“That’s right, Alpha,” Talon says from behind me.
My father points to me and the twins, then to the door that stands wide open. “Get in the car.”
Talon tugs gently on my hand, forcing me to follow him out of the door. Jacob stands leaning against the car door with his arms crossed, glaring at the twins as they make their way to the car. My father silently gets into the driver’s side and starts the car. I sit between the twins, Talon wraps an arm around my shoulders pulling me into his side. The silence in the car as we make our way back to the pack house is absolute torture; I can sense the anger coming from both Jacob and my father.
Alex is running down the porch stairs before the car is even parked. I climb out of the car and she pulls me into her arms. Even though I’ve missed her, I still can’t forget how she failed to stand up for me when Johnny threw his fit.
I stand stiffly in her arms, and if Alex feels it, she doesn’t let on because she continues to hold me tightly.
“I’m so sorry, sweetie. I’ll be a better mother… I promise you. I’ll be better and I’ll tell you everything you want to know.” She pulls away from me, kissing my forehead and running her hand through my hair.
Her eyes widen when she sees the bruising on my nose and jaw. I haven’t been able to get hold of a mirror yet, but I can feel it. They must look pretty bad if this is the response I keep getting when people see it.
“In my office now,” my father says, walking past us. All the rooms here are somewhat soundproof, but his office is completely sound proofed. He clearly doesn’t want the rest of the pack to know about any of this.
I pull away from Alex and follow Johnny, not giving her a chance to ask questions. Of course that doesn’t stop her though and as soon as we’re all in the office, the door is slammed shut and she starts yelling at the twins.
“What happened to her? How could you allow someone to hurt her? Who did it?” My father pulls her away from the twins before she has a chance to take her wrath and confusion out on them.
“Shh… Calm down, honey. We’re getting to that,” Johnny says, holding her tightly and trying to calm her down. I sit in the middle of the sofa wrapping my arms around my waist looking down at my bare feet.
They’re so lucky to have each other. How I wish that my mate’s loved me that way.
Even though Talon and I seem to have made up, we still have so much to work through. So many unkind words have been said and so many hurtful things done to spite the other. How do I even begin to just forget that? I watch a tear fall onto my wrist and I blink as a couple more fall. I quickly wipe them away and calm my breathing. Wiping at my cheek I realise the room is silent. I look up and see my parents as well as the twins staring down at me with wretched looks on their faces. Alex covers her mouth and starts sobbing. I look at Tyler who has a hand to his chest, looking as if he’s battling to breathe. I look around at Talon and as soon as our eyes meet he rushing over, pulling me into his arms and holding me tight.
“W… what?” I don’t know what the hell is going on.
“The sadness that emanates from you…” I hear Tyler’s voice void of any emotion. I look over Talon’s shoulder and he’s watching me.
“I didn’t mean to project anything. I’m sorry,” I almost whisper, as Talon pulls away and cups my cheek. He looks into my eyes and I feel him trying to link with me, so I allow him access into my head.
“I do love you that way, Angel. I know I haven’t shown it, but I do. I love you more than you know, and I promise to spend the rest of my life making sure I never have to feel sadness or loneliness coming from you again. I’m going to be the mate you need and deserve.”
I give him a weak smile. Lifting my hand, I gently tuck a strand of hair behind his ear not caring that we have an audience. I’ve waited so long to hear him say those words, but it still feels as if something is missing. That something is standing across the room looking as if he’s about to turn into his wolf any moment now.
I look back into Talon’s eyes as I link up with him again.“I love you too. I‘ve loved you since the moment my eyes met your pretty blue ones, even after you and Ty scared me enough to pass out.” He lets out a chuckle as he grabs my hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing my injured palms.
I look back up to Tyler, wishing things between us were different.
“He’ll come around, baby.”
I look to my side to where he’s seated facing me and give him a sad smile.
I don’t think he will…
I don’t allow him to hear the words because I build a wall in my mind making sure no one can get in and I don’t project anymore of my feelings.