My heart breaks a little as I watch Acacia run up the stairs.

"Go to her," my sister Bella says quietly. I nod and race up the stairs behind her, only to be greeted by a locked door.

I bang on the door and she sobs harder.

"Acacia!..." I roar at her, still pounding on the door.

"Let me in!..."

"Please!..."

"I can explain!..."

I stop and I hear her drop to the floor.

Oh god. What have I done?

Anger and hurt rush through me as I turn slowly and head back down the stairs to Bella.

"She locked the door," I say quietly.

"Well why didn't you break the lock?" she asks, looking at me confused.

"Because she's deaf, Bella."

"Oh right, I forgot about that."

"She was standing in front of the door so I would have hurt her more than we already have if I had broken the lock and forced my way in."

"What do you mean we?" she asks, raising an eyebrow at me.

"Bella, she hasn't met you yet" I start, getting more upset. "She will have walked down and seen me dancing with a random girl she's never met before and probably thinks I was cheating on her or something like that. I know it sounds silly but she's been through hell and she definitely doesn't know any different"

Bella's mouth drops open as it clicks.

"Shit. I'm so sorry Grayson. I just wanted to help make you feel better" she says, clearly getting upset too.

"I know, Bella. Thank you, it did make me feel better but it has also made things a whole lot worse now" I reply, sighing.

"I know. I'm sorry. I'll go. Please tell her I'm sorry, yeah?"

"Of course. Maybe you and Beckett could come over to introduce yourselves properly tomorrow? If she's up for it that is"

"I'd love to!" she says grinning before saying goodbye and leaving.

I groan and slump back onto the couch.

Fuck. I'm so stupid.

"Alpha?" Levi mind-links sternly.

Goddammit, why now?

"Yes, Levi?"

"More rogues."

I growl and rub my hands over my face.

"I'll be there in a minute" I reply, annoyed.

Man, I hate being an Alpha sometimes. I know it's my job and don't get me wrong, it has its perks but at the same time, my life would be much easier if I wasn't.

I became the Alpha of our pack at eighteen which is quite young, all things considered. My father decided he was ready to give up the reins and felt that I was more than ready to take over.

Sometimes I wish he would have just stayed as Alpha a little longer. Even with five years of experience under my belt, I still feel like I'm brand new on the job sometimes. Still that nervous little teenager.

I shake my head, clearing my thoughts as I get up and head out to the forest. I feel a migraine start to set in as I run to where the rogues are.

This should be interesting.

I get home about two hours later. 

Turns out it was just a band of rogues who were on the run after being kicked out of their old pack. Thankfully they didn't want Acacia at all.

They tried to fight us at first though, but quickly calmed down and tried to reason with us.

Even though they had trespassed on my land, I let them walk away. Normally, I would have killed them like I do every other rogue, but I just couldn't get the image of Acacia watching me kill the rogue the other day out of my head.

I told them I would let them walk this time, however, if they ever trespass again, I will have their heads.

They accepted, fear in their eyes before scampering off back into the forest.

I head upstairs and jump in the shower in the guest bathroom before putting on some clean clothes.

"Grayson," my father mind-links out of nowhere, startling me.

"Yes, father?"

"Bella told me what happened. Is Acacia okay?"

I sigh as I walk into my office and slump down into my desk chair.

"Honestly, I'm not sure. She locked the door and I didn't want to bust the lock."

"I see. Well, you know we had a spare key made for that lock right?"

Oh my god, I'm an idiot.

I look over and open the top left drawer of the desk, feeling on the underside of the drawer until my fingers connect with the cold metal of a key.

I honestly don't know how I forgot about that.

"Thanks, Dad," I reply, sheepishly.

"No problem son. Happy to help," he chuckles before disappearing.

I turn the key over in my hands. She's probably asleep. Plus, unlocking the door might make her feel like she can't have any privacy at all. Maybe I should just leave her till the morning?

"We both know that's not what you want to do," Dante says quietly.

"I don't want to make it worse though."

"I know Grayson. But I don't think going in to check on her will do any harm."

"I hope you're right" I sigh, before getting up and heading to my room.

I insert the key into the door and it unlocks easily. I go to open the door but there's resistance. She's still in front of it.

Shit.

Guess I'm going to have to climb up the balcony.

Quickly, I race into the office and put the key away before running outside and around the back of the house to where my room stands on the second floor.

I stare up at the balcony for a moment before looking at the wall in front of me. Thank god it's a stone exterior, otherwise, I would have had to find another way in.

I walk up to it and find my footing before beginning to climb up the side of the house.

"God it's been a while since we've had to climb into our own bedroom" Dante chuckles, making me smile.

"Hey man, we didn't have to sneak out of my parent's house that often"

"Still. We haven't had to do this since we were what, sixteen? That's at least seven years ago."

"Eww, now you're just making me feel old" I reply, cringing as I hoist myself up and over the balustrade.

I quickly open the french doors and step inside.

There on the floor in front of the door is my beautiful mate, sound asleep.

I walk over and carefully pick her up and carry her to my bed, making sure not to wake her. I tuck her in and gently kiss the top of her head.

If only I could hold her.

She smiles slightly and it makes me feel a little better. I then turn around and grab the tray of food that I put in here earlier before unlocking the bedroom door and walking out.

I bring it to the kitchen, groaning when I realise she hasn't eaten anything.

Dammit.

Already off to a bad start with her eating plan. Doctor Teresa's not going to be very happy with me.

I make Acacia dinner and take it back to my room. I place it neatly on the coffee table just like before. I frown at the food for a moment. I need something to show her I'm sorry.

Maybe some more flowers. She seemed to really like the last ones.

Turning towards the balcony, I head outside to get a flower, locking the doors behind me on my way back in and put the flower down on the table next to the food.

Better.

I look over and watch Acacia for a moment before deciding I should probably leave and do something productive.

I quietly leave and head downstairs.

I make some dinner for myself but I'm not feeling that hungry so I just end up leaving it.

Jesus.

I am honestly the most shit mate ever. I should be helping her to get better, loving her but I can't even do that right.

I grab a bottle of whiskey from the alcohol cupboard and head to the games room.

I turn on some music, grab a pool cue and rack up, proceeding to drink away my pain. The smooth dark liquid slides down my throat, making me feel warm inside.

I smile as I continue to drink straight from the bottle.

Hell, I'm going to be hungover in the morning but right now I don't give a damn. Acacia will probably sleep through the night anyway.

I mean, I've already fucked up so many times today, so it's not like drinking could make it any worse right?

________________________

Hey Guys,

I hope you enjoyed this newly edited chapter!! This is technically a new chapter to the book, however, it is actually a continuation of what was originally in the previous 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!

Love,

Allamy xx