a nice warm day with a gentle warm breeze flowing over me. I was looking up at the sky, looking at the fluffy white clouds against the the beautiful blue sky.

It was good to see him finally loosening up and opening up to me. Listening to his beautiful laugh has now become my favorite sound. It makes me want to keep making him laugh more just so I can hear it.

This is the most I've ever heard him talk. He never talked about his old life though which I understand why. There were no happy memories there.

But apparently he really likes playing with the pups. Zendaya took him out in the backyard one day when all the little ones were running around playing. I guess they tackled him while playing and chanting Luna! They all piled up on him while he laughed.

That would have been a sight to see but I was working in the office at the time.

Zendaya's been spending time with him when I'm working and they've been getting really close. I guess it's the first friend he's had and I'm grateful to her for that.

But still, at the back of my head I can't help but wonder if he might be repulsed by my legs. I remember when he finally woke up from his coma and I climbed on the bed to comfort him. I remember the way he looked at my legs.

I needed to know so I took a deep breath while looking forward and spoke.

"I want to ask you something and I want you to be completely honest." He turned his head and looked at me.

"Do my legs repulse you? I mean... Does me being in a wheelchair bother you? I mean if it does I completely understand, my first mate was repulsed by the whole idea and I mean it's okay, I get it if you are."

He cut me off from my quick rambling.

"What do you mean your first mate?" He asked.

I then realized I had not told him about this particularly little detail.

I closed my eyes and exhaled....

"I had a mate before you But... He rejected me because I'm in a wheelchair and a male." I said with my head turned away and my eyes closed. I heard a growl come from Aiden. I looked back at him, his hands were fisted and he was trembling with anger. I've never seen him like this before. I was shocked seeing him like this.

"Aiden?" I said.

He unclenched his hands letting out a breath, he turned and looked at me.

"He was a fool!" Aiden spoke firmly.

"Your legs don't bother me, you being in a wheelchair doesn't matter. I don't even see that, I see you! I only see you and the amazing person you are." He spoke firmly looking me in the eyes.

I looked away, I didn't really know what to say. I was relieved and happy that it didn't bother him. The way he reacted and the sincerity in his voice and eyes told me he was speaking the truth. Told me somebody can look past this and want me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

I heard him let out of breath too.

We sat in silence finishing our dessert.

I turned to watched him as he laid down looking at the sky. I sat here admiring his beauty. He truly is beautiful.

The way the sunlight makes his eyes sparkle, and the cute little freckles on his cheeks. I wanted to touch those freckles, I wanted to touch him.

Normally when we find our mate they mate and mark each other quite fast. The longest I've heard of is a week.

Alpha's have a stronger desire to claim their mate. It's normal for alphas to mark and mate as soon as they find them.

But things with Aiden and I are a bit different and more complicated. The things he's been through. I knew he wasn't ready for something like that so I'm waiting until he is ready. I would never rush him and I don't want to push him into it. But it is starting to get a little more difficult the more persistent my wolf gets.

Wanting to touch him I gently reach over and brush my fingertips across his cheeks. He closes his eyes and turns his head in my direction slightly. I run my fingers over his freckles lightly then trace my finger along his jawline.

I gently cup his cheek and rub my thumb over his bottom lip. His eyes open and locked onto mine. I gently pull his lip down with my thumb making his breath hitch. I broke eye contact to look at his lip as I slowly pulled it down. Suddenly I needed to taste that lip.

I slowly leaned down sucking his bottom lip into my mouth which caused him to take a sharp breath in as his hand went the back of my head.

I gently slide my hand down to his neck, my fingers going behind his neck as my thumb stroked his jaw.