"True love comes quietly, without banners or flashing lights. If you hear bells, get your ears checked." – Erich Segal

"Just breathe," he said, placing his hands on my back. "I've got you, everything will be okay."

I took a deep breath and fought my own inner demons. Flashbacks, of my past, of Amy, everything hitting me at once like a wrecking ball, slamming into me over and over again.

I held onto Alexander's arm, like it was my lifeline, keeping me sane, grounded, and safe. Like a light, he walked with me through the darkness, every time this happened this week. 

After a few minutes, which felt like hours, the panic became more bearable as I tried to steady my breathing. I won't lie and say the fear had gone away. It's still there, covered by a thick blanket of hope. Hope that I'll get through this. 

Alexander did not leave my side. Even after everything,  I was still confused as to what was going on between us, but I knew. I needed him, more than anything, I need my mate.

I noticed that my body and arms are still holding onto his arm for dear life. I slowly loosened my grip and guilt flooded over me.

"Alec, I'm sorry,"  I said with a raspy voice. Using the new nickname I decided to call him. Everyone called him Alex or Alexander. I wanted to be different. 

I knew I needed to apologize to him. It's been a week since I woke up and we still haven't had the talk, about everything. I have been an emotional bombshell and he has kept putting it on hold due to me and my issues.

All he did was ask me what happened and I started to panic, again. Despite everything I wanted to get this over and done with so I tried again. Every time I think of that place, of Katy, I think of the two people I call parents and everything they did to me. How wounded, weak, and scared. I am. Worthless, as she said.

He looked at me with a calm and loving expression. "Don't be," he said. 

He seemed to be a man of a few words. His sentences were short and to the point. He never dragged them out, he said what he wanted and that was it. 

"You asked what happened. Well..." I began, trying my best to contain my emotions. 

"I was in that room, the one you put me. I heard the fighting outside and decided to hide Lily. It would be okay if they take me, or if something happened to me, but NOT Lily. I did not want them to so much as touch a hair on her head. Katy and your old mate, they were the ones who found me. I tried to fight them Alec, but after a few seconds, I gave myself over. I was scared they would find Lily and then they would take her as well." I said. Everything was kind of a blur, I tried to remember everything.

"I woke up, in that place. Mitch was putting these chains on me. It burnt so bad.." a sob escaped my mouth and I felt his hands around my body, embracing me.

"You know. I never thought Mitch would be that kind of person, nor Katy. They tortured me with a tazor, but Mitch told her to use the silver acid." I said, taking a look at my arms. The Doctor said I will always have these scars, these horrid reminders of what my best friend did to me.

I continued telling him everything after that. He only had one question it seems... " How did you get out of the chains?" he asked.

"Honestly. I don't know. Katy dragged Nicola into the cell. Then I just felt heat, it spread through my body and then.... the chains, they fell off." I said.

"Okay." Was all he said to me. 

I put my head on his chest and gathered my emotions for the next question, I wanted to ask him. Everything has been such a mess, such a huge blob of shit that was thrown into a washing machine with my emotions mixed into it. 

The people I trusted the most had been my friends. Including Katy, I felt like everything with her, every memory is a lie that was morphed into her sick game to get what she wanted.

"What now?" I asked.

He pulled away from me and I could not help but drop his gaze and look at my shaky hands. "What do you mean?" he asked, lifting my chin with his finger. Our eyes locked and his eyes went gold again, filled with so many emotions.

"You and me, us," I said, softly, without thinking the words just left my mouth.

His finger left my chin and I felt cold like the heat has been taken from my body.  "Well, you don't want to start over, on a clean slate," he said.

My heart began racing again. I was scared of what he was going to say, but I needed to know. Better to be rejected and forgotten, than to keep dragging something that is never going to be.

"So I can try my best, every day, for the rest of my life, to make it up to you. To love you, to treat you like the mate you deserve. I know, I have been confusing. I'm sorry. After Cecile, I never wanted a mate again. Until I met you that night.  My heart, my mind, and Zane was all at war within me and I lashed out to you. Its no excuse. I am sorry about that. About everything. So if you will still have me, I will-"

I launched myself into his chest, without warning. Our bodies clashing with a loud thud and I started to cry, burying my face in his chest. Is it weird to just want to be in his arms? Where I feel safe? Even after everything, he was my second chance. 

"So, what do you say?" He asked. 

"Do you accept me? As your mate?" I asked, Ella was jumping excitedly at the thought that our mate wants us.

"Always," he said with a big smile.

"Thank you, Alec," I said, burying my face in his chest even more, if it's even possible. He just smelled so good.

"Now. Let's go get you some lunch. Lily is waiting for you. We can talk more later,"  he said, standing from the bed and pulling me to my feet. I've come to love this Alexander, my mate.

Walking downstairs towards the kitchen I notice that William, Lily, Bella and Cole were all seated in the kitchen.  They all turned to face me while Lily came wobbling towards me. Her little face was all happy and full of joy. "Mama," she squealed, I picked her up and hold her little body against me.

I greeted the others with a smile and they all nodded back. 

William had a smirk on his face and looked like he wanted to say something. I walked closer to the table and that's when I noticed the food on the table. Yogurt, fruits, bacon, scrambled eggs, waffles, and pancakes... I mentally squealed, I was so hungry.

"Mama, pancakes," Lily said pulling my shirt. I placed her in the baby seat and put a pancake on a plate for her. I grabbed some Nutella and put some on the pancake. She was so happy, her face beamed with pure joy.

Once Lily was fed, I grabbed a place and took some fruits. "Your parents are coming home," William said randomly. I looked at him and he just had a blank expression on his face. 

"When?" Alexander asked. 

"The day after tomorrow, they are also bringing back your sister and her mate," William said, putting a piece of waffle in his mouth.

"Just great," Alexander mumbled. 

Everyone was acting all strange and I started to feel overwhelmed. What am I going to do if they don't like me? 

"So..." Cole said looking at me, then at Alexander. "How will this work, from now?" He asked.

"What do you mean, Cole?" Alexander asked.

Cole took a few seconds before he spoke, Bella placed her hand on his shoulder and smiled at me. "Well, as the Alpha and King. Is she -" he said pointing at me. "-going to become Luna and Queen? or are you go-" 

A loud growl filled the kitchen as Alexander cut Cole off. His eyes flashed from his normal blue to black to golden. "She is the Luna and Queen, Cole. What type of question is that?" He said growling.

"I... I just t...thought, after Cecile... you... won't be acting so quickly... Cecile almost destroyed you... Alexander. I'm saying this as your friend. The Kingdom cannot take another mishap, Alex." Cole said, his face held concern and care, for Alexander.

I have to say, I was a bit hurt by his words, I would never hurt Alexander, intentionally. I would never break his trust, I would never harm him in any way, I would never destroy him. Was that what Cole thought of me? 

Alexander just sat there, I don't think he knew what to say, I don't know what Cecile did, I don't know what type of person she was to the pack. I did know she was horrible and part of the people who tortured me. 

I placed my fork on my plate and pushed back my chair. "Excuse me," I said, getting up from the chair.

I knew that we came from different worlds. I just did not think that it would matter. I would never be the person to harm others. Maybe this was just it. I was so blind, blind to think someone would ever want me or love me. I did not want to be the person that would cause his pack and kingdom any harm.

I walked towards the stairs and back to the room. Once I was in the room, my room, I closed the door and sat on the bed. Why do I put myself through this? What is the point of this mess?

After ten minutes I decided to get dressed in something comfier. I pulled my shirt over my head and searched for another shirt. I just grabbed one and then the door flew open. Alexander stood in the doorframe. 

Once his eyes landed on my bare skin, my back, he growled and stormed towards me. He was angry, he was pissed and he is no longer in control. Zane is, and his anger was all built up. 

"Where did you get these," he said, tracing the marks on my back with his thumb. Sparks tingled with every touch, sending my body in overdrive.

I felt so embarrassed, I never wanted anyone to see this, they would know how weak I am. "I'm sorry, the scars, they are from back home.  "I don't want you to see them," I said pulling the shirt over my head.

I walked past Alexander but he grabbed me by my arm.

"Even if you show me all your scars, even if you feel lost, even if you show me all the bad things you think you are, even if you shut me out, It would never make me love you any less.  Good, bad, I won't walk away, Monica." 

Hi there. Hope this chapter is okay. More coming soon. The song I chosen is perfect for this chapter... 

All my love

PS - please vote and comment <3 

M

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