I stir and roll over, groaning as a faint light floods my eyes as I open them. Moonlight streams in the balcony doors and I notice that I'm back in bed.

I thought I fell asleep on the floor because I had no energy left after crying.

The memories of Grayson dancing with that girl flood my vision for a moment.

Grayson must have come in somehow and moved me. I shiver at the thought.

I roll over and check my phone. The screen reads half past midnight.

Good god. Why am I awake?

I groan again and reach above my head to turn the light on and instantly spot the new food on the coffee table.

I suddenly feel really hungry so I get up, wrap myself in a blanket and head over to have something to eat. I manage to finish about half of what is there but give up on the rest because I feel full.

I look around the room and see that Grayson is nowhere to be found.

I thought he said he was going to sleep on the couch. Strange.

Maybe he's just busy and hasn't come to bed yet?

I frown and decide to go exploring again. Even though it didn't end well the first time, I know I should try again, especially if it helps me get over some of my own fears. I head over to the bedside table and have my medication before heading out the door and making my way carefully down the stairs once again.

I place my hand against the wall to see if I can feel any vibrations and to my surprise, I can feel the beat of music again. I follow it and it yet again leads me to the games room.

Except for this time, all I can see in the dim lighting is Grayson slumped into the couch with his head rolled back.

Panicking slightly, I rush to him and see an empty bottle, smashed into a million pieces on the floor. The air reeks of alcohol and a shiver run down my spine. Zane used to smell like alcohol all the time. I push down the memory of Zane as I cast my eyes back up to Grayson's face.

He's been drinking. I sit next to him and check for his pulse.

Faint.

I've got to get it out of his system. 

Panicking, I get a sudden burst of energy and run to the kitchen to try and find a bucket. I open all the cupboards till I find what I am looking for in the sink cupboard.

I grab it and rush back to him. Adrenaline pumping, my instincts kick in and I tip his head forward and open his mouth, holding the bucket in front of him. I shove my fingers down his throat and he gags.

I quickly remove my fingers and he proceeds to vomit up the contents of his stomach. The room instantly reeks of vomit but it doesn't bother me too much.

I shudder as memories of Zane forcing me to throw up the same way flash past my eyes. His nasty fingers down my throat, regardless of whether I actually felt sick or not.

He groans and I know he is conscious so I wrap his hands around the bucket and quickly run back to the kitchen to get him a glass of water.

I carefully walk back and sit down next to him as he coughs, gags and vomits again.

I rub his back and eventually, he stops and places the bucket on the ground before sitting back on the couch and running his hands over his face.

I watch him carefully.

His eyes are watery, I assume from having vomited, and he is covered in sweat. I slowly hand him the glass and he takes it with a small smile.

"I would have been fine, but thank you" he signs weakly after taking a sip of the water.

"Why were you drinking?" I sign nervously. He grimaces and pinches the bridge of his nose before looking at me.

"Because I was upset" he signs meekly.

"Oh. I'm sorry" I reply, guilt creeping in.

"Look, Acacia, I'm sorry I made you upset but please know I wasn't cheating on you or anything like that. I know that's probably what you had assumed but I was never raised to be a cheater, my parents would disown me if I did."

"Then who is the girl?" I ask, the guilt turning to anger. He looks at his glass of water and everything is still for a while before he looks back at me.

"Bella. My little sister" he signs, frowning.

Oh shit. Oh god.

"Your sister?" I ask, shocked. He nods and I begin to feel so bad. I misunderstood and got upset and I was the reason he was drinking.

Fuck. I stare at my hands as hot tears fall from my eyes. Grayson's fingers gently grab my chin and he lazily lifts my head up.

"It's not your fault. You didn't know and you had every right to get upset. I probably would have done the same if I was in your position" he signs frowning.

"I-" I start signing but am quickly cut off.

"I was stressed and upset and she was just trying to make me feel better by putting on some music and making me dance with her."

I bite my lip and more tears fall from my eyes.

I'm a terrible person.

He sees I'm getting more upset so he pulls me into him. At first, I am scared but I instantly loosen up and find myself sobbing in his arms once again. He rubs my back and holds me tight until I stop.

"I'm sorry" I sign back as I sit up again and watch as he wipes the tears from my cheek.

My skin tingles under his touch and a warmth sits in my core.

"It's okay, honestly. You didn't know who she was and that's okay" he signs with a small smile. I nod and he gently caresses my cheek with his thumb. I close my eyes, leaning into his touch slightly, the warmth in my core growing and moving to places I've never felt before.

Suddenly, he removes his hand, picks up the bucket again and throws up. I frown and get up, making my way to the kitchen.

I find a banana and what I assume is pain relief before walking back to the living room. I hand them to him and he gives me a small smile.

"I'll be okay, I promise. Wolf healing means I'll be fine in a few hours anyways" he signs weakly.

"I don't care. Eat them" I sign back frowning.

He nods and I sit down next to him and watch as he slowly eats the banana before taking the pain relief.

"I'm sorry for drinking Acacia. I thought I would be able to stop myself but I couldn't. It was taking away the pain" he sighs sadly.

"It's okay. Just don't scare me like that again."

"I won't, I promise" he replies with a small smile.

For a while, we sit still watching each other until he finally breaks the stillness.

"Would you like to meet my sister properly tomorrow?" he asks, cautiously.

"Ummm. I guess so?" I reply with a small smile.

"Great, okay. Umm, would you mind if my brother comes too? Bella and Beckett are twins and they are somewhat attached at the hip."

"Sure. I don't mind. It will only be them though, right?" I ask, the nerves growing.

I bite my lip again and he gently pulls at my bottom lip to make me stop.

"Only them. I promise" he signs gently. I nod, feeling slightly calmer. I yawn and he shoots me a lazy grin.

"Go back to bed, Princess" he signs tiredly, jutting his chin towards the door. I blush slightly at the nickname but quickly shrug it off.

"No. I can't leave you alone. What if you pass out again?" I sign back nervously.

"I'll be okay, I promise" he smiles, clearly still drunk.

"No. At least come up to your room and stay on that couch like you said you would so I can make sure you don't die. Plus, you'll have a bathroom close" I reply frowning.

I watch as he sighs and slowly gets up. I grab the bucket and carefully make my way upstairs while he slowly follows behind me, dragging his feet a little.

I go into the bathroom, flush away the vomit and clean out the bucket before setting it down next to the couch. I then grab a blanket off the bed as well as a pillow and set them down on the couch.

I quickly sit down as I start to feel dizzy and I suddenly feel super weak. I pull my knees up to my chest and close my eyes.

Suddenly, Grayson is by my side, gently rubbing my arm. I open my eyes and he frowns at me. He still looks sickly in this lighting but not as bad as he was downstairs. Gotta love the quick healing of a werewolf.

"Are you okay?" he signs nervously.

"Yeah. Just a little dizzy and really weak" I sign back.

I go to get up so he can sit down but instead, he scoops me up and carries me to the bed, setting me down gently.

"Rest. Please?" he signs, frowning.

"Only if you do too" I reply, frowning back at him. He nods and I watch him walk over to the couch.

For a split second, I noticed he looked upset but I still didn't understand why. I shrug it off as he makes himself comfy on the sofa.

"Goodnight, Acacia" he signs with a small smile.

"Goodnight" I sign back sleepily before turning the light off and falling asleep.

_____________________

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