Broken 'Angel'! (Mates And Enemies Series, #2)

About Past, Present And Future.

The past is your lesson, the present is your gift, the future is your motivation.

~about an hour later, somewhere close to Shining Full Moon’s pack house, forest~

Derek’s pov

She leans on me and places one more, long, gentle kiss on my lips and I forget how to breathe.

My heartbeat has gotten in a whole new level and I think that it will never turn back to its previous slow and calm rhythm, but there is no problem about it, because my heart beats for two from yesterday. My skin burns from these indescribably breathtaking sparks, my stomach has overflowed from butterflies, I can’t move even my little finger and it’s like I’m drunk, but not from alcohol.

I’m drunk from love!

Tia’s soft lips are still on mine, her gentle like feathers hands hold my face and my head rests on her knees. Everything feels like it has gotten out of a fairytale and even nature wants to join us in this special and unforgettable moment.

My wolf purrs from our mate’s affection and brave love expressions, and I raise my right hand, bury it in Tia’s like silk hair and then bring my other free hand above the one on which she has on my left cheek. The sparks get doubled from our touch and my body gets shook like it gets electrocuted, but I deny breaking our long kiss.

Tia doesn’t look willing to put an end in this either, and she decides to deepen the kiss by opening her lips and licking mine. The slow, seductive caress of them against mine is all I need to moan instinctually from lust, and I try to move and sit up in order to hug Tia, but she stops me and I surrender to her will.

I’m laid on the green from dense grass ground and Tia sits. As I mentioned a while ago, my head rests on her knees and there is a flowering almond tree above us. Its flowers’ scent is amazingly mixed with Tia’s and the bright sun is up, the sky has no sign of clouds, everything around us is green and full of life and I can’t believe how lucky I am.

Tia is a miracle and I am honored to be hers. Our bond is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and imagine that it is just the beginning of our common life. I don’t know how much better it can become, but I am sure that I am blissful for having her.

I respond quickly to her intention for a deeper kiss and open my mouth willing to give and take more. Her hungry tongue slips inside and meets mine, Tia has full control over it and I follow her blindly while enjoying every single bit of it. Our tongues start dancing slowly in great harmony and balance, and this keeps on happening for I don’t know how much time, but to me it feels like forever.

We slow down only when we run out of oxygen and our lips are volatile and Tia is the first who pulls a little bit back with a lustful smile, making me groan in protest. I wish we could kiss like this forever, but it is alright, we have all the time we want in front of us and I have to be patient for about one more year until Tia comes in Switzerland in order to stay with me.

My eyes travel slowly from her golden eyes to her full lips, then her smooth skin and in the end to her shiny like sunbeams from the bright light long hair and I smile breathless. She does look like an angel and I have no idea how she makes it and she continues getting prettier and prettier in my eyes.

“What am I going to do with you?” I whisper, trying to resist my urgent need for more long kisses and she smiles, blushing shyly.

“I don’t know, Alpha… You tell me details about it.” She replies teasingly after she takes few seconds to think about it and I chuckle.

I love how clever she is. She always is ready to reply, commend or react and she is in the point, she never, ever fails to steal my entire heart and leave me absolutely speechless and I would say stunned.

“I’m going to do anything I can to make you the happiest woman, I promise!” I state meaning every single world of mine, and she smiles emotionally, moves her right hand on my lips and I kiss its warm flesh.

“I already am. I just hope this one year won’t run slowly, I don’t think I can wait more and I’m going to miss you like crazy, I won’t make it.” She says with a sad expression, ready to break into tears, as her eyes become wet, and I sigh heavily and caress her hand which is still under mine.

Watching her like this is like a knife in my heart. I wish I could take all this pain from her and suffer for both of us, but I can’t. I have thought about it countless times these five years and I am prepared about this final year, but I can’t stand Tia so broken.

“Baby…” I begin and sit up, catching her off guard, move closer to her and then pull her on my lap, wrap my arms around her with no resistance from her side and capture her.

The sensation of her body against mine is one more reason for my heart to miss a beat and I look at Tia with adoration. For once more, I admire how breathtaking she is and my brief pain fades slightly. I lose myself in her sweet face and mesmerizing eyes and she stays patiently silent, sensing that I’m about to talk to her about it and she is not wrong.

I have made my plans, I have taken my decisions for this one year that we won’t be able to be close and together all the time and she has to know everything with details. I hope I’ll manage to cheer her up, because I have a great, relieving idea.

“I will be coming to see you almost every weekend. I talked about it with Lucas and the others and…” I begin to say, but I am cut almost immediately from Tia’s loud, surprised scream and I can do nothing, but laugh out loud excited.

See? She is enthusiastic, fortunately…

“What? You mean that we will be together almost every week for about two days, Derek?” she exclaims with her body tensed and much harder and I nod in confirmation.

“What did you think, love? I can’t stay away from you and I have arranged everything already. I have informed your parents and even your college’s principal about my plans. You are free during weekends anyway and I will be staying at a hotel nearby, so you won’t get rid of me, not at all…” I say as fast as I can before Tia screams and I make it on time, since she starts laughing, yelling and kissing me nonstop.

I laugh from how innocent and instinctual her reaction is, and accept every kiss, caress and affection of hers and I don’t know how or when it happens, but Tia manages to make me lose my balance and I land on the ground again with her on top of me. She doesn’t stop while I continue hugging her tightly and we keep on laughing, giving brief, playful kisses to each other and celebrating in our own, magical for me way. I love how brighter her eyes are now after my statement-promise and she makes me melt with her intense reaction.

“I love you so, so much! Thank you, Derek, thank you so much! This is amazing, I can’t believe it!” she mutters touched, after she has calmed down somehow and stops moving, while few tears leave from her eyes and land on my bare skin.

Her eyes hug mine and our faces are so close that our exhales get mixed and my body takes fire. Her look warms my heart, the future becomes brighter and I feel much stronger from second to second. She already has a very powerful effect on me. Well, she always had, but now it is more intense and I don’t have to hide it anymore.

“You can’t imagine what this means for me, really! I was feeling helpless in the thought of not being able to see you and I wanted to talk to you about it, but I didn’t know how, that’s why I…”

“Mentioned it as discreetly as you could. I know, angel! Don’t worry anymore.” I end her phrase with acknowledge and she blushes, lowers her head and eyes and then buries her face in my neck.

I close my eyes when I feel her hot breath against my sensitive to her touch skin, too close to the crock of my neck where her mark will be when she finally marks me and we gradually stop moving.

“It will be an incredible year, even though I’ll be missed you all the time, especially when I’ll stay alone after you will leave, but it doesn’t matter that much, right?” she whispers, sending chills all over my body and I groan hoarsely in agreement.

“Yes! We will be together very often and we won’t understand when this last year will come to its end.”

“And then we will be free to start our life officially. I will come and…” she says while she pulls back in order to look at me, since I have opened my eyes and I distinguish a slight worry immediately.

“Yes?” I say like I’m waiting for her to tell me what the matter is, because her pause is suspicious.

“Mm… Well… What if they don’t like me? I mean, the pack… Does it know?” she asks timidly, blushing even more and her gaze falls on my chest, not comfortable enough with looking at me.

I bite my lower lip observing her in complete silence, and take a deep breath. I don’t blame her for being worried about OUR pack’s reaction, but she shouldn’t feel this way, because everyone is going to love her. Lucas and Lia who are my Betas, Dalton the Gamma and Austin with Lewis, the Deltas, who are all my best and most trusted friends and I have them like my siblings, know about Tia from the beginning and they are looking forward to meet her. I couldn’t hide it from them, since I needed desperately to share it with someone.

“There is no doubt that you will capture their hearts from the first sight, just like you did with mine. They will certainly love you. There is no reason for you to think about it, baby.” I assure her softly, moving my right hand and bringing it on her chin.

I make her look up to me for once more and I smile to her confidently. She presses her lips together with hesitation and clears her throat nervously.

“Are you sure about it? I want them to love me, because I already love them, Derek. Their acceptance will be important…” she states awkwardly and I move my head closer to hers and our lips get pecked slightly with each other’s.

“Do you trust me, angel?” I ask under my breath with my eyes never leaving from hers and she nods immediately in an absolute agreement.

“Then believe me. I am not lying to you, okay?”

“Okay. You know them better…” she says weakly, but I stop her with a sudden kiss before she says more.

She tries to believe it, she isn’t so convinced, but I understand her and I won’t start ‘scolding’ her about it. I will just close this chapter here and change the subject. It is a lot for Tia to take, so I have to support and help her, stand on her side and encourage her.

“You are the woman of my dreams…” I whisper huskily, in no condition to breathe, as I get overwhelmed and she touches her forehead on mine, brings her hands on my chest and caresses it.

Damn!

This isn’t good, I mean it’s great, but dangerous.

You see, I want Tia like crazy, I have been waiting for five, difficult years and now we are too close, I can hug her and be more expressive, so it is very likely for me to lose my self-control.

Tia, from the other hand, is still young, pure and she needs time for the next ‘steps’, not to mention that George will kill me, if I do anything ‘inappropriate’. Don’t get me wrong, I can wait and I am perfectly fine with it, I will always respect Tia and having s*x with her isn’t in my future plans. I won’t rush, I will wait for her to make the first move about it and show me that she is ready, but I can’t hide that I want her.

I’m holding myself with efforts from not getting aroused and keeping my hands on the ‘safe’ places on Tia’s body, but it’s extremely hard for me.

“And you are the only man I have ever laid my eyes on and you will also be the last. My heart is all yours.” She whimpers in the same tone and mood with me, not really helping me resist, and her right hand moves higher, on my neck, stops when it gets buried in my hair and I moan.

I swear, this is hot!

Smelling Tia and feeling her ‘in mood’ is hell and heaven at the same time. It’s incredibly unbelievable how much we communicate with each other. We don’t have to actually talk that much. One look, smile, voice tone and move is more than enough in order to make clear which our intentions and thoughts are.

Also, hearing these words from Tia is a real challenge, since I am an Alpha, which means more dominance and possessiveness and it’s something that turns me on, so Tia probably said it on purpose, but…

She is an Alpha too, and this means that…

I can do the same thing and challenge her!

“And I am yours, everything I am and I have is yours and only. My life starts and ends with you… I wish you could come with me to Switzerland for a while, I mean before you go back to your…” I say breathless while my heartbeat turns faster and stronger, but Tia moves like a thunderbolt has stroke her, her eyes widen for an unknown reason and then she freezes.

I give her a quite troubled look, not understanding what is wrong and not really knowing if I said anything that pissed her off. This happens only for few seconds, as too soon I find back my temper and open my mouth to speak and apologize for any case, but Tia stops me by placing two fingers on my lips.

“I found it, that’s it, Derek! I can come with you when you leave in few days and stay with you for about a week.” She states realizing the condition I am in, and something inside me wakes up, my wolf jumps up in alert and I gasp for air.

“Your father will never agree, babe. He will react badly. I am dying to take you with me, but this is not possible to happen.” I mutter hurt and disappointed, as I know George very well and I’m certain about his answer about it, but Tia shakes her head in disagreement and smiles quite wickedly.

“There is a way for him to get convinced and give us his allowance, but only if we get prepared, talk to the right people and ask for their help. It’s worthy, I want like nothing else to come with you, Derek. Come on, please!” she says while moving impatiently above me and I sigh confused with my barriers falling.

This woman of mine has so many different sides that she terrifies me. Alright, she is very smart and charismatic, but this is beyond limits.

“I don’t understand you, love. Who do you mean? What do you have in mind?” I ask in hurry and she smiles breathless in excitement.

“Albert and Ann will come with us! My dad won’t deny it, if they accompany us. These two will never say no and they need a break anyway! It’s perfect!” she explains and I sit up with her still in my arms.

I think I can die now, I have seen it all. Tia just put the glasses on me!

How did it come and I didn’t think about it?

This is horrifying genius, because Albert is the most powerful and best trained man there is, his abilities are out of any competition and George trusts him more than anybody else. Okay, Albert is strict sometimes, so he will certainly make sure that Tia and I will never stay completely alone, but I somehow agree and it’s okay. Moreover, Ann has surely missed her home and it is very possible that she wants to come with Albert and show him around.

Both of them are amazing and our only hopes!

“What do you say? Do you agree?” Tia asks me in agony and I shake my head while I gain back my mind and put my thoughts in a queue.

I focus on her for one more time and small explosions take place inside my heart. I want to run back to the pack house, find Albert and Ann, fall on my knees and beg them to help us, but Tia needs an answer that I’m ready to give her.

I have nothing to think about, because taking Tia with me for some days is a great opportunity for us to replace the lost time. In addition, she will meet with the pack and she won’t worry about their reaction to her becoming the Luna.

“Of course I agree! I breathe for the moment that we’ll set our foot together in our pack! The sooner we do, the better!”

~few hours later, late afternoon, Dark Wood Pack, Ian and Blaire’s pack house, Ian’s office~

Ian’s pov

He takes his seat right opposite of me, on the other side of my desk, and I can’t stop myself from wondering what is wrong with him.

After five years of being so close and great friends, I can read this expression and nothing can get out of my mind that he is quite troubled about something, many things bother him and they must be serious.

I guess I have missed episodes, but this is even weirder. I mean, he would have told me, if he had any problem. We talk about everything, we have no secrets and he had many opportunities to ask from me to talk in private from last night, when he and Madison came with Derek, since he and Madison stay here with us.

Yes, you guessed correctly, Stefan is here, in my office, as I had some work to do before dinner and he mind linked me, telling me that he wanted us to discuss about something important. I had no other choice, not that I wanted to deny it, but I have to admit that this out of nowhere move, caught me completely off guard. This isn’t Stefan’s style, he always is very appropriate, he never does things like this one, so I’m a little bit nervous.

Also, he is very serious, I would dare to add stressed, and he doesn’t help me that much, I am not so optimistic about what kind of discussion he wants us to have, and the more he stays silent, staring at me, the more worried I become.

Alright, these days are generally quite stressful, I have many things I need to take care of, Tia and Derek’s matter took much energy from me and last, but not least, there are those images that returned the last couples of days and hunt me like never before.

I have no clue as to what the hell is wrong with me, but it can’t be good. It is more intense than the few previous times and I feel like something is going to happen, something dark and catastrophic. Maybe this is why I don’t feel like myself lately and I seem like I am out of my waters.

I sense it, it’s coming again… It is like he is here, I feel it in my bones, although I know that the bastard is dead. I saw him, I burned him, I put the fire after we took him off the river, his body became dust. He can’t come back, I know it for sure, I am crazy for waiting for his ‘return’, but what if it isn’t his return, but something quite similar?

I am aware of sounding insane, but my instinct doesn’t lie to me…

Zachary is gone for good and forever, but someone is out there. I know it, even though I don’t want to believe it. We were wrong for thinking that we had closed that chapter from our lives, I am certain that it is still open, but damn…

I am losing my mind, honestly, this is not normal!

“Are you alright, Ian?”

Stefan’s full of concern question puts my thoughts in a queue and I blink my eyes, landing them immediately on his. I groan awkwardly, doing my best to hide my nervousness, and I force a smile. Well, it isn’t a smile actually, but this is the best I can for now. I realize that he has to be in the same state of mind with me, but for his own reasons, and Terror becomes thoughtful in my mind. He doesn’t understand the reason behind this behavior of Stefan’s and he wants to know more the sooner. This will help me and him both, it will distract us from our bad sentiment and also, we like cooperating with Stefan, we are a great team and we get better and better every time.

“Yes, I’m just tired. I have many matters in mind these past days, that’s all.” I reply as quickly as I can, but he doesn’t look so convinced.

In fact, he knows that I am partly lying, it isn’t that difficult, as I always am an open book with him.

“Does it have to do with Blaire and your relationship?” he asks breathless, with an unsure look and I narrow my eyes, not expecting it.

Mentioning Blaire and our relationship is the last thing that I could think, it is… Strange. I thought he would try to make me open up about the matters, but I am relieved he didn’t, because I have told nobody about those memories. Well, to be completely honest, I haven’t revealed to anybody what exactly happened between me and Zachary that day, right in front of the three graves.

They don’t know about him, they are unaware of his existence…

I promised that I would never reveal this secret to anyone, not even Blaire. It is better in this way and I don’t regret it. Nobody needs to know about it anyway, because he is no threat to us, he helped me against Zachary, he asked for my forgiveness and proved that he meant it. He took our side, even if he decided it too late, but it is alright. I owe him, his help saved me and I won’t forget about it, not until the day I close my eyes for once and forever.

Only I, he and the three graves know what took place. Well, and Zachary, but his dirty soul is trapped and he isn’t coming back, so this secret is safe.

“Ian, you can talk to me. Why are you so silent? I want to help you, I can help you!” Stefan states, leaning forward and much closer to the desk, and I shake my head not knowing what to say.

I don’t understand what is going on here and my mind doesn’t cooperate with me.

Damn it! This isn’t good…

“Why do you ask about Blaire and me? I mean…”

“You are kidding me, right?” he cuts me off firmly, not accepting my confusion and I shut my mouth closed.

“I’m extremely worried about you, Ian. Not Blaire, you! And so are Kyle, Tia, Nora and even Madison. Don’t you think that we haven’t noticed how much you two have changed, but for the worst.” He continues, getting now upset, and I keep on staying like a statue, staring at him…

Ashamed, realizing what is happening and what they see.

Fuck!

Okay, he got me! Mm, not exactly got me, but he is very observant and of course he can’t accept how much things between Blaire and me has changed, especially lately. What I am trying to say is that we are not like we used to be until about two to three years ago.

“Why do you accept it? How? You have lost yourself for her and because of her. You have lost your role, your smile and spark!” he states, not giving me chance to talk and try to put an end before it’s too late, but it is, already.

There is no way of turning back and I can’t avoid it, because he won’t let me so.

“I am waiting, Ian, and I am not leaving from here until you explain yourself. I had noticed this slow, gradual change, but I didn’t want to interfere. This time I have enough, I can’t believe my eyes, I’m terrified. Blaire has transformed, she treats you like you are nothing. She is so f*****g selfish, and you step back constantly, you aren’t even annoyed, frustrated! How did all these happen?” he asks me in a higher tone, full of anger, and I exhale in despair.

I lower my head, avoiding eye contact with him, and bring my right hand behind my neck, rub it and close my eyes in defeat.

The truth is that nothing is the same way it was for the two very first years, but I have no problem with it. Blaire is my world, I knew from the beginning that things would take this path. She is a pure Alpha as well, a proud white wolf, so it’s in her nature to be dominant, possessive, difficult to be pleased and satisfied only when she has the last word in absolutely everything.

I, from the other side, have made terrible things. I guess that I have proved my ‘worth’, although I am not saying it quite right, but this isn’t the point.

The point is that I will never be pleased with myself for anything that took place. I will always be responsible, this won’t change and I have truly accepted it. This is why I do anything I can to make Blaire and everyone else happy. I have no right to complain, our family comes first. Stepping back for Blaire is the least I can do, it’s very easy as well. I trust her blindly, I adore her, I know that she is better than me and I love her for who she is, no matter her flaws and new whims.

Yes, she has become quite arrogant, she sometimes is abrupt, distant, stubborn and very excessive, but I still adore her. In fact, I love her even more, I’m crazy in love with her and being with her feels like heaven.

There is no reason for Stefan or anyone else to be angry about it, because I’m perfectly fine with it. If my Blaire is happy, so am I, honestly!

“Man, everything is just great. You know Blaire…” I say in a defensive tone and lift my head up, daring to look at him, but when I do, I regret it.

His eyes are much darker, his expression is not the one I was hoping for and my stomach tightens dangerously.

“This is exactly why I know that nothing is great. She is not herself anymore and you are not the powerful man we all know. Do you realize that you have given to her absolutely everything in order to ease your guilt about the past, but this is not fair for you? Blaire doesn’t even appreciate it from her behavior! Bro, last night she spoke to you like you are trash for helping Tia and Derek, and today she approached you without apologizing and you… I can’t even describe what you did, I mean… f**k!” he exclaims in the end and I run both of my hands through my hair.

Great, the only thing that missed from my problems’ list is Stefan getting heard from Blaire, next him talking to her and then me having another ‘fight’ with her. Not that we are fighting, since she just shouts, murmurs things about me and I say nothing, I don’t really react. It’s easier in this way and I don’t bring myself in a more difficult situation.

“Don’t be so unfair. Her hormones are giving her a hard time these last weeks. Pregnancy is pressing her very much, she is not like that and you know it.” I say in a more imposing tone, not willing to continue this argument for more, and he opens his mouth, ready to reply, but it’s my turn to ‘scold’ him.

You see, I know few things about him as well. The fact that I haven’t talked to him about them yet, doesn’t mean that I am blind and won’t try to help him and Madison.

“And now, Smith… It’s time for you to spit what is wrong with you and your mate. A little sparrow told me that you have your ups and downs, right?” I say suspiciously, preventing him from talking, and his jaw drops immediately, he turns pale and I raise my eyebrows frustrated that Tia was right.

She and I are extremely close. We have no secrets, we like staying alone and talking about anything someone can imagine and I feel honored that she treats me like I am her true brother and not brother in law. Our bond is very strong and it can’t be cut, although the distance this one year that she has left. There is nobody for whom we don’t talk about. You could say we ‘gossip’, but it’s not like that. We care about our family, so you get what I mean.

Anyway, as I mentioned above, Tia and I managed to stay alone a while ago, before she and the others leave back to Shining Full Moon Pack and she said few short words about a discussion she had with Madison earlier today, after our lunch.

I already knew this small and typical problems Stefan and Madison had from before, but Tia seemed too worry about them and she asked from me to try and have a talk with Stefan the sooner, since she and Derek are stuck on each other (cute) and she won’t be able to find an opportunity to stay alone with Stefan.

According to Tia, Madison looked sad, maybe hurt and scared, of course Tia got concerned about it, she wants to help them and run straight to me, asking to interfere.

I can’t deny anything to Tia, this is a small truth, but don’t tell anyone about it (especially Blaire and Wendy), I care about Smith and Madison as well, so the answer was too easy.

If I can help him and give him any useful advice, I will be more than happy, since Stefan stands on me like true brother. We have left the past behind us, we respect and admire each other, we adore our big family and it isn’t only about Eleanor and Blaire that we are like this, we have countless things in common, it is unbelievable.

“Who told you? I, we…” he begins to say, but stops, gulps and stiffens uncomfortably.

Hm… Mission succeed, my friends! We got him and karma is a b***h!

I am not happy that Tia read Madison so well, because I don’t like watching both Stefan and Madison in this condition, but at least we understood it and we can think of something in order to solve any problem they have.

I take a moment to observe his big, expressive eyes and then press my lip together in sympathy. Stefan is troubled, there is no doubt about it and Madison feels hurt. From what I know till now, she puts his needs above hers all the time, Stefan feels guilty for how caring she is, but…

There is a wall between them, something that it’s very difficult for me to explain.

At this point, I think that I have to say that neither Stefan, nor Madison haven’t told us anything about Madison’s past, except from few general, serious things which had to do with Zachary and what he did to her. We all respect their wish, as we don’t want to pressure Madison, but Stefan has confessed to me that many demons hunt her and only he makes her feel better, safer, stronger and more optimistic.

“Time for you to talk. Why do you keep yourself back? Don’t you want to live with Madison together forever? She wants to turn you, she doesn’t want to lose you, she gets panicked even in the thought, but you avoid it, you explain nothing. She feels helpless and confused.” I speak up few moments later, when I get sure that a cat has eaten his tongue and he sighs, clearing his throat in hurry.

“I want it, I really do. Madison is the best thing that has ever happened to me, because it’s the first time that someone can literally die for me. Don’t think that I don’t recognize how much she loves me, because I do and it hurts from a point of view. I have done nothing to deserve it, but still, she stays with me, stands me, supports me, loves me and gives me everything without asking for anything in return! It’s just that…” he says, ready to cry and stops, buries his face in his hands and I smile quite relieved.

It’s great that he feels this way, because he truly deserves it. Madison came in his life like blessing and this can’t be doubted, but he puts stupid barriers. He can’t be as expressive as she is, since he is also scared of losing her like his first mate, but this is not fair for him and poor Madison.

I mean, not wanting to even try for kids with her, because he still holds himself tightly from the past isn’t going to help him. Madison has made it clear that she would love to have kids with Stefan, but he doesn’t want to talk about it from pure horror, and this is only one small part of the whole thing and I just wanted to give you an example.

“You are worried about the pack and what will come next… I get it, Smith, but you don’t want our help, you deny accepting it and this is truly wrong. We are willing to help you about who will take your place as your pack’s Alpha, we want to help you forget about the losses you had before, but you… Why do you do this to you and your mate?” I say unable of waiting for him to assure me about all these thoughts and fears, and he just sighs.

He is stubborn, because what I said is true. We want to help him in order to find the next appropriate one for his place, but he avoids it discreetly. Kyle, George, Isaak, Dillon, Albert, Blaire and I have made many discussions about someone suitable, but Stefan seems not able of taking our intentions seriously.

In addition, we have put great efforts about changing his mind about having kids with Madison, but with no success. This is why I said that he holds extremely tightly from the past. He believes that he will lose Madison, just like he lost Mina. This is something I respect, but not completely, because this is irrational with no basic anymore. He needs to work on his fears, but he is too scared to even try.

“The pack is large, Ian. I am its Alpha for almost two decades and I have set my rules. It will be extremely hard for someone to earn everyone’s trust, respect and loyalty. He has to be an Alpha, but there is nobody. Time is running out and I am f*****g things up with Madison. I have become quite distant because of this and the worst thing is that I can’t open up to her. Every time I try to talk about it or about why I’m so absolute about not having our own kids, my mind stops, I can’t think and feel weak and stupid. I am a coward!”

“But she already knows everything! It’s just that she hasn’t heard it from your lips. She is not an i***t, she understands, this is why she shows so much respect to you and your needs. And you forget that your problems are hers as well, this pack is hers too! Keeping her out of this matter is by far a terrible mistake. And don’t get me started with the kids… She has every right to become a mother and I know you want to become a father too, but you have become obsessed with what happened to Mina. This isn’t healthy, you put in great danger your relationship with Madison. Do you want to lose her? Will you bear it?” I say immediately, feeling like my worry about him is drowning me and he stands up, rushes to the central window and opens it widely.

It breaks my heart to see him so desperate. I smell his pain, I am sure that his eyes are wet and he is about to cry and it hurts me very much. He is a very proud man and extremely sensitive, but he hides it from Madison, or this is what he tries to do from the first moment. He has no problem to confess almost everything to anyone else, but when he has to face Madison, something freezes him.

I’m aware of the shadows that his and Madison’s pasts have, they still work on it and support and heal each other, but Stefan isn’t as giving as Madison. She gives herself to him and he doesn’t doubt it, he never lets her down, but he doesn’t do the same, he doesn’t show trust.

Honestly, I can’t say for sure what takes place between them, I am extremely confused.

“Talk to the King and ask from him to help you about finding your replacer. You should have bothered him too long ago. If you don’t want our interference, he will be your best choice. And then relax and focus on Madison. It is clear that even the thought of staying alone is your worst nightmare. You can’t continue like this, because she has feelings as well. She is patient for you, but you will have to be patient for her soon, as she will fall, if you don’t try to clear things totally. You have to make it, Stefan. There is no other way.” I say while standing up and walking quickly to him.

I guess I sound strict, but I can’t do otherwise. I have to tell him things the way they are. He must wake up before it’s too late and Madison breaks and takes her distance from him. She is very generous, a rarely great soul, but this doesn’t mean that this will never change.

Usually, when you give, but take nothing in return for any reason, it’s logical to have a break down one day. Madison may love Stefan to death, but sometimes love isn’t enough, I mean when we get filled with insecurities and the one we love like nothing else keeps walls between.

I stop next to him, right behind the window and lock my eyes on the horizon. It is very dark, the sun is going to disappear for good in few minutes and the sky is full of beautiful colors, it looks melancholic, like our mood.

“Sometimes, when I recall the past, I get horrified about the future.” He whispers in a weak, low tone which makes my skin shudder instantly.

Fear deluges me as I feel the same when I remember all those painful moments, and I groan, doing my best to push away all the thoughts and past images. I hate that I agree with him, because there are many times that I believe that everything is a dream and when I wake up, I will be alone again and everyone will hate me. We can’t get used to our new reality, it’s hard.

“I understand, but we don’t live in the past anymore and there is a future…” I mutter, fighting to convince him and me that everything will be alright and we are just irrational and pessimistic, but he turns his head to me, making me do the same the next second.

Our gazes meet, his tears are about to fall from his eyes, and my heart tightens, reacting to his ache and my breath gets cut when he breaks the short, torturing silence with a shocking statement.

“I have the feeling that it will be worse than the past, Ian. The worst is yet to come, we have to get ready…”

*********************

Hello everyone!

Welcome all! The 4th chapter of the book is here with romantic and not romantic (ironic, I know) moments.

We saw more from Tia and Derek, we took a small idea of what is possible of happening in the near future and we also read about four quite basic heroes. Ian, Blaire, Stefan and Madison will play a catalytic role in this book and the next and last as well, so we will see many from them too. We also read few half words from Ian about that day and how he won Zachary, but who helped him? Many of you asked me, but I told you that we would find out more in the next two books, so what do you say?

Please let me know what you think and feel about this chapter!

What do you think about Derek? What about his and Tia chemistry and discussion? What about Derek's plan about visiting Tia? How do you feel about Tia's idea-plan in order to go to Switzerland with Derek? Also, how about Ian's discussion with Stefan? Do you like these two so close? What is your opinion about Ian and Blaire? What about Stefan and Madison? What does Ian hides? Is Stefan right for being so scared? What is going to happen next?

Thank you very much from now for everything and I hope you liked the chapter and you have began to love this second sequel.

Please if you want to help me from now that it is the beginning and you are looking forward for the second chapter, commend and let me know your opinion and thoughts.

I will see you in the next chapter (unless you are reading my other books). Until then stay safe, smile and have fun!

Love you all very, very much,

                                           Marie...