22

"When is she going to wake up?" A hoarse voice whispered.

"She should be up soon, alpha. She's going to be really shaken up. I suggest taking it easy with her. Her PTSD is very difficult to understand. Sometimes she's affected by people hitting her and other times, she's not." Another voice explained.

"She was never punched or shoved to the ground though."

"I see. Just give her some time, try to calm her down when she wakes up."

"Thank you."

It was silent for a moment when someone suddenly stroked my cheek. I immediately recognized Alaricas' scent. I winced as the memories came rushing back.

"Hey, Princess, you up?" He asked softly.

I swallowed and slowly opened my eyes. I don't know why, but I suddenly jumped up and screamed. He quickly wrapped his arms around me and cradled me against him.

I struggled for a few minutes, crying and screaming. He didn't let go of me, he continued holding me until I was sobbing in his arms.

After a while, I was able to relax and rest my head against his chest. My jaw and cheek ached a bit, my shoulder was stinging like hell. Alaricas told me that his father managed to bruise my jaw bone and cheekbone. He also managed to dislocate my shoulder when I was shoved to the ground.

He quietly ran his fingers through my hair, whispering soothing words. I eventually fell asleep in his arms, feeling at peace this time.

When I woke up again, I was still in Alaricas' arms. He was sound asleep though, but his grip on me was still

tight. I nuzzled my face into the crook of his neck, breathing in his scent.

I thought back to when he was screaming stop at us. He looked beyond scared, sorrow filled my heart as I looked at him.

I could see the signs of stress on his face, even as he slept. I sighed softly before kissing him on the cheek.

"You feeling better?"

I jumped slightly at his voice before smiling. "Yeah, sorry..."

"It's fine. I was just worried about you." He whispered, now staring at me.

I bit my lip, "Your parents..."

"Mean nothing to me. They abused me for a stupid reason and then they injured you. I will never forgive them. They're naturally abusive people. They abused pack members a while back, too. They disgust me." He growled.

I nodded tiredly, "I don't like them."

"Neither do I."

Alaricas POV

I woke up to Jolene crying beside me, I frowned and pulled her close. Ever since we left the infirmary, she has been terrified. Going past the family room was a huge nope, considering that was the room she was punched in.

I was disgusted by my so called parents, they don't even deserve to be called my parents. They abused me, hoping it would some how scare the demon out of me. Why not find another witch? Why not find Lilith, it took me a few months to find her. They're complete idiots who crave the pain of others.

I sighed as she sobbed harder, I wanted to stop her pain, but I couldn't. I didn't know how. So, I did the only thing I can do, I pulled her even closer and kept kissing her.

"It's okay, baby. It's okay." I whispered.

It took her an hour and a half to calm down, when she did, she just laid there. She stared at my chest with empty eyes and pale skin. I silently ran my fingers through her hair. What the hell did they do my beautiful mate?

"Go to sleep, Princess. It'll get better." I urged.

She slowly looked at me, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be waking you up with my crying."

I smiled sadly and kissed her on the forehead, "I'm glad your cries woke me up. I don't want to be in a peaceful sleep while my mate is suffering beside me. What's bothering you?"

She was quiet for a moment, she released a breath after a few moments.

"I had a nightmare about you abusing me and then Jefferson killing you and your parents attacking me..." She trailed off as her voice cracked.

I quickly soothed her, "It's okay, I'm right here. Jefferson is dead and my parents are forbidden to enter the packhouse."

She groaned and cuddled against me, I chuckled at her cuteness. I kissed her once more before tightening my arms around her.

"Goodnight, baby." I whispered.

"Goodnight, prince." She yawned.

I chuckled at her nickname for me, goddess, I love this woman. When I knew she was asleep, I studied her. I had to make sure that bruise was gone, if not, she's going back to the infirmary. I sighed in relief when I didn't see it anywhere on her face.

I rested my head on her's, thinking about what had happened yesterday. I know she was secretly struggling with her PTSD, I just didn't know how to get her to admit it. Now, she's suffering because my asshole parents had to punch and shove her.

I should of been able to protect her, but instead, I was curled up on the couch like the coward I am. I'm beyond disappointed with myself, I couldn't believe I actually allowed this to happen to her.

"I promise, I'll always protect you." I whispered.

"No matter what."

"I just fucked up."

"What do you mean?"

"My mate brought her nephew over and I sort of dropped him. He fell onto the bed, but he was crying and we just stared at him. Then we got into a fight, telling each other to pick it up."

I silently watched as Cain and Eduardus talked. Alaricas was out cold beside me, sleeping peacefully. I felt guilty when I woke up this morning to see him awake. After some threats, he finally admitted to me that he stayed up all night to keep me safe.

"It? Honestly, it is a he! He's a pup! How do you drop a child?" Eduardus groaned.

Cain folded his arms across his chest, "He bit me."

Eduardus just stared at him before pinching the bridge of his nose.

"And you called me the idiot."

"Are you calling me an idiot?" Cain growled.

"Well, I'm not calling you smart!"

"Asshole!"

I frowned as Alaricas stirred a little beside me, I sighed and ran my fingers through his hair.

"Guys, can you stay quiet? He's sleeping and had a huge migraine. I want him to sleep." I asked.

Both men glanced at me and quickly nodded, I shook my head as they scurried out of the room. I chuckled a bit when I heard them arguing in the hall.

I finally burst out laughing when I heard Mae scolding Cain before the sound of a smack echoed.

"Stop. Trying to sleep." Alaricas mumbled as he turned over.

I looked at him to see his eyebrows furrowed in pain. Sweat was soaking his hair and he was groaning in pain.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked softly.

He winced, "My head."

I frowned at him before getting up to find medicine. I quickly found some medicine and ran back over to him. I read the directions and groaned. He already had three pills, four hours ago.

"You have to wait two more hours." I murmured, running my fingers through his hair.

His grip on the sheets tightened and his face paled. I sighed, I've never seen someone get a migraine like his. I laid beside him before wrapping my arms around his body.

He turned back over, nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck. I didn't complain though, I enjoyed wrapping my arms around him. After a few more minutes, he finally relaxed. He was snoring softly against the skin of my neck, his body was tense for a bit, but he was now laying partially on me.

I snapped my head up when the door opened, revealing Eduardus. He silently walked in and released a breath.

"Here, give him this. He used to take it when he was younger. He has a history of bad migraines." He explained.

I thanked him as I took the bottle, "Your parents are listening and staying away from the packhouse?"

"No, they're trying to get in. I have guards everywhere. The pack is worried about you two." He informed me.

I frowned, "I know, I'm trying to be strong. It's just..."

"I know, they scared you. Trust me, I'll make sure they won't do anything to you again. You're like a little sister to me."

I smiled as he ruffled my hair, he looked over at Alaricas. A frowned appeared on his face, his eyes were filled with sorrow.

"He's going to get better...right?" He whispered.

I nodded, "Yeah, he's strong."

"I know, I'm just worried."

"Hey, did you ever find your mate?" I asked.

He stiffened, pain filled his eyes before he looked down. "Yeah."

I frowned at him, "What happened?"

He swallowed, he ran his hand trough his hair a few times.

"I got into a fight with her brother at a bar, we were both drunk. He ended up in the hospital for two weeks. He challenged my wolf and I...I didn't have control. When we found out we were mates she...she told me she hated me."

Tears pooled into his eyes.

"I can feel the pain each night."

It doesn't take a genius to know what he's talking about. She's mating with someone each night, causing him pain. He didn't show it though, he seemed healthy. Then again, he wasn't focused on his mate.

"Who is she?" I questioned.

Just like Judas and Evelyn, I want to fix these two, too. Even if I can't get them together, at least make her reject him. Doesn't she know the pain she's putting him through?

"Her name is Amelia, she's part of this pack. It's fine though, I'll find someone else."

He forced a smile, but I could still see the pain on his face.

"E-even if I don't...I don't need someone to love me, right? If I j-just love myself then...I-I'll be okay...I'll be okay."

I shook my head, "Don't doubt yourself, Eduardus. You're going to find someone else."

He nodded, but I knew he didn't believe me. He quickly excused himself before sprinting from the room.

I don't like this Amelia.