Breaking An Angel

Chapter 17: Stop Running

PENELOPE POV

I glance over and watch as Azrael is furiously pacing around the kitchen while Gabi and I explain to him how we met Alpha Beckett Wryn. I’m not really understanding why they’re making this into such a big deal, this is just one man, granted he can shift into a giant f*****g werewolf, but still.

I just want Azrael to believe me when I tell him I want to be with him. 

There’s a small part of me that isn’t 100 percent positive that’s true. I can’t lie and say that I didn’t feel drawn to Beckett because I did, and his little girl was the most adorable child I have ever laid my eyes on, and I don’t even like kids. I understand why women fall to their knees when they see a handsome man caring for his child. 

I can’t forget his face, he had chiseled features with a hint of stubble, and those eyes. Oh god those eyes they were a piercing green that reminded me of the forest when I would go camping with my brothers. They reminded me of a simpler time.

But if I had to make a choice, there wouldn’t be one. I would always come back to Azrael, and this isn’t the bond talking.

“HE DID WHAT!!!” Azrael screamed when we told him that Gabi had to pull him off me once he thought I was his mate.

I stand up from my seat at the kitchen island walking over to Azrael trying to comfort him.

“Don’t,” he puts up a hand stopping me in my tracks. “You still smell like him.”

“Don’t be ridiculous Azrael,” I said as I rolled my eyes at him.

“Believe it or not we have heightened senses Penelope, we may not have the same sense of smell as those mutts but I can still smell him on you two.”

I look over towards Gabi hoping for some help, but she just nods confirming what Azrael said is true. She gets up and walks off giving us some space to discuss.

“Why are you upset with me? I told you I choose you.”

“He’s your mate Penelope, that means something, and to him you’re technically unmarked.”

“It doesn’t matter because I told Beckett that I choose you.”

“Oh what, so you’re on a first name basis now?”

“That’s his name what do you want me to call him!!!” I yell out annoyed.

“Please,” I beg, “I just want you to hold me.”

He thinks about it for a second, but then makes his way to me, I wrap my arms around his waist as he embraces me. My face is resting on his chest as he starts to run his fingers through my hair.

I can feel him doubting me.

“Azrael, I promise I choose you. I don’t know how I can make you understand that you have no competition.” I say as I look up at him still holding on tight.

He shake this head “I know you Penelope, in case you forgot, I can feel what you’re feeling right now. I may not be an empath, but as your soulmate I can still feel your emotions. And right now...” He trails off looking away from me.

“I can’t help it I’m sorry,” I cry out.

“I know you can’t, which just makes it all that much worse.” Azrael responds before walking off leaving me standing there on the verge of tears.

ALEXIUS POV

I’m working out in our home gym trying to blow off some steam. I know Gabi blowing me off shouldn’t be a big deal but I thought we were closer than that. Ever since she left after Lucifer and Azrael arrived she’s been distant. I haven’t figured out why she keeps avoiding me, which just annoys me all the more. 

I’m pumping through sets on the bench press when I hear the door open and someone step in. A part of me wishes it were Gabi, maybe she came to beat my ass in a sparring match. I’d take the beating as long as I got to be around her. I sat up and looked over at the person standing by the door only to find it was Raz.

“Wow don’t look so disappointed.” He smiled as he sat on the bench across from me.

I try to cover up my genuine disappointment, “I thought I heard Penelope and Gabi, are they here yet?” His shoulders slumped at the mention of Penelope and his gaze turned downwards. “What’s wrong?”

He doesn’t answer. In fact there’s a long drawn out silence as I try to inspect the situation.

“Look Raz,” I start. “Whatever it is you guys are arguing about, you’ll figure it out. You’re soulmates after all, nothing could break you too apart.”

“That’s the problem,” he finally speaks up. “She met with that f*****g guy she wanted to get a donation from, only to find out he’s a damn mutt and she’s his second-chance mate.”

Raz explained the whole situation, he grew angrier with every passing word, only to end up looking like he was on the verge of falling apart. He got up and shoved his fists in his pockets leaning back on the wall.

A f*****g werewolf... What the f**k is going on.

“How do you deny someone else their happiness?” He asked head leaning on the wall. “No really, if you have any ideas, nows the time.”

“Are you talking about this Beckett dude or P?”

Raz looked over at me, “both” he seriously answered.

“I don’t think there’s an answer to your question, but I also don’t think that you would do something like that. Just let her make her own decisions, she doesn’t do well when people pressure her into making a choice. Just talk to her and see what she wants.”

Raz looks over and nods, “thanks man.”

“Well one of us has to keep this bromance going,” I joked.

Raz walked out of the gym, I’m assuming to find P. Now it was my turn to take my own advice. 

I need to find Gabi.

******

I search throughout the house looking for Gabi but come up empty, maybe she already left. Right before I was ready to give up, I saw a white blur in the backyard through the balcony.

I rush out knowing it has to be her, Raz’s wings are silver and Lucifer’s are black the rest haven’t come back since the party. It has to be her.

I see her notice me running out the back and she turns around about to leave, “Gabi wait!!” I yell out. She stands still for a moment before turning around to face me with a small smile plastered on her face.

I’d be lying if I say it didn't hurt seeing her so ready to run from me. I don't know what I did wrong, but if I f****d up then I need to know why so I can at least try to fix it. Everything I do, and everywhere I go, I just want her to be there with me. Her presence alone brings happiness to anyone around her, and she's such a badass. Raz told me about the time she took on her older brothers, apparently they were both acting out and she had no problem letting them know their place.

“Oh hey, I didn’t see you. What’s up?” She asks.

I’m standing a few feet away from her, I’m scared that she’ll take off if I get any closer. “You definitely saw me and then you ran for the hills, why have you been ignoring me?”

“What are you talking about Alexius, I’ve just been busy.” She hasn’t called me Alexius since I said it was ok for her to call me Alexi, something has to be wrong.

“Did I do something?” I ask. “If I did I’m sorry, but I can’t fix it if you don’t tell me what it is.”

Gabi looks at me before looking down at the ground, “You didn’t do anything wrong Alexi, I promise.”

Before I could stop myself I was inches away from her, “Hey look at me,” I say as I lift her face up, she leans into my touch and then stops herself by looking the other way.

I gently hold her face in both my hands making her look at me “Gabi tell me what’s wrong.”

I have never noticed how beautiful her eyes are, they are a vivd hazel glistening with unshed tears. I can’t help myself when my face moves closer to her and our noses touch, she immediately closes her eyes. I can feel her heartbeat speeding up, from our close proximity. 

My lips met her perfectly pouty pair and I felt sparks fly. My heart was pounding so fast I thought it was going to explode out of my chest. The warmth emanating from her was intoxicating. She pulled back and looked at me with those gorgeous hazel eyes, the sun setting shining bright behind her making her glow, emanating beauty. 

“So much for staying away from him,” someone spoke out breaking our trance.

“Remi?”