"Damien, take me home."

His eyes melted to a freezing blue. His chin snapped down and he took a threatening step towards me. I watched him through watery eyes.

"You're not scaring me." I told him, convinced he was trying to scare me into staying with him.

Suddenly he stepped forward and brought his hard across my face in a stinging slap. I gasped and stumbled back, bringing my hand up to my cheek. "What the hell?" I yelled at him, furious. I was definitely leaving. Then I saw his eyes. They seemed void of any emotion, dead. As if he were operating on autopilot.

"Damien." I said, suddenly nervous. "Stop."

He took another predatory step toward me, then another. I began to back up, one slow step at a time.

"Damien." I said, louder. "Snap out of it!"

Nothing in his eyes changed. I took another step back, and the backs of my knees hit a bed. I was trapped. He moved closer, until our chests were almost touching.

When he finally spoke, it was barely audible, but it held so much emotion it felt like it was yelled. "Mine." He growled softly, watching me.

I sucked in a breath, as I realized what had happened. His control had snapped, already frayed from previous encounters with me. This was his wolf in control now, drawn out by my refusal to stay with him. He was not going to be able to see reason now - he was following the primal urges to claim what he saw as his. I had dealt with this sort of thing as a Beta, and I had needed help from other pack members to restrain the man. But that guy wasn't nearly as strong as Damien. As an extremely powerful Alpha... well, he saw everything as his, no matter what.

Basically, I was so screwed.

"Damien, look at me." I soothed. "I'm right here. Look at me."

He growled, and pushed closer to me, our chests pressed together. I was sure he could feel my heart pounding. I was terrified.

"Damien, I'm here. Calm down. Come back, Damien." I begged desperately.

"Mine." He growled again.

"Yes, I'm yours." I said, feeling disgusted with myself that I had to admit I was property. "Damien, I'm yours, I'm here. You need to calm down and come back to me." I whispered.

Suddenly, I was crushed in a rib-cracking hug. My face was pressed up against his hard chest, and the breath was shoved out of my lungs. I grunted. I could feel him breathing heavily, and his heartbeat began to slow.

Finally, his grip loosened, and I took a deep breath of sweet air.

When he spoke, it was quiet. "I won't let you go, Alexia."

Those words hit me like a punch. It was the first time he had ever used my real name, instead of Princess. His voice held so much sadness and pain, it was like he was letting me look at him, the real him, not just the arrogant act I knew he put on. He was telling me how much he needed me. I blew out a shaky breath against his chest and closed my eyes. But the slap still stung on my cheek, and I had seen how easily he had lost control. I couldn't stay with someone who snapped that easily. Someone who could hurt me if I said a wrong word. I didn't want to live like that - in fear.

"Damien..." I whispered. "I have to." I said simply, tears beginning to blur my vision. With that, I made one of the worst mistakes of my life. I let my legs collapse and slipped out of his arms. I rolled once and sprinted out of the door as fast as my legs could carry me.

As I ran down the hallway, my heart felt like it was being pulled out of my chest. My wolf whimpered inside of me, and I cried with it.

"Alexia!" Damien's pained roar shook the house.

I don't remember how I got into the woods. I know now that there were people I had fought and taken down easily, but I don't remember anything. When I got into the woods, I ran. I tried shifting into my wolf, but I couldn't run in it. Rejecting Damien had made her too weak. So I ran in my human form. I stumbled past trees for what felt like hours, just trying not to think. Because if I thought, I would think of him. With his sexy smirk and dark brown, perfectly-tousled hair. I would think of his bright blue sapphire eyes, and his voice that made my heart pound.

I staggered into my old camp with tearstained cheeks. People stared as their old Beta stumbled through the paths between houses on wobbly legs, barely able to walk. I went straight to my house, and collapsed on my bed, my legs aching almost as much as my heart. It was getting dark outside, the bright blue of the sky fading into pinks and oranges, then shifting to purple and midnight blue. Stars peeked through clouds, twinkling gently. I fell asleep hungry, not able to summon the energy or willpower to get up and make myself something.

****

I woke to someone shaking me. Morning light streamed through the open window to my right. Tiredly, I rolled over and blinked up at the person who woke me up.

"What are you doing here, Alexia?" Janice asked me gently.

Pain shot through my chest. "He..." I reached up to touch my cheek, "he..." I couldn't finish the sentence. "I ran away." I said simply, struggling to speak.

"What?" She looked at me in amazement. "You ran away from your mate?"

I nodded, unable to bring myself to care what she thought.

"Alexia, why?" She asked kindly.

"He wouldn't let me come back here." I said quietly.

She sighed. "Oh my. I love you - and we love you Alexia. So much. And I know you are scared of the future. But hanging on to us - clinging to the past - is not going to help with that. You have to be brave. He is the other half of your soul. He completes you. He is there for you now. Make him your safe place now, your anchor. You may have troubles now, but the best kind of love is the kind that goes through bumps and bruises and comes out stronger for it. You two are beautiful together, I saw that when he came to get you. He doesn't mean you harm. Neither of you know it yet, but you are more perfect for each other than you know. And it is his nature to protect you. But you are not the type of woman who wants to be coddled. He needs to learn that, but the only way you can teach him is to be gentle, and stay with him. Be there for him. I have a feeling he needs you too, more than he admits."

Tears ran down my cheeks in little rivers as I stared at the ceiling. "Janice, he hit me."

Her eyes softened. "Darling, you two are both stubborn, pig-headed, determined, and fiery tempered. No, he shouldn't have done that, and you need to let him know that. But I know you can work through it." She wiped the tears from under my eyes tenderly. "Be patient with each other. You both are going through a lot. And I'm proud of you." She smiled, and I could see she was tearing up too.

I sat up, muscles aching and protesting as I stretched them. Leaning towards her, I hugged her, sniffling. "Thank you Janice."

She smiled tearily. "I wish Jennifer were here to see you. She would be so happy for you. Now go and get your mate back."

I nodded. "Janice, if you ever need anything, contact me. I promise to do anything you need to help." She smiled gratefully and pushed me towards the door.

"Hurry up. The longer you wait, the more pain he's in."

"Thank you, Janice. I'll miss you!" I called as I was shoved out the door.

*****

I reached the Silvermoon compound by midmorning. Trying to catch my breath, I pulled twigs out of my hair and smoothed down my shirt. My hands shook with nerves. Standing in the middle of the clearing near the house, I forced myself to stay still.

"Damien." I called out, into the morning fog. My voice shook slightly and my heart pounded.

"Damien!" I tried again, my heart squeezing in pain.

Suddenly, I saw a still figure, standing in the fog. I could feel it, I knew it was him.

"Damien." I said, knowing he would hear. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

He took a few steps forward, and I could begin to make out his face. He stayed silent though, just watching me.

I twisted my hands together. Nervously, I rambled. "Damien, I'm here to stay. I'm sorry I left, I'm sorry. God, I was stupid, so stupid. I was just scared, and I ran, like a coward. I shouldn't have run, I know that. But I want to stay with you, and I know you probably hate me now, so I just wanted to say I was sorry. You hate me and I don't blame you because I was so stupid-" I was cut off by his hot mouth descending onto mine, and he pulled me roughly to him. My hands found their way into his silky hair and his arms moved over my back. I kissed him fervently, and he kissed me back just as hard. It was rough and salty from my tears. It tasted like relief - sad and sweet and reckless at the same time, but it was beautiful. He pulled back and I took a deep breath. Then he pulled me into a tight hug, burying his face in my hair.

"Don't ever leave me, Princess. Don't fucking ever leave." He said into my hair, his hands fisting in my shirt. I just squeezed him harder, fresh tears leaking onto his shirt.

We stood there, just holding each other, reveling in the peace. Neither of us moved for a long while.

A/N

Hey!

It's getting serious now, huh? 

I think the music video above is so perfect! It's  "A Great Big World, Christina Aguilera - Say Something." I literally started crying as I watched it, it was so sad! Especially the old man and his wife. I have a soft spot for the elderly. Is that weird?

Anyway, if you wouldn't mind, just click that little star button. You see it? Now go click it! Thank you!

And leave comments! How do you think they're going to get past their problems? 

Thanks for reading! I can't tell you how much it means to me! Hugs,

~UnbridledImagination