55

~Vanessa~

I slowly sat up and stretched, wanting to go for a run as I felt my legs cramp up again. Man, being lazy is pretty hard. I looked out the window and groaned, I wanted to run or at least sit out there. However, Mr. Alpha doesn't agree with me getting up unless it's to shower or go to the bathroom. Even then, he'll stand outside the door to make sure I was alright, more like make sure I didn't try escaping. Yes, I've done that once or twice...maybe three times.

"Veloces, can't I at least sit outside?" I pleaded him, shaking him awake.

He slowly opened his eyes and sighed, "You woke me up to complain?"

I nodded quietly.

He raised an eyebrow, then he only smirked and rolled over. "I'm going back to sleep."

"No, you're not! Get up now!" I said, smacking his shoulder.

Of course he ignored me, jerk, so I did what anyone would do. I screamed. I burst out laughing as he flipped out and fell out of the bed. I kind of felt bad when he smacked his head on the nightstand, but it was still kind of comical. He sat up and rubbed the back of his eyes, flashing me an annoyed glare.

"Someone got up on the wrong side it seems." I teased.

He let out a breath, "No, someone's pain in the ass mate decided to sound like a dying monkey and scream."

"Hey, I do not sound like a dying monkey!"

"Fine, a screeching monkey."

"Veloces!"

He chuckled, "Karma is a bitch, huh?"

"Yeah, and she's my best friend."

"Oh really?"

"Really."

"OW! IF YOU WANT TO HAVE PUPS, DO NOT PUNCH ME THERE. SON OF A-

"Love you, darling!" I cooed, pinching his cheeks.

If looks could kill, I'd probably die about five times in a row right now. Veloces got up and walked towards the bathroom, more like waddled. He then slammed the door shut, mumbling a "fucking, hurts, fucking, where is this damn shaving cream?"

I laughed quietly then sighed, the room becoming silent again. I glanced at the floor, seeing all my clothes scattered around. I grinned, well, if Veloces won't let me get up then he can do it himself. I sat there with a grin on my face, waiting patiently for him to get out of the bathroom. After about ten minutes he finally walked out, looking hot but also a little less annoyed.

He stopped when he saw the grin on my face, he furrowed his eye brows and looked around. "Um...are you okay?" he asked, seeimg hesitant to walk over to the bed.

"Yeah, just...um...well, my clothes are all over the floor and I'm not allowed to get up." I stated, slowly smirking.

He froze and turned around, "No. I am not cleaning up your clothes."

"But honey, I'm not allowed to do much with these ribs." I replied, pouting a little.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, "Just wait till Friday and the maid-

"No, I'll be healed by then but also....this is annoying me. If you want me to leave you alone then...you should clean up these clothes."

"Baby, you do know I don't want you to leave me alone, right? If I did then I would have left your ass a while ago."

I folded my arms across my chest and glared at him, holding back a smirk as his eyes flashed with fear. We did this for a good five minutes until he sat on the ground and started folding my clothes. I grinned.

"Don't worry, I'll guide you." I said.

He slammed the shirt onto the ground, "Yeah, guide me to cleaning up the whole house next."

"Well, with that attitude, you will be."

"I feel bad for our children, they're going to have such a pain in the ass mother." he snapped.

"Are you really angry about cleaning up the clothes?"

"Yes."

I rolled my eyes, "You are such a child!"

"Am not!"

"Veloces, that goes go there." I sighed as he started to place my shirts in a drawer.

He turned around and glared at me, "Then where does it go?"

"That's a dress shirt, so you have to hang it up. But don't put it with my dresses."

He groaned, "Why can't we put your clothes away after you're healed. I hate folding them."

"I can tell, you have a maid who does it for you."

"Exactly."

I rolled my eyes, he's so lucky I love him. He snatched a hanger and put my shirt on it before pulling the closet door open, almost ripping it off its hinges out of anger. Fear started to make itself known as I remembered the last time he got angry. I couldn't help but freeze up, the thought of him hitting me coming to mind. I wanted to forget the abuse, but Olivia is right. You can't just pretend it never happened. I'm going to have this fear for a long time and him getting angry isn't helping it.

My heart started to beat faster as I slowly laid down and hid under the blankets. I don't even think he got therapy yet. Plus, he didn't tell me everything. Fortis told me a lot of it. I heard him slam the hanger onto a rack before storming out of the closet. He grabbed some more clothes and slammed them into a drawer before he roughly closed the drawer.

"There-

He stopped talking, the room becoming silent. All you could hear was my panic attack happening. I felt him gently lift the sheet and as he did, I ran from the bed. I cried out as my ribs screamed against the sudden movement.

"Vanessa! Hey, relax, it's just-

"Please don't hit me." I whimpered pathetically.

I hated being like this, but I was terrified. I remembered him attacking me and breaking my leg, tears stinging my eyes. Veloces' eyes widened in realization.

"You're afraid of me, still, aren't you?" he whispered, kneeling in front of me.

I didn't want to say yes, but I did. I'm afraid of him when he's angry, he's the scary type of angry. I just watched him with frightened eyes as he sighed.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have gotten angry. I was being immature...uh...I can start up a warm bath for you, if you want? Christine told me that it calms you down..." he suggested quietly.

I continued to stare at him, then I slowly nodded. He seemed hesitant to stand up, so I forced a smile. "Yes, please." I whispered.

He nodded, "Okay."

As he went and started the bath I mentally scolded myself, I'm being pathetic and stupid. I'm being a cry baby. When he returned I allowed him to pick me up and carry me to the bathroom. He slowly placed me on the toilet.

"Do you need help getting your clothes off?" he asked.

I chuckled a little at the thought, making him blush. "I-I mean in a...non-perverted..way." he stammard, realizing what he said a few moments ago.

"Veloces, it's fine. I do need your help taking me shirt off since that's a little painful. I can do my pants." I replied.

I didn't want him becoming scared again, scared to touch me or do anything with me. He just needs to understand that he scarred me, it's going to take time for me to not become afraid when he gets angry with me. He helped me take my tank top off as I took my pants and underwear off. His eyes turned black as he saw my naked body, but he held himself back.

I laid in the tub and closed my eyes, leaning my head against the edge. I moaned as he massaged my scalp, earning a chuckle from him.

"Do you like head massages or something?" he laughed.

I grinned, "I'm a werewolf, I'm technically part dog. Dogs like their heads scratched and so do I."

"You're something else."

"I know."

We stayed like this for a while, him washing my hair and me just calming myself down. When he was done, I washed my own body, knowing it would be difficult for him to keep his wolf back. It has been a month now and we haven't even marked each other. Usually mates are marked and mated by the end of the month, but those mates didn't have relationship troubles.

He wrapped me in a towel and walked me to the bed. I was confused since I was still naked, but he only sat down and pulled me close to his chest. He kissed my temple.

"I'm so sorry that I lost my temper." he whispered. "I would never hit you though, I've made that mistake before and I'm not making it again."

"It's okay, I just need time to get over that fear." I replied, smiling a little at him. "We have a fucked up relationship, but we'll fix it."

He laughed, "I'm guessing you want to get dressed?"

"Yeah...that's a good idea since your eyes are still black."

"Oh, sorry."

"Veloces, it's fine. You're my mate, it's completely normal. My dad still gives my mom that look when she's in a bikini by the pool. Even when my brother and I were there, and he didn't even try to hide it."

"Well, at least mate-bond worked on your parents." he said, a look of sorrow crossing his features.

I frowned, "Are you going to tell me about them?"

"I don't know...I..." he sighed. "I don't want to relive it."

"Then, you can wait until you're ready."

He smiled and kissed me on the lips, "I'm lucky to have you."

I grinned, "I love you."

"Love you too."

I didn't tell him, but I think I'm lucky to have him. Yeah, he was cruel in the beginning, but he's trying. He's trying to change and it's going to take time. Like me being afraid of him when he's angry is going to take time to change. However, I'm teaching him to love and he's teaching me to forgive and to listen to people. To actually have empathy for them and try to see it in their eyes. And for that, I'm truly thankful. Even if he doesn't know it.