I groan and roll over as I start to stir. I don't want to wake up. Waking up means dealing with all my problems.

Suddenly, I'm hit with the most intoxicating smell ever.

A sickly sweet musk.

Grayson.

Far out! Why now?

I open my eyes to see a sleeping Grayson slumped in the chair next to me. I look around and see I'm back in the hospital.

Dammit, I must've passed out again. I groan and run my hands over my face before rolling onto my back. I turn my attention to the door as I see Doctor Teresa walk in.

She gives me a small smile and makes her way over to me. She checks me over as usual before jutting her head in Grayson's direction.

"He's been here the whole time you've been out you know" she starts, signing.

"He's probably only just fallen asleep. Poor thing, he's been trying to stay awake until you woke up but it obviously got the best of him."

"How long was I out for?" I sign, quickly glancing at Grayson.

"Almost a day. Understandable though. Passing out seems to be your body's defence mechanism towards stress. Please know he didn't intend for you to see that. He had failed to mention it to me. Silly man. Had I known, we wouldn't have gone outside when we did" she replies with a sad smile.

I nod and she helps me out of bed and through the shower before helping me change and get back into bed.

I lay back in the warmth of the bed and watch Grayson as she walks out of the room. I notice the bags under his eyes.

He's tired. I wish he hadn't stayed awake for me. He needs the rest.

He looks so peaceful while he sleeps though. I hope he's okay.

I look down at the bruises on my forearms and cringe at how dark they still are.

Teresa was right. I'm not healing as fast as I should be. Wolves are supposed to heal faster than humans but I'm not and I don't know why.

I push back at the covers and roll down the top of my pants to look at the bruises on my pelvis. They are looking slightly better than before but are still really dark.

I touch them lightly but pull back, hissing at the pain. I groan and unroll my pants, pulling the covers back up to my chin. I shiver as a bad memory flashes past my eyes.

At least they haven't hurt me here yet.

I sigh and roll over, deciding to get some more sleep while Grayson is asleep because no doubt he will want to talk to me when he wakes up.

I burrito myself into the blankets then close my eyes and drift off to sleep.

I feel a hand rest on my knee as I sit blindfolded in the back of a car. I want to push it off but I know if I do that then the rogue will hurt me and I don't want that.

Mummy told me that if I ever got into trouble with rogues to not make them angry so that's what I'm doing. I miss Mummy and Daddy and Claire.

I hope they're okay. I would try to mind-link them but the mean rogues injected me with something. Probably wolfsbane, definitely smelt like it.

It really hurt. Stupid rogues.

I feel the car stop and soon I am being scooped out of the back seat and carried somewhere.

I start to cry out of fear and the rogue growls at me to shut up, causing me to shake from the vibration. I stop, whimpering in fear.

I am soon placed on a cold floor and the blindfold is removed.

I'm in a cell in a dark dungeon-looking place. I whimper as the rogues watch me, grinning wickedly.

They all stop and bow their heads as a man walks in. I guess he's the leader. He starts talking to one of the men that kidnapped me and I assume they are talking about me because the leader suddenly looks right at me with an evil grin.

He says something and instantly everyone leaves the room.

He walks over to a cupboard and pulls out some dirty, old-looking clothes and a whip before walking over to me. He drops everything on the floor next to me before trying to take my clothes off.

I kick and scream, wiggling around to escape his grip but it tightens.

He suddenly picks up the whip and strikes me. I scream, bursting into tears while curling up into a ball. He grins at me and goes to undress me again but I kick him and bite him, only to receive another beating.

I whimper, tears rushing down my face. I want to go home, I want my Mummy and Daddy back.

"I-I-I w-want to g-go home" I manage to stutter out through waves of tears.

I hate talking without my hearing aids because I can't tell whether I'm saying things right or not but at this point, it doesn't matter.

I watch as the leader's mouth moves and I can make out something along the lines of a no before he beats me multiple times, growling in the process. I scream in pain and more tears run from my eyes.

He rips me up off the ground into a standing position and proceeds to undress me. I don't fight back this time because I don't want to get whipped again.

He puts me in the rags before shoving me onto the ground and continuing to whip me again.

Please, someone, come save me!

I want to go home!

I wake up sweating, struggling to breathe while tears run from my eyes. Another nightmare from my past.

I shudder at the thought of my dream before looking over to see Grayson watching me with a worried expression on his face.

"Are you okay?" he signs nervously.

Am I okay?

What a stupid question, Grayson.

Of course, I'm not okay. I was kidnapped when I was eight, beaten and raped. I then had to run for my life to get away, only to end up on your land and be brought in by you, and then I saw you kill some rogues.

No, I'm not fucking okay.

"I'm fine" I reply back, looking away as I lie back in my bed. I run my hands over my face and sigh.

Suddenly, Grayson's hand is resting on my wrist, causing my body to tingle under the warm sensation.

Why does he have to be my mate?

Just my luck. Mate to the most feared Alpha alive.

I move my hand out of his touch in fear but turn my head to look at him.

Hurt flashes across his face but quickly disappears.

Why is he sad?

All I did was move my hand away.

"I'm sorry Acacia" he signs slowly.

"I didn't mean for you to see what you saw."

"Why'd you kill him?" I sign back nervously. I watch as he runs his hands through his hair and rubs his eyes.

He looks worn out.

"They trespassed and attacked for no reason. I had to. It's my job as an Alpha. I can't just sit back and watch my pack get attacked."

"Oh right. Stupid question. Sorry."

"It's okay. Plus, I believe they were sent by the people that kidnapped you. They said that some rogue leader of theirs is looking for an escaped prisoner and he thinks they've come in my direction and if they were to end up in my territory, I should kill them. It's the second group of rogues that has come to my territory to deliver that message" he signs, wearily.

Fuck.

Zane.

He's looking for me.

"So why haven't you killed me yet?" I sign nervously.

"Because you're my mate, Acacia. I couldn't even imagine hurting you, let alone killing you. Why don't you get that?" he signs back, the hurt reappearing on his face.

A sharp pain shoots through me and I can tell Grayson felt it too.

"I don't know. I can't trust you. I just saw you kill a man with your bare hands. Plus, why would you want me? I'm broken and used" I sign shakily, tears welling in my eyes.

His mouth drops open at my reply and I can see him battling with his own emotions. His beautiful grey eyes swimming.

"I'll always want you, Acacia. You're my mate. It's my job to love and protect you" he signs back, with a sad smile.

"But you know nothing about me!? Plus, no one ever wants me. All they do is hurt me. I'm broken, Grayson, you don't need me. There are so many other perfect girls that could have been your mate but instead, you got me" I sign, tears now rushing from my eyes.

Suddenly, he scoops me into his arms and holds me tight. I bawl my eyes out, caving into him.

My insides turn to mush as my body reacts to his touch. I feel safe in his arms, which unsettles me.

He continues to hold me until I am no longer crying before gently placing me back on my bed.

"I don't care that you're broken, Acacia. I will always want you and need you. You're perfect in my eyes and nothing will ever change that. I know I've fucked up and I know you're scared of me and you have every right to be, but I want to earn your trust and respect and love, no matter what it takes" he signs with a small smile.

My mouth drops open in shock.

Did he just?

What?

The wolf side of me stirs, wanting me to let him in and I know I have to at least give him a chance.

"Okay" is all I manage to sign back, nerves getting the better of me.

Instantly his face lights up and he smiles at me.

"Do you accept me as your mate, Acacia?" he signs nervously. I nod a yes with a small smile.

"Good, because I, Grayson Hays, accept you as my mate too, Acacia. You're well and truly stuck with me now" he signs as the most stunning smile graces his face. 

Suddenly, a wave of warmth rushes through my body and I know it's my wolf. She's happy. 

"So now what?" I sign, the nerves creeping back in.

"Now, you should get some more rest. I'm really really sorry but unfortunately, I have to run away to do some Alpha duties. I really wish I didn't have to leave but I promise you I will be back later to check up on you.

I smile and Grayson stands up and kisses the top of my head before heading towards the door.

"You won't regret this, I promise" he signs, grinning before heading out the door. I stare at the door for a moment before lying back in bed.

This is going to be hard but he deserves a chance and my wolf wants her mate so I'm going to have to try. I sigh and close my eyes, feeling sleep wash over me again.

__________________________

Hey Guys,

So I hope you enjoyed that chapter! Thanks, for sticking by me through all this and feel free to leave me a comment below letting me know whether you liked this chapter!!

If you feel so inclined, go follow me on my Instagram account @allamy_duffell for a look into my life outside of writing!

Thanks,

- Allamy xx