McKenna POV.
I woke to the sensation of a large tongue against my cheek. I groaned and rolled away from whatever irritating canine was licking my face. My eyes flickered open as two paws pressed against my stomach. Cocoa was grinning happily at me, her whole back end wiggling as she wagged her tail.
“Gerroff.” I grumbled, shoving her gently off me. She still didn’t stop wagging her tail. I sighed and rubbed her ears fondly, wondering how she’d got in. I glanced at the door, noticing that it was slightly open. One of the guys probably let her in. Eventually I found the energy to get out of bed. I stumbled blindly into the shower. I hit play on my iPod and let the sound of Guns N Roses wake me up. Inevitably, the hot water ran out. I mumbled my complaints to nobody and grabbed my large fluffy towel. A quick glance into the bedroom revealed that the only company I had gained was in the furry forms of Ty and Tizzy. I grabbed a denim mini skirt and a t-shirt out of the cupboard. I pulled on whatever clean underwear was close to hand, followed by my clothes. I paused and looked in the full-length mirror that me and Val had bought on one of our many shopping sprees in L.A. My t-shirt was white with black sleeves, a bunny was printed in the middle, a skull and crossbones tattooed on its ear. The speech bubble simply read: Meh. After a second’s thought, I pulled on a pair of short leggings. I never managed to pull up the confidence to wear this skirt without leggings. I hummed idly along to Sweet Child O’ Mine as I applied my eye shadow and liner.
“Whoa, oh, oh, sweet child o' mine, Whoa, oh, oh, oh, sweet love of mine!!!” Yelled what sounded like Zacky as he wandered past my room. I laughed, picking up my mascara. The bedroom door pushed all the way open as I was finishing my left eye. Syn wandered in. his hands were stuffed in his jeans from yesterday. He looked tired and remorseful. I finished my mascara before standing up and facing him. I crossed my arms and leaned my hip against the dresser. We stood like that for a while, just staring at each other, before Syn spoke.
“I talked to Jimmy.” I raised an eyebrow, an expression that I had perfected from him. He swallowed and shook his head. “I’m sorry Mac. I acted without thinking. I should have bothered to talk to you or Jimmy first.” I sighed and looked away.
“Is it too much to ask for you to think before you act? Or speak?” he stepped forwards, resting his hands on my hips. I didn’t move. I wanted this so badly. But I was so scared.
“No, it’s not.” He murmured, his lips close to my ear. “But, I just can’t think straight. Not when it concerns you. I care too much.” I bit my lip to prevent a stupid grin from forming. “There are just some things that I… I don’t understand.”
“Huh?” Very intelligent Mac. Syn pulled away slightly, his hands still resting on my hips. He was frowning slightly as he stared at the floor between us. He looked fucking cute.
“Jimmy says that he thinks that you love me.” He looked up, meeting my gaze, still frowning. “I don’t know what to think Mac. I know how I feel about you, but I don’t have a clue if you feel the same.” I wanted to reply, needed to, but it felt like my tongue had been glued to the roof of my mouth. As much as I opened my mouth, no words would come out. Syn sighed and rested his forehead against mine. “Do you trust me Mac?”
“Of course.”
“Then trust me.” He whispered, one of his hands moving from my hip to tilt my chin up. For once, I forced myself not to back away. Syn was not Patrin, he was not going to hurt me. I wasn’t part of that horror show any more. Nothing would happen to him because he’s involved with me. I wanted this. And I didn’t have the strength to fight it any more. Syn’s lips pressed carefully against mine. It was a kiss so soft, so tender that I wondered why I had fought this for so long. I leaned slightly into him, my hands resting on his shirt. Slowly he pulled away and nuzzled into my neck. I could feel the grin on his face. “I’ve wanted to do that for so long Mac.” His voice was whisper-quiet I rested my head on his shoulder, grinning like a fool.
“Me too.” I felt Syn’s smile turn into a frown and kicked myself mentally.
“Then why…” I stepped backwards so that I was still in his arms, but not as close. My hormones grumbled unhappily.
“It’s like I said last night Syn. My past is a dark place Syn, I didn’t tell you and Greg everything, I couldn’t. Things have happened to me that I struggle to admit to people, even to myself. I’m trying Syn, I promise you that I am. I will tell you everything, it’s just going to take time. Can you deal with that?”

~*~

Syn POV.
“Can you deal with that?” I stared deep into her beautiful chocolate brown eyes and saw the pain and raw emotions hidden deep beneath the emerald flecks. Not for the first time, I wondered what kind of cruelty she had suffered at the hands of her old Alpha. I reached forward and tucked another lose strand of hair behind her ear, letting my hand rest there.
“Baby, I’ll wait as long as you need me to.” I leaned in and kissed her again. “Do you know why?”
“Because you’re amazing.” She smiled softly. “And you’re too good for me.” I felt my heart begin to ache at the pain and sadness that still filler her eyes.
“Partly because I’m amazing yes, but mostly because I’m in love with you.”