His Rejected 'Queen'.

Queen Made From Courage.

"After all the pain and sufferings she owned the Queen's title because her courage was her crown and she was wearing it like a real, strong Queen!"

Diana's (Iris') pov

The more I get closer to him the more I feel my feet unable to support me.

Only about two meters away and I can't breathe, talk or stop shaking.

Why?

Why him?

Why my Grayson and not me?

When is this pain going to faint? When am I going to forget a bit?

Never, I know...

I take two more timidly steps with difficulty and stop. I can't do it, I can't reach him, not anymore. It's like there is an invisible wall between us preventing me from getting closer.

I sigh and lean to leave the package of beers I am holding on my left hand down on the ground. I fall on my knees like always and hug tightly the bouquet of white lilies I was holding on my right hand.

I close my eyes feeling some tears building up and lean closer to the flowers ashamed.

Ashamed to look at him, talk to him, tell him again how sorry I am, tell him that I love him like crazy, tell him that I wish I was in his place.

My heart is breaking again but I don't curl like a ball anymore like I did in the past four years. I am used to this pain, this torture, this way of living...

Why did this have to happen now? Now that I am getting better and I am working on my issues and keep on getting stronger? When am I going to stop suffering?

Everything I have lived until now is already enough, more than enough!

Right now I wish I was dead. I am not afraid to admit it, I am not even afraid of death anymore.

I am just tired of everything!

"Gray..." I whisper in a so slow tone that it is too difficult even for me to listen to myself.

"I..." I pause fighting to take even a breath and lift my head up feeling the tears running on my cheeks.

"I am so sorry baby... I wish you were alive in my place. I can't do it anymore Grayson, it's too much, I am done. The past is chasing me more than before. I can't hide..." I continue and open my eyes to see the dark grey clouds gathering slowly above me.

Just like my mood... A storm is coming... Logical, I am away from London, on the top of a hill deep inside the woods and away from the small, regional road with too rare traffic.

This was his favorite place, our favorite place! We wanted to build a house here and now...

His grave is right in front of me.

Everything because of HIM and me...

Because of his rejection, his cold heart, HIM.

Daniel Jackson, now King of the werewolves.

I was 16 when everything started... I was with my 'parents' on a business trip at the palace. The King and Queen of werewolves wanted to see them because they needed their help as they were very good fighters and some packs had some rogues' problems. I wasn't even asked if I wanted to go with them, I was just ordered and I couldn't say no so I followed them.

I met the King and our Queen, they were great, caring and very kind. I stayed in the palace with my 'parents' for about two days because they had meetings with other fighters to discuss about some good, helpful measures and I was mostly alone locked in my room.

The third morning I decided to go and have a walk at the big, beautiful garden because I love flowers and I fell on the Prince accidentally...

This was my biggest mistake and regret because we immediately realized that we were mates and he rejected me the next second after I told him my name.

The pain I felt was unbearable, I was feeling like someone was ripping my heart into pieces and considering the fact that I was too weak and skinny from my 'parents' abuse it was even worse.

I can still remember his cold, emotionless expression while I was on the floor crying and gasping for air. He felt no pain, no regret, no sympathy, nothing. He seemed disgusted, angry, pleased.

He left me alone. Even if I was his mate and he was supposed to love me with all his heart he decided to kill me and not only once but four times.

After his rejection that morning I managed to go back to my room and act like nothing had happened. It wasn't safe for me my parents to know, I was sure that they would be furious with me.

We left from the palace some hours later when the meetings were done and I was thinking that my secret was safe, they seemed not to know what had happened but later I realized I was wrong...

They knew, I don't how but they knew. Maybe he told them because I was completely alone back then with him. Only he and I knew so...

I was right to be afraid of their reaction because they dragged me violently in a forest and once they got sure that we were alone they began biting me, kicking me, cutting me with a silver knife and cursing me for my existence.

I was trying to beg them for mercy but the pain was too much and I couldn't even breathe. I was sure I was going to die and deep inside me I felt relieved, my torture would stop, I would be 'free'...

Their last words were: "You are a mistake, you are a useless 'creature'. We hope you weren't born, you disgust us and the Prince, you embarrassed us, you deserve to die and we had enough. Enjoy the hell."

This is all I remember because then I passed out and the next thing I remember from when I woke up is my dad (Gideon) above me.

He is my savior, he loved me immediately and unconditionally. He wanted to help me, he wanted to give me the life his daughter couldn't have. My story made his heart break and his own story made me feel close to someone except from my brother for the first time. I liked and trusted him from the first moment, he is a great man and the best father.

It took us some days to come to England after that because I had to recover enough for the long trip and once we went to his pack he and my uncle took care of my adopt, the papers and the 'story' we had thought about in order to keep my real identity as a secret.

I found a home, a family, a pack and friends that loved me and tried to help and support me. They became the reason I was fighting to live and get better because I was too weak from the cuts with silver. My nose was bleeding as an effect from the big amount of silver in my blood and it took me about three months to communicate with Destiny again. At the beginning we were all thinking that she was dead and she hadn't made it and I was locked in my room crying and mourning for her loss but fortunately one morning she woke me up howling victoriously and excited for her success to win that 'fight'.

She was too weak those three months to try to communicate with me and the fact that I was not eating wasn't helping her but she was strong and determinate enough not to lose a battle again. She was always proud and strong, unlike me...

After that I began getting better and my uncle who is a famous and successful businessman held a big party to welcome me officially in the pack and there I met him...

My Gray. Or else...

Grayson Reigns, a 24 years old tall, handsome billionaire businessman with blonde hair, big, dark brown eyes and a great body.

My second mate!

The man that even if he was a common human not only accepted me but loved me immediately. 

He knew about the whole werewolf thing, his parents were my uncles' best friends and cooperatives. They were great people from what I have heard but they didn't have a very good ending. Grayson's father died when Grayson was about 18 and some years later his mom lost her mind completely from his loss. They loved each other very much and that's why Gray didn't hesitate even a second to accept me once we found out that we were mates.

He knew what true love means, his parents and my uncles were his example...

At first I wanted to reject him afraid of his reaction, I was thinking that he would change his mind about me sooner or later and he would also reject me as I was nothing compared to him. I mean I was skinny, with some scars from the cuts my parents did to me, I wasn't pretty, I was weak, depressed... With other words I was pathetic.

But...

For Grayson I was beautiful, important, charming, I was his love.

He was treating me like I was his 'queen'. He was taking care of me, he was making me laugh, eat, get out of my room and the pack house, he was taking me out to show me the world but most importantly he was listening to me, he showed understanding to my fears and hesitations.

He helped me stand again on my feet and about six months after we first met I trusted him completely to talk about my past and that's when...

I lost him.

He died trying to push me out of the road because a car was going to hit me.

He... He took my place and the car hit him.

He died almost immediately in my arms from uncontrollable bleeding right in front of his companies' center.

He gave me his life and left me alone and...

I...

I fell in a coma for about six months because of his loss.

The pack doctors told me that my heart and body was too weak and in too much pain because I lost both of my two mates.

I was depressed again after this, I was bearable eating, speaking, moving, sleeping, I was a ghost, I had lost any interest in life despite everyone's tries to help me and change my mind. The next seven months passed very slowly and it was my 18th birthday, I had to shift for my very first time and surprisingly I did.

It was weird because I had no physical and psychological strength and they were all afraid that I would die during this transformation but I made it and it was then when we all understood the real reason for this small 'miracle'.

Destiny, my wolf is bigger than a normal Beta wolf, my size is more like an Alpha's and I am too strong and fast. My colour is quite rare, like silver and all these because I was chosen from the Moon Goddess to become a 'Queen' one day and rule next to my first mate's side.

This is why Destiny managed to live through all these and even after so much pain I am still alive. So, after my first shift I don't know why or how but I changed. I stopped being locked inside, I stopped being so depressed, I began eating and speaking, training and I got stronger day by day. 

Half a year after I was the new pack's Beta after my father and the best fighter, I was another woman.

I had to change for Grayson.

I owned him everything. He died for me and I had to make him proud, I had to prove myself that I could make it, I could be strong like he wanted me to be. I could live on my own and face the reality. I had a family, I was lucky enough to have the best father there is, the best friends and pack who never left me even when I was telling them to just let me die.

They all believed in me and I wanted to make them all proud.

I continued my life normally. I never wanted to find another man and I don't want to. For me there was only one and he was Grayson. I lost him and with him I also lost my hopes for a future full of love with a man by my side. I don't need a man anymore, all I needed was him because he loved me when I couldn't love myself and showed me what mates mean. After my Gray there is no one, my heart and mind can't replace him and I don't want to try and change this at all.

I stand on my own feet, I need no one man, I can do it on my own because I have the people I want.

I have my dad, the man that never left my side and can die for me, the man that was sleeping on a chair next to me when I was weak, in a coma or when I had nightmares, the man that held my hand and taught me everything I know making me the woman I am. He is my rock, my greatest weakness, my biggest support, my personal protector.

I also have an uncle and an aunt who is my dad's sister and adore me. They have never regretted accepting and loving me. They treat me like I am their daughter, they trusted me with the Beta's title when I wasn't so sure about myself, they helped me become more open and warm with everyone and... They even gave me more shares in the pack's companies as a gift when I almost died trying to protect the pack one year ago after I had been shot with a silver bullet from a hunter.

This is the fourth time I reached so close to death and from that moment I am ordered to be more careful as I am more sensitive than the normal to silver and wolfsbane because I do not have a mate and I have passed through a lot. From that moment I am not allowed to get close to hunters even if I protest about it to Luke who is not changing his mind at all.

Luke...

Luke is... I can't even find the words to describe what he means for me. It's like he is my soulmate but not in an erotic way. He is like my big brother, we are dying for each other and working so close feels great. We are too overprotective with each other, we share everything, we are acting like crazy for each other and some people that don't know us think that we are a couple because he always calls me 'babe' and I like being close to him all the time. Sometimes even Violet is jealous of my relationship with him but not in a bad way, Luke is her brother but still he has more common interests and way of thinking with me than with her and this is driving her crazy.

Violet... My Vi as I call her. The craziest person I know that gains everyone's interest and heart with only a loud laughter. She is the most unprompted girl there is and the family's biggest trouble. No one can get away from her without first dealing with her teasing and bombarding questions about too personal things. I love her too much and I feel her like my sister even if she is giving me a terrible headache most of the times. We have a special connection and support each other from the very first moment we met. I am the serious, logical one and she is the cheerful that follows only her heart. We complete each other, I am helping her with some pack business and she is always buying me clothes in fashion getting me mad. She is always bringing me everything that is short, hot, exposing and she knows I don't feel comfortable with it but she doesn't mind. She is also taking me out for shopping (when I agree to join her), dinner, clubbing (she is really dragging me by force), movies and events and I am training her in private.

And except from them I have David, the pack's Gamma and Charles, the Delta. They are great friends of mine and we hung out a lot with Vi and Luke sometimes.

God...

How am I going to leave them and runaway?

They are my whole heart and I don't want to hurt them or seem like I don't appreciate what they have done for me but I also can't stay here without going back to USA. This is going to create a problem. The asshole is going to send men to take me and Luke's support is going to put him in troubles. I don't want them to be punished because of me.

What am I going to do?

I don't want to go back, I won't make it and even the thought of me going there is killing me.

I just can't see him or even be in the same place with him. He is the reason I lost Grayson and we all suffered. I hate him, I really do and not because he rejected me. I am grateful he did because I met Grayson and my family but again he is the reason I lost Gray.

I begin trembling thinking again that day and shake my head trying to stop these thoughts. I lift my head again and look the dark, full of clouds sky. The cold breeze is refreshing but I am too hot from the beers.

I am hours under the old oak some meters away from Gray's grave drinking his favorite drink, Corona... I have drunk about... Six? And I am here many hours. When I came it was almost noon and now it is almost night. It is not strange for me, I usually stay with Grayson lots of hours when I come to see him.

"We have to go, the storm will be here in a while..." Destiny says softly after lots of hours of being in silence and I sigh bored.

She has a point, I mean fortunately it hasn't rained until now but it seems that it is going to happen soon but I don't want to go yet.

I am not ready to face them.

I leave the bottle of beer next to me and curl like a ball with my back resting on the oak's trunk and my eyes locked on the elegant marbled, big, black grave in front of me. My last tears fall from my eyes and I bury my head between my arms that are wrapped around my knees. I don't know if I can cry anymore, I am crying for hours and I feel empty, no tears left, no voice, no strength, only pain.

"I am so sorry Gray. I am not so strong. I couldn't take revenge from him and I can't face him or the two monsters that tried to kill me. I wish I could forget but I can't. You are not here with me and I can't go back. I just want to run away but then... What if he hurts them as well in a try to find me?" I murmur and begin sobbing without tears.

"Please stop crying. I can't stand it, I am in pain feeling you like this. We will find a good solution, have some faith." Destiny whispers and I ignore her continuing to sob.

"I knew you would be here drinking..." the quite familiar, strong, husky, deep, clear male's voice sounds and I stiffen without lifting my head to look at him.

I already knew he was here!

I heard the cars, his men's voices, I took his strong cinnamon scent and I was listening to his footsteps.

And Grayson's big bad brother is here, his name Jayden.

If my Gray was kind, sweet and caring with me then Jayden was rude, cold and arrogant, the exact opposite.

He seemed to hate me from the first moment we met, he didn't like me at all for a reason I do not know or want to know and sometimes he had accused me for being a gold digger and wicked w***e. Grayson was always there to put him in his place and never listened to him. I was always afraid of Jayden due to his body and eyes. He was quite taller than Gray with more muscles, imposing appearance, big black eyes, dark, dirty blonde hair and a strong jaw.

"Are you mute? Are you okay?" he asks with obvious wary in his voice and I listen to him getting closer with his scent stronger.

I still do not reply. I appreciate his change after Gray's death but I am not in mood to talk a lot. Jayden softened when we lost Grayson. He was there with us that day, he was present, he saw everything and from that moment he has never insulted me, he has even said sorry for his bad behavior and he comes for dinner very often to see me and the others.

"Would you mind some company?" he asks again and I understand that he sits next to me because his right side is touching me left.

"They called you, didn't they?" I ask with my face still hidden.

"Yes, uncle told me what happened. They are worried sick about you..."

I lift my head slowly and wipe my watery eyes sighing and avoiding turning and looking at him.

I am a mess.

"And you decided to come and check on me... They are afraid to come and sent you? How are they so sure that I won't kill you?" I ask shortly and he begins laughing making me chuckle.

"Do you still hate me that much? And imagine I was worried and I left a very important meeting to come here and see you..." he says and places his big hand on my shoulder to caress it gently.

"Sorry, just teasing. I guess..." I murmur and finally find the courage to turn and look at him.

Like the usual Jayden I know... Black, expensive black suit with bright white shirt and black tie and shoes. Elegant as always...

My red, puffy eyes meet his black, drowning eyes and see the wary and pain in them. His relaxed expression changes into a hurt one and he quickly pulls me in his arms before I manage to protest. My face hits on his strong, board chest and he wraps his arms tightly around me.

Damn! I want to cry again now.

"I know big wolfie... Don't feel bad, I understand. We all do, that's why they told me that they wanted to give you some space but this doesn't mean that we are not suffering with you for you." He states steadily and kisses the top of my head surprising me.

"Really? You are..." I pause regretting to ask and pull a bit back but not enough to get out of his hold.

I look into his eyes and he nods like he knows what I wanted to ask him.

"I can't know you are in pain and I can't be okay when I see and feel you suffering because of him. Stop drinking because Gray is not here to scold you but I am and I happen to be worse than him and please try to calm down and think maturely." He says strictly.

"For God's sake Jayden! I wasn't an adult back then, that's why he never allowed me to drink beer with him and I am mature enough." I reply frustrated and he laughs making me groan in annoyance.

"Gray would have kicked your ass no matter your age if he had seen you drinking six beers with empty stomach miss Diana and no, you are not thinking like the logical, strong lady we all know."

"I can't. I feel like dying. I don't want to go but if I don't then Luke will have problems." I say ready to cry again and he raises his eyebrows angrily.

I know this expression... I am in deep s**t and I can't kill him because he is Gray's brother even if he had been an ass.

"You want to runaway... This is not okay by all of us! Do you want me to say my opinion?" he asks in hurry and I nod biting my lower lips thoughtfully.

"You are a very strong woman, I mean it with all my heart. You know that I am not lying to make you feel better or change your mind. I say my real opinion no matter what or whom I have opposite if me. If someone can make anything then this someone is YOU! Running away from your past is not what Gray would want you to do. Remember what he had told you once: 'I want you to fight and never accept to be defeated!'. He died but you are here, you are alive so try to live and face your past and fears. Make him proud once more. Go back to that asshole I want so much to kill and show him and everyone else who the real boss is!"

I give him a painful, disappointed expression and sigh. He is right, I know that Gray would want me to go and deal with it but I am scared.

"I don't know if I manage to stay there for more than a day. I mean..." I begin but he cuts me off.

"Look at me!" he almost orders and cups my face in his hands with a hard, tensed expression.

"I promise you that one call from you and I am taking you away from him forever! One call, ONE! Go, see why he wants your help and if anything happens or you can't stay I am coming to get you. I will have a jet close to you ready all the time to take you away whenever you want to and then you are staying with me and none King will ever manage to get close to you again. I am here to protect you, what I have is yours, I will do anything! Alpha King Daniel Jackson of the werewolves or not I DO NOT CARE!" he states determinate and pulls me again in his arms for an even tighter hug than before.

"I own him Diana! I own him a hell for everything you suffered and for Grayson's death. If anything happens to you I will kill him!" he whispers angrily and I stiffen nervously in his arms burying my face in his neck.

I remember again that day...

I had asked from Gray to talk in private. I wanted to tell him everything that had happened to me because for six months I was avoiding the topic, I wasn't feeling comfortable. I was feeling ready to tell him everything and he asked from me to go and meet him at his office. He sent his driver to take me and his men to accompany me till there.

He had lots of work that day and he couldn't leave the office so I went and I told him about my parents' abuse and Daniel Jackson's rejection.

He lost his mind like a flash. It was the first time I saw him angry, he was out of control. He could feel the love between mates and he couldn't accept Daniel's behavior and the fact that he had told my parents that were trying to find a reason to get rid of me. I tried to calm him down but he stormed out of his office and the company heading to his car at the other side of the large road full of traffic with me and Jayden that has listened to his shouts behind him.

He wanted to take his personal jet and go to find Daniel but he wasn't careful...

He didn't see the black jeep that was running to his direction. I rushed to push him away but last moment he realized what was happening and decided to push me away and...

Then the car hit him and...

"I don't want it! He is going to understand me! I don't want this killer to know." I scream on his neck and he instinctually tightens his hold around me as I am fighting not to cry again.

"He won't find out. Your scent has changed, right? Your eyes are brighter, your hair is not bronze but chocolate brown, you have no scars, you are taller with a great, strong body with curves and your tattoo is well hidden. He can't understand you if you two don't touch each other." He replies and I pull back surprised.

"How do you know all these?" I ask speechless and he smirks with fake wickedness.

"I had to study you know. I had to understand your world, the bond, mating and marking thing, the packs, titles, duties, roles, everything!"

I giggle and roll my eyes ironically making him laugh when we hear a clap of thunder and jump up.

Shit!

The breeze is even colder and stronger than before and the sky is too dark.

"Okay! Come on! We have to go back home and we will also call your dad that is dying in agony." He says in hurry, stands up and then helps me as well.

"I heard the cars with your men leaving and I am not going back home, I am ashamed and I can't call my dad after my behavior, I also left my phone back home." I murmur embarrassed and blush lowering my head.

"I am taking you to my house, you are staying with me tonight and I will call Gideon to tell him that you are alright. I will drive your car and tomorrow morning I am taking you back home." He states taking my hand in his and begins walking towards the road that is about five minutes away.

"Um... I can't come..." I protest and try to get out of his hold.

Tell me crazy but I don't feel okay going to stay with him at his villa for the night. It feels awkward.

"Excuse me?" he exclaims frustrated and turns to look at me with a furious expression that makes my skin shudder.

"I... I can't come and stay with you. I..." I murmur and pause staring at him nervously with my heart beating like crazy for an unknown reason.

We stay like this for some more seconds when the first drops fall on us warningly for the weather's intentions.

"And why can't you come and stay with me for one night?" he asks breaking the silence between us still not letting go of my hand.

"I can't use your money, houses... I..."

"Enough Diana!" he shouts making me jump up as the drops instantly get stronger and denser.

"I am sorry for insulting you back then! I was a jerk, okay? I know you want nothing to do with my money, you never wanted anything from Grayson or me! I AM SORRY!" he screams and the rain quickly gets so strong that we are almost wet now.

Soon we won't be able even to see one meter in front of us.

"I am not asking you if you want to come with me. We are leaving and it is final!" he states and before I can react he places me on his shoulder and begins walking to my car.

What the hell is happening and everything had to change so suddenly?

~next morning~

"Stop being so silent and rubber..." Jayden groans in frustration and taps my bare knee as he forced me to wear an expensive, elegant, dark blue, quite short dress (like I am a classy lady) because my clothes were dirty and wet.

I turn and give him a bored and tired look deciding not to talk at all.

Last night after we got to his home (I won't mention that it is like a palace, what can I say? Billionaire...) we both had bath and got dressed. He had already clothes and everything else I needed ordered for me and after we were both ready and dry we had our dinner. Well not exactly had...

I wasn't hungry and he forced me to eat. Now you will ask me how I allow him to do such things when I am stronger as a werewolf and you will be right. The answer is that I can't harm the jerk because he is Grayson's brother and deep inside me I love him a bit.

So I had to eat my favorite food and special desert with cream and pineapple and then we sat in the living room alone and began talking about everything else except from what I am going to do with the 'King's' order and we were drinking for hours.

Jayden as always was having whiskey and I vodka.

It felt good to be honest, I loved our talk, we have a good chemistry maybe due to our bond with Grayson. Jayden made me feel comfortable enough and we laughed a lot, he helped me relax.

We fell asleep hours later in the living room the one on top of the other. We were not drunk but the alcohol knocked us out easily because we were too tired...

"Earth to Diana!" he shouts and I turn to look at him confused.

"What?"

"I am talking to you! You are ignoring me." He replies annoyed and I roll my eyes.

"Stop being a spoiled kid! I was just thinking about something."

"Okay well... I asked you something..." he continues while turning to look the road in front of us.

We are alone in my car and he is driving. There are two more cars of his with us, one on our front and one behind with his men. He has lots of things to do today so we had to get wake up too early and leave immediately for my pack. This time not even the omegas will be up but anyway.

I am glad I spent these last hours with Jayden.

"Yes?" I ask with curiosity and lean closer to him.

"Um... If you decide to go to USA would you like to come and see my mom one of these days before you leave? She likes you a lot, I would like us to go together..." he says nervously avoiding looking at me with his eyes locked on the road.

He is melting my heart with his question. His mother may have lost her mind but she likes me a lot. Grayson had taken me to meet her and we were visiting her in the specialist clinic she has been living. After his death I was feeling guilty and I didn't want to go and see her. It took me about three years to finally decide to go with my uncles and she was very happy to see me even if she remembers no one.

I want to cry but from excitement. I had never thought that Jayden would like me to go with him.

"I would love to..." I whisper emotional feeling some tears building up.

"Thank you Diana! It means a lot." He says smiling warmly and taking me left hand in his right.

"I have to thank you. I missed her very much!" I reply and he squeezes my hand softly.

"I hope Gideon slept tonight... He was extremely worried when I called him last night once we got home. He sounded heartbroken and not like the strong man I know." He speaks up thoughtfully after some seconds and I nod with a hurt expression.

"He never sleeps if I am not at home you know... When I am out he waits for me to return and make sure that I am okay and then goes to his room to sleep." I say fighting with my tears.

"Don't feel bad about it now. You needed some time away. Now that you will see each other he will calm down. Talk to him, he deserves it. He is in more pain than you."

"I know..." is my only reply to his last sentences and the rest of the drive is in complete silence.

We arrive at my pack about half an hour later and Jayden parks my car at the parking lot. We get out of the car, he locks it and hands me the keys as we walk to his cars that are ready to take him and leave.

"Call me when you decide. If you need anything let me know. Take care and try to rest, you don't seem so good." He whispers softly once we stop outside his second car and kisses my forehead.

"Okay. Thanks for everything and take care. We will talk." I reply and give him a warm, grateful smile.

He turns and gets in the car without anything saying else. Soon the car leaves after the door closes and I turn and head to the pack house. I get in without making any noise and then walk quickly to the stairs and up to get to my room.

I was right, no one. No omegas, not the Delta, not the Gamma, not my uncles, Violet or Luke.

I quickly reach the top floor and walk in hurry to the end of the corridor to my room but the more I get closer the more my father's scent gets stronger.

He is in my room...

I take a deep breath and open the door carefully not to make any noise.

My heart stops when I see him sleeping curled like a ball on my bed with a picture of us right next to him.

I hold back my tears and need to sob and walk to him slowly.

His eyes are puffy, he was crying and he looks quite older than the usual even if he is 41 years old and a very charming and good looking man with chocolate brown hair, bears of three days, mixed light grey and blue eyes and a great body.

How much I love this man!? How did I dare to hurt him like this?

I have to do the right thing I guess. I can't cause him more pain. He gave me everything and now it's my turn...

I take one small, soft dark blue blanket I had folded on the end of my bed and cover him gently. He moves a bit and murmurs my name but he doesn't wake up.

"I am here now, relax." I whisper.

I lean and kiss his forehead crying slightly and then turn and get out at my balcony to see the sun rising. I sit on the couch of bamboo and sigh thinking what is going to happen in some days from now.

A chaos...

But do I have other choice?

The answer is no.

"I just wish it ends soon." I whisper and stay like this with my eyes locked on the sun that begins rising timidly.

"Diana..." he whispers and I turn slowly to find him standing at the balcony's door with tears blurring his vision and his eyes filled with pain and agony.

"I woke you up, I am sorry. Come dad, sit with me. We have to talk." I say smiling weakly and tap the couch.

I observe him walking to me and take a deep breath trying to push my nervousness away. I can do it, I have to. It is now or never.

"I am sorry sweetheart!" he says once he sits next to me and gets ready to say more that I raise my hand and cut him.

"I am sorry for my behavior. I was too angry and unfair. It was too sudden and I had never thought about it. It was too much to take but I should have been calmer. You..." I begin and take his hands in mine.

"... You are my father, the best father I know. You made me what I am now. You taught me everything I know and trained me to become the best I could. You gave me a chance to live when you found me and took me with you. I don't want to seem ungrateful because I own you and you don't own me. I am proud to be your chosen daughter because you wanted me in your life. I am grateful to all of you and I will do anything for you, even if this means that I have to go to USA and face him." I say and give him a weak, melancholic smile.

"Diana, I own you! You came in my life out of nowhere and brought again the hope and happiness. You sweetheart are the reason I smile and feel complete again. I love you more than anything and I couldn't feel prouder and more grateful than I feel for the great woman you are. I am suffering seeing you in so much pain, it is breaking my heart baby girl, I don't want you to go, I promise but... Anyway, it is up to you. I am not going to force you, no one is. I just want you to be happy!" he says crying and lowers his eyes.

I raise my hands and cup his face forcing him gently to look at me and stare into his eyes for some seconds.

I am doing it. No there is no way back.

"I am going even if I am scared. I will face him and my past. I won't allow him to win me again! I will show him whose daughter I am!" I state and give him a big, confident smile.

"Are you sure sweetheart?"

"Yes, I am. It's final. I am going!" I reply and he sighs before he continues.

"I want to tell you something more, something that will make you very happy... Aiden is going to be there. He is two places after you, he is the number 14 in the rank and you are the 12."

Shock!

I stop breathing and Destiny begins howling like crazy from enthusiasm, my heart is going to explode!

My big brother? My own blood?

"My brother? My Aiden?" I ask gasping for air and he nods laughing.

"Oh God!" I exclaim and start crying.

I am going to see him again! I will have a chance to be a part of his life even without my real identity as Diana but as Iris. I will be with him!

I missed him so much! I am dying all these years away from him! I wanted so much to get in contact with him but it was never safe and this costs me because I am dying for him and I know that he is also dying for me.

He was always protecting me, he was being bitten in my place from our 'parents' when they wanted to release their anger on me.

I am so happy suddenly!

Finally, a good reason to go!

"Thank you for telling me dad! You made me very happy!" I say trying to stop crying and he kisses the top of my head.

Now it's his turn to cup my face in his hands and make me look into his eyes. He is also crying but not from pain like before. He looks proud, relieved and confident.

"Sweetheart, I will never leave you alone and I will be there with you if you ever need me. I will tell you one more thing and do never forget it." He begins and I nod automatically.

"My Diana, you have nothing to be scared or worried about and do you know why? Because your courage is your crown and you are wearing it like a real Queen. Even if Daniel can't see it you are the Queen in our hearts! I love you my little, young Queen! Do not ever forget it!" he says and kisses my forehead again purring.

"Your courage made you a real Queen!"