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Rose x
My parents wouldn't stop fussing, my mums hands permanently attached to my body as she led me into the house. My Dad ever present beside me, his large figure casting a shadow over me filling me with security and safety. I ignored the words that Alpha Stone had said when we were in the car, about my father denying my existence. I trusted my dad with my life and whatever he said or did, i knew it was for my well being.
I knew my parents were shocked by my appearance, I mean even I myself couldn't believe my reflection when I had seen it for the first time.
"You look," my mother pondered about how to describe my appearance, "- so well." she finally said, her eyes wide and unbelieving.
"How do you feel princess?" Dad's voice asked. I smiled at the nickname, it had been a long time since I heard him call me that.
"I feel incredible." I admitted truthfully. Physically i couldn't be better. Both my parents turned their attention to the symbol engraved in the crook of my neck. I saw a flash of emotion cloud my father's eyes before they returned to his normal shade. My mother was cautious as she looked from the symbol back to my face.
"No honey, how do you honestly feel, tell me the truth?" My mother whispered lowly, her eyes staring deeply into mine. She was asking me about Alpha Stone, how did I feel being his mate?
My eyes instinctively searched the room and I breathed a sigh of relief when I noticed my apparent mate had not followed us in.
"Mum i'm really scared." I whimpered, not even realising a tear had escaped. Any walls I had put up came crumbling down as my mother
wrapped her long and slender arms around my shaking body
"It's okay baby," she cooed, her fingers running through my hair, "everythings going to be okay."
I had always listened to my mum, believing anything and everything she had said, but for some reason, as much I wanted to I couldn't believe her this time when she said that everything was going to be okay.
★★
"That FUCKING bastard!!" My father's voice boomed.
I was sitting in the living room, practically cradled in my mother's arms. Neither she nor I had any intention of being physically away from each other. My mother especially, refused to let go of me. She had spent fourteen years waiting to hold me like this and she was making sure to take full advantage of every second.
I had made the mistake of telling my parents about every single detail of the time I had spent in the Red Moon Pack, including the time I spent in the basement and the box room, not forgetting the time I had attempted to run away or the fact that Alpha Stone had marked me without consent.
Somewhere in my mind, something had stopped me from telling my father about the time Alpha Stone had nearly strangled me. Thank God for that part of my conscience because my father was already fuming, that extra detail would have sent him flying full speed at Alpha Stone.
"I'M GOING TO FUCKING KILL HIM!" I had never heard my father swear like his before, he was pacing up and down the length of the room, deep growls emitting from his chest.
"Jake calm down-" my mother said; she was angry as well but she was better at hiding it.
"Calm down?" My father retorted with a humorless laugh, "That bastard," he spat, "promised us he would protect Eve. Remember what he said to us-"
Dad turned with a heated glare at Mum, "he said he knew how to protect his own mate." My father snorted, his anger yet to subside, "sure fucking looks like it, locking her up in a cage."
I wrung my fingers in my lap, suddenly regretting opening my mouth.
Guilt pulsed through me making bite my lip. Sure Alpha Stone had explained to me that it wasn't his decision to have me locked up but still it doesn't mean it didn't happen.
My mother could feel me shake in her hands and mistook it for fear.
"Stop it Jake! You're scaring Eve." My mother growled and just like that my father, the big, strong Alpha Kronex quietened down like a scolded little boy and glanced at his mate sheepishly.
My mother turned to me, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ears.
"What do you want to do, sweetie?" she asked, her voice laced with genuine worry.
I gulped. What did I want to do?
"I want to stay here with you and Dad," I whispered, my eyes downcast, "I don't want to go back."
The moment I said those words my parents' faces turned remorseful. I suddenly knew why Alpha Stone had brought those guards with us. He knew the moment I was back home I wouldn't want to go back. No wonder he was so reluctant to bring me here.
"In any other situation you know we would fight to the end for you my love" my mum started, her eyes glazing with tears, "but you've already been marked and keeping you- or even trying to keep you away from Alpha Stone will only leave you in agonising pain."
I raised an eyebrow. What did she mean by agonising pain?
"Please let me stay," I begged, sobbing violently when I noticed my parents look at each other with regret, "please mum I'm begging you, don't make me go back."
★★
It was inevitable. I knew that I had to go back to Alpha Stones pack, no matter how much I protested.
I was standing at the threshold of my bedroom. Not the sterile room, but my actual bedroom. It was only the second time I could remember seeing this room. The first time was the day I had decided to stop my treatment and leave the sterile room. The same day I ended up trespassing and meeting Alpha Stone.
I felt my eyes burn as I thought about that day. If only I could go back to that day and tell myself not to leave, that it wasn't worth it.
I walked in noticing how the room was still decorated like the room was made for a five year old. Soft teddy bears scattered across the little bed, crayon paintings I had drawn stuck along the walls.
I dropped down onto the bed, and reached for the framed picture on the bedside table. It was a candid photo of my parents and I. My father was holding me up, about to toss me in the air, his mouth wide open in laughter. I must have been around three in the photo, my hair pulled up in two little pigtails, my eyes closed, mouth wide in anticipation. My mother was the only person looking into the camera, yet her body was tilted towards Dad and I.
There was only two words to describe this photo. Pure happiness.
I clutched at the frame so tightly, my knuckles turned white.
Where was that happiness now? I questioned myself.
I was so entranced by the photo I didn't realise that someone was standing by the door.
"You bitch!" she screamed and immediately my gaze flew up to the door where Gemma was standing, her eyes wide with tears.
"Gemma!" I screamed, jumping up from the bed, barreling myself straight into her arms. We stood there clinging onto each other, both of us crying.
"I missed you," I whispered, "so so much."
"Well i didn't" she says making me step back to look her in the face. "Why the heck would I miss someone who was busy playing happy families with her bloody Alpha mate" Gemma continued, her eyelashes wet with tears, "who by the way has a bloody good punch." She finished annoyed.
"I'm so sorry Gem." I whisper, the image of her crumbled body on the floor was still clear as day in my head, "and I'm not playing bloody families with him." I made it clear, pulling Gemma back in for a hug, breathing in her familiar smell. God, i missed this girl.
"Yeah you should be bloody sorry, do you know how worried I was when I woke up back here without you?"
I pulled her back to my bed, both of holding onto each other so tightly afraid to let go.
"So he marked you then," Gemma added noticing the mark on my neck.
"He did it to save me apparently," I explained, "I had no idea the man was even my mate."
"Oh believe me Eve, the guy knew all along. I just don't understand though, why he treated us like shit when he already knew you were his mate."
I took in her words, suddenly remembering how cold he was when he saw us. He had looked at me with disgust the first time.
"I just don't know how it happened, how I'm his mate. I mean it would have been more believable if it had been you, like you're a werewolf, the whole mating thing is basically part of you."
"Girl don't you dare try and push him on me. You can keep Alpha Stone all to yourself, I don't want any part of the man."
I couldn't help but smile at her peeved off tone.
I sighed, "I don't know what to do Gem. I know I can't stay here, but I just can't face going back."
Gemma wrapped her arm around my shoulder, rubbing her hands on my arms, attempting to comfort me.
"Did he hurt you?" shes asks, I can feel the caution in her voice. She isn't sure if she wants to hear my reply.
"No." I quickly clear up. Alpha Stone had never really hurt me intentionally. He wasn't abusive towards me.
"Does he treat you badly?"
I think about the newly decorated bedroom and a closet full of luxury clothes waiting for me back at the pack and I shake my head.
"So what is it that scares you about being with him?" Gemma pushes.
"I don't know Gem. It just this is all I've known my whole life. You, my parents, this pack. This is my world and I don't know anything else. Alpha Stone just came into my life, claimed I was his mate and now my whole life has flipped upside down. I'm human Gem! I'm not supposed to be someones mate." I lean forward and let my head fall into my hands, I could feel a headache coming along.
"But you're not human anymore Eve." I'm surprised by her words and in shock look up to meet her eyes.
"What?"
"I'm serious, I could tell straight away. There's power within you, i can feel it. I mean look at you Eve, you hardly look like the Eve I know."
Did I really look that different?
"You have to admit it Eve, him marking you saved your life and that's the truth no matter how much you deny it."
This wasn't what I wanted to hear. I wanted Gemma to side with me, telling me that everything was going to be alright and that I didn't have to be with Alpha Stone if i didn't want to.
"But I don't love him" I moan. Why couldn't anyone understand that? "You told me that when mates find each other they can hardly stay apart. All they want is to be with each other. That's not how I feel, I mean if anything I'm spending all my time thinking about how I can get as far away as I can from him."
Gemma sighs, "Be careful Eve." she warns, her voice suddenly serious, "the mate bond is a serious thing. Don't go around being reckless with it."
I felt like she had poured ice cold water over me at her words.
"If you are that desperate, if you cannot for the life of you imagine a life with Alpha Stone then there is always one last option."
Gemma's voice was low and suddenly the room turned cold making me shiver. Her eyes showed me she was reluctant to say what she was about to and it made me wonder if I even wanted to hear it. But before I could say otherwise Gemma opened her mouth and at her words it felt like someone had stabbed me in the heart with a dagger.
"You can reject him."
What do you think guys? Do you think Eve will consider rejecting Alpha Stone? Maybe I'll bring in another love interest? Huh.