Chapter 23

Gwen walked into her friend shop barely holding back her tears. She knew that she would soon fall apart and she is doing everything in her power not to until she was in the arms of someone who has always cared for her.

" looked who the Vampire dragged in. " Ashley drawls from behind the counter as he looked up to see his friend but he couldn't leave the cake he was icing half way done.

Despite her mood, Gwen lips formed into a half smile. " hey Ashley. "

" I will be with you in just a second and you will tell me who hurt you so that I can kick his ass. " Ashley said as Gwen looked up in shock but Ashley focused was completely on his cake.

" how did you know I was hurt. " Gwen asked.

" I saw you when you entered. " Ashley replied.

" but that was just a glance. " Gwen protested.

" don't insult me Gwen. " Ashley said shaking his head.

" how am I insulting you. " Gwen asked.

" you are trying to say that I don't know my skill or my best friend. All I needed was a glance at you and I could tell you are hurt and now I can tell that it is that asshole mate of yours. " Ashley said as he put finishing touches on the cake.

" sometimes you freak me out. " Ashley told him and he smiles.

" I feel like that is a good thing in my book. " Ashley said as he looked up and really looked at his friend. It was clear she was suffering. " oh girl, what did he do. "

" nothing. " Gwen said as she saw the look of pity on his face.

" sometimes that is as bad as doing something wrong and I think this time is one of those. " Ashley said and when Gwen opened her mouth to talk he knew that she would try to protect him and say that nothing is wrong or she just needed a break or any of the usual crap mates spit out to defend their other mate. " and don't you dare tell me that you just needed a break. You are not a quitter. "

Gwen close her mouth as she stared at her hands which she wounded together on her laps.

" now, what happened. " Ashley asked.

" he doesn't care about my feelings. " Gwen said as tears fall from her eyes.

" this seems like a serious conversation. " Ashley said as he dropped his newest cake design in her front. " eat it without complaining. " Ashley told her as he went to lock the door and turn the sign to say that the store was closed.

"thanks " Gwen said as she cleans her face

" what are friends for. " Ashley said as he took a seat close to her, "now tell me everything. "

And she did.

*******

Vince sat in his sitting room staring at the ceiling without really seeing it. She really did as she threatened she left.

Now he wished he had listened to her, with her gone, he couldn't go on hunts anymore because he knew he would be too distracted to think and that would be dangerous.

His sister has not been much help as she kept on reminding him of her tears and he felt gutted everytime and he knew that he deserved to feel that guilt. He had hurt his mate and he hurt her badly. To the extent where she had to leave him. He knew that he was supposed to meet her and most likely ask for forgiveness but he was not going to give her that power over him. His sister don't understand what he meant after all he never talked about his captivity by the female vampire.

Most people thought he escaped unscathed and that his sister was the only one torture what they don't know was that he hid his own pain and nightmares to help his sister overcome hers since they couldn't be broken at the same time and when she finally overcame hers, he had already learnt to live with his own. They became a part of him and now they are affecting his relationship with his mate.

He also knew that he cannot keep that hurt and at the same time have a peaceful loving relationship with Gwen. He would have to tell her eventually and she would want him to let go of the hurt but if he does let go of the hurt, he wouldn't know how to survive any other way.

" Vince you are acting like an undead. This is not a good look on you. " Courtney said as Vince remembered where he was.

He was in his sitting room and had guests over. Guests in form of other nosy primordials his sister called to talk some sense into him. He blanked out when Caleb was talking and his name just brought his attention back to the present. He finds himself less interested in what is happening around him now that Gwen is not with him. He cannot survive like this.

" I am undead Courtney. You know that. " Vince chuckles with a humorous he didn't feel.

" what she meant was like you are acting like a ghoul and not the fun characteristic either. " Jake said as Vince looked at the four primordials before him who are trying to have an intervention for him. His sister, Caleb, Jake and Courtney. The other two were too busy to be present since they were struck in a meeting but they already tried to call him and talk to him. He always ended their calls when they made it clear that they want to talk about his love life. Not that he will have any left if he doesn't get himself together and sorted out very soon.

" what do you want me to do. " Vince asked with a sigh.

" be the bigger vampire and apologize. Even though you are wrong in the first place. " Jessica said then she mumbled the second part beneath her breathe but they all still heard it.

" it won't change anything, we will just be in this situation all over again. " Vince sighed.

" you have issues. We all know that and we are not asking you to share it with us. Just share them with your mate and then I am sure that she will be happy to help you get rid of them. " Celeb said.

" and what of I don't want to get rid of it. " Vince asked and the other primordials looked at themselves.

" when you get to that bridge, you will cross it. As for now, we are going to visit your mate. Up. " Courtney orders.

" we. " Vince asks.

" yes, I am going with you. Somebody got to keep you in check. "

" why you. " Vince asked in dread.

" your sister will try to kill you if you make a mistake, Jake will just take pictures and videos of you apologizing and Caleb will not know what to do with you. I am the best option. " Courtney replied.

" fine let's go. " Vince said as he stood up.

" we will be here waiting for you. " Jake said as he crossed his legs on top of a nearby table while relaxing back into his chair. Not minding the glare Vince was sending his way.

" if you come back without Gwen. I will kill you. " Jessica told him in all seriousness.

Vince turned his glare to his sister but Courtney already took hold of him and transported him to his mate presence.

Vince took the scene before him as his mind went crazy as a red haze consumed his thoughts

His mate was lying down in the arms of another man.