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

First 'Clouds'...

"And when things seem to finally take the right path... The first, dark clouds begin to get gathered up the sky, right above you."

~next day, noon, Dark Wood Pack, Ian and Blaire’s pack house~

Tia’s pov

“And I am telling you that George Gordon’s reaction is going to stay in history! This has never happened again.” Kyle repeats still unable of believing it and most of us nod immediately in agreement.

You tell me…

My father proved that he really rocks! I wasn’t expecting so mature behavior from him to be honest. Okay, he was quite creepy at the beginning, when he roared in front of everyone, but I can’t be unfair to him. He faced the reality extremely calmly considering what Derek, I and the others had been keeping from him for about five years.

Also, the more I think about it, the more I understand why he felt hurt. We were lying in front of his face, so I get that he had a big point for feeling betrayed, but the good thing is that he truly understood us and the reasons we had.

“The fact that he didn’t punch you, even touched you, Peterson, is the proof of how damn lucky you are! Anyone else would have been dead by now, it’s amazing!” Dean states with a wicked smirk and I turn to Derek who tightens his hold around me.

My eyes land on his shining ones and he seems to feel my warm gaze, since he turns to me and kisses my right cheek. I close my eyes, feeling my cheeks blushing from the others’ presence and it doesn’t pass one second until I hear some of them chuckling, some exhaling pleased and some groaning awkwardly or in annoyance (this last one goes for Alex, you see he didn’t take the news so well).

“Hey, hey, stop it, jerk!” he shouts with clear frustration and I open my eyes nervously, give Derek a melancholic smile and place my hands above his.

Okay, I have to admit that my dad might have taken it better, but this doesn’t mean that all the others showed the same understanding he showed to us. At this point, I guess I have to explain what I mean, so let’s take things slowly and start from the basics.

Let me informed you that we are at Ian and Blaire’s house. We just finished our lunch and now we are sitting in their living room while all the kids are playing outside with their grandparents and Madison, who is Stefan’s mate. We are all here, except Dillon and Hannah and Isaak with Kara, as these four had few important pack issues to deal with and they couldn’t come, but Kara and Isaak invited everyone for dinner tomorrow night, so we are going to get gathered there all together too soon, again.

As you understand the people who are in here now are Blaire and Ian, Kyle and Nina, Dean and Nora, crazy Alex with Henna, Cai with Liza, Evan and Wendy, Bill with Layla, Stefan and Derek and I. I know, we are many, but I love it. All the elders are outside playing with the kids as I mentioned before and in them I include Albert and Ann who are understandable, but Madison is a small surprise for you, right?

Well, I think I have to tell you about her, because she is quite new and there are many things you have no idea about. For example, Madison adores kids and she loves everyone’s very much, so she misses them a lot and when she and Stefan visit us, she usually spends most of her time with them. Also, she and Eleanor have a special, very strong bond and some would say that Eleanor except from two fathers, she also has two mothers. Madison is crazy for El, but the same happens to El too.

I still sometimes find it hard to believe that Madison is not jealous of Blaire and Stefan’s past, how much they love each other, how much Stefan loves Eleanor and their strong bond, but knowing Madison so well I can say for sure that she is very kind and generous, so I can assure you that she is truly honest. She is an amazing woman, a woman worthy of Stefan and they are a dreamy couple if you ask me. We all love her and she proves us her love all the time these years.

“Come on, Alex. Stop being hysteric! What did Derek do?” Evan asks, bringing me back to real time and I shake my head, turn to Alex who is sitting on a couch on our left and he rolls his eyes.

He isn’t just angry, he is fuming and not only for what Derek did, but for Albert, Ann, Wendy, Evan and Ian as well, especially Ian. And as you understand he is not mad at me, I am lucky…

“I was expecting nothing else from you, Evan, great traitor! Of course you take his side, just like the asshole next to you, my ‘brother’, Ian!” Alex throws through his teeth and Blaire nods with her eyes narrowed from anger.

Oh, yes, this is another problem, I mean except Alex’s reaction to the truth’s reveal. You see, my sister decided to make Ian pay for knowing about Derek and me and not telling her (she also thinks that he did it only on purpose in order to do the same thing she did to him about Wendy and Evan’s bond), so things are tensed between them and only from Blaire’s side. You had to see her scolding him last night and then avoiding and ignoring him. The poor man said absolutely nothing and gave her space and time to calm down, but Blaire hasn’t calmed down yet and I feel sorry, Ian doesn’t deserve it.

I want to talk to her about it, I have to help Ian like he has helped Derek and me, but I don’t know how to approach Blaire, because I don’t want to cause more problems to Ian. My sister is too upset due to the pregnancy’s hormones, so we never know for sure how she is going to react. Even Kyle, Evan and Bill tried to make her soften, but with absolutely no success, so I am quite nervous.

“Alex, you are tiring, honestly! Okay, they had to tell us, but we can’t kill them for feeling this way and trying to be discreet. They didn’t do it in order to leave you out of it and betray you.” Bill states firmly, not so patient anymore, and Kyle nods.

Thanks Goddess that all the others don’t have any problem and showed us great understanding, especially Kyle, because his opinion matters me as much as Blaire’s. My brother is just the best, I mean he told us nothing, he didn’t even get annoyed! Do you believe it? He was smiling from excitement and relief and he didn’t get mad at Ian and the others for helping so discreetly Derek and me.

And now we get to the point, I mean who got upset, because this is what I wanted to say. So, Alex was the first who actually reacted (if we put aside my dear father). He got angry at Ian, Derek, Albert and Evan, not so much at me, Wendy and Ann. As he said he was expecting from them to tell him, because he is too close to the guys, who are like brothers for him and also, with Albert, who is his second father.

Next come Dean, who wasn’t so angry, but annoyed and sulky, although he is not a problem anymore. He came and talked to us today, since he was upset last night, and he told us that he is glad we are mates and he got very happy for us.

In addition, Stefan and Nina got quite shocked last night, as they are very, very close to both Derek and me, but they didn’t tell us anything, not even complained, although Derek and I know that they got a little bit hurt. I am sure they are happy for us, but Nina is like our sister, Stefan is like my second father and a very good friend of Derek’s, and I feel guilty about keeping them completely out of it.

Moreover, Blaire was mad at Ian and not so much at Derek, even though I know for sure that I hurt her, but she behaves like everything is absolutely perfect. I don’t blame her, I mean… I have a very strong bond with her, she always was my idol, she still is and we have a relationship based on adoration, so she wasn’t expecting it.

God! I do feel horribly for not telling anyone else, because they are my family. Everyone loves me very much, they have high expectations from me, but I f****d it up. Okay, they are aware I didn’t do it purposely, but this doesn’t change the fact that I somehow showed them that I don’t trust them that much, even though this is a big lie.

Anyway… What matters is that they all understand, they just need time to accept it, but Alex needs the most of all as you saw. You have to see his expression, the way he talks to Ian, Derek and Evan, how cold he is towards them and how united he is with Blaire in order to make Ian pay. Honestly, these two are the perfect team, so Ian has troubles…

“I think you don’t understand. We are talking about our family here. We said that we would have no secrets, but…” Alex begins again, in a higher tone, but Henna has enough, just like Kyle.

“And Blaire told us nothing about Evan and Wendy, remember? Nobody really blamed her though…” she states with a devilish gaze which goes straight to Blaire, who blushes, crosses her hands in front of her chest and moves closer to Ian.

Oh,oh… Someone feels guilty!

That’s good, it was about time for someone to put Blaire in her place. Don’t get me wrong, I love her very much, but she is quite proud and stubborn sometimes, she doesn’t want to admit her mistakes and puts the blame constantly on Ian, even if he is innocent. This is the truth and you have missed too many these five years. Their roles changed a lot and Ian has calmed down very much while Blaire has become more explosive, absolute, strict and serious.

Between us, Ian is a hero, especially now that Blaire is pregnant again. Every time they fight is like Blaire fights on her own, since Ian decides to stay silent and be the patient one. He has understood her personality perfectly, he knows Blaire’s next word or reaction and he stays very calm and logical. Do you believe that Blaire rarely apologizes to him, but the poor man has no problem with it? Like seriously, and right now Blaire does the same, she approaches him discreetly and in the end she is going to be in his arms like a five years old, shy girl.

“Henna is right. Not to mention that we said that we mustn’t have dark secrets between us that could cause us problems, fights or misunderstandings. Nothing of these counts this time, so I would ask from you to forget about it Alex! Grow up finally!” Kyle adds before Alex opens his mouth to protest and support Blaire.

“They are right, my friend! Okay, it would be great for us to get informed about it from the beginning, but it’s fine. Just be glad that the guys are mates and the end! This is what matters.” Stefan states with his usual, steady and warm voice and turns to Derek and me, raises his hand and taps my knee softly with adoration.

“Thank you man, I owe you…” Derek whispers almost under his breath, too close to my right ear, and Stefan closes his eye with meaning.

I give him a bright smile and he smiles back to me while Alex clears his throat and gains everyone’s main interest for once more. This time he is softer, he has a weak smile on his face and his eyes shine while Henna smirks pleased. Someone got logical, guys…

“Fine, I quit, but mark my words: I will have my time with the three traitors, I won’t forget it!” he says mostly teasingly and Dean raises his eyebrows getting his point, like everyone else.

This smells like bad pranks, so we better get ready…

“Alright, now… We have talked already too much for the guys and they feel awkward. We should change our topic, right? How about poor Layla tells us how Bill slept after his very first hangover?” Nina says ready to break into laughing and many chuckle, while Bill groans quite nervously.

Another thing you missed is that Bill got drunk for the first time last night, because Dillon challenged him. Mmm… Men behave like kids sometimes and these two decided to become wild kids, since Bill accepted the challenge, Dillon the clever man was cheating, nobody told Bill and this had as a result Bill getting drunk, Layla getting angry and Dillon being the winner with an outraged Hannah scolding him. I can’t deny that the scene was very funny, but I feel extremely sorry for Bill. I mean, we should have told him about Dillon cheating, or even stop Dillon.

“He fell on the bed like a trunk and slept while I was fuming all night long.” Layla replies with her eyes narrowed, and Evan nods, getting ready to talk.

“Yeah, and my back is killing me, as I had to carry him up the stairs. Ian helped, but still…” he explains and we all focus on Ian, who is the most silent one today.

Hmm… The more I look at him, the more convinced I become that he is hurt from Blaire’s intense reaction. He might say he doesn’t get affected that much anymore, but I know he does.

You know, he is very caring and sweet with her. He steps back all the time for her, he allows her to have the last word, but Blaire is never pleased. They are very happy, I see they are, but if Blaire continues like this, Ian won’t be that fine. It’s like he has transformed, he isn’t so energetic anymore, his eyes still shine, but not like they used to. It’s quite complicated to explain it, but it’s like Blaire wants to take his role and he doesn’t want to upset her, but he doesn’t feel fine with it either.

“Man, didn’t you sleep or are you in pain like Evan?” Cai asks Ian, since nobody else decides to make the extremely heavy yet awkward question and Ian stiffens nervously.

I give a short look at Blaire, whose face freezes for a moment and my heart tightens. I can certainly say that Blaire continued complaining when they stayed alone, Ian didn’t react or told her to stop and then he was thinking everything over and over again and couldn’t sleep.

“I am fine, I slept. Why?” Ian rushes to reply, but he isn’t so convincing.

There is something in his tone that lets me know that he is not alright.

I exchange a very brief look with Kyle and then with Stefan and both of them nod discreetly in understanding. We have talked again about Blaire’s quite selfish behavior and we have agreed that we would talk to her about it with the first chance. I guess the time has come, we can’t delay it.

“Because you look very tired.” It’s Liza’s turn to say, with clear worry and Nora catches my troubled expression, looks at Blaire suspiciously and sighs.

Add one more, Nora is going to talk to Blaire as well and I am relieved, because Nora has a gentle behavior and she could really help us and don’t frustrated my already upset sister.

“We all slept less than the normal, guys. Don’t make it such a big deal. Maybe we should ask our new lovebirds how they slept tonight. It’s the first night they slept under the same roof after the big reveal.” Dean says cheerfully, changing the topic and I open my eyes widely, unable to believe what have Derek and I done to deserve being in the center of their curiosity.

Don’t tell me that it is logical and all these, because I’m already aware of it. I am not angry, it’s just that it is quite weird to talk about it, I am very shy and I know that Derek has the exact same opinion. We prefer to keep most of the things between us, we agreed on this last night, it is quite early to tell them more details.

“I want you to stop staring at us like this, guys, because I’m going to lose my angel from embarrassment. I already feel her heartbeat getting faster, she is blushing more and she is trembling.” Derek says playfully with his deep, smooth voice, sending chill all over my body and I groan lowly much shyer.

This man of mine wants to give me a heart attack. I wasn’t prepared for these words from him, he wanted to make me feel better, but he did the opposite. Now they are smirking, ready to start laughing at me and he begins to kiss my burning cheek nonstop.

Damn! This feels really amazing, I have no words to describe how my heart hovers in my chest, how Tory has melted in my mind, how my skin has taken fire and how ashamed I feel for this lovely moment. From the one hand I am proud and enthusiastic that we can finally be like this without having to pretend, but at the other hand it is new for me. I would prefer to do this kind of things when we are alone, although I am happy for being his.

“I am going to tell you exactly what took place! I bet they didn’t sleep, because they were talking all night through their personal link!” Wendy says out of nowhere with a victorious smirk and I close my eyes, moving deeper in Derek’s warm embrace.

This is just a disaster! I mean, this is exactly what we did, although we seem like we slept normally, but this isn’t the point. The thing is that they all know now and they will tease us for the next days, we won’t have a break, this is cruel!

“And I was wondering when you would open your mouth, crazy girl…” I mutter with my face buried in my hands and they all laugh, with Derek placing another kiss on me, this time at the top of my head.

Do you know what?

I think I had enough for now. It’s a fact that they are going to continue laughing at me and later, I need some air and I am over from here. I prefer go outside and play with the kids and the others, while my dear family will release its energy.

Let’s just hope that they won’t be so willing to make me feel so nervous later, as Derek and I are going to go for a walk in a while just the two of us and it will take time until I meet them again.

“Um… I’m going out.” I whisper, so that only Derek can listen to me and he giggles, rubbing my arms.

You have no idea how much he has relaxed since last night. He is like a whole different man with the very good meaning, because he is not stressed anymore. I can see the difference and I’m blissful that Derek is finally able to express himself like he wants to.

“Fair enough, my love. I will come in a while to go for our walk. I will put them in their places for teasing you, okay?” he whispers gently back to me and I remove my hands from my face, turn and give him a shy nod and then he softens his hold around me.

I clear my throat as I stand up, avoiding looking at all the others, even though Ian, Stefan and Cai don’t laugh, and when Derek’s hands don’t touch me, I start walking to the door as fast as I can. I feel everyone’s eyes on me, some get ready to ask me what is happening, but Derek is going to speak and explain them, so I don’t worry about it.

I speed up even more when I’m too close to get out and I think Alex murmurs something with concern about my reaction and I get out, sighing in relief. The not so cool air meets my hot skin and especially my cheeks and I close the door behind me.

Okay, Tia! It is over…

I take one moment to forget about their teases, laughs, smirks and generally childish yet very funny and sweet behavior, and then smile while I look all over around me.

It is incredible how green the forest is, even if this summer is extremely warm, and Ian and Blaire’s territory consists mostly from dense forest, their pack is located in a big valley in the middle of the woods and the landscape is just breathtaking.

They are very lucky, not that our pack has such a big difference, but I’m just saying. Also, Blaire told me something and Ann with Derek confirmed it and it is about his pack, or better our pack. It’s good to know that my soon to be pack is located deep inside the Alps’ forests and the winter is heavy with lots of snow. I don’t know why I love snow and low temperature so much, I didn’t realize when winter became my favorite season, but I suspect it happened while I was in Canada.

Anyway…

I make few steps from the pack house’s main entrance and then walk down the few stairs in hurry. I look around me again, trying to spot any of the kids, my parents, uncles, the others or even Madison, but too soon I realize that I can see nobody except from two familiar guards.

Hmm… Weird, where are they?

I walk towards the guards who notice me almost immediately, turn to me and bow. I smile and shake my hand to greet them and they smile back to me. They are two of Ian’s most trusted men, I have talked to them few times and I must admit that they are friendly and polite.

“Alpha Tia, how are you? What are you doing out here?” the one of them asks me as I approach them with quick, big steps.

“I came to play with the others, but I see they are not here. Do you know where they are?” I ask curiously and they nod, pointing a small path behind them which leads straight in the forest.

I went with Ian and Wendy for a walk once or twice and we ended up sitting next to a small lake. Lake… Yeah, I now see why they went this way, all the kids of ours are in love with water.

“The little ones were asking it nonstop. They have about five minutes since they left, so you could reach them. One of us could accompany you.” The other guard says quickly and I bite my lower lip thoughtfully, but a noise from the woods next to the pack sounds and the three of us snap our head to its direction.

“Hey! Did you miss us, Tia?” she yells as she starts running to us and I tap the guards’ shoulders as they relax and I get ready to leave them behind me and walk towards…

“Madison… Of course I did!” I shout back and start walking, heading straight to her.

I can’t stop smiling while I observe her rushing to me. She is not only a beautiful woman with long, black hair, long neck and too dark blue, big eyes, full lips and a pale skin’s tone with a great body, but she is also very warm, cheerful and smiley. The Goddess couldn’t have chosen a better mate for Stefan. They match a lot, they have a royal, kind aura.

“Why did you come back? Did they get you dizzy?” I ask teasingly when we are too close, with about only three meters separating us and she laughs instantly loudly.

“No! You love I love them and I enjoy playing with them, but I wanted to spend time with you, guys as well.” She replies, reaches me, stops and we make instinctually a short hug.

She is not like all the other crazy, obsessive and aggressive vampires I have heard about. She is very different and this is exactly why she has won everyone’s hearts. She liked us from the first moment, she approached us, she was open from the beginning and I’m proud to say she has become an equal member of our family. She is about 500 years old as a vampire, but 35 as a human and I would say she is born to become mother, I mean her behavior is like my mom’s, we feel her like our mother and especially I.

I love talking with her, even though we usually get interrupted from the kids, or Eleanor or all the others, but I find this a very good opportunity to spend some time with her, just the two of us.

“And I was about to come and find you. The others began asking about me and Derek, I turned red, so you understand me, right?” I whisper with meaning and she nods, chuckling and pointing a bench few meters away.

We start walking towards it and she wraps one arm around me. I exhale overwhelmed from her touch, without knowing the reason it’s so intense and she breaks the silence.

“They are all very excited for you and can’t hide it, sweetheart. They have forgotten how it feels like to meet your mate, be in tension from love, enthusiasm, the butterflies in the stomach and the sparks. I get it, it is awkward for you, because it is very new and intense, but they have good intentions.” She says calmly, with the smile not leaving from her face and I shake my head in agreement.

“And you? Have you forgotten how it feels like to be with your mate at the beginning?” I ask with great interest and she gives me a shy, emotional smile.

She doesn’t just love Stefan, she adores him, he is her entire world. There is no time that we talk about him and she doesn’t get emotional from the love she feels for him. I admire her for never trying to hide her emotions, she has no problem to cry in front of us, express what he means to her, how he brought her back to life and saved her.

“I can’t and don’t want to lie, honey… Every moment with him is intense like the first moments of ours. Nothing has changed for me, he is still like a God for me, I see him and lose the ground under my feet, he touches me and I forget how to breathe, he kisses and hugs me and I melt.” She answers with her eyes shining from tears of joy and we sit on the bench next to each other, but she doesn’t remove her arm and we stay hugged.

What did I tell you?

Their love reminds me of fairytales, they are deeply in love and don’t deny it.

“But the same thing happens to him. I know him well enough, I can see it in his eyes. You got in his life out of nowhere and became someone with a special place in his heart. He has changed a lot, he looks younger. There is no moment that he doesn’t look at you without smiling brightly from happiness.” I say and take her other free hand in both mine and then caress it.

“I know, Tia, but it’s not the same, I mean…” she begins to say, with her voice so low like a whisper and I move closer with my ears perked.

I lock my eyes on her pale yet sweet face and Tory moves worried in my mind, she is concerned, because Madison’s expression is not a happy one like before, it’s one full of pain, fear, worry, hesitation and desperation. I don’t know why her mood changed all of a sudden, but I hate it. It’s very hard for me to see her like this.

“Stefan is like a blessing from the Goddess for me. He showed me how real love feels like, I felt alive for the first time with him, he saved me and I am not talking about my life. I am talking about my soul, Tia. Stefan is my savior, my heart, my everything and I can’t imagine my life without him. If I ever lose him for any reason, I will die, do you understand? I prefer to die than stay alone with having him. I won’t make it alone.” she says heartbroken with trembling voice which cracks in the end while she avoids looking at me.

Instead, she has her eyes locked on the green from dense grass ground and her hold around me tightens without her realizing it.

My heart aches from her expression and very ‘heavy’ words and I start caressing her cool yet soft hand again. It hurts me a lot to see her so broken without having even one reason to feel this way. She and Stefan will never break up, they just can’t and not only because he is her life as she just admitted, but also because she is his life, his light.

“He can’t leave you anymore. His heart is in your hands, and… I know that he still hasn’t been so willing to talk about you turning him to a vampire, but….” I say timidly, not wanting to cross the line, but she shakes her head in despair, few tears fall from her stormy now eyes and I stop myself immediately.

As you understand, I did cross the line, but I didn’t want to make her feel worse. The truth is that I know many things about hers and Stefan’s relationship. I also know that her past is very dark, she has suffered a lot, although I don’t know more details. And moreover, I am aware of the whole ‘turning’ thing, maybe this is the most serious, hard and difficult matter.

You see, Stefan is about 46 years old and still his pack’s Alpha. He is worried about to whom to pass his title, as he has no kids and he has many things to be worried about. In addition, he and Madison decided not to make kids, but this is something Madison didn’t really want to and she did it only for Stefan, since he is scared of trying to have his own kid again. I hope you remember that he lost his first mate and their daughter during the labor and it’s sad that he hasn’t gotten over it even after so long, especially after Blaire and El’s accident. To add one more problem, let me tell you that Madison opened a discussion about ‘turning’ him in few years from now, as he won’t live forever like she will, but Stefan seems to avoid it and this hurts Madison. She has never pressured him, she respects that he is not ready even to discuss about it and let her know his opinion, and this is why Madison is sometimes in pain and becomes insecure.

I personally believe that Stefan wants that too, as he loves her like crazy, but he is in constant worry about the pack and its future and he can’t be turned until he makes sure that the pack will be safe under another Alpha’s protection. So, I think that it’s a matter of time before Stefan finally talks to Madison about it and tells her that he agrees, because the sweet lady denies trying to discuss about it again in order not to pressure Stefan.

I hope I explained everything quite appropriately, even though I am overwhelmed and sad for Madison, who is in pain, and you also recognize that she is a true angel. She keeps on stepping back for Stefan and maybe this is why she is worried about losing him one day.

“He loves you and you know it, you have told me that you feel it, so don’t get desperate, please! I get that Stefan is not so expressive due to the circumstances and you always push your needs back for him, but I’m sure that…”

“It is fine, my dear. I know, don’t worry, yes? It’s more than enough for me that I have him, I need absolutely nothing else. And I’m certain that the same thing happens to you. You finally have your mate, I am very relieved, Tia!” she cuts me off, wanting to stop that discussion here and she smiles again, not brightly as before, but still…

“I want you to know something. Don’t forget it!” she continues when she gets sure I won’t protest and I nod, waiting patiently for her to tell me more.

The more seconds pass, the more her face muscles relax, her eyes get brighter again and the pain gradually fades. She becomes the well-known Madison and I’m glad about it.

“You and Eleanor are my greatest weaknesses. It’s not that I don’t love all the others, but it’s extremely intense with you. You’ve got in my heart from the first moment we met, I see you and her like kids of mine and I will never, ever leave you alone. I’m here for everything and I want you to promise me that you will never allow to anything or anyone destroys this happiness you feel now and deserve so much.” She begins and turns her body to me, takes gently her hand from mine and then caps slowly my face in both of her hands.

My eyes start burning me from hot tear’s quick appearance and I place my hands above her, without taking my eyes from her mesmerizing ones. I exhale touched and she moves closer to me, touches her forehead on mine and then takes a deep breath.

“Derek is a great man, who dies for you. You have no idea how lucky you are, you are blessed! Your love is already strong, you are one, so continue like this, don’t leave anything or anyone comes between you! No matter what, remember what you saw in his eyes last night and never forget it. Be always happy with him!” she says next, with a very unstable voice and I nod, holding back a sob.

“Madison… I don’t know what…” I begin to say, but my voice betrays me and I stop unable to continue.

She made my heart melt, I can’t believe how sweet she is and how much she loves me. She cares more than the usual, our bond has become something unique and I am just speechless.

“You don’t have to say anything else, sweetheart. Just promise me that you will always be happy with him, you will never forget how much he loves you and you won’t hesitate to ask for y help for anything, okay?” she asks trembling and I nod without thinking about it.

I don’t even have to think, I know what my heart feels, how honest she is and that she is right, she has been through a lot and she does want me and Derek happy.

“I love you very much and you are special, Tia.” She whispers and kisses my forehead, I hug her while smiling and clear my throat.

“I love you too, thank you for everything, Madison! And I am here for you!”

~at the same time, too far away~

Unknown person’s pov

I see them hugging and grit my teeth with power.

I feel my eyes turning red, the beast inside me wakes up and I desperately want to close my eyes and prevent myself from watching them, but deep inside my heart I know that I just can’t stop observing them.

Tia and… She…They are together!

I lean forward and place both of my hands on both sides of the crystal mirror and keep on observing them without moving at all. I am paralyzed and the reasons are so many that I can’t even tell them. My dead until one year ago emotions have overflowed and I can’t control them anymore, I have tried more than one million times, but I haven’t stopped failing with success.

Ironic, isn’t it?

It’s the first time I feel so weak and all this because of her, of Tia, my…

Damn it! That shouldn’t have happened, just like too many more things that took place since that f*****g, catalytic night, the night that everything changed, but most importantly my plans changed completely because of her!

Sometimes I still find it hard to believe it, but when few days pass without meeting her, I get convinced again and absolutely accept it. In times like these I don’t regret the way I feel for her or the huge change in the plan I had in mind five years ago, at the beginning.

I know I can’t harm her the way I wanted to, she is mine and I won’t hurt her, but I won’t accept stepping back and forgetting of my revenge. They still must pay for everything and they will. I don’t care if they are her family or not, I don’t give a damn s**t!

Okay, I said that I won’t hurt Tia, at least a lot, because I know she is going to be in pain for a while (although she shouldn’t feel this way), but it will be for her own good, our good, I will do it for us, because I want us happy. I can’t do otherwise, I have thought about it too many times, but I am not changing my mind. Not to mention that through my plan, I will get rid of that dog…

Derek Peterson, the stupid man!

I can’t give Tia to him, I don’t accept it, because she is only mine and he is a mistake. I still don’t know why that disgusting Goddess had to put him between Tia and me, but I will correct her mistake and too soon he is going to belong in the dark past forever.

I’m already holding back from going over there and killing him, I live in a hell since last night, when their ‘bond’ came to the light officially and he dared to touch her, so I decided to move sooner. I can’t wait, I have lost my patience for good. I can’t imagine him so close to her, I can’t see him hugging and kissing her, I can’t bear it!

And she… And then my m…

Both of them betray me, but I will make things right and nobody will stop me from taking them both, bringing them here and continuing our lives all together, just the three of us, because I am sure that my brother won’t accept it and he will leave from here, but do you know what?

I don’t care at all!

As long as I have these two and my sibling, I care about nothing else and the little brother of mine better decides to respect my wish, because I’m the only one he has, he needs me and my word is final.

I still haven’t told him about the change, or what is happening with Tia, since I want to be calm and avoid his anger, constant bullshit and exact opposite opinion, but I know it won’t take him long to understand everything. He is going to cause me troubles, if he finds out about it on his own, so maybe I should talk to him about it and act like his opinion is important to me. I know him very well, approaching him now is wiser than shocking him quite later. He hates Tia, her and everyone else with his entire heart, so I must be careful, confident and very convincing. He has to understand that he’ll always be under me, my commands and plans. He just helps me after all, he is much weaker, he needs me, but I don’t need him, I just don’t want to lose him or have him opposite of me.

I tighten my hold around the mirror’s sides and open my eyes widely, with my jaw clenching ready to break when the dirty dog appears in the scene and approaches them, and I feel my temper leaving me like a flash.

I hate how happy he seems to be, how he is staring them, how they are smiling at him and how Tia’s face shine. It should have been me and not him… He is stealing my place, he is replacing me and they love him, not me.

They betray me somehow, although Tia has absolutely no idea about us, but the other…

How can she accept him and love him that much?

She is happy for him and Tia, like she hasn’t realized yet why she feels this strong pull for Tia. She prefers him, over me… She certainly knows why she and Tia are so close, but I guess that the bastard, Stefan Smith has transformed her and she has forgotten about me and my brother. She chooses them over us, but her time is coming and although I know she deserves to die, I won’t kill her, because I love her. She might believe that I don’t, I was quite distant and cold towards her in the past and it was a mistake of mine, so I somehow excuse her.

Yes, she lives, because except Tia and my brother, she is another important piece of me and I need her. I just have to soften a little bit, I am too serious, abrupt and cold, but this has to stop. Now it’s a great opportunity, I mean Tia will be all mine in a while and she is fragile and sensitive, so if I want her to truly accept me, I will have to become caring and calmer than I am now.

Of course I could forget about trying to change and continue being the bloodlust monster they all call me, but I want to try something else right now. I mean…

She is my mate, the one for me!

I can’t be rough with her, she won’t bear it, she needs love and I need her acceptance. She was sent to me for a reason, she has made me soften a lot already, so it might be a sign. I have to try for her, but only after I take my revenge, hurt them all, make them suffer and make sure that the asshole won’t be a problem again.

I start trembling uncontrollably when I see him laying his dirty hands on Tia and I leave out an outraged scream which echoes in the dark room and makes the double, heavy door gets shaked slightly. I make a big step backwards in order to take the necessary distance, not wanting to break the mirror and my hands turn into fists as she stands up and hugs him very tightly.

The next moment he kisses her on the lips and I scream again, feeling my thirst for blood growing bigger. I am going to need tones of it this night, or else I will kill every single servant of mine.

I can’t control my damn rage, I can’t stop it anymore, I must hurry up, I can’t waiting any longer!

I close my eyes, denying watching more, because I am scared of being unable to release my anger even on Tia when I get her, and then run my hands through my hair in despair.

No, no, I can’t punish Tia, because she doesn’t know. She is unaware of us, but once she will be, she will love me deeply.

Yes, she will, she must!

“Don’t worry, Tia… I’m coming to take you from him!”

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

Hello everyone!

Welcome all agaian! The 3rd chapter of the book is a fact and we saw a small point of view from the third main hero who accompanies Tia and Derek.

The truth is that it wasn't in my first plans to somehow introduce him to you so soon, but then I thought I should make you question about some important things, because I am sure that what you read after a point and later is quite a mindblowing mystery. Be patient, this book has many reveals about things we know and don't know or remember about (such as who helped Ian against Zachary, cool, right?).

Anyway, let's continue and please let me know what you think and feel about this chapter!

What do you think about Tia? What about everyone's reactions? What about Blaire and Ian having the 'problems' Tia mentioned, who do you support? How do you feel about the scene between Madison and Tia? Also, how about what Tia said for Madison and then hers and Stefan's relationship? Do you like Madison, is she hiding anything? What is your opinion about our new, still mysterious guy? What is he up to? How does he knows that Tia and he are mates? Which is his relation with Madison? What is going to happen next?

Thank you very much from now for everything and I hope you liked the chapter and you will slowly 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...