Page 35 of Two Years Gone

ZANE

I watched her with amusement as she gawked at her room. I had never noticed how nice the rooms were before. Having grown up here, I was used to them.

“Well, if you need anything, I’m right next door,” I offered as Ella turned to me, her face flushed with excitement.

“Thank you for your help.” She gave me a warm smile before throwing herself on the bed.

If I had stayed a minute longer, I would have lost control and kissed her hard, right then and there. I quickly excused myself and went to my room.

I lay in my bed and stared at the ceiling, attempting to calm my heart. I finally was able to do so when I heard her heartbeat from the next room, slowly calming down before resting at a steady rhythm.

“She’s asleep,” I mumbled as I began to drift off myself.

The next morning, my eyes snapped open as I heard an alarm clock go off. I groaned and rolled over, smacking my clock. But it wasn’t mine.

“What time is it?” I mumbled, rubbing the haze out of my eyes. 5:30 a.m. Who got up so early?

I lay there, trying to get back to sleep, but I needed to pee. I grunted as I got up out of bed and made my way to the bathroom.

Half asleep and irritated, I walked out of my room toward the kitchen for a drink of water.

I was surprised when I caught the smell of apple cider. My eyes immediately perked up to see Ella hunched over the counter, nursing a cup of coffee in her hand.

“What are you doing?” I asked as I walked past her to get a glass out of the cupboard.

Her head jolted up.

“Have to start on breakfast,” she said sleepily.

I took a sip of water before looking at her like she was crazy.

“You mean to tell me you get up this early every day to make us breakfast?”

“What, do you think breakfast magically appears in the morning?” she asked sarcastically, rolling her eyes at me.

“Technically I get up at five every day, but now that I’m at the pack house I can sleep in a bit longer since the kitchen is just downstairs.”

Ella cupped her coffee in her hands as if she was willing the warmth to give her the energy she needed. I watched her take a sip, wanting so badly to be that cup and feel her lips on mine.

I shook the thoughts out of my head. Before I could speak again, she hopped off the stool and walked toward the door.

“See you at breakfast.”

“See you,” I replied quietly.

I decided to go back to bed and get a few more hours of sleep. I woke at seven and decided to get up for the day.

I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that she worked so hard, all day, every day. She and Sophie never took a break.

“Good morning.” I smiled as I walked into the kitchen.

“Good morning, Alpha Zane,” Sophie greeted me. Ella gave me a small smile before handing me a plate. My hand brushed hers as I took it, and it sent shockwaves through me.

I had to remember to take a breath. She was starting to affect me more and more.

The moment was ruined when Mariah walked up to the counter.

“Omega, where is my breakfast?”