75

Something woke me from my sleep, but I was so tired that I just wanted to be near Killian and sleep on. I was confused when I realized that there was nothing left of his warmth and instead of his body there was only a white pillow in my arms.

Startled by this, I sat up and searched the room for him, but only his scent lingered in the air and gave me some peace of mind. With the towel tied tightly around me, I gathered some clothes and put on a Killian t-shirt and one of my new pajama bottoms. Panic broke out in me, because I didn't know why he was gone or where he had gone.

I quietly crept out the door and heard loud arguments going down in the hallway. I tiptoed to the stairs and tried to listen with bated breath. I recognized Caleb's angry voice, which ordered Killian to drive away, he would take care of me, he finished his sentence and immediately I widened my eyes and covered my mouth in bewilderment, so as not to let out a scream out of fear. My breath hitched as my heart raced and my knees trembled. I wouldn't stay alone with him for a second and I wanted to confess everything to Killian, but I couldn't because Caleb would certainly do something to him and that would be unbearable for me.

When I heard the front door and realized that the others had left, I collected myself and took a deep breath, then ran down the steps and met his gaze. He had his back to me, ruffling his hair while pacing nervously, oblivious to my excitement.

"Killian?" I whispered softly, slowly walking towards him ready to ask what Caleb had discussed with him. He turned around and had tears in his eyes, making him look so frail. Seeing him like that hurt me immensely and my hand sought his to take it caringly in mine. He wiped away his tears with his other hand and I could tell he was trying to hold back more tears.

"Alicia, I have to go. I'm so sorry to have to leave you alone. I would give anything to stay with you, but I can't help it."

He looked into my eyes and I felt completely upset and I didn't know what to do or say to comfort him.

I couldn't tell him anything about Caleb, I was too afraid of the consequences for that and asking if I could accompany him wouldn't help either, because Caleb would know how to prevent that.

I pictured in my mind how he would get rid of me. He would probably make it look like an accident and given my clumsiness that would be even more believable. With my death, he would accept that his son would break, maybe even die, because of the missing connection. All the stories you heard about Caleb were true. He was a terrible wolf and had no conscience. I shook off thoughts of him and looked back into my mate's grief-stricken eyes.

As I looked at him, I began to painfully realize that this could be the last time I see him, smell him, and touch him. I gently placed my hand on his cheek, but he pulled his face away and avoided my gaze, not wanting to show me his weakness. This time I gently took his chin and turned his face to mine to look deep into his eyes. I didn't want to let him go like that because I wanted him to be the strong alpha that had protected me in the woods, protected from Brando and protected from the gym and I was the only one who could give him some of his strength back .

Determined, I took a few steps back from him and turned my back on him, arms on the kitchen counter for support.

"Tag me," I asked him decisively and noticed how his breath caught briefly.

"Are you sure you want that, Alicia?" he asked, his voice shaking, as if he couldn't believe what I was saying to him.

"There's nothing I'd rather want," I said, and it was true, I really wanted nothing more than to belong and become a part of him.

Since my back was to him, I couldn't see how he reacted to this, but I heard his heavy footsteps coming towards me and winced briefly when his hands wrapped around my waist. I took a deep breath and thought that this mark would restore some of his strength. He wouldn't have to worry about other men turning me on or if I would ever give myself to him. With this step he would realize that I would be longingly waiting for him and he would have his head free to do his chores.

He gently pushed my hair aside and held my shoulder with one hand while keeping the other on my waist. My breath quickened as he started kissing my neck and it just felt so good that I forgot all the drama around us for a moment. He slowly slid to the crook of my neck, causing my whole body to tremble, and then when I felt the tips of his fangs against my skin, I froze and drew air deep into my lungs. I closed my eyes and briefly felt excruciating pain that made my head pound and my skin sweat. An incredible heat flooded through me and I tried to push him away, but he held me tightly and growled softly at me while licking my wound gently with his tongue.

My scent shifted and blended with his as the pain slowly faded away, leaving only good sensations. Killian stood close to my trembling back, shaking with excitement, but I turned around in his arms and then looked gratefully into his eyes. I gave him a soft kiss on the cheek that made his eyes sparkle with delight. Full of joy, he pulled me tightly into his arms and squeezed me so hard that I couldn't breathe for a moment.

"See you in a week, my dear," he breathed in my ear, and then placed his lips on mine to kiss me full of desire and devotion.

As our lips parted there was a knock on the door and Killian gave me a stunning smile.

"See you soon," he pinched my cheek lovingly and walked to the door to give me one last loving look, then left the house and left me alone.

He entrusted me to his father. How was he supposed to know what his father's plan was and what a horrible man he was. I ran excitedly to the window and watched the black SUV slowly disappearing into the rain.