Hey everyone, I'm SOOOO sorry this took so long! I've been preoccupied for the past couple of weeks. Thanks so much for all your support thus far! Hope you all like it :) BTW, decided to dedicate this to @Lahvaniya cause I saw that you'd asked me to update twice in the previous chappie...so, enjoy!

Chapter 24

Logan’s POV

I didn’t let the irritatingly bright sunlight that streamed into my bedroom wake me up from my peaceful slumber; pulling myself closer to the incredibly comfortable pillow that was my mate’s perfectly developed chest. The moment I did, I felt her stir; but I did my best to ignore it as I continued to snore softly into her soft skin, her sweet scent surrounding me.

I suddenly felt incredibly cold as my mate’s body disappeared from beside me. I’d assumed she had just scooted away in her sleep; using one of my hands’ to search the mattress for her. When my fingers brushed the skin of her leg, the sparks we always felt when our skins touched immediately woke me.

I cracked open my eyes; having to do it slowly because of the brightness of the room. The moment my eyes landed on her, I felt my heart accelerate immediately. She still managed to look beautiful in one of my clearly oversized shirts hanging from her smaller frame; her hair unruly and still messy from sleep. Not to mention tempting... My wolf reminded me; replaying my thoughts from the night before.

When I noticed her position; a confused expression crossed my face. “Chelsea.” She jumped off of the bed, dropping my hand to the mattress; which was still warm from her. I sat up immediately; my wolf trying to sense what was wrong with her through the bond.

“I’m sorry, I’m already leaving.” She said quietly. I tried telling her that she didn’t have to, but she didn’t let me finish as she turned and ran out of my bedroom like she’d just seen a fucking monster. Maybe she did. I told myself bitterly. I didn’t wallow in self hatred for long before I realised that I’d just let my mate run from me.

I dashed out after her; gaining more and more ground with every step. When she was almost an arm’s length away, she slammed her bedroom door in my face; the lock clicking as she turned it. I began knocking immediately; restraining my wolf from taking over and just smashing the door to dust as we both felt my mate’s incredibly close presence on the other side of that very breakable piece of wood.

“Chelsea, open the door.” I requested, as I continued my knocking. I felt my wolf pleading with hers to let us in. Despite our efforts the door didn’t even open a fraction of an inch; the muffled sounds of my mate’s movements noticeable to me despite the barrier between us. After fifteen minutes of knocking I decided to leave her alone for a moment; despite the gnawing I felt at my stomach from the need to know why she’d run from me.

***

I came back about twenty minutes later; my wolf impatiently growling at me to break the door down. I didn’t even resist as I stalked towards that damned thing; completely sick of waiting for my mate’s explanation as to why she’d run from me like I’d tried to kill her in her sleep.

“Chelsea, if you won’t open this fucking thing, I’m breaking it down!” The moment I was close enough to touch it, I kicked the door in; using excessive force on the inanimate thing to try and release some of my agitation. The moment I stepped into the room though, all that agitation disappeared anyway as my eyes landed on my barely dressed mate.

The towel wrapped around her body barely covered everything, leaving very little to imagination as my eyes roamed her mostly exposed skin. The tightening in my jeans became painful as she began to blush; the colour in her cheeks making her even more beautiful than usual, much to my silent agony.

What came out of her mouth next had me wishing that I had never made the stupid decision of forcing myself into her room; despite the incredibly enjoyable image I’d walked in on. Her words had a knife twisting in my heart; the tears in her eyes not going unnoticed as she ran into the bathroom. What have I done? That was the only thing I kept thinking to myself as I stared at the bathroom door she’d disappeared through; filled with regret.

***

I had been in my office when I felt her presence in the house. I didn’t even realise what I was doing until I was pushing past Jen to get into my mate’s room. The sight of her zipping her bag close had the panic in me building immediately. Don’t let her leave!  My wolf growled.

I clenched my jaw as I worked on not destroying everything in the room at the sight of her preparing to abandon me. Don’t act like this isn’t your fault, because it is! My wolf yelled; feeling no remorse as he turned on me. Don’t you think I already fucking know that?! I snapped in return. “I’m going to stay with Jen and Ethan for a while.” She stated; before she began to walk around me.

I felt a little sense of relief when I realised she wasn’t leaving me forever; but then, even a minute from her seemed unbearable to me. I clenched my jaw even harder as she came closer; the need to just grab and force her to stay almost overpowering all the sense in my body.

I almost did, but then every single thing I’d ever done or said to her came rushing back to me. Every insult, physical injury and emotional pain she’d ever had to endure because of me imbedded itself into my brain; the shame that followed suit making me feel unworthy of even being in the same room as my mate.

So, I did what I thought was best for her; I let her go. At that moment, I realised that she had every right to leave me after all that I’ve done to her. I felt my heart crumble in my chest at her retreating back; rage  filling every cell in my body as I reminded myself that this had all been my doing in the first place.

***

Crack! I lost my footing for a second as the branch I’d been standing on broke away. Damn it! I silently cursed as I flailed to regain my balance. When I finally did; I saw my mate approaching the window closest to the tree I was currently perched on; hidden in the mass of leaves.

I scrambled onto another branch a few feet away that wasn’t visible from her vantage point and held my breath as she struggled to see what the sound had been. I couldn’t help but study her face as she stood by the window; her body so achingly close that I was having a hard time resisting the urge to force myself into the room and drag her back with me.

This was the fourth, torturous night I’d had to endure away from her and no matter how creepy I’d felt every time I did it; I’ve been watching her from outside the very same window, and on the very same tree every night since she’d been at the Beta house. I had tried to sleep on the first night, but the absence of her warm body in my bed had been a constant reminder that she had left me, not to mention, how badly I’d fucked up to make her think that was what I’d wanted.

I couldn’t even stand lying there alone for an hour before I made the decision to stalk her from outside her window. Ethan had found me the second night but didn’t do anything but give me an understanding look as if to say; I won’t tell her, before returning inside. I was inclined to follow him just so I could be in the same building as my mate, but the images of the abuse I’d inflicted on her kept me away; reminding me of why I didn’t deserve her.

When she returned to bed; I made my way back to my pervious branch so I could see her again. I saw her toss and turn for a moment before she climbed out of bed quietly. She took silent steps over to her bag and pulled my shirt she’d been wearing the day she’d left my house out of one of the pockets.

The moment she did, she curled up in bed again; the full force of the agony she felt at being apart hitting me so hard I almost fell off of the tree. I noticed the dried blood on the shirt and realised that she hadn’t washed it. To preserve my scent, I realised when she held it to her chest; burying her face into it. The sight of her clinging to that worn piece of cloth like it was her life line had my wolf going into frenzy. She needs us! He growled; urging me to go to her.

I resisted him, which wasn’t easy as I’d wanted to do exactly that at that moment. I jumped down from the branch; landing on the ground with ease, all the while hoping that the distance would keep me from breaking the window to get to Chelsea. I stiffened when I heard footsteps. “Relax, it’s me.” I heard Ethan say from behind me; just as I noticed his scent.

I turned to face him. He stood with his arms crossed over his chest a few feet away. “How long has it been since you’ve slept?” He questioned; his voice lined with concern.

I ran a hand through my already dishevelled hair. “A few days.” I muttered.

He narrowed his eyes at me. “You mean four nights.” He guessed. “As in ever since your mate has been here.” He shook his head as he exhaled through his nose. “Alpha, I don’t mean any disrespect but you can’t keep doing this to yourself. You should know that you’re so exhausted right now that you can barely stand up and you’re still here instead of at home in bed where you should be. You’re running this pack, and you can’t do that in this condition.” He said; frustration, clear in his tone.

My wolf immediately felt defensive at Ethan’s words; not at all appreciating that he was lecturing us. I on the other hand saw sense in his advice; I really wasn’t in any shape to do anything at the moment. “I understand what you’re telling me Ethan, but I can’t sleep knowing she’s here.” I admitted.

He nodded. “Jen told me about what you did to cause all of this.” He continued; his voice resigned. “She’s not going to end up like her, you know?”

I closed my eyes as I sighed. “I know.” I ran a hand through my hair again. “The problem is that I realised that way too late. I’ve fucked up so badly I don’t know what I’m going to do to fix this.”

My Beta clamped a hand onto my shoulder; his face filled with understanding as to why I was so opposed to the idea of my mate. He’d been there for me through all the shit I’d had to go through in the past and had always been the person I could trust. If there was ever anyone’s judgement that I’d faith in, it’d be his.

“Stop keeping your emotions in Logan, because I’ve known you long enough to see that you really care about her. Believe me, she’ll forgive you; it’s how she is.” He squeezed my shoulder. “I couldn’t think of another she-wolf more worthy of being by your side and the Luna of this pack than her.

She’s smart, compassionate, caring, strong and a whole other shit load of things.” He flashed me a smirk. “You’re a lucky bastard to have her as a mate, don’t forget that.” Despite his happy expression I heard the hardness in his voice as he said the last part; the protectiveness he felt over my mate clear through his thoughts.

My wolf began to get agitated at the attention he was paying my mate; but I could feel Ethan’s exact emotions towards her, sensing that the only kind of love he felt for Chelsea was that of an older brother and of a Beta protecting his Luna. That had me sure about my decision to let her in. If my Beta thought so highly of her, I couldn’t deny what my wolf had known all along; our mate was the right person for us.

***

I got out of bed after hours of nothing but tossing and turning, not getting any sleep. I grabbed at the digital clock on my bedside table; the small face flashing 8:37 AM in bright blue letters. I’ve been lying here for eight, fucking hours. I grumbled; my heart sinking as I peered over at the other side of my bed where my mate had slept the last night she was with me.

I wished with all that remained of my soul that she would magically appear there and that I hadn’t done all the crap that I had. But of course, this is reality and you did. I told myself sourly; getting to my feet. I only bothered to brush my teeth before I threw on some clothes and went downstairs to my office to try and get some work done so I wouldn’t go crazy thinking about my actions that had caused the breathtakingly beautiful brunette that was my mate, to leave.

When I was halfway through scanning the past month’s financial record, my phone rang; the shrill sound the only thing that could be heard in the otherwise silent house. I picked it up and held the receiver up to my ear; not bothering to check the caller ID blinking on the screen.

I was greeted by one of the most fucking irritating voices on the face of the planet; Jake’s. “What the hell have you done to my sister?!” He demanded.

I rubbed my temple as he continued to yell at me to tell him of the horrible thing I’d done to my mate. “Jake, what the hell are you talking about?!” I finally snapped.

“She hasn’t talked to me in days! Where the hell is she?!”

I clenched my fist; doing my best not to act on impulse and launch an attack on the Delaney Pack to wipe them out; including their irritating Alpha who couldn’t seem to believe that I cared for my mate. There were only two reasons why I didn’t want to do it, first, I didn’t want to upset my mate further and two, it would be a waste of my resources.

“She’s busy right now, but I can get her for you if you really think I’ve somehow done something to hurt her.” I said; my tone cold. “You’ll be disappointed when she tells you otherwise though.” I hope, I mutter to myself.

“Fine, I’ll talk to her and find out for myself.” He grumbled.

“Fine.” I barked; hanging up before he could say anything else and mind linked with Ethan; telling him to send my mate back immediately. I wasn’t that upset for long as I remembered that this would be a great excuse for my mate to return to me. My heart slowly picked up speed as I awaited the moment my mate would walk through my door; the urge to see her so overpowering it ate away at any other thought and left me just sitting at my desk, staring at the door.

I was on my feet; moving forward, the moment I heard the almost inaudible creak of the front door and the smell of mate hit me. I pulled my office door open not one second after I heard the soft shuffling of Chelsea’s feet on the other side of it. It pulled away to reveal my mate looking as beautiful as she had been the night before; a little worry appearing on her face as she noticed my unruly appearance.

I almost couldn’t believe my own eyes as I studied her not one foot away from me. After such a long time of watching her from afar, it felt odd to have her back. Her eyes roamed my face as she studied me; the concern still evident. After a while, she reached up to press her hand to my cheek. “Is everything alright?” She whispered.

I couldn’t help but sigh softly as the contact sent sparks through my body; filling both I and my wolf with content. I closed my eyes and leaned into her palm for a moment; the feeling of her skin against mine making me question how I’d ever denied her. When I realised that we were still standing in the doorway; I forced myself to pull away, giving her some space to come in. 

“I need you to clear something up.” I responded; deciding to focus on that instead of how much I wanted to kiss my mate at that moment as her incredibly tempting, little body passed me. She took a seat in one of the chairs in front of my desk; her green eyes studying the whole room quickly as she took everything in.

I moved to sit in my armchair across from her; the fact that she was there at that moment still feeling surreal to me. “Clear what up?” She asked; her tone cautious.

I immediately dialled Jake’s number; wanting to settle everything as soon as possible. “I need you to explain things to your brother; he called a while ago, pissed as fuck.” I grumbled. It only rung once before her brother answered it. The moment he did, I passed it to her.

“Hi Jake, how’ve you been?” She muttered as she began to pace; the guilt she felt at making her brother worry clear through the bond. I ignored the conversation as I focused on studying my mate’s movements instead; especially the way her hips would sway slightly whenever she took a step.

“Did Logan do something to you?!” Those words had my attention back on my mate’s call immediately.

My heart began beating hard as I awaited her response. Although it only took a few second, it felt like a century as I waited to hear her tell her brother about every single thing I’d done to hurt her. I couldn’t believe my ears as she yelled “no!” The anger she felt at Jake’s words vibrating through our bond.

“He did, didn’t he?! What was it?!” Jake persisted. My wolf growled right before he ordered me to defend myself. He has no right demanding anything of our mate! He snapped. The phone was in my hand in a second.

“She said she’s fine!” I growled; feeling my eyes begin to darken.

“Don’t fucking talk to me on her behalf! I told you not to make me regret my decision when you took her but now I have. I’m taking her back!” He barked; the hate he felt towards me clear in his tone.

My wolf became increasingly hard to control as he heard Jake’s threat to take our mate away. Fuck no! “You’re not taking her anywhere! If you step even one foot onto my territory, I’ll have you ripped to pieces! Do I make myself fucking clear?!” I spat; my grip on the phone tensing.

My mate growled and pulled the phone back. “Don’t speak like I don’t have a choice in the matter Jake! I’m staying with my mate!” She yelled. The moment I heard those words; I was stunned. After all I’ve put her through, she wants to stay?! I silently wondered; watching my mate as she struggled to keep calm. The whole time, I was silently thanking her for being so patient; knowing full well that I didn’t deserve it.

“What is he doing to keep you there, Chels?! I can bring the pack; we’ll rescue you if it’s necessary!” Jake pleaded on the other end.

“I told you before Jake, I want to be with my mate!”

“Leave it alone you paranoid little shit!” I snarled; my patience wearing thin.

“Shut the fuck up, you ass! This has nothing to do with you! This is between me and my sister! I’m busting down your door if that’s the only way I’ll get to her!”

“I will murder you before I let you touch her!” I retorted.

“Hey!” Chelsea yelled; making me focus on her. “You’re not allowed to kill my brother!”

“I will if he tries to take you from me!” I admitted.

She took a step closer to me and placed a hand over one of my clenched fists; using her other to cover the receiver of the phone. “Logan, it’s alright. I’ll deal with my brother, okay?” She mumbled, her soothing tone calming me enough so I was no longer inclined to punch a wall.

I nodded; my mate returning to the phone call as she released my hand; much to my disappointment. “Listen Jake, there’s no need for you to come, I’m fine. You told me that you would trust me. Were you lying?” She said calmly.

“Can I at least come to visit Chels? I do trust you, you know that. It’s your mate I don’t trust!” Her brother replied; pleading.

I growled at his last sentence; honestly happy with the idea of locking Jake up in a crusher cell and enjoying the sweet sound of his bones cracking as he slowly suffered to death. Chelsea turned to me and flashed me an apologetic look. “And I miss you, I really do.” Jake finished.

“Logan won’t budge on that Jake, you already know that.” She replied; the disappointment in her voice making me want to do anything possible so she would never sound that way again.

“Can you try to convince him?” Jake muttered.

“I can try, I guess. You’re just lucky I miss you too!” She said happily; a smile playing on my mate’s soft, pink lips. I couldn’t rip my eyes away from her as I admired the way her whole face would light up when she smiled; somehow making her even more beautiful than she already was. I was still staring when she turned to me. “Logan, can Jake please come over for a visit?”

I only narrowed my eyes in response; not at all happy with the idea of her brother coming over. After hanging up on Jake after telling him that she would call him back after I made my decision, she gave me the most adorable puppy-eyed look I’d ever seen as she took a step closer. “Please?” She begged; stepping so close I could feel the warmth that radiated from her.

Every muscle in my body tensed as she leaned up. “If you agree to let him stay, I don’t think he’ll doubt you anymore and all I have to do is call him regularly so he doesn’t worry. It’s a win-win for everyone. Jake’s worry over my safety will be nonexistent, you won’t have to have him threatening you every second of your life and I won’t have him trying to drag me back. Everybody’ll be happy.” She whispered in my ear.

I still wasn’t happy with the thought of having Jake in my territory, but my mind replayed the image of my mate’s smile from earlier at the idea and my decision was made almost immediately. I would do anything to see her smile like that again. I was looking into her eyes as I nodded; redialling Jake’s number. “I’m allowing you in.” I said simply before I hung up; not at all interested in anything he had to say in response.

She returned to her seat as I sent out a message informing my pack members of Jake’s arrival. After it was done, I rubbed my eyes; the lack of sleep finally catching up to me as my mate’s presence put me at ease. I hadn’t been paying attention before my mate leaned forward and brushed her fingertips against my hand.

My eyes were back on her immediately. “Thank you.” She whispered; the gratitude in her tone incredibly apparent. I nodded as my eyes met hers; forcing as much of my remorse as I could into my next sentence as I spoke. “It was the least I could do.” I said; truly sorry. Her eyes returned to the table as she began to pull away.

I didn’t even know what I was doing until I had her hand firmly gripped in mine. The moment I felt the sparks began to spread warmth through me, happiness at the contact blasted into me from her. The fact that I had made her happy had my wolf proud immediately. She kept her eyes away from mine as she studied our hands.

I released her hand before intertwining our fingers. “Chelsea.” I muttered; my mate ignoring me as she kept her gaze on our linked hands. “Look at me.” I pleaded as my eyes focused on her lips. Her eyes slowly moved up to meet mine. I couldn’t resist the urge to kiss her anymore as I began to pull her forward by our hands; leaning closer as the urge to feel her lips against mine built.

I could already feel her breath on my lips when Ethan threw open the doors. “Alpha, Alpha Jake is here from the Delaney Pack and he isn’t alone.” He said.

I growled softly as I turned to look at my Beta; feeling my eyes darken as I fought my first impulse which was to rip Ethan’s balls off for barging in at that moment. I felt my mate’s hand tighten around mine as I began to move towards Ethan, seriously wanting to hurt him in some way.

When I felt the pressure, I turned back to her. She gave me a small smile which had my heart hammering in my chest immediately; the happiness she felt from that one moment pulsating through the bond. Her smiling face had me mesmerized again; the thought that that expression was directed at me making it even more beautiful. I was calm instantly; my eyes returning to their usual grey.

“I’m sorry Alpha, I hadn’t realised-” Ethan mumbled. I put a hand up to shut him up; clenching the muscles in my jaw as I forced myself to stay calm. “Alpha, Alpha Jake is still waiting out front.” Ethan reminded me after a moment; his tone cautious. I managed to keep from imagining playing ping pong with my Beta’s balls so I assumed I was calm enough then to face Jake.

I nodded briskly and stood up; bringing my mate up with me. I kept her close to me as we moved to the front door; Chelsea fidgeting with her hair the whole way. She always looks perfect to me. I mutter mentally. When I got to the front door, I couldn’t help but tense up as I notice the number of shifters whom had accompanied their Alpha from the Delaney Pack.

After I squeezed her hand once more, my mate quickly freed her fingers from my grip; disappointment at the distance, pulsing through every fibre in my body as I sighed. Her jade eyes met my grey ones for a short moment as she flashed me another gorgeous smile, right before she moved towards her brother.

***

I’d left Chelsea with a she-wolf who’d come with Jake a while ago and was trying to finish some reports when I felt my mate’s pain through our bond; panic surging through me at the thought of her in danger. I was out of my office in a second as I rushed towards her; following her scent until I found her on the floor of my living room.  “Are you alright?!” I demanded; the panic clear in my voice as I hoped that she would reply with a ‘yes’. All she did was look at me with a stunned expression as I assessed her body; no injury noticeable.

Jake and his Beta ran out to see what had happened. The Beta saw the blonde she-wolf’s stance towards my mate and immediately began to move to her side. “Sam, what the hell are you doing?” He demanded. Ethan moved between her and the Delaney Pack Beta; barring his canines as he growled.

“Stay away from my mate!” He spat.

The Delaney Pack Beta stepped back with his hands up as he realised that the she-wolf was Ethan’s mate. “Sam, I realise that you’ve just found your mate but you’ve just harmed an Alpha of your pack. And that is unacceptable!” Jake snapped in an Alpha-tone; clearly worried about his sister. The she-wolf blinked a few times as she snapped out of her anger-induced haze.

“Don’t address my mate like that!” Ethan barked.

The she-wolf ignored her mate as her eyes landed on Chelsea who was still lying on the floor. “Shit, I’m so sorry Alpha Chelsea! Are you alright?!” She muttered; taking a step towards my mate. I stood up immediately as my wolf felt the threat she posed to Chelsea’s safety; feeling incredibly defensive as I positioned myself in front of her.

“Don’t you dare come near my mate!”

Ethan was at his mate’s side in a second; gripping her by the shoulders to keep her from walking over to me. I felt a tug on my jean leg; immediately kneeling by my mate. “Logan, its fine; I shouldn’t have grabbed Ethan’s arm when I had figured out they’d found their mates. It’s not their fault, it’s mine and my elbow doesn’t even hurt anymore; so, it’s okay.” She mumbled.

I wasn’t satisfied but couldn’t do anything but keep quiet to avoid upsetting my mate further, as I pulled her to her feet. Ethan’s mate once again tried coming closer but I grasped my mate’s body tighter to my chest; making her proximity to me too close for Ethan’s comfort, who knew better than anyone here, what I was capable of when I was angry. I was becoming calmer with every second that went by with my mate in my embrace.

She managed to turn despite my tight hold on her and reached up she could whisper in my ear again. “Calm down, I’m fine now.” She muttered; so softly that only I could hear her. I involuntarily shivered as she pressed her soft lips to her mark on my neck; my jeans tightening in response.

She turned back to face the rest of the room. “So, that was interesting. Is anybody hungry?” She asked.

***

While we’d spent most of the day driving around the Blood Moon territory, Ethan took over the tour as he explained everything we passed; my system too exhausted to respond in any other way besides the occasional ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Before we began, I reminded him to only take us to meagre places that didn’t reveal too much about the area.

I decided to use the time I was forced to spend in the same place as Jake to watch my mate. She was smiling for most of the day as she spent it with her brother; making the fact that I had to endure Jake for more than twelve hours much easier. It made me extremely honoured to have been the one to make her that happy after all the pain I’d put her through.

The only time I’d bothered to pay any attention to their tour was when the Delaney Pack Beta, Dylan, had been telling stories of when my mate had been younger during our lunch at one of the bistros I owned by a lake. I watched; amused, as my mate began blushing while she chucked half of the food on her plate at him. I couldn’t help staring at her as the pink tint in her cheeks made her; if it was possible, even more attractive than she always was.

***

Jake dragged his sister into the mall to buy her a new phone while I was busy on mine; waiting for Gordon to answer. After a few rings, he finally did. “Hello, Alpha. What do you need?”

“Yeah, I need you to take all of Chelsea’s things up to my room immediately.” I ordered. I’d come up with the excuse while I was in the car earlier; deciding that it would be easier to convince her to sleep in the same bed with me if she thought that it would help convince Jake. I truly believed that if she wasn’t with me that night, I wouldn’t be able to sleep. Gordon responded briskly before hanging up.

When we arrived at my house, everyone else agreed to watch a movie. I decided to decline and went back into my study to try and get some work done before I’d have to lie to my mate’s face about why I’d wanted her to sleep in my room that night.

***

I heard a few knocks on my door; easily sensing that it was Chelsea. “Logan, I was just wondering if you were okay. You’ve been distant and quieter than usual, all day.” She muttered after she’d walked in.

I got to my feet. “I’m fine.” I took a few steps closer to her as I prepared to give her my excuse. “I told a few pack members and Jen to bring all your belongings up to my room. You’ll be sleeping there tonight.” I explained.

Her jade eyes widened. “What? Why?!”

“To make sure Jake actually believes that we are together and happy.” I choked out; managing to keep my voice monotonous. “I’ll see you up there.” I finished; before walking out, relieved that I’d managed to pull that off. She trailed behind me as we both walked up to the bedroom.

The moment I’d closed the doors of my bedroom behind us, she’d spoken. “Why are we even bothering with this charade? It’s not like you really want me around, Why not just let Jake make everything easier and take me back home? We can pretend that this never happened.” She said as she gestured to the two of us.

“I can’t let him take you, you’re my mate.” I explained; struggling for more reasons for the arrangement.

“So? I don’t belong to you!” She growled; anger flaring in her expression.

 “Yes, you do! That mark on your neck is all the proof I need.” I barked; my eyes darkening as they narrowed.

“If we separate; they will disappear. If we reject each other, you’ll be free from me, isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?” She asked.

I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach at her words; my wolf growling at me to say anything to change her opinion on our feelings towards her. I was in front of her in a second. “No.” That was all I could say as I grasped her shoulders. I didn’t even know what I was doing; which seemed to be a problem I’d been having every time I was around her, until I heard what I’d said next. “I don’t want the marks or you to ever disappear.” I mumbled; meaning those words with all of my heart.

“What are you saying?” She replied; her tone cautious.

“Don’t ever leave me.” I explained; putting all the desperation I felt at needing her by my side, into that one sentence.