Mine To Hold

Alpha Liam

I feel shattered inside knowing that my mate had faced such torment and that I wasn’t there to protect her. It was my duty. I know it’s my fault. I can’t fathom the abuse she’s been through and find myself rushing back to my bedroom to comfort her, to console her and beg for her forgiveness for not being there when she needed me. Beta Jax argued with me not to overwhelm her but I know she must think she’s being punished by being locked inside of my bedroom. A detail I forgot to disclose.

I only wanted a minute to think without thoughts ravaging my brain that she would run away. I can’t bare the idea of being without her.

I quickly unlock the door and my heart feels like it’s been ripped out of my chest. I see Lexi sitting in the middle of the room with her legs apart on her calves, naked. Her hands were placed on her thighs, palms up and her gaze was forced down. I notice she can’t help but shake as I stalk towards her. She must have been the Alpha’s pet in her old pack. She was a submissive, I was sure of it.

I pull on her arm until she’s standing upright, still refusing to meet her gaze with mine. My finger trails her jaw and I feel the tiny sparks shoot within my fingertips. I tilt her head up gently to stare into the stunning emerald eyes that take my breath away. “I… I… would never,” I admit in a soft voice, low enough for only her to hear.

Water pools within her eyes and a single tear cascades down her cheek. I wipe it with the pad of my thumb before reaching for the white comforter on the bed to drape over her thin body. She chokes out a sob and mutters under her breath, “I’m sorry Alpha, I’m sorry I made you angry. I’ll be better.” Her words slice through me like sharp shards of glass. “Shh,” I whisper, pulling her head into my chest and inhaling her scent that has my self control teetering close to the edge.

Her head fits perfectly snuggled into my chest and I feel more tears absorbing against my white gym shirt. I grab her face between my palms and stare into her bright green eyes for a moment until I’m sure that I have her undivided attention. I find myself memorizing every single feature as I watch her own thoughts race through her mind. “Listen Lexi, I know this hasn’t been easy. I need you to understand that I would never hurt you. I want to protect you but I can’t protect you if I don’t know who caused you all this pain that you carry around. You were a pet in your old pack, weren’t you?”, I question, struggling to keep my voice from breaking.

She shakes her head and shuts her eyes tightly, “I-I was an omega,” she finally admits, confirming Beta Jax’s revelation. I feel my breathing elevate and my heart hammer inside of my chest, a mere omega wouldn’t know how to be a submissive. “Who was your Alpha?”, I say, unable from keeping myself away from her and place my lips against her forehead.

“No, I can’t,” rolls off her lips in an assertive tone. “Lexi, I’ll kill him myself for hurting you. It’s a promise I intend to keep,” I reply in a deadly tone. I mean every word of my threat and I know she’s aware of that fact. Her choked sobs continue as her cries become muffled against my chest and I feel the wrath of Titus as he pushes forward scolding me to find the son of a bitch at all costs.

She glares up at me with wide puffy eyes, “why… why do you care? Why are you so nice to me?”, she says under her breath. I want to scream off the roof tops that she’s my mate, I don’t care that she stumbled across my pack as a rogue. My hand caresses the side of her jaw and my fingers push her long raven hair over her shoulder. I heave a sigh, wishing I could explain everything to her. “I care about all shifters Lexi, I don’t agree with some of the old fashioned ways some of these Alphas chose to run their packs. Every shifter is special to me. Every shifter has a role to play to sustain a strong pack,” I explain while Titus screams “mate!” like he’s on a continuous circuit.

She continues to stare at me and I can feel her conflicted feelings pounding through me, I’m not certain that she believes me. “Let’s get you dressed kitten,” I finally say softly and break the silence between us. I can see her brows furrow together and I already know what she’s thinking. I reached into the black sleek dresser I previously had stocked for her when I realized my mate had nothing except the ripped dress that she showed up with.

I pull out a short lilac night dress that has my wolf salivating, just imagining her wearing it in my bed with her body safely tucked against mine. She submits when I return and drops the comforter, exposing her perky tits and delectable curves. I fight the urge to run my large hands over her soft skin and feel her under my fingertips. My breathing becomes rugged as I pull the satin material over her head and carefully adjust the straps on the porcelain skin of her shoulders. It feels like jolts of electricity running through my veins every time my fingers brush against her skin.

I swallow hard and spill the first thought that evades my mind, “you’re beautiful Lexi,” I admit. I can’t help but chuckle when I see her cheeks tinge with a pale pink. A small smile tugs at the corner of her mouth, “let’s get you to bed, it’ll help with the headache I’m sure you have.” I pick her up into my arms, taking in her scent with every breath. I lay her body on the bed and can’t help the immense sense of pride shooting through me to see her exactly where she belongs. I’ll spend my entire life ensuring she never feels pain for the rest of her days.

Lexi rubs her eyes with her fist so innocently, I’m not sure how anyone could ever bring themselves to hurt this perfect little angel of mine. “Goodnight kitten,” I whisper and watch as her eyes shoot wide. “I-I’m going to sleep here? In your bed?”, she questions. I tilt my head, pressing my arms on the sides of her head, “do you not want to?”, I retort, praying that she doesn’t ask to return to the guest bedroom. I feel my shoulders relax when she perches her lips and shakes her head, “I’m fine here Alpha,” cooing softly.