A wound calls for us to recognize the hurt, to face the pain. Our honest expression gets the hurt out in the open, into the light, out of the darkness.

°°°°°

Malcolm McLean

I woke up my arms wrapped around her curvy waist, my hands snuggly tucked beneath her, trapping her body to mine. She fits perfectly in the crook of my body. I realized that I have fallen asleep literally almost on top of her. Pulling back gently, I looked down at her still sleeping form. Last night, I went a little overboard. I meant to not stay the night but I couldn't bring myself to leave her. The number of times we did it, I can see why she was exhausted this morning. The sun was literally high in the sky. It was well past morning.

Isabella—even with the years she was still a luscious beauty. Her long, thick, wavy blonde hair carelessly laid over her pillow and down her back. The creamy porcelain skin was ever so soft. The way ruby lips parts slightly made it almost irresistible to not kiss her.

I leaned down and kissed her shoulder. She sighed and turned right into my arms. Her face now comfortably snuggled into the crook of my neck. I can feel her naked form pressing up against mine and I had to ground my teeth to stop myself from waking her up.

She was exhausted.

I slowly pushed away from her and walked to the bathroom. I took a quick one before walking out and putting on something light. I wanted to go into town today. There were a few things I needed to get.

I glanced down at her as I pulled my shirt on. She was still sleeping. The silk blankets pulled up to her shoulders.

Clenching my teeth, I fought the overwhelming emotions that threatened to escape from inside. I needed to remind myself that she was here, not because she wanted to. It was because she had to. Otherwise, I will never see her. Otherwise, she wouldn't care to come back.

She wasn't here for me.

Unclenching my fists, I pulled on a pair of jeans. I grabbed my wallet and walked out the door. Closing and locking it behind me. The guard that was ordered to guard my door saw me come out. He quickly ascended the stairs.

"Do not let anyone in nor let her out," I ordered. The guard nodded and took his place in front of the door.

Walking down the stairs, I felt like a heavyweight sat in my guts and in my heart. I shoved the feeling aside and took in a deep breath. I knew what I was feeling. I didn't want to leave her. In fact, I wanted to run back inside and rip those sheets off from her curvy thick body.

Uncle Alastair and Damon sat downstairs. The breakfast hasn't yet been cleared yet. I walked over and took my place in front of the long table.

Uncle Alastair did not look at all happy to see me. His face was red with fury and he refused to give me eye contact. Damon, however, wore a very smug look.

"Did you get a good sleep?" Damon asked.

I picked up a bun and threw it at him. He caught with his hands. The man can be annoying but I can't bring myself to ever hate him.

"How can he not? We can practically hear them-"

My eyes snapped to Uncle Alastair who immediately snapped his mouth shut.

"What I do, I don't need you to tell me. If you know already then so be it. I am not a child, Uncle. I don't need you to be hovering over my shoulder. I lived long enough to know what I am doing." I said in a dangerously calm voice, although, I was anything but calm. I was livid. He jabbed at me every chance he got.

Who the hell does he think he was?

I don't give a fuck if he is my uncle.

Nobody questions my rule. I have fought long enough to know what the hell I am doing.

I ate my breakfast in silence. Uncle Alastair finished his tea before standing up and walking away. His back was stiff with anger. He was still very angry with me.

"Damon, I am going to head into town today." I changed the topic.

Damon looked up from his plate, "For what?"

"Isabella needs some clothes. She has been wearing mine but I know she would like something of her own." I said.

Damon smirked and I threw him a questioning glare.

"What?" I snapped.

He shook his head, "Nothing."

"I don't have time to play games, Damon. What is it?"

He sighed, "You still have feelings for her rather you like it or not. You said you have lived long enough to know what you are doing. Then you have also lived long enough to know what you are feeling."

I scoffed, turning to look away, but I knew what he said was true. Hell, just this morning it was hard for me to stay away from her. I don't know if this was a good thing or a bad thing.

I was still so furious with her. She left me without any explanation of why she left. I think I deserved that much since I gave her everything. Everything. Every single piece of me. I loved her with all my heart and soul. I was ready to mark her. She meant that much to me.

"What is the purpose of you doing this? Hurting her and you?" Damon asked.

I looked back at him, "That's none of your business."

"You're right it's not but this won't resolve anything."

"It will make me feel better!" I snapped, slamming my fork down.

Damon wasn't fazed, "Does it? Does it really make you feel better, Malcolm?"

Fvck! Last night when I took her the first time and left her standing there while I showered, I felt like an asshole. I was disgusted with myself. Images of what we did last night came flooding back. I can remember how much she liked everything I did. I also loved how eager she was.

But what I am doing, did it make me feel better?

Damon sighed, "All I am saying is if you still have feelings for her, it is best for you to not do something that you will regret. Think with a calm mind. You led and protected us this long already. I have known you for a very long time. You don't jump into things without thinking things thoroughly."

Except for Isabella. She always has my head wrapped around her fingers. I will always be affected by her.

I can feel the frustration growing inside of me like a volcano about to erupt. The piles of things I shoved aside, threatening to burst. I growled and stood up—not feeling so hungry anymore.

"Malcolm," Damon's voice caught my attention again. I turned back to look at him.

"Talk to her. Use your head, not your hatred for her and the past you two left behind." Damon reasoned again. He had also stood up in his chair.

"I'll be back in an hour," I said before leaving.

Heading into the nearest town, the streets had people walking back and forth. All of them were humans. Some of them the lycans in my pack have taken in as their marked mate. They were exposed and happy to join the pack. Keeping our secrecy safe. I also had some lycans working in the hospitals, police stations, and as government officials around here. This was to keep our secret as safe as possible.

I stopped by a women's boutique and ordered a woman associates to find me some clothes in Isabella's size. She threw me a flirtatious glance and sauntered off to find me what I asked for.

When she came back, I paid for the clothes by the counter. She was scanning each item through. Her eyes flickering up to meet mine.

"How is your morning?" She made small talk but I am sure she wanted something else from me. The way she kept looking at my body instead of me.

"Good," I answered, still waiting for her to quickly scan the items.

"Who are these items for? Do you have a lady at home?" She inquired curiously.

I wanted to roll my eyes but instead, I flashed her a charming smile before answering, "Yes, she is occupied at home. Otherwise, I would have brought her along with me."

Her smile slipped into a frown, "Oh...so you are married? I don't see a ring."

"She's my girlfriend," I stressed the words out to her.

She stopped talking then. The items were neatly placed into the bag. I paid her some bills and took the change before leaving. I don't know why I was annoyed with her. If it was any other day, I would've completed her wish.

I stopped by a couple more shops before I swung by an old bar. I slipped into my usual seat. The bartender recognizes me and walked over. She placed a clear glass in front of me before pouring me some liquor.

"Isn't it a little too early for drinks, son?" She asked.

I shrugged taking the whiskey and downing it quickly. The humans here know there was something off about us. We don't exactly age the way they aged but no one questioned why. Others who are curious usually stop after a while. We were of no threat to them. A small town like this was easy to control. If we lived near bigger cities it will be harder for us to blend it. We will have to keep moving to maintain our cover.

"Girl problems?" The old lady bartender asked.

I smirked, "You could say so."

She leaned on the counter, "Tell me about it. Maybe I can help you."

Everyone was offering bits of advice but I wasn't sure if I was ready to hear. A dark shadow in a private corner caught my attention. I looked carefully to see that it was a male. His eyes were downcast but judging by his stiff form, he was listening in.

He didn't look like anyone familiar in town. He also wasn't human. He was a lycan. He wasn't on my territory but he was dangerously close. I was about to approach him but was pulled back with the bartender spoke again. The male lycan quickly took the chance to escape.

"Gail, thank you for the drink." I handed her a few coins. "But I have to go."

"Alright, be good and whatever it is that is bothering you, my husband learned it the hard way. All it takes is communication to work out your problems." She said after me.

~~

When I came back from town, I headed straight up the stairs to the bedroom. I was glad to see the guard was still standing in place.

"Anybody try getting in?" I asked.

He shook his head, "Only Damon, sir."

I nodded and waved him away. I unlatched the metal bolt and opened the door. My gaze swept the room quickly for Isabella. She was pacing around the room.

She looked up when she saw me. I turned around and locked the door, slipping the key into my pocket. Her eyes dropped down to my pocket. I ignored her and walked to the bed where I placed the clothes I bought her on there.

She looked at me warily before walking over to take a look. She pulled out the clothes. I saw that she was now in one of my black t-shirts.

"You bought this for me?" She asked.

I nodded, "I didn't want to keep tearing my clothes off from you. I figured I'll buy you something decent to wear during the day."

"Are you going to let me out of this room?" She asked. Her creamy soft thighs peeking from underneath my shirt. I pulled my bottom lip in to bite. She was so damn tempting. The way her voluminous sun streak hair fell down her back so naturally made her even more beautiful.

"No," I replied.

She huffed in anger, "I can't do this, Malcolm! I am going crazy. I am a lycan. I need space. I need to move. I can't stay here. If you force me to stay in this room, sooner or later I will become insane."

"I can't."

She looked upset, "Why not? Do you really hate me that much to want me to go insane? I can't stand these four walls. I am going out of my mind. My lycan is on edge. Do you want me to be suicidal?"

I inhaled sharply before snarling, "Stop with that nonsense."

She ran her hands through her thick tresses. Her eyes brimming with tears. "If you want to punish me, then go ahead. I don't care. Just let me out of this room."

She looked like she was about to have a panic attack. Her breathing was picking up quickly. She was pacing back and forth. She didn't even bother to sort through the clothes I bought her.

"Isabella-"I started.

She whipped around to look at me, "Kill me! God damn it! Just kill me! End this already! I can't do this!"

Angry tears ran down her cheeks, she was breathing hard. Her eyes were dilated. She was definitely having a panic attack.

"Isabella." I approached her immediately. She pushed against my body hard not wanting to be confined again.

"Stop! I don't want you close to me! I can't do this! I can't breathe! I have been in here for several days. If you expect me to be in here a whole lifetime then I would kill myself!" She threatened and pushed against me as hard as she can. Her arms flailing out to hit me hard. I wrapped my arms around her.

"Listen, Bella! Listen to me!" I demanded.

She stilled but she was still breathing hard. "Ok, I'll take you outside but only when I am with you. You won't leave this room without me."

Her body shook but I felt her nod. I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding. My arms loosened around her.

"Ok, get dressed. Once you are dressed, I'll take you out of this room for a few hours but you are to remain at my side at all times. If you try anything stupid, I swear I will keep you locked up in this room forever." I threatened.

She nodded and quickly grabbed the bag of clothes before heading into the bathroom to change. When she came out, she was dressed in denim skinny jeans and a maroon color blouse. Her hair was smoothed back into place. I offered my hand and she willingly placed hers in mine.

The warmth of our connected hands sent a jolt to my heart. I took in a deep breath and unlocked the door. This was very risky. My lycan and I wanted to keep her inside the walls. That way she couldn't leave but we both knew she needed air. I just had to hope that she didn't run because although I wouldn't mind the chase—it will tear me apart inside.