10

Alaricas' POV (Surprise!)

I groaned as I woke up, my whole body was either aching or burning. I slowly looked around until my eyes landed on my beautiful mate. I frowned, I wanted to hug her and hold her in my arms, but I knew better than to touch her. Especially when she's finally in a peaceful sleep.

I looked back at the ceiling, I need to start getting stronger again. I need to be able to protect her and make it known to the other alphas that I'm still dangerous. That my pack isn't weak and I can easily kill them without any effort.

"Hey, you're up."

I snapped my attention over to the door where my brother was walking in. I smiled a little at him, he returned the smile and sat down.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

I sighed, "I've felt better."

"Looks like your healing a bit more too."

"Yeah, I want to start getting back into shape by the end of the week."

He frowned, "Alaricas, you know...it's going to take more than just a week. Unless your wolf wakes up and heals you."

"I know." I sighed.

I looked back at Jolene, she was curled up in the chair, her brown hair covering part of her face. She looked so beautiful, but I had ruined her. I abused her and almost killed her. Then, I chickened out from telling her why I had done what I did. I didn't know how to exactly tell her that I was cursed. I didn't know if she would believe me, she was pissed at the time. She hated me.

"Jefferson is still alive." I stated, looking back at my brother.

Eduardus sighed, "Unfortunately. Alpha Cain is searching for him though, that alpha is crazy."

I chuckled, "That he is. Once he has his mind set on something, there is no changing it."

"Jolene has been worrying about you constantly. She's always either holding your hand or just watching you. She cares a lot for you."

"It's just the mate-bond. If I block it she won't care, she'll just walk away. Like everyone else."

"Alaricas..."

"No, don't try to tell me that she won't. Your mom and dad hated me, abused me all the time yet I was made alpha. Just because I was strong, according to them."

"They're your parents too."

"My parents." I scoffed. "They wouldn't have done what they did if they loved me. I was a bastard child, still am. I wasn't supposed to be born. I'm a mistake."

"They've been worrying about you, too." He whispered.

I shook my head, "Tell them I'm dead. See what happens. They'll move on and make you alpha."

"Alaricas, come on. Can't you at least talk to them?"

"No." I snapped. "I never want to see their faces again."

Eduardus didn't say anything for a while, he only looked at his hands. He then glanced at Jolene.

"Don't push her away." He said before leaving.

"Alaricas, you shouldn't be standing." I sighed.

He flashed me an irritated glare, "I'm not going to lay in that damn bed for another week while my ex beta is running around."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, did I ever mention he's stubborn as hell? I ran my hand through my hair and marched over to him.

"You are going to sit down and listen to me for once!" I snapped.

He paled and immediately sat down, staring at me with wide and terrified eyes. I frowned at him, when I noticed he was nervously playing with the bed's sheet, I calmed myself down.

"I'm sorry, I just don't want you hurting yourself further." I whispered.

He continued staring at me, as if he's waiting for me to do something. I went to take the sheets away from him, but as soon as I moved he flinched. I couldn't even move as he quickly sprinted from the bed and pressed himself against the wall.

"I won't do it again, I promise!" He rushed out, his voice shaking with fear.

I frowned, "Hey, I'm not gonna hurt you."

I took a slow step forward, but he still ran from me. I had no idea what to do; I mean, I still flinch and protect myself when someone raises their hand, but I've never done this. What the hell happened to him?

I can't even decide if this is from Jefferson torturing him or what, I'm assuming were his parents, did to him in the past.

Instead of moving again, I just stared at him with sorrow. I rather the annoyingly stubborn Alaricas than this Alaricas. He looks like a frightened little boy when he's like this. And I have absolutely no idea how to help him.

"Alaricas, you're not trouble. Just...please, trust me. I'm trusting you not to hit me, so, I need you to trust me not to hit you as well."

I took a step forward, he just watched me with alert eyes. Another step. He started to shake a little. I continued taking slow steps until I was standing in front of him and gently cupping his cheek.

It took a few seconds for him to relax, but he eventually did. I smiled softly at him.

"I will never hurt you." I whispered.

He studied me for a few seconds before swallowing and gently cupping my face. He furrowed his eyebrows, it's almost as if he's confused.

"How come my touch doesn't disgust you?" He asked softly.

I frowned, "Because it doesn't. Why would it?"

"Because my touch is what hurt you in the past."

He quickly withdrew his hand and slowly walked back over to the bed. He almost fell as his legs gave out, but managed to catch himself and sit.

It broke my heart to see him like this, he was such a strong man. My god, he was attacked by a hunter and stabbed in the chest, but he had still carried me back to the packhouse.

"Aren't you injured?" I asked as I stared at the dagger in his chest.

He chuckled, "You can clearly see the dagger, can't you?"

"Well, I'm just confused as to how you're carrying me?"

"Well, you're not heavy."

"No, it's just..."

He chuckled again, "I'm stronger than you think, Jolene. Nothing can break me."

I sighed and walked over to him, "Remember when you told me nothing can break you?"

He nodded slowly.

"Well, this did break you-

"Why are you telling me this?"

-and I'm going to fix you." I finished, ignoring his question.

He shook his head, "I'm not broken."

"Alaricas, yes, you are."

"No, I'm just...scarred. Mentally and physically...unfortunately."

"Well, the scars make you look hotter."

My eyes widened as I said that, he raised an eyebrow and chuckled at me. I swallowed and rubbed the back of my neck.

"I-I mean...the scars don't...uh...make you less...attractive."

We sat there in silence before a small smile appeared on his face.

"If it makes you feel any better...your scars just make you even more breathtaking." He whispered.

I looked up, he gently stroked my cheek. He studied me for a moment, for some reason, I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to kiss him so bad, but I was afraid. Afraid of him hitting me.

He just planted a soft kiss on my cheek.

"And I'm going to fix you too."