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CHAPTER 22

Christina's POV

I remained on the floor, cradling my cheek. It had stopped hurting hours ago, but for some reason, I couldn't stop. 

Graham had hit me.

And was my oh so loving mate there to protect me? 

Hell no.

He was probably screwing "Brittany" nonstop. And the worse part was, I was so close. I was so close to finally getting along with Cole. I hate this mate bond. It makes me love him when all I really want to do is hate him. It makes me worry for him when he is hurt, when all I really want to do is not care at all. 

Why isn't there someone to love me? 

There I was, pathetic Christina Fellows, crying against a wall. I wrapped my arms around my knees and leaned my head by, small sobs emitting from my mouth. 

Suddenly, the door opened and Graham entered, closing the door. 

Without a single word, he strode up to me and... gently, pulled me to my feet. He brought me over to the bed, where the moonlight was shining through the window. It was there that he examined my cheek, and made sure I had no other injuries. 

Why is he doing this? 

"Graham-" I started, the paused. 

He wiped away my tears and started rubbing my back soothingly. 

"I am so sorry for what I did and the things I have done to you. Now I know that you don't have to forgive me, and you shouldn't. I was a monster to you, and I will never be able to tell you how sorry I am." Graham said, firmly yet softly. 

No response. 

What am I supposed to do? 

"Why? Why did you do this to me?" I asked, my voice cracking a little. 

"In our old school, I had just become Alpha and people expected me to overrule everyone. They wanted me to be stronger, and show that nothing could stop me. I let it go all to me head, and when you were the only person that would ever defy me, I made you my target. I went after you and the things I did makes me sick." He spat out, looking at the ground in pain. 

"What about today?" I asked, trying to get him to look up.

His head shot up and he gave me a pained look, "I was mad. And, I took it out on you which I know was really stupid to do and I am so sorry." 

"Why were you mad?" I asked curiously. 

Graham looked at the ground, and took a couple of deep breaths. 

"My mate doesn't want me."

I was actually surprised. Although I have hated Graham for so long, I couldn't help but feel bad for him. I knew how he felt, being unwanted and all. 

"Who is your mate?" My voice coming out as a whisper

Graham hesitated, then finally spoke. 

"Brittany."

Wow. 

That good for nothing whore doesn't want Graham and she is sleeping with my mate. Huh, hell is about to break lose. 

Without a word to Graham, I left the room and went straight into Cole's. 

"Go awa-" 

Slap!

"You pathetic slut." I spat out with as much disgust as I could muster. 

Brittany fell off the bed from the force of my slap, leaving Cole just staring at me in shock. 

"And you," I hissed out, "Don't tell me you didn't know she had a mate. But you know what? Even though you and Brittany aren't mates, you sure as hell should get together. I mean, you share all the same traits. You are both whores, and you know what, in the end, all you two will ever be is worthless. I hope you guys rot in hell."

With that, I exited the room, or tried to.

Cole had me pinned up and the wall as soon as I turned around.

"Brittany, get out of the room. Now." Cole ordered.

As soon as she left, Cole turned me so that I was facing him. Once I was facing him, I took a good look. His hair was tousled perfectly, and lets not forget, he was only in boxers. But what caught my attention was his eyes.

They were that unnatural black color- filled with hate.

Oh fuck.

Not again.

"How dare you walk in here and try to tell me what to do!" He roared

"I didn't tell you to do anything! I was giving you a reality check!" I said angrily, trying to break free from his grip.

He took one hand and pinned my arms above my head, and then stuck one of his legs in between mine, making sure there was no way I could break free- or even struggle for that matter.

"I don't need you." He said, smirking, thinking that he had won. 

"Oh yeah? Well I don't want you." I countered. 

Cole's smirk was wiped right off his face and he actually looked hurt. I actually felt bad that I had said that to him. 

"I never wanted you." He said, anger returning. 

Oh well, guess I don't feel as bad anymore. 

Instead of replying, I just stared at the floor, hoping to disappear forever. After a couple minutes of silence, I finally spoke. 

"Can you let me go now?" I asked quietly. 

"No. I like seeing you like this, and having your body all over me." He said huskily. 

Normally I would have just struggled to get away, or retort angrily in attempt to make him let me go. But I am just so exhausted- I really can't handle all this. So... 

I burst into tears. 

Because I was still pinned to the wall, I just lowered my head and continued bawling my eyes out. The next this I know, Cole is carrying me outside. 

Wait what?

I continue to sob as he keeps walking, occasionally glancing down at me. Oh my god, he is taking me into the woods to kill me.

I start screaming and try to break free, but Cole keeps a firm grip on me and carries on walking. Suddenly, he places me on the ground, and I go silent.

He took me to the clearing. 

Then I began sobbing harder. 

This place reminded me of when I lived with my mom. 

My mom. 

Oh god. 

Cole picked me up again and carried me under the willow tree and sat down with me on his lap. He wrapped his arms around me, and started rocking me back and forth. 

After a good twenty minutes, I stopped crying, and Cole started brushing away the leftover tears. The electricity coursing through my body with every touch made me never want to leave his embrace.

Then realization hit me.

I pulled away and stood up, backing away.

"Baby girl, what's the matter?" Cole asked, now standing up too.

I shook my head, not trusting my voice, and kept backing away.

Using his werewolf speed, Cole was right in front of me before I could even blink.

"What's wrong?" He asked softly, cupping my face in his hands.

"This." I said my voice cracking.

Cole looked confused, "What do you mean?"

"You keep making me feel so safe and loved, then you make me feel so unloved. I can't take it. This sudden change of moods is killing me." I explained, my eyes filling with tears.

No response.

God, I feel so broken.

"Why don't you love me?" I asked, my voice cracking and tears streaming down my face.

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Cole's POV

I was lost for words.

Seeing Christina like this was killing me.

I love her.

I love her more that anything. And it made me sick to my stomach that she felt unloved. I wanted to tell her, but I can't have a mate.

I wouldn't go through what my dad went through when my mom was killed.

I just couldn't.

But I was being selfish. Christina needed me, and all I am doing is just thinking about myself. God, I am a horrible person.

"Why?" Christina whispered softly, tears flooding her face.

I can't take this any longer.

"I do love you." I said clearly and firmly.

"I love you more than anything in the world and I would risk my life for you," I paused, "I won't ever let you feel unloved again." 

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