80

What if she's allergic to some...? I've made my decision, I'm not getting her flowers.

You're overreacting. Just pick something to do. Getting worked up over some flower- I blocked out Knight's words.

I frowned and pushed myself off of the wall. My hands shoved into my pockets and I made my way onto the front porch. I sat on the porch and glanced out at the forest....

****

She'd been home almost a month and we hadn't really spoken at all. Every time I'd see her it was a few things said, meaningless words, then she was off to run or workout or whatever and she didn't want me to go with her. Basically I'd been in my office for the past few days, filing paper work from my pack and others.

Rogues were still a problem.

I stayed at my desk for awhile before getting to my feet and wandering through the house. I needed my mate. I needed to at least see her.

"Amelia." I called as I went up the stairs. I wasn't sure if she'd gone to our room or not.

I went down the hallway and paused outside of the door before going in. My hand clasped around the knob and I pushed it open. My heart stuttered as I saw her coming from the bathroom. She'd changed into a flowing nightshirt and pants, I hadn't even realized how late it had gotten, and her hair was damp and pulled back. She'd washed her hair and I was inwardly thrilled; it had reeked of that mutt's scent.

I closed the door softly and her brown eyes drifted over to me. She watched me with a slight amount of suspicion in her gaze and I almost frowned. She raised an eyebrow as I stared at her and I cleared my throat as I looked away.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" She said and her voice was smooth and mystifying and made me want to just talk and never stop, if it meant her staying here to listen... If by talking and filling the quiet room with words, just mounds and mounds of words, would cause her to not move from that spot, I'd speak for eternity.

But of course, I didn't really have much to say.

"I'm glad you're back." I all but choked getting the few words out and for awhile all was quiet and I couldn't bare to look up at my beloved.

"Kaden... I'm not sure what you're trying to do, but I'm really tired. The run the other day was nice; it didn't change anything okay? I'm still mad at you; so stop." Amelia said and ended with a growl. I bowed my head more and listened to my mate get into bed.

"I understand." I sighed. Finally I looked back up to see her laying in bed with the covers up to her chin.

I watched her for some time before saying, "I missed you."

Amelia's eyes snapped over to me. They were squinted and filled with an untrusting glint.

"You missed me? Or you missed having a woman with you?" She questioned harshly and I bit back a growl. My eyes met hers and I took in a breath.

"You. I missed you." I huffed. My mate scoffed and rolled over facing her back to me. I clenched my jaw and closed my eyes briefly.

"Whatever." Amelia grumbled and I couldn't hold back my growl this time.

"Look I know you had sex with Noah." I said and I heard Amelia intake a sharp breath.

"It's okay, I'm okay with it... well not okay with it, but I can't really do anything about it. I shouldn't've been such a prick." I continued and Amelia relaxed a bit.

"I--okay then. Night." Amelia said softly and pulled the covers over her face.

"Wait I'm not done yet; I need to talk to you." I said and my mate huffed from under the covers.

"Can't this wait?" She groaned and I frowned.

"No, it can't." I sighed.

"Why?" Amelia whined.

"Goddess dammit, take the cover off of your face." I snapped and my mate sat up with a growl the cover falling to her hips.

"I'm trying to sleep. What is so fucking important?" Amelia countered and glared at me. Her arms crossed over her chest.

"I'm sorry, for everything." I said and the anger on her face vanished and was replaced with an almost grieving look.

She sighed and glanced away from me before giving a soft shake of her head, "Okay Kaden."

"You don't believe me?" I asked.

"I'm wondering why you're telling me." Amelia said softly.

"Because I want you back." I answered. My mate didn't say anything just turned away from me and buried her face in her hands.

"They would always be bound to each other, whether they liked it or not."

Amelia's POV

I sat on the edge of the bed and the alpha didn't say anything more. He wanted me back, but I didn't know if I wanted him...

I stood and let the cover slip off of me.

"I'm sorry." Kaden said and I looked away from him.

"Please, I want us to just forget about this. I want to start over." He said softly and I chuckled bitterly and walked to the window. I laid my hands on the windowsill and stared out into the night. A sigh rattled from me and I glanced up at the moon.

Outside the air was crisp and cool as the dark clouds crawled in the black-indigo sky. My eyes gazed at the shadowed, welcoming forest.

"What's the point?" I asked softly.

"Come on Amelia. Please. Let me prove it. Let me mark you again. I don't want to lose you. You were right, it was wrong of me to dwell on Emma so much and I understand that now. I don't want Emma." He growled and I heard him shuffling his feet.

"I want you.... I'll make it up to you. I just can't lose you please. I can't ignore it anymore. I can't do this anymore Amelia, I can't ignore you, can't be mad.... Let me love you." His voice was shaky and uncertain but hope laced his words.

"How am I supposed to believe you?" I breathed staring up at the white globe in the sky.

"I love you." He said and I scoffed.

"Sure you do Kaden, sure you do." I whispered and he let out a breath.

"I do." He said softly and I shrugged causing him to growl softly in dismay.

"Well that's... problematic." I said and brushed some hair from my face as I watched the creamy eye high above me.

"How?" Kaden said and I scoffed.

"I can't believe you. I can't believe that you do." I sighed. I took in a deep breath before blowing it out again, "After all this... how could I?" I let my gaze trail the stars.

Kaden groaned sadly. I heard him start to go towards me but he stopped.

I sighed at the silence. My face burned as I stared out of that window. My lips quivered and I didn't know whether I would cry or not. I didn't know what to feel or if I was even feeling any real emotion, but I know I felt cold; empty; soulless.

"Amelia please." Kaden said softly and I breathed a shaky sigh.

It'd scared me earlier when he'd mentioned Noah, because if I'd gotten pregnant by him, that would've been a whole different ball game. But I wasn't pregnant so why was I freaked out about it... still, I didn't want Kaden to know though. Telling him would just bring trouble.

I heard him begin to step my way again and I stood there tense. My hands shook as I felt his body heat coming close until he was right behind me.

"Let me prove myself please." He said softly and he grabbed my shoulders. Tingles spread from his touch through my body and I involuntarily leaned back against him.

"Kiss me?" He asked in an uncertain voice and I felt my body reacting under his touch. My heart pounded erratically as his breath fanned my ear and I leaned my head back against his chest.

"I won't." I breathed.

"Why?" The alpha asked in a bitter voice and I let out a sigh.

"I'm with Noah now." I said and at his name my mouth turned up in an admirable smile.