Somewhere in the distance the tower bells chimed. My eyes automatically moved towards the wall clock.

Ten.

It was ten o'clock. Exactly two hours after Bryce had left me here... In the beautiful concrete room. I had left the windows open. The hope of maybe having Bryce pay me a visit through the window just like he did back home really was winning over the rationality of the fact that this was a castle and my house held in fact barely two floors at the least.

I sighed. And slumped down on a fairly comfortable chair, pulling my legs up as I did.

When Bryce had kidnapped me and proven his innocence, cleared the misunderstanding, I had assumed that everything would go back to how they were, before he changed.

It was a shame to know that things were the same and he was still distant. It frustrated me. It made me want to storm up to his room--although I was not sure how I was going to find it without getting lost-- and demand an explanation.

I rubbed my chin thoughtfully, leaning against the comfortable armrest. The chilly night breeze blew in effortlessly through the open balcony doors, dancing beautifully with the flimsy white drapes.

With the height at which the castle was situated, I was sure the lights shimmering in the far distance was that of the city. Modernization was slightly far, considering the vast amount of land the castle held with it. Still, the presence of the city lights in harmony with the clear night sky was soothing enough for me not to feel suffocated, alone in this room.

I glanced towards the door. My fingers now drumming an unconscious beat.

I had not locked the door. I had left that open too, in hopes that Bryce might return through there. But after waiting for two hours I suppose it was clear he would not. Was I to sleep here every night? And why? Why wouldn't Bryce let me go home?

A sigh left my lips again. It was obvious why. He was uncertain that I would stay, he was uncertain if I would run again. I almost didn't blame him. I suppose hiding away was a rash decision. But I knew that I would do it again if I could. Self preservation came first. I admit, I was scared of heartbreaks.

I almost laughed at that. It was silly how I was scared of heartbreak, but here I was experiencing it again. On a small scale, I admit, and without the actual break. But I was indeed, experiencing it. The ache in my heart showed proof to that.

I leaned against the warm comforting embrace of the armchair, my arms now tightly holding the large thick blanket around me. I couldn't help but wonder why Bryce would turn away like that? Be well on his way to ravishing me one moment and the next move me to a room across the castle from his? With an order to not let anyone in? I shook my head, trying to clear myself off the confusion.

"If you didn't want anyone with me at night... Why not keep me with you? Why send me away?" I mumbled out loud, my words floating in thin air.

I looked back at the closed but not locked door. Should I find Bryce? Demand an answer?

I sighed and closed my eyes. All this was so confusing. The need to go home and just sleep it off was actually taking over me, almost so that I was suddenly craving the feel of my bed, the glowing string lights, my dads warm embrace and even my mums innuendo filled jokes.

Deep in thought, I didn't even notice as a traitor tear slipped down my cheeks and hit the blanket below.

"-THEIA!"

My head snapped up and immediately went to the door. The sudden sounds of hushed whispers hung around my room echoing back at me from the brick walls as I sat there on the armchair and stared at the source of the argument. Beyond the door.

"You're one to say-!"

I didn't even know I was up and walking towards the door when a sudden crash sounded from the outside, another round of muffled whispered yells and growls. I reached the door, my heart thumping as I gripped the door with my slightly sweaty palms and twisted it lightly. Still not pulling the door open.

Should I do it?

"She doesn't des-"

I frowned.

"What's it about her!-"

Yes, you should.

I pulled on the door lightly, and peaked outside. Shadows marred the walls to my right. By the looks of it one had his arms around the others neck.

"You're accusing me with baseless amount of reasoning Delta!" The man snarled, I watched as the shadow holding the man around his neck leaned in.

Delta? Matthew? My heart started beating faster, the need to remove Matthew from danger now overwhelming.

"A reasoning you are only putting out as baseless because you know it's true King Mccgal" Matthew spat back, I couldn't help but peak out of the door a bit more, still carefully enough not to be spotted.

Why is Matthew fighting with Derek?!

A shudder ran down my spine as a heart chilling laughter broke free from Derek's lips. I watched as his grip loosened around Matthews neck and he moved back, still laughing. He suddenly stopped. Then glared at Matthew. All traces of humor vanishing from his good looking features. The two man stood in the shadows of the hallway, illuminated by the pale yellow lights from the hallway, slightly reminding me of the medieval wall torches men preferred before electricity came about.

"It's quite foolish to tell me to stop having feelings for Theia when you yourself have such a large crush on the girl! Not to mention that Beta of yours shows to be a little too possessive over her for his own good too!"

My breath hitched in my throat. A crush? Matthew? But how?

My head snapped up when I heard a sudden crunching of bones, only to realize that Matthew was now the one smiling. His hands now formed into fists.

Derek's eyes darkened. He regarded Matthew with a glare.

"Yes. I love Theia. I don't care if she is spoken for. The sad thing here is though, that I can hug Theia, she trusts me, she adores me, but you are just another stranger to her. The sad thing here is that although I love her, I know I will find my mate someday and I will love again-" I watched wide eyed as Matthew confidently moved closer to a shaking Derek. "-I know it's wrong! I don't make my moves on her! When will you learn that she belongs to Alex! She isn't yours to begin with! Leave her alone King Mccgal! This one is Bryce's. Get your own mate instead!"

It all happened in a heartbeat. I couldn't even scream before Derek had changed halfway and slashed his claw across Matthews face.

"You best learn your place Delta. What I want, is my concern. Mind your own fucking business" Derek spat venomously and turned around to stalk away.

I rushed out and towards a heaving and bloodied Matthew as soon as Derek stormed away from the scene. Changing stark naked as he did so.

My eyes blurry from the hot tears threatening to wash down my face I proceeded to try and pick a still limp Matthew, up.

His eyes widened as he saw that it was I who was helping him up.

"Matthew. Get up please!" I sobbed, trying to pull him up as hard as I could.

"Thi-you heard-I'm sorry" he groaned, pulling himself up as much as he could so I could lean me on me, I pulled him towards my room.

"Stay here!" I ordered him, still sobbing as I sat him against the bed and rushed towards what Bryce had said was a closet.

I walked out with two shirts. One which I placed on the bed and the other which I proceeded to rip into pieces of cloth. I rushed towards the bathroom and emerged with pieces of wet cloth, a bowl with water, and first aid kit.

"Get out of that shirt" I urged Matthew, and moved towards the first aid kit.

The sound of fabric tearing up sounded through the room and i quickly started wiping off the blood from his face, wincing when he winced and shuddered slightly as the deep gashes cleared away of blood.

All this is my fault...

Putting the cloth in the bowl I quickly applied the antiseptic and sighed when the skin slowly started to heal itself in front of my eyes. The gashes becoming near to nonexistent as it healed.

"I'm sorry" Matthew murmured slowly, his voice as low as a whisper, and my eyes snapped to his.

I sighed. And nodded, smiling a little.

"How?" I murmured back, slightly sadly as I handed him the button up t-shirt. I didn't even know what I wanted to know from him.

"I thought you'd know when I told you the type of girl I wanted as a girlfriend. But you didn't. And I realized just how little you notice about yourself. That made me like you more. It's just a crush. I know. Don't worry. I'll find my mate too someday- what are you doing here though?"

I couldn't help it. I leaned in and hugged Matthew, sobbing against him.

He pat my back comfortingly.

"You were stupid for going around warning a King, you know?"

Matthew breathed out a shaken breath, moving lower in bed as he closed his eyes, suddenly looking more tired than he ever had for the month.

"I know"

I sighed and moved away. Grabbing hold of the bowl, cloth and first aid I
Walked into the bathroom, threw the cloth into the bin to accompany Matthews ripped shirt and washed and placed the bowl and first aid kit.

I walked into the room again, changed and blood free, I smiled when my gaze fell upon a snoring Matthew, his gash halfway healed.

The distant tower bells chimed again and I sighed as I picked up a pillow and moved towards a sofa in the far corner of the room. Just near the balcony door.

It was eleven o'clock.

I blew out a small breath and settled into the surprisingly warm sofa.

I suppose Bryce won't come tonight after all Theia.

***

"THEIA!"

I jolted up to the angry sound of my name being yelled out. The drowsiness that was dancing across my eyes only minutes ago now nowhere to be found. I blinked and turned towards the door.

"THEIA! OPEN THE DOOR!"

What the heck!?

I quickly got up and moved towards the door, the knowledge of Matthew still lying out cold in my bed, in the back of my head as I rushed towards the door.

Just as I was about to reach my destination the large wooden doors burst open, both doors holding by fringes. I stared open mouthed at the heaving Bryce in the doorway, my mouth opening and closing like a fish out of the water.

His eyes darkened as they landed on me. His jaws tightening, he started to storm towards me when he suddenly froze, his gaze now on something else. Bryce's canines slipped down and he snarled.

I noticed then, a helpless looking Meryl standing at the doorway, not willing herself to come forward.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS MATTHEW DOING IN YOUR BED?!"

I froze. Then turned. Only to stumble back as my face nearly collided with Bryce's. Behind him, Matthew still seemed knocked out, oblivious to the world and its chaos.

Definitely oblivious to the one occurring just meters away from him. He sighed in his sleep and turned, then flinched slightly only to turn the other way. I noticed his nearly invisible silver scars just beginning to fade.

"TALK TO ME DAMMIT! WHAT THE FUCK IS HE DOING IN YOUR BED!! IN YOUR ROOM!!"

My gaze settled on Bryce's as he jerked me forward. Slamming me flush against his chest. I almost groaned at the trauma his stone hard muscles caused my face.

"I can't believe you would think something as stupid as what you are thinking when I'm standing in front of you showing off all the love bites you gave me. All of which probably every male important enough has seen on me. If you would just stop trying to go all wolf mode I would be able explain it properly!"

Bryce's grip tightened on my arm.

"Don't tell me what to do, mate!" He snarled, leaning in so his canines stopped only inches away from my cheeks. "Now, before I decide to kill the bast^rd and chain you to my bed. Tell me, what is Matthew doing here?"

I blinked. Once. Twice. Thrice. Then grasped onto his arm and pulled him forward, forcing his grip to loosen and break away as he followed me into the bathroom.

I picked up the ripped bloodied t-shirts and cloth and turned around to show them to Bryce. He frowned. Is jaws still clenched as one arm still held onto my arm, refusing to let go of me when the other pulled the cloth near his nose and took a whiff. Dropping the cloth into the bin again.

Not giving him time to say something though, I pulled him out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom, I moved towards the large sofa and stopped.

Motioning towards the pillow and blanket I mumbled, "I slept on the couch by the way. His wounds are almost healed, the scars are almost gone. I just don't know why he is so oblivious to the world"

Bryce turned towards the sleeping Matthew. His fists still clenched. "How did he get hurt?"

Yes. I love Theia. I don't care if she is spoken for.

I shrugged. Not looking at Bryce. I was not really a fan of his actions at the moment. Therefore I was not going to fling myself in his arms and kiss him silly--like I was secretly wishing I could do.

"That's something you should ask him yourself"

Bryce's gaze snapped towards mine, his jaw clenched as he regarded me with storming livid eyes. He looked away and nodded. "Alright then" And without another word, dropped my hands and marched out of the room.

I watched with side eyes and he raged away, his broad back visibly rippling under his dark blue shirt.

Damnation!

I growled a dozen profanities under my breath as I turned away and made my way back to the sofa. Completely unaware of the preppy old woman still standing by the door, regarding me with knowing eyes.

Slumping back Into the sofa I hid my eyes with my hand. It was becoming extremely frustrating to witness and put up with Bryce's new behavior. He barely told me anything I wanted to know. And he always ran.

"Coward" I spat into the cold air. My now fist formed hand thumped against the sofa quite violently as I banged my head against my pillow.

"You know, rage dulls down our senses. Especially when it is directed towards our mate. It helps our beasts not harm them."

My breath hitched in the throat, and I shot up in the coach, now leaning against it.

Meryl moved further into the room, and settled herself beside me in the sofa.

"It's Eleven in the morning by the way."

I remained silent. Suddenly finding the wooden floorings quite interesting.

"The full moon is in a couple of days"

My head snapped to hers.

"And?" I grumbled, a frown etching itself on my face.

"And Alexander is trying not to defile you against your apparent wishes. That's how this room comes into play. It keeps you in. Away. And most importantly, it keeps him out."

"Great help the doors will do now" I scoffed, looking at the partially broken doors.

"That can be fixed dear. But can the tension between you and Bryce?"

No...but I want it to...

I sighed. "I want it too. What if I don't mind being Mated to the Alpha King anymore?"

"Difficult, dear. Alex believes you do not want to give yourself to him yet. Maybe because of his beast and his abnormality. You're pure. His beast will emerge to mark his mate during the mating. It's inevitable and he thinks you might leave him. Because his beast might scare you. If you knew."

What the f^ck?

"He is being stupid! How can he not see that?"

"As the full moon nears all rationality disappears. All that is left is his mate and the tenfold oncoming of obsessive possessiveness towards you. Since you seemed to reject him, to him that is, in days to come he will have to bind himself to keep himself away from you. Wolfsbane, hurts like a b^tch that thing. But to him, he must. Elsewise , he will take you. It's the way we are born dear."

"What should I do Meryl. I don't know how to fix this! I didn't mean to-to reject him or anything. I was just scared!"

Meryl moved closer and pulled me in softly for a side hug, her hand rubbing smooth circles on my arm.

"That is something you must learn for yourself dear. I can not help you in that matter. But I may be able to help you in another. Come take a walk with me?"

I glanced at the hand she now had outstretched before me. Her long navy blue dress swishing around her ankles as she swept up from the sofa and stood in front of me.

I turned towards a still knocked out Matthew and then towards the long fingers outstretched towards me. Looking up at Merly's warm smile, my very own curved up and I slipped my hand into hers. "Okay"

***

"You might love this section of the castle. It has always held a soft spot in my heart." Meryl gushed lovingly as she lead me into a dark hallway and stopped in front large door.

She turned towards me and smiled softly. Her fingers now easing themselves on the brass door handle.

"My husband proposed here. Strange thing life is. I met him here. I also lost him here." Her suddenly sad eyes turned towards her feet and I almost rushed forward to embrace her. She quickly looked back up and smiled. "That is why I am hoping this makes this place happy for me again, after all... Alls well that ends well. I want it to end well for this place. At least before I return back to London."

Meryl suddenly beamed brightly, the precious sadness on her face disappearing completely as she pushed the large doors forward, giving way for me to witness the magnificence of the gigantically large room.

Books aligned along each wall, on every corner of the room. Aided by secured sliding ladders and stairs. It was only when my eyes left the highs and reached the ground did I notice the small group of people that were rushing towards me. One, who clashed against me just as soon as my gaze landed on them.

Mum clutched to me as she sobbed. Shaking her head when dad softly informed her that she was suffocating me. I watched dad with sad warm eyes, and when my gaze fell on Marley and Mr & Mrs Smith my smile brightened.

It felt twistingly wonderful to get a chance to apologize to them and thank them, and that too, sooner than later.

"You scared us! Never do that again!" Mum grumbled as she finally let go of me and pushed dad towards me. "Go on Arthur, I know you want to cry too."

Dad turned a sour face towards mum and grumbled out something that sounded like "I'm a man!" under his breath before he pulled me in for a hug.

"We're going home pumpkin, okay?" he whispered and I nodded despite myself.

I probably knew I would not be able to go home, Bryce would not allow that. He would kill before he would allow that. But that didn't stop me from wanting. I wanted to go home. I wanted to sink my face into my pillow and bawl my head off, or just sleep it all off.

I sighed as I pulled free of his hug. Maybe I just wanted to go home because somewhere I hoped things would go back to normal if I did. That Bryce would jump through my window and smack me against his hard chest in bed while he slept, his strong fingers tickling my slightly as they would manage to sneak underneath the ham of my tank, just like it always had before.

"Hey" I chuckled as an eagerly awaiting Marley rushed forward, Mrs. Smith in tow. Both ladies grasped me in a hug and we all giggled like little girls when we tried to break free and a still present Meryl muttered a teasing "awkward".

"I'm glad you're fine Theia" Mr. Smith chuckled as he put his arms around Mrs. Smith's shoulder and pulled her against him.

"Glad I'm fine too sir" I chucked as well, moving between my parents. Marley still near me. She looked around slightly agitatedly. I frowned and pulled on her hand.

"What's wrong?" I mumbled questingly, noticing how sad she looked, now.

"Keith's mad at me. Hasn't talked to me ever since the jerk found you"

I slid my arms around the girls shoulder and pulled her away from our now conversing families. Meryl watched us with knowing eyes as she moved over to us.

"I've contained the dear boy in the room situated right beside the one we are currently occupying. You might want to hurry though Miss. Smith. Reach there before the lad actually realizes there is no such book such as "The Levitations Of Time", that I have misplaced in the study."

Both Marley and I stared at Meryl with open looks of fascination, to which the woman blushingly chuckled and waved off, moving towards our parents she hurriedly added. "Go along ladies, while I cater to your parents"

What a genius.

I nodded quickly and pulled a suddenly frightened Marley towards the library door and out into the darkened hallway. Our movements were as quick as we walked towards the door next to the library's, and upon reaching it I gingerly pushed it open, attempting to pushing Marley in but got swept in behind her because of her tight grip on me.

Sighing slightly I removed her grasp from mine and pushed her into the light just in time for a busy Keith to freeze in mid-attempt at finding the book on the large table, while I stood in the shadows.

His back to us Keith stood frozen in front of the large table, he moved his nose up and sniffed the air before a growl left his throat causing Marley to let out a whimper. He turned around immediately and I watched with a gaping mouth at his blurred movement before he stood in front of Marley. His yellow eyes glowing brightly.

"Why are you here?" Keith growled, moving Marley's hair to the side before dipping his head and pressing his lips to a mark I had missed for the past few days.

"For you" Marley mumbled, her voice cracking slightly, showing that she was, in fact, crying now.

I, however, watched the paw marks with wide eyes, and almost yelped when Keith pulled Marley against him in one fluid movement and sunk his teeth In the same spot the mark was in.

Need to get out. Now! Theia! Now!

As discreetly as I could I pulled the door open and slipped out, sinking against the now closed door I let out a shaky breath I didn't even know I was holding.

Keith had bitten Marley in front of me. He had bitten her and she had moaned instead of screaming. How was that even possible?

"Theia?"

I looked up instantly, shocked at being found, pretty sure that I looked like a deer caught in front of the headlights.

"What are you doing here?"

"Keith bit Marley. She-she... Moaned?"

Meryl let out a startling laugh, and with a large grin strode towards me and pulled me up. To be quite honest I was slightly surprised at the amount of strength the elegantly aging woman still possessed.

"It doesn't hurt when your mate bites you, dear. It's supposed to be orgasmic instead."

"Oh" I mumbled numbly, my mind still on the scene I had just witnessed, and let her pull me forward as she started to move away from the dark hallways and into a separate corridor instead.

"We should hurry though. Your father is adamant about moving you back home and Alexander is losing his calm. Any longer and he might severely hurt either your father or his office."

Just as she informed me of the torrid news we reached a large dark door, and with a slight smile my way Meryl pushed the door open.

I hadn't even walked in before two strong arms had engulfed me between them and a very hard chest. The closeness was so, that I had to step on his feet, each socks clad foot placed on top his while he dipped his face in the crook of my neck.

The feel of his claws etching out as I tried to free my arms from between his chest and mine notified me that he didn't like that particular action at all, but I continued to retrieve my hand anyway, and when it finally broke free from its previous restraint, I slipped them around his neck and held onto him.

"You're not going anywhere. I won't let you. Not now. Not ever. You were made for me. And I don't share."