Coco's POV:

Everything was a blur.

A lie.

I was done and just as Mist noticed my suffering, she quickly shifted to not show a moment of weakness in front of two people who betrayed me. She snarled at them, angry for me while I watched behind the scenes.

I was numb to the world. It was funny how all I ever wanted in life was to be loved. I yearned for attention, to be touched with sincere feelings. How hard was it to ask the Moon goddess for a chance at happiness? I laughed pitifully, knowing my place. My first love was a fail and right after I opened my heart up for the second, I'm crushed instantly.

The amount of time, money, and love I've invested in this relationship was immeasurable. I lost a lot just to be with him. Regardless that he wasn't my mate. A relationship, is a relationship.

They like to preach about how much work they put into the two of you dating, when in reality, you're the one working your ass off. They like to gaslight you into thinking your insecurities are invalid and it's all your fault.

One stray tear fell from my face and then another. I dated the biggest asshole in the world and I didn't even realize it until now. How toxic he was for me. Sometimes, it is just difficult to leave toxic relationships.

I just want it to end.

What I found funny, was the fact that many people are not genuine with their feelings. They say I love you so easily yet their actions never measure up to their words. The people who you think would never hurt you, will indeed always hurt you the most.

In the end, while they're laughing and smiling, I am always the one crying and grieving over a lost relationship.

Immediately after that thought, my entire being started to ache.

Groaning, my body slumped to the side. Mist's movement's started to flatter as the force of the pain began to increase. Never in my life have I ever experienced this feeling but I knew what it was.

I was burning. My whole body felt like it was on fire as my wolf howled in pain and desperation. Mist shifted back to my human form, leaving me naked on the cold and wet ground. Letting out a shaky breath, I whimpered, "I'm in heat."

Azrael, who was in his wolf form had shifted back and looked at me in worry. He was naked just as I was. Being nude was quite common in the pack house. No one cared. His eyes were swirling with black as his wolf was tempted with the aroma I gave off. Nothing was more alluring than the smell of your mate in heat.

'Human, please. I can't take it anymore.' Mist whined, wanting to be marked.

Shaking my head, I protested back to her weakly. 'I can't, Mist. I'm not ready.'

She continued to whimper in agony, rolling around as I cut the link.

Without any warning, Azrael swooped me up into his arms. Faint sparks flew between us as I shivered at the touch of our mate. The contact between our skins exploded as I faintly heard Mist begging to let us be mated.

Fear grew within me as I looked up at him, my uncertainty growing.

He wouldn't, would he?

He must have knew what I was thinking, because he smiled back. "I won't do anything to you. I promise."

I nodded, leaning into him.

Swiftly and quietly as possible, Azrael stormed into his room and laid me gently into his bed before locking the door. He then slipped on some boxers and pants before grabbing one of his shirts for me. After grabbing a shirt, he put it on me.

He seemed to be panicking. One reason being that there was a unmarked female who was in heat, roaming around the pack house. That she wolf would be me. Any males who were not mated yet would soon try to get their hands on me.

I let out another whimper when then next wave of heat washed over me.

The only way to stop it was to have sex with Azrael and I wasn't the slightest bit ready. By rejecting it, I am only doing my body more harm. Worst case scenario, my body would grow a little weak from me fighting against it, but I would eventually recover.

My mate, or rather ex-mate, heard my cries as he dashed over to my side. His eyes still swirled with black as he struggled to contain his wolf. "Coco, what can I do to help you?" he said, sounding helpless.

"Water... please." I replied weakly.

Not a moment later, I felt Azrael lay his hands behind my back as he helped me sit up. "Here, have a sip." I drank from the cold water bottle he gave me, the heat becoming a little less painful. Azrael had tipped the bottle to match the pace that I was drinking, which helped me a lot since I could barely lift my arms.

"All done?" He asked me softly, putting the water bottle down on top of the drawer.

I nodded.

Azrael laid me back down on the bed and left the room. A few minutes later, he came back with some ice packs. I smiled faintly at him, "Are those for me?"

"They're to help you cool down. I figured since the water helped, maybe something colder could do better." He replied, sitting down on the bed. Azrael then stared at me for a moment before blushing.

Confused, I asked him, "What's wrong?"

"Coco, you're still half naked. And you're wearing my shirt." He muttered, swallowing nervously.

Oh... I had completely forgotten I was in his bed and wearing his shirt. The thin shirt he gave me passed as a dress since he had a bigger frame than I did. Growing embarrassed, I became flustered.

"Stop staring."

He nodded, his eyes growing with determination. "Okay, I'll stop. Do I have permission to put these ice packs on you? I know I didn't ask for consent before putting my shirt on you, but I wasn't thinking."

A warm feeling spread throughout my chest at his consideration for my well being. "Go ahead."

Azrael's hands shook a little as he placed the ice packs on me. It was almost as if he was afraid to break me. Funny how not long ago, I was training him and he didn't hesitate to fight me. Now, he's treating me like I'd break if he used a single ounce of his strength.

Finishing the final touches on making me comfortable, Azrael grabbed a blindfold and tied it to cover his eyes. I frowned, "What are you doing?"

"I didn't want to make you uncomfortable. I know you dislike me and I just don't want you to hate me more." He said dejectedly.

I was silent at that, only responding with pats on the bed. "Come here, I know you won't do anything to me."

He stood stiffly, still unsure.

My heart skipped another beat despite the pain I was in. It was a lot less than before due to Azrael's help, but I knew what would help me even more. He really thinks I hate him... but I don't. To be honest, I have no idea how I feel towards this male. At times, he saved me while other times he drove me crazy. I've done things that I didn't think twice about doing for him. My heart hasn't been able to stay the same ever since he came back into my life.

The fact that he was willing to blind himself just so I wouldn't be uncomfortable or force me into anything made me feel so warm. More warm than anyone else has done for me.

Thinking carefully, I said, "I don't hate you and I know you won't do anything to me. To lessen the pain, I need my mate to touch me."

"T-Touch you?" He replied hastily, stuttering.

Pfff... he's adorable.

"Not the way you're thinking. Just hold me." I said, smiling. All of a sudden, another wave of heat rushed over me and I let out another cry of pain.

This shocked Azrael and he quickly nodded, slowly coming to the bed before sliding right next to me. He laid down on his bed but didn't seem to move a single muscle. Almost as if he was made out of stone. I could feel his nervousness and it was indeed cute.

"Aren't you going to hold me?" I asked in a teasing tone.

"... Yes."

Thinking I'd have the last laugh, I assumed he wouldn't embrace me. To my surprise, I was completely wrong. Azrael scooted closer to me and slid his arm underneath my head and held me close to his chest. Sparks flew between us once more as our bond hummed in happiness. Mist howled, wagging her tail in glee.

His smell filled my scenes. Lost in thought, I took a deep breath in.

He smells so yummy.

".. Coco, you're making it really difficult for me to control myself." Azrael said, in a stained voice.

Something hard and big started to poke my thigh. My face immediately flushed a crimson red as I realized what he meant.

"I suggest you stop before I lost control. It's taking everything I have to maintain my wolf." He said, burying his face into my neck as he grazed his fangs gently on the side of my neck.

Feeling ticklish, I let out a small moan. Azrael quickly stiffened and I felt his hold on me tighten. Realizing what I had just done, I covered my mouth with my hand.

However, the damage had already been done because the next thing I knew, I was underneath Azrael as he hovered over me.