Beauty and The Beta (Bailey)

Chapter 0176

I was knackered. Ever since that sleep in Bailey's bed, with her in my arms, I had struggled to sleep. Yes, my night time visions now were few and far between, which was a blessing. I would always miss my Isla, and she would always cherish everything we had had together, but I had found this a way to help put her to rest. To let my angel finally rest in peace. She deserved it. I hadn't had the chance to prove myself as a mate to her when we were together, not really, but I hope in the dedication and commitment I had shown in the years that followed her death, I proved myself as a loyal and good mate in respecting her memory. Cherishing her memories and being so reluctant to let her go.

But now, now, I desperately craved the warmth of Bailey when I awoke in the middle of the night. Zion craved her too. The contentment she gave us and the calmness she brought was like nothing else. She may not be our fated, but she held something, maybe a piece of our heart, but whatever it was, it gave her a gift that enabled her to settle us. And I was missing her. So many times when we have said goodnight at the door of our rooms, I was so tempted to ask her to join me for the night, but I was terrified it would sound too much. Or she would assume I meant for the obvious... Hmmm. The obvious... we seemed to be skirting around that subject right now... maybe both afraid of offending the other... or fearing we were rushing one another... Our situations were complicated, to say the least... Yes... don't get me wrong, the thought of it drove me crazy... filled me with lust for that girl... mmm, all of that would be fun too... but hell, I was a simple guy, even a cuddle would be nice. It has been a while... jeez, I sound pathetic. 'Too right you do!' Zion helpfully agreed, evidently listening to my thoughts as he so often did, making me chuckle. I had found myself feeling so much more lighthearted and cheerful of late too. Getting back to my older self. Maybe the clinging to the memories of Isla was weighing me down more than I had realized...

'I don't think you are much better jackass.' I pointed out, knowing he was equally as hooked on Akira, and suddenly my wolf was quiet. Ha, I seemed to have got him there...

"Fuck it, I am going to see if she wants a cuddle." I sighed, getting up, it was only early. My later nights of working had almost halted completely now. All because of Bailey. We would have our nights on the sofa watching films and relaxing together. If I did have work to do, she generally would do school things in the library, but we always found time to relax together in some way. It had become part of my nightly routine, and I have to say, I enjoyed it. And then we would head up to our rooms together.

I never saw the point of returning back downstairs to the office after that. I did, however, sneak out of my room each and every night to place a chocolate bar outside of Bailey's room for her to find each morning, which after seeing her face light up like a summer's day the first morning I did it, I knew it had to be something I continued to do.

'I'm down for that.' Zion agreed with my plan, as I snuck out of my Beta suite, dressed in nothing but the shorts I had on. I knocked on her door, hoping she wasn't already asleep. I desperately wanted to see her.

I heard footsteps thudding across the floor sleepily, so I wondered if I had woken her, and suddenly the door opened. Bailey was standing there, a true vision in a small tank top and a pair of shorts. Her face held a sleepy expression, making me smile... and her hair in the mad mane of curls it turned into when she left it to dry naturally. The way she looked most beautiful in my opinion. "Is everything okay?" she mumbled sleepily. Shit, okay, I had woken her... "Is there a fire?"

I chuckled, an odd conclusion to

ise

come to, I had to say... I suddenly felt nervous. This seemed a little presumptuous now. "Ash, what is wrong?" she asked, taking me by surprise, as I think that was the first time she had used the shortened name my family and many of my friends used.

"Erm, I can't sleep, and I wondered if I... erm..." I faltered a little, realizing how pathetic I was.

She giggled. "You have woken me up to come and see if you can climb into bed with me?" she raised her brows in question, a little suggestively if I am not mistaken.

"Not in a dodgy way Bailey, I slept so well the other night, and I..." she grabbed my arm and pulled me into her room, interrupting me.

"Shut up. I am teasing. You don't need to explain. I know, because I am the same. I have been the same since that night, you big dummy." She kicks her door shut behind us before pulling me to her bed.

"Now, my bed, my rules. Keep your hands to yourself, Mr Alcott." She pointed her finger at me, a smile upon her face and I found myself smiling. I am not so sure if I want to go to sleep now. Just being in her company again and I feel good...

"Aww, Miss West, you are a

spoilsport. I planned to be the big spoon, hands are generally partially involved in that." I wiggled my brows at her this time as she slid back into bed, and my heart raced at the sight of her shorts riding up along her butt cheeks as she slid along the bed, to allow me room to join her.

"Well, there may be some exceptions." She said as she

snuggled her body up against mine, my body already reacting to her

closeness. While I instantly felt

relaxed as I slipped my arm around her waist, resting my head upon hers. Zion suddenly purring contently. This was where I wanted to be.

"Good night beautiful." I softly kissed her head.

"Good night you." her hand gently stroked mine, as I felt sleep taking over me.