40

Lina's POV

Today Morgan and Amkay will be returning from their trip to Ireland. I was anticipating their return because it would mean that I might be able to go with Finax to his home in Germany. He had yet to mention it but I was sure we would become the next mated pair. I was tired of seeing all the happy couples and barely seeing Finax these last couple of weeks was stressing me out. I felt as though he was holding back and keeping distance from me. Last night we had a group dinner like we do every night but he didn't show up and I felt the pitying stares from my friends.

"Hey Lina, do you know where Finax is?" asked Zicko.

"No, I haven't seen him in a while. Why do you ask?"

"Well I've noticed that he has been absent but I thought maybe he would have talked to you."

"No. But if you do find him let me know."

Zicko gave me a sad smile and all I wanted was to break down. His absence left me cold and I missed his shy and reserved personality. I had thought we were making progress these last couple of weeks but I guess I must have read too much into it. Maybe I should go and talk to Kalli since she had troubles with Zicko before they were mated. Before I can leave Zicko continues our conversation.

"Is there something going on with you two?"

"Not that I'm aware of but I know he was feeling uneasy two weeks ago when Morgan and Amkay left for Ireland. He was gone the next morning and I haven't seen him since."

Zicko looked a bit surprised and panicked. Ever since he got Kalli back he changed dramatically and became more open and friendly with all of us. Not to say that he wasn't before but something changed between them and I definitely liked him now.

"Would you mind trying to help me find him? I need to talk with him about when he plans to leave with you."

"Sure. But what do I win if I find him first?"

He laughed and pulled me along promising to give me whatever I want later. He offers to look through the surrounding private rooms. I decide to look in the forest. I start down the stairs and think of why he might be withdrawn from all of us.

Finax's POV

"So what your saying is that I need to get over these hang-ups in order to be with my mate?"

Sylar nods. I have been coming to his holding cell for the past couple of weeks and he has helped me to get over my hesitation with mating. While I realize he is technically our prisoner he is surprisingly insightful.

"Exactly, you need to tell Lina though."

I sigh because of how I have been treating her. I have troubles with the mating because if we ever have children they might face the same problems I had. Same for the others but they seem to not even be aware of this as each of them complete the mating process.

"I always come close to telling her but then I feel that she will become upset and be mad at me for not confiding in her."

"That is a risk since you came to the prisoner in a cell rather than tell her but really I think she will be relieved to have you talking to her again and not avoiding her."

I smile and thank Sylar for his advice. He nods as if he would rather be doing anything else but since he is locked up here for an inordinate amount of time he really has no choice.

"I will ask Zicko about bringing up some sort of entertainment system for you as per our agreement for the advice."

Sylar smiles his appreciation and tells me to leave before someone catches him dolling out advice. I leave through the only door into the night air. I had hardly noticed that I was gone for almost the whole day and started to worry if the others had noticed. I figured Lina would be but the others were probably too busy with their mates to notice the unmated ones. In the distance I hear a faint voice that I recognize immediately as Lina, who is calling my name.

"Finax! Where the hell are you?"

I can hear the anger and disappointment in her voice and realize how stupid I have been. I've been neglecting her in my search for something that won't come from avoiding others. I rush to her voice so I can tell her all my insecurities and put this distance I've built behind us.

"Lina. I'm down here."

I see her head snap towards my voice and see the anger dissipate to show her happiness of finding me.

"Where did you go? Me and Zicko have been looking for hours I almost gave up."

It's then I realize how much stress I put her through and how I can make this better is by telling her what I am going through and try to get over my fears together.

"Do you think we could talk for a minute? I need to tell you some things I haven't been able to handle on my own."

She looks a little uncertain but agrees. I walk to the stairs in front of me that lead to our garden a few feet away from the trunk of our treehouse. She walks closer to me as I reach the bottom step and climb up. I reach my hand out for her and she gently lays her hand in mine showing her trust in me and I want to laugh since we are practically strangers who met only a month ago. Not that it's her fault since I was the one who pulled away. I sit down on the steps and she sits next to me and listens while I unburden myself about my fears.

"Oh Finax, why didn't you just come to me? Don't you know I love  you and I will always be by your side to comfort you and listen to your fears? I want us to get to know each other and that can't happen if you don't trust me."

I sigh out a breath of relief and tell her all the things she wants to know and in our time spent talking we come closer to being in a real relationship and I feel our bond grow thicker with all the stories we share.

"Oh I almost forgot to tell you but Zicko wants to know when you plan to leave for Germany?"

"I'm not sure when does Amkay and Morgan return. I like to make sure there are plenty of dragon shifters around to protect our mates before leaving."

"They will be back tomorrow and Morgan texted some pictures of the place she stayed. It looked so pretty since she stayed in a real castle. I had no idea that Amkay was Irish though he doesn't have an accent."

"That's because we are really good with languages and in order to blend in we had to develop accents. For instance I have a really thick Bavarian accent but I was quick to learn dialects growing up."

"That's so cool. Do you still remember anything in German?"

"Jawohl, ich leibe Deutsch und meine haus ist im Deutschland. Ich habe keine schwester und eins bruter. Ich auch leibe mein mutter und vater. I could go on but you'll learn enough when we go to Germany and visit with my family."

"What were you saying. It sounds so cool."

"All I said was that I loved the German language and my home is Germany. I also said that I have no sister but one brother and that I love my mother and father. These are very simplistic sentences but it can become more complicated when you come to my house."

She smiles but stands up and pulls me with her.

"I think we should go back now so Zicko doesn't go crazy. I also need to claim my prize for finding you first."

I pull her into my arms and seal our lips together for a slow kiss. I want her to know what she means to me and this is the quickest way to convey my feelings to her. I break away and smile down at her.

"Was that the prize you were looking for?"

She laughs and pulls me along the path back to our home. I think of what is coming but no longer feel the panic of what might or might not happen, instead I wish to simply be with Lina in the light and warmth that make her who she is and what makes me love her unconditionally. I may not know what the future holds for us but all I can do is make her feel as if she never has to worry about it.