I watch him nervously as he thinks about what he wants to say.

"What's your name?" he asks, signing slowly. The nerves worsen and I don't want to trust him, but something in me tells me I should.

The strange flutter returns to my stomach. I have no reason to trust him. He could be exactly like every other Alpha to every exist.

I look down at my hands and fiddle for a moment. I can't remember the last time someone asked me my name. It all feels like a distant dream. Eventually, I look back up at him. God, his eyes are beautiful. We stare at each other for a moment, warm butterflies taking up residency in my stomach.

"A-c-a-c-i-a" I sign back, spelling my name out slowly. I finish and he smiles.

"That's a beautiful name" he signs back, grinning. I cautiously sign back a thank you and look down at Teresa for a moment before looking back at him.

"My name is Alpha Grayson Hays, but Teresa already told you that."

I nod. I never knew the previous Alpha of the Scarlett Moon Pack had a child. My father never mentioned it when I was little.

"So you've heard of my pack before then?"

"Yes, my father used to tell me stories about your pack when I was little."

"Only good things I hope?"

"I don't remember, to be honest, it was so long ago" I sign back with a sad smile.

Why is he being so nice to me?

I don't understand. He should have killed me already, beaten me at the very least. Zane would have. I don't belong here.

"Acacia, why were you on my land?" Grayson signs, emotionless.

Oh god. How the hell am I going to explain this? I highly doubt he will like any version of the story that I tell him though. Maybe I can avoid telling him somehow?

"I didn't even know I was on your land. I'm really sorry" I sign back, trying to avoid the question.

"That doesn't answer my question, Acacia. I want to know why"

Shit. Well, at least I tried.

"I ran away" I slowly sign back, biting my lip nervously.

"I see. Do you know what happens to rogues when they trespass onto another packs land?"

I nod and look down. He's going to beat me for being on his land, for trespassing.

I squeeze my eyes shut, waiting for the impact. But again, nothing happens.

Instead, I feel him move slightly closer and start to gently rub the back of my hand with his fingertips for a moment before sitting back in his seat. I open my eyes and look at him, confusion all over my face. He frowns at me for a moment before letting his face go back to a neutral expression. Emotionless once again.

"Why are you being nice to me?" I sign, fighting back tears.

I look at him but he gives me nothing in return.

"You and your family are the most feared Alphas known to our kind and I trespassed? Why didn't you just throw me out when I was asleep? Why didn't you kill me when you first saw me? I don't deserve to be here" I sign, tears starting to fall from my eyes again.

I watch as his mouth drops open and he looks at me in shock. He closes his mouth quickly and is silent for a while, thinking. He eventually looks at me, watching me carefully.

"What happened to you Acacia?" he signs, a frown forming on his lips, concern highlighted on his handsome face.

Instantly, the memories flood back.

The rogues. The kidnapping. The beating. The torture. The rape.

Oh god.

Images of Zane's face dance in my vision, mocking my pain. I start to breathe heavily as a new wave of dizziness washes over me and a ringing fills my ears.

I need to leave. I don't deserve to be here.

I shakily get out of bed but quickly lose my balance and crash to the floor. I feel myself losing control of my body as I proceed to vomit up bile, the world around me becoming a blur.

I feel the doctor help me up and try to put me back in bed causing a surge of adrenaline to rush through me.

She can't help me. I can't stay. I won't stay. I'm no use to anyone here.

I get back up, push past the doctor and run out the door as adrenaline courses through my body. I stumble through the maze of corridors and eventually, I find my way out of the hospital and run.

I run as fast as I can towards the forest, passing many different buildings and people giving me strange looks. Soon enough, deep into the forest, deep enough in that I think I might have gotten away from Grayson and the doctor.

However, my thoughts are quickly shattered as Grayson catches me and tackles me to the ground. I scream out in pain, my ribs aching.

He gives me a hurt look and pulls me into his arms but my panic attack is already too fully blown to be stopped.

I shake, balling my eyes out. Black spots dance in my vision and everything starts spinning and within seconds I'm out.

_________________________

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