Sorry this chapter is late, I've lost my USB so all my saved work has gone bibi and I'm having to write all the previously waiting to be uploaded chapters again. Enjoy! 'Coz it might be a while before I upload again. Lo siento (for the wait) mis amigos! xxxxxxx

Rewind!

1:50 am

Darien sat with his head in his hands; pondering over the conversation he'd had, only moments before, where he'd inadvertedly blurted out Serena's significance in his life.

flashback

"O.k. Darien, why the hell have you brought an unconscious human back here? Out of all the choices you had, such as the hospital, a back alleyway, you had to bring her into the lion's……… sorry wolf's den?!"

"I hate to say it Dare, but Chad's right, she's in way too much danger if you keep her here with you."

Everyone backed up a few……… hundred (yes that was an exaggeration, but it emphasises my point) paces at the murderous look that paced over Darien's face. His eyes were swirling black holes and his body hummed with tension as he tried to reign in the wolf that wanted to rip his best friends to shreds at the mere suggestion that his mate was in danger staying with him. If anything, his mate was in less danger when he was around as he'd protect her with his life.

"I've been your alpha for 2-fucking-thousand years and your best friend for longer and in all that time I have never given you just cause to question my actions. So what the fuck gives you the right to question me on this? Abso-fucking-lutely nothing. You both have 3 seconds to get the fuck out of my flat before I speed up your appointed meeting time with your creator."

He didn't even get the chance to start counting before the two beta wolves fled from the flat, deeply ashamed at their actions.

Still wound up, Darien glanced down at the little bundle in his arms who was now frowning. It seemed that she had unconsciously picked up on his inner struggle with his beast. Taking a deep breath, he forced his body to relax and was relieved to see Serena's expression revert back to being peaceful again. Turning, Darien walked out of the room until he came to his bedroom, gently placing Serena on top of his black, silk covers; he fetched one of the nightgowns that Raye had grown out of and proceeded to change her.

It took everything in Darien's will power and beyond to not do anything to Serena that would have her either kicking his ass or getting Raye to do it for her. Carefully blanking his mind, he was able to concentrate on the task, until Serena was clothed in the ice blue nightie that stopped at mid thigh, before manoeuvring her until she was under the covers. His gaze softened as he cast his eyes over her face, taking in her sooty lashes as they repeatedly fluttered against her skin like butterfly wings and her lips, slightly open as if begging him for a kiss. Tracing a finger down her cheek, he signed before reluctantly removing himself from her presence.

Going back into the sitting room, he was confronted by Raye, who was now leaning against the bar's counter, arms folded as she waited for her brother to reappear.

"I have no idea what's got into you Darien, but don't you think that you were a bit harsh on them? I mean I can see where they're coming from, Sere's not really gonna be safe in a place where werewolves are coming in and out all the time. Especially with some of the bitches you bring home off the streets." (pun intended)

"Don't you fucking start Raye. It's bad enough when my betas are questioning me. I've got my mate sleeping in my bed after becoming hysterical in an alleyway and you want to tell me that she's not gonna be safe. I mean, if she's not gonna be safe with me, her mate, then who the hell is she going to find a safe haven in?"

"She's your mate? But……… but……… she's human!"

"Don't you think I know that, although I don't think she's as human as she lets out, at the least she's psychic or has a load of bottled up empathy."

"Still………" "There's no still about it, she's my mate and I'll be damned if I get anyone coming up in here saying that she'd be safer any were else then with me."

"Come on Dare, how were they to know that she's you mate?"

"Doesn't matter Raye, they know to never question my actions, my judgment."

Raye left soon after, but not before making sure that Darien knew how she'd put a stop to any future family plannings if he so much as looked at Serena in the wrong way.

end flashback

About 2:00 am

Darien was yanked out of his thoughts by a cry emitted from the room that he'd placed Serena in. Not even thinking about it, he sprinted towards his bedroom. Bursting through the doorway he was greeted with the sight of Serena becoming more and more entangled in his silk sheets, wisps of her silvered hair the only evidence of what exactly was in the sheets. He would have laughed (so would I, but alas, having been in Serena's position, all I can feel for her is empathy) if he couldn't feel Serena's terror perfuming the air, thick and ripe as it slowly choked him. Walking over to the bed, he reached down to gently untangle her before cuddling her into his arms. As her fear slowly faded and her body relaxed, he looked down in time to see anger ignite in her eyes as she asked,

"Where the hell am I and what the hell happened?"

Not bothering to answer her, he made his way out of the room and back into the kitchen where he placed her upon the centre bar's counter. Walking over to the fridge he retrieved a gigantic tub of chocolate- chip ice cream and a huge spoon. Turning around he saw Serena's starry eyes as she followed the movement of the tub. A feral grin settled upon his lips as he held the tub closer to Serena. To his amusement and her frustration, just when she thought she'd grabbed the tub all she met was empty air. (Think Chad and the coffee cup) She tried to glare at Darien, but found herself unable to meet his eyes as they were currently focused on her pouting lips. An idea flashed through her mind and she slowly licked her bottom lip before biting down on it.

His eyes shot up to hers and he was astounded to glimpse the mischievous spark present in them. His grin turned into a full blown smirk as once again he held out the tub of ice cream. And just like before he shifted it out of her reach, until Serena was actively moving as much of her body in her pursuit of the creamy heaven. Unfortunately (or unfortunately in Darien's case as it turned out) she over balanced and was launched forward into mid air. Or……… she would have been launched forward into mid air if it wasn't for Darien's supernatural speed.

The ice cream was hastily set upon the counter as Darien wrapped his arms around Serena fully. His eyes kept darting between her eyes and lips until he gave a low growl before crashing his lips onto hers. This time, Serena met fire with fire and fought for control of the kiss, not happy to let Darien take control again and give her a free ride. Darien eased the kiss down until he was placing butterfly kisses on her slightly swollen lips. Not fully engaging himself to one of her kissed. She groaned in frustration when Darien backed away from her, not allowing her to fully engage him in a kiss. Grabbing a fistful of the fine hair at the base of his neck, she forced his head forward until she could reclaim his lips as hers. She tasted like peaches, ripe, juicy peaches that burst as soon as you've sunk your teeth into them and it was driving him crazy, that and her intoxicating scent of cherry blossoms was enough to coax the throaty moan from between his lips as things heated up.

In retaliation, to show her annoyance at his games, she bit his lip, lost in the animalistic pleasure that was coursing through her veins. He smelt like nature, wild and free and the faint taste of coffee in his mouth caused Serena to arch her back and push her body closer towards his in the hopes that she'd experience more. Her senses were heightened, awareness of what was happening to her body and his causing her head to spin and her mind to happily drift off into obliviation.

Shame then, that as soon as Darien forced her back until she lay against the smooth marble top and her legs had wrapped themselves around his waist pulling him in closer to her pulsing heat, she screeched, as she came into contact with the melted ice cream in the now soggy tub, pushed Darien back as she scrambled back into a sitting position and ranted and raved about how long it would take for her to wash the ice cream out of her hair.

Darien's only thoughts? "Ice cream is evil... Ice cream is evil... Death to all ice cream!"