Constantin was back in the same old cold room again. His hands and feet chained with cold dark magic metals. It kept a strong hold on him. His body stripped from any article of clothing to humiliate him even more. Constantin could feel his heart beating at an unimaginable speed of fear. He knew what was going to happen next. Alpha Viktor enjoyed his little play time where he will beat Constantin to the point of unconsciousness.

It was brutal and painful. It took days before he was fully healed. His palms began to sweat when he heard the heavy footsteps pounding on the cemented floor. Clenching his teeth he brave himself for what will be happening in just a few short minutes.

Pain.

That was all he felt every time Alpha Viktor was there.

Constantin was a punching bag.

Chained to the room with no ability to fight back.

Vehement words flew into the air.

Alpha Viktor's eyes held a coldness that even Constantin knew a mate couldn't feel.

The searing pain that lashed onto his back.

The sound of a whip.

He felt every last one of them and he bit his tongue to stop himself from screaming out loud but Alpha Viktor would never stop until he finally did.

"Constantin."

His heart skipped for a different reason in his chest.

He knew that voice.

"Constantin."

"Constantin!"

"Wake up!" She pushed him.

He needed to listen. Her voice soothed over his pain; covered the sound of Alpha Viktor's malicious laughter.

Goddess, she sounded like an angel. His angel. His mate.

Immediately the scene changed and he was somewhere else. He was in a dark room where he couldn't see a single thing. He squinted and felt his way around but felt nothing.

Suddenly a light appeared from the corner of his eyes. He turned to see Natalya standing before him but there was something different about her. Her face was cold and emotionless. He could see the disgust in her eyes and the pain in his chest increased.

"You are weak." She spat.

He took one step towards her and she recoiled almost as if he was an abomination.

"The Moon Goddess made a mistake of pairing me up with you. You couldn't even protect me when I needed you." She said with so much hate.

Please Natalya. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. He signed immediately as he took fast steps towards her. She shook her head and she fell farther away from him.

"I don't need you. I don't want you." She repeated.

"Alpha Viktor was right. You are worthless. No one will want a broken man." She continued.

Pain shot through Constantin's whole body. He felt like he was bathing in a fire. His skin was burning alive. His heart was filled with betrayal, hurt, and anger. He wanted her to listen to him. He will do anything to prove to her he was worthy. She might not need him but he needed her.

"Constantin!" Another voice pierced through Natalya's voice.

This one wrapped around him again like a warm blanket that shielded him from the burning fire that crawled on his skin.

"Constantin!" She sounded frustrated and worried. "Wake up please."

"Wake up!"

Wake up?

His eyes flew open immediately. He quickly realized he was in the hospital room. Reality hit him and he glanced to see Natalya wide awake and looking at him with worry.

You're awake. Relief washed over him.

She eyed him warily before nodding slowly. She shifted in bed and winced in pain. He quickly stood up and helped her adjust her position. She thanked him softly before looking back at him.

"What were you dreaming about?" She asked.

He shrugged. It is just a bad dream.

"Tell me about it." She urged.

It's nothing. He explained.

She rolled her eyes. "Constantin, you were whimpering in your sleep. Please tell me I want to know."

It was nothing. He signed again but continued further. The dream was still fresh in his mind. The ache in his chest was still evidently there.

Promise me something. He asked.

She looked at him confused before nodding right after.

Promise me you won't leave me. He pleaded and the ache in his chest grew.

She smiled then. "I will say what I have said before Constantin. You can't get rid of me. I will never leave you."

He was apprehensive but nonetheless still felt relieved that she promised him. The door opened and they glance to see Alpha Maksim walked in with his mate.

"Glad to see you are awake, Nat." Alpha Maksim greeted with a soft smile. He walked over and kissed Natalya on her forehead.

"It will take more to kill me, Maksim." She pointed out before her eyes glanced towards Octavia.

"Where is Leon?" Natalya asked.

"He is taking a nap. How long have you been awake?" Octavia asked sincerely.

"A few hours." Natalya's eyes flickered back to Constantin.

He knew what was going on in her head. She wanted to know what he was dreaming about. There was a look of determination that reflected in those violet irises.

"It was smart of you to keep one alive. If it was me they will all be dead." Maksim pointed out with a chuckle.

"Well, we both know I am the smart one in the family." Natalya poked at Maksim who then scowled at her.

The two siblings bickered back and forth for almost a half of an hour before Octavia finally put a stop to it and pulled Maksim out.

"These two can go on for years. They are too stubborn to give up!" Octavia mumbled as she dragged her scowling mate out the hospital door. Natalya giggled and looked towards Constantin.

"You know I won that fight." She pointed out and Constantin couldn't help but smile for the first time which had her eyes widening.

"Where's a Polaroid camera when you need one!" She demanded and huffed in frustration.

His smile slipped a little and he moved closer to take hold of her hand in his. Pulling it up to his lips he placed a feather-like kiss on the back of her hand affectionately. He looked up at her and she could see the torment swirling in his eyes.

I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. He signed. His eyes flickered down to her neck where it was bandage.

"I'm fine, Constantin." She reassured him.

It is not fine. I am your mate. I should be able to protect you. Instead-

"I'm a capable woman, Constantin. I don't need you to protect me. I can protect myself. Yes, you are my mate but I don't expect you to be a super hero." She adjusted her position to get a better view of him. She wanted to make a point clear to him.

I failed you as a mate. He persisted.

She rolled her eyes. "Listen to me. I don't need you to protect me. I just need you here by my side."

He looked at her still with those tormented eyes and she growled out her irritation as she moved to cup his cheeks, pressing her forehead up against his she stared right into his eyes. She needed to drill this into his head.

"I am fine. In life we will meet obstacles. There are courses set out for us that we can't see. There will be times when one of us will get hurt and our will to believe will be challenged. What really matters is that through all that is that we are together in this. Tell me you are in this with me." She literally pleaded at the end. Her voice cracked a little unable to bear the thought of him leaving her.

He blinked and she watched his adam's apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed before he nodded. A slow lift in the corner of his lips was all it took for her to breathe a sigh of relief. She leaned in then and placed a very quick chaste kiss to his lips. When she leaned back his eyes widened in shock. It was their first kiss and although very innocent it lit up their souls like nothing else.

She watched in awe as his eyes darkened. Her eyes dipped back down to his lips and before she knew what she was doing. They both met each other halfway as he kissed her hungrily. For that very moment, her injuries were forgotten and what happened in the forest was completely thrown out of their minds. It was just that need to taste each other once again. That one chaste kiss was not enough to appease them.

She heard a low throaty sound come from deep in his throat and her body reacted immediately. She needed him closer and to make that desire clear she ran her hands into his hair and tugged hard. He growled and tilted his head to deepen the kiss wanting to please her. She moaned the minute their tongues grazed each other.

It was like she couldn't get enough. She tugged him closer to her and he allowed her to control their speed. His hands came up to the side of her hips. He didn't want to hurt her. She felt his hands moved up higher as he caressed her side. She brazenly sucked on his tongue which set off another deep growl rumbling from his chest.

When they finally tore their lips apart from each other, they were both breathing harshly. His eyes were black with desire. His lips were swollen from the kiss. She was satisfied to see how thoroughly ravished he looked. His hair was sticking out in some places where she tugged on his hair.

"You look thoroughly ravished." She pointed out with a soft laugh.

The corner of his lips lifted. You look beautiful.

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