Xander's POV

    "Thanks for today Iris. I've gotta go back to my apartment for a few things before I head over to Blake's to talk." I sigh, feeling her steady gaze on me as I walk forward with her next me. "His dad knew my parents and I when I was younger. If I remember correctly, I told you the story before. My wolf was keeping an eye out for me on Blake, but overheard or sensed I should say the conversation."

    "They were discussing your parents?" I nod looking at the bright blue sky filled with a few lone clouds as the sun beats down on us, people bustling to and fro in the center square of town. The tattoos I got were treated immediately, I brush my hand over one of them and smile. "Who knew that Blake's dad was the one who knew what happened, him and that bitch of a wife he has."

    "People change over time, but from how he talked about his family, he was worried." I wrap an arm around her shoulder, holding her close as I glare at the males eyeing her. "Worried for us, from what I sensed, but over coming your past and fears is hard to do. I've been doing it my whole life." Iris says nothing as she wraps her arm around my waist, waiting. "I know I'm hard on myself, but I have a few more demons to beat still. Telling him about my parents is one of them."

    "Sounds like he is going to confess something as well from the last text he sent you." Giving a wide birth from the alley ways, we dodge the people tracking towards us. The sun was setting slowly as we reach our secret place, climbing up the aged willow tree with care and settling into the nooks of the branches. It was on the outskirts of the park and just around the corner from my apartment. It was one of the oldest trees located in the town, but easily overlooked as the town was bursting with tastes of different everything. It was big for a town, but there was always something to do.

    "He is, it's about his family and his past. I know that automatically since I'm doing the same pretty soon. Only two to three days since we've talked, mated, and bonded faster than meeting my first friend." I gaze up in between the branches and hanging vines, looking at the sky and imagining a midnight starry night. Stars bursting from all around as the sound of crickets echoe around the area. Fireflies lighting up and disappearing as the moon catches my attention fully. Bright rays shining down on my figure as I study the inifite space above, fascinated.

     "Just be careful. I've warned you before, but I don't want you hurt again. Not like last time. I thought I was going to lose you." I move my arms behind my head as I take in Iris lounging on the branch next to mine, watching the surroundings.

    "I was hurt and broken. He was my first love before I ever believed I would find my mate. The one I gave my first everything to, but he abused it. I know better now. Feeling this relaxed and safe is foriegn to me. I trust him so much already." The gentle smile Iris sends my way is enough to show how she feels. I return it, content for the time being as we sit in silence, observing the world around us. By the time we part ways with a hug, it's 3:30. I watch her leave in the same direction, only farther, until she disappears from view. I head over to my apartment, preparing another bag, my school one safe in my room. Opening up the secret compartment in the corner of my room, the memories coming back to me as I give a melancholy smile, handling the items with care. It takes a few minutes as I look over the old photos and documents, wondering where it all went wrong.

    "Shit! I need to leave." I grab the bag and my phone, locking my bedroom door and the apartment as I rush over to my motorcycle, heading over in just minutes before four. I park in the space avaible, leaving room for another as I knock on the dark rose red door, admiring the sleek, dark brown house design and look. Nervous, I smile at Blake's father, his eyes the same as his, but his hair considerably darker and untamed.

    "It's a pleasure to see you again Xander. I'm sorry for what happened with your parents. Please, come in and sit. My son will be down soon." Entering I take notice of the elegnant yet simple decor of the place, the white and grey color scheme fitting the house perfectly. I sit down on the loveseat, on guard as soon as Blake's dad, sits down in the chair beside me. "No need to worry. Thank you for accepting him. He's never been happier."

   "I-It's nothing sir. I love him even though I was hesitant at first." I squirm under his watchful eyes, praying Blake would get down soon.

   "Just call me Mason, Xander. After everything we could have done, but didn't consider this a first step repayment." Looking at him in shock, I give soft, broken laugh.

    "You're the first one to ever say that. Everyone else avoided me like the plague until I met Iris and now, you're son. I want to thank you for giving me a chance with him. It means everything to me." His eyes crinkle up in joy at the sentence, a kind smile on his face as he nods.

    "The only one you have to look out for is Mira. She's changed, but I love her. Keep seeing my soon, no matter what she does or says, he deserves happiness just like you." I give a serious look to him, agreeing silently as Blake appears finally, taking my breath away. Wearing a fitting pair of dark jeans matched with a black formal button up shirt, eyes shining against them brightly. Simple black converse cover his feet as his hair is tossed to the left, a serious look on his face as he comes into the living room.

    "You look...beautiful, handsome. I can't believe you're all mine." The words rush out before I have time to process them, blushing at the infamous smirk of his from Mason as he gives me a loving one. "My...past isn't something I normally tell, but you already know part of it. It begin as soon as I turned ten years old." I drift out of focus as I take out the pictures and documents for them to look over, eyes looking at an invisible point in the distance.

Eight Years Ago

    "Loser! Freak! Who'd ever want to be friends with you? You're own parents don't even want you." Tears sting my eyes, but I brush them off to continue heading to my secret place faster. The eyes following my figure making me shiver in fear as I recall my dad's...touch. If only they knew what I've been going through these past few months, they wouldn't understand. The aged willow tree comes into view as I hop up the tree with ease, settling into one of the nooks on the branches, the star filled sky catching my attention. Gazing at the abyss before me, I smile, broken as I allow a tear to slip down my cheek.

    "Are you alright? You're crying." The voice spooked me as I jump, glaring at the ruby eyed girl watching me from the other branch. I eye her warily, watching as she runs a hand through her unruly short black hair, sighing. "You don't have to tell me, but I'm here if you need someone to talk through."

    "It's everything. Nothing is going right and it leaves scars on my soul and body each day." I admit to her after a few moments of debating, the connection I felt with her true as she returns the shy smile I give her, nervous.

   "It'll be alright in the end. The assholes in this world will try to break you, but fight back and build up stronger. To the point your walls are so high, no one can break you ever again. You're putting trust in me as I am you." My eyes widen as she offers me her hand, taking in my flinch. "I'm not going to hurt you. We can earn each other's once we get to know each other more." I take her hand after hearing that, smiling for the first time in months at the prospect of another friend.

    "I'm Xander Alastair and I have a...boyfriend. His name is Landon Hinata." She raises an eyebrow at that, but gives a smirk as a response.

    "I'm Iris Belle also known as you're worst nightmare." Her laugh is infectious as we laugh at the joke, our bond strengthening as we sit at our secret place. Away from the troubles in our lives as friends, my first one ever.

    "Where have you been young man? You know what time you need to be home for dinner." I gulp down my fear at my dad's tone of voice, brightening at the thought of seeing Iris again. The old house was on it's last limbs, trash and beer cans littered the floor as the stench of alcohol and rustic tint of blood invaded your senses. The old, worn out furniture giving little warmth or color to the dark and gloomy home. Picture frames hanging up now crooked or smashed from my parents doing.

    "I made a new friend today dad! I can't wait to see her again!" The echo of the slap hits my ears as I put my hand to my throbbing cheek, eyes filled with tears as my dad gives a glare. A drunk giggle is heard as my mom appears with another strange man, smirking as soon as she saw me. The man eyes me up and down, lust filling his chocolate covered orbs, whispering to my mom who nods in response with her hands on his shoulders.

    "You never listen do you? This friend has to go. Meaning another punishment is in store, but with your mom's gentleman friend. Shall we?" I froze as my dad steps closer to me, grabbing my wrists roughly, mom and the strange me eyeing my figure like an experiment. I shake as I attempt to shake free of the tight grip, crying out as it only tightens to the point it hurts. The basement door is next to my room, making me paranoid at every sound. The rustic door is opened as I'm pulled inside, barely keeping my balance, thrown onto the devil's bed down here.

    "You shall do the honors love. After all, he's nothing to us. Won't even listen to what we say." My mom's sugary voice echoes as the strange man steps forward, unbuckling his pants, hands force me on my stomach, pulling my boxers and pants down. Fear courses through me as I struggle against the heavy hand, getting no where as a knife slice into my fore arm as a warning.

    "He's a ripe litte one isn't he? Or have you ruined him already sweetie?" The deep voice makes ice freeze my veins as lips explore my back, tears crowd the corner of my eyes as I yell.

    "Stop it! Please!" I give a cry at the loud smack on my bottom, fingers unwelcomingly pumping in and out of me. I hear my mom and dad laugh, the sound of a button being pressed making my stomach drop. "No! Please! Mom! Dad!" I try to reach out to their nonexistent hearts, but as my dad's hands come into view with a ball gag, my heart breaks. I've lost them once and for all. I can't bring them back to me, they were already long gone before this happened. My eyes dull at the thoughts, the ball gag tied around my head as the smooth red ball touche smy tongue. The world around me disappears as I barely register the disgusting hand jerking me, the strange man replacing his cock with his fingers, and my parents recording it with a sick twisted grin. I don't fight back as the pain increases, letting a lone tear drip down my cheek once again, the darkness welcoming me like an old friend.

    "Wake up slave. We still have some fun left over to deal with." I open my eyes, the blurry figure sneering at me, pushing my head roughly to his waist. Blinking my eyes, I become alert as a hard piece of throbbing flesh opens my mouth unwillingly. I remain blank faced at the slap hitting my face to move my mouth, the second another cock enters me without warning, my eyes go wide, a searing pain engulfing my body. Finally noticing that strange man and my dad doing this to me, mom getting off on my pain, I use whatever's left of my fight in me to get free. The two go rougher, making me give a muffled cry at the feeling off liquid trickling down my leg, my mouth getting bruised by the second at the thrusting cock.

    "He's much better to play than my own wife. I'll have to invite her next time to join in." The strange man says, a moan escaping his lips as my parents agree without a second thought. Why me. Why me world. That's all I can think as I'm tugged, taken, and forced to do what they want. Blank, lifeless eyes replacing the once bright golden orbs.

Present

   I look to see the horrified faces on Blake and Mason, giving a sigh. I pull Blake closer, an arm around his waist as he takes hold of my hand.

    "It's in the past, but I ended up meeting his wife sadly. She was just like them. Her name was Mira Sona. I mistook her for someone wanting to help out, until I noticed him behind her." Taking a deep breath, I go on. "They seemed like a nice couple, if you ccount demons as nice. I was forced to give her whatever she desired or else I'd be killed on the spot. I didn't disagree, my parents never wanted me in the first place anyway. So I did as she asked, lifeless, a zombie until she and the others cut and beat me up. I thought I was going to die that day. the only solace I had was Iris. She's known what happened all along, but there was nothign she could expect keep me from breaking completely."

    "What's going on dear. Who's here?" The familiar voice makes me freeze as the two look at my pale face closely before Mason answer her, reluctant. "Is this his mate?" I hold Blake tighter, seeing my nightmare from the past come closer. "It's been so long Xander. What do you say, we do it again?" Growing tense, I break eye contact with her, angered as she tries to touch me.

   "Don't ever touch me again Mira. You never stopped to think what was done to me, not helping out, but using me as a toy. Never again." The looks of shock and surprise on the two males faces makes me worry as I finish speaking. "You may have changed last name's Mira, but you'll only ever be a monser to me."

    "Mother, is this true? Did you abuse and use him for a...sex toy? A forced pleasure?" Blake croaks out this as I let him nestle in ym shoulder, a tear drop hitting my skin.