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

Plans And Presentiments...

Always trust your heart. If she tells you that something is wrong, that's because it actually is.

~next day, early at noon, Shining Full Moon Pack, pack house~

Albert’s pov

“Matthew? What do you say about it?” George asks curious and my eyes land on Matthew, who is sitting opposite of George, but first I give a quick look at the others.

I mean the three Alphas, the young men of the family, the leaders or else, the three ‘brothers’, my three prides, Ian, Kyle and Derek.

We are in George’s office in order to talk about if he is going to give to Tia permission to go to Derek’s pack for a week with Ann and me accompanying them, and as you understand, things are tensed, but not as much as I was expecting. You see, George proves how much he trusts, admires and loves Derek and that’s why he is quite calm and I would dare to say open to the kids’ suggestion.

Alright, alright…

I have to admit that Tia prepared the ground and I had no doubt about it, because she is a genius, the greatest of all. She looks sweet, fragile, kind and all these, and she is all these, but she also is strong, smart and very wise, she has strategy and this is something that Cai and I taught her and we made a fantastic job, she rocks at it.

I always knew that this girl is very special, from the very first moment I met her and I’m happy I wasn’t wrong about it. I’ve said many times that Tia has a bright future in front of her and the more she grows up and gets closer to eighteen, the more I get convinced.

Derek is a very lucky man for having her as his mate and pack’s Luna, because he needs someone like her. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean that he is weak or anything else. Derek is a fantastic man, I know it better than anyone else, I see it, but Tia will complete him, that’s what I am trying to say. He will reach his peak with Tia on his side, he will be most powerful than ever and his success will be greater.

I smile discreetly when I see Derek’s not so nervous look, not wanting any of the boys to notice it. I am the most serious our family has, if we add Cai, but this is not the reason I don’t want them to see me. It is that I don’t want them to have their hopes up about George’s decision. If he denies, I won’t try to change his mind and not because I don’t want to, but because I have to respect his wish.

Tia is his young daughter, his precious one and the reveal about her and Derek shook him for good, I don’t want to upset him more by trying to convince him for the exact opposite thing. He is her father, he has the last word until Tia turns eighteen and we have to accept it. I personally believe that Tia should go with Derek, both of them need it after five years of being away, I am on their side in this, but we can’t go against George.

I hope that you have understood by now that I am in the middle, right?

My position is very difficult and I have a hard time, although I have been through worse, hardest and dangerous places before. This happens because it has to do with my family, since this is MY FAMILY, in fact it’s my life.

I love each and every family’s member with my whole heart, I would die for anyone without second thought and I feel responsible for all of them as the older. It’s my duty to take care of them, support them, help them and advise them, keep the balances and be logical and fair.

This is why I am in the middle and I feel uncomfortably. My heart agrees with Tia going to Derek’s, but my mind has his own plans and wants to support George.

After Derek, I look at Kyle and I can’t stop myself from smirking, mimicking him. He has the most devilish smile there is and I’m aware of what it means, he enjoys this little ‘drama’. I don’t blame him for it, he knows his father very well, so he can see that George’s resistance won’t last for way too long. Between us, it is just a matter of time before George raises his hands defeated and gives his permission officially. Right now he is trying to seem strict (typical George), but we all know that he has a kind soul and he is very happy for the two young pups.

Anyway, back to Kyle, who bites his lower lip, as Matthew takes his time to think a little bit about it before he speaks. Kyle hasn’t lost his childish side completely, but he knows where, when and how to show it, for example in this one, which is something funny. Tia isn’t present, so he can play Derek a little bit as a small revenge for keeping him out of the whole thing between him and Tia and in the end it’s…

My Ian, but…

My eyebrows get narrowed from worry when I see his dark, enigmatic and I would say scary yet scared expression.

What is wrong with him?

I thought that he would be happy for the kids, he always was their number one ally, their constant supporter.

Why is he like this? What changed all of a sudden?

This is extremely weird…

He seems to be so lost in his thoughts that he doesn’t even notice my intense, piercing gaze and my heart aches for a second. Call me crazy, but if Ian isn’t excited, something is way too wrong here.

I trust him, I believe in him like nobody else and I am proud to say that our relationship is like a father and son’s. I count his opinion more than anybody else’s the more years pass and I don’t feel sorry or guilty about it, because Ian has earned it. He is the most mature, this family’s rock and shelter, he keeps on getting better and better, even though many would say that this isn’t possible, but it is true. He wants to improve himself and never stops trying for the best, he is perfectly aware of what he does, so I hope you understand why I am so upset.

I noticed nothing before, when Tia, Derek, Ann and I talked about Tia’s suggestion (for me it is called plan). I was distracted from Alex’s reaction and Ian wasn’t so close to me, I couldn’t see him clearly, but now…

Damn it!

This is disaster!

“Talk to him the sooner… He mustn’t leave without you!” my wolf says through his teeth, also confused from Ian and I nod in agreement.

Yes, he is right. I have to talk to him in private once this ‘meeting’ is over, but it will be difficult, as all the others are downstairs, in the living room, playing with the kids, talking and waiting for George to announce his decision. I have to find a way, approach him and ask from him to talk without being seen weird of worried. I have to think something…

“The kids have the right to spend some time alone. We know Derek, we trust him. He will take great care of Tia, my friend, so… If I were you, I wouldn’t deny to them.” Matthew says, breaking the not so brief and peaceful silence, and taps Derek’s right shoulder.

Derek’s face lights up from relief, since it is known how much George listens to Matthew, and Kyle starts walking to them, in front of George’s desk, leaving Ian behind him, too close to the office’s door.

“Come on, father! You don’t want to break Tia’s heart. It won’t be the easiest thing for you, but deal with it…” he says teasingly and a low growl escapes from George’s throat while he rolls his eyes.

Kyle, typical and crazy Kyle!

I hold my breath, still waiting for George to make his choice and I give Ian one more concerned look. I find him with the same expression, in the same place, motionless and silent and I press my lips together, doing my best to keep my temper in front of the others. I don’t want to frustrate any of them, at least until I have a good talk with Ian and learn what is wrong.

“Albert?”

George brings me back to reality in a violent way, as I jump up, caught off guard, and I snap my head to him breathless and in alert. His confused look, joined from Kyle’s full of wonder glare makes me step forward and closer to the desk. I clear my throat awkwardly, feeling everyone’s eyes, including Ian’s, on me and I lock gazes with George.

He wants my… Opinion?!

“If you decide to allow Tia to go, Ann and I will go with her. We won’t leave them alone for any reason, you know you can trust us.” I say, forcing myself to sound confident and calm like I was before I notice Ian’s strange behavior and George smiles thankfully and shakes his head pleased.

I am impressed with him, honestly. I mean, he is positive, even if this means that Tia won’t be here for as much as he wanted her to be. He will lose time with her, but he is willing to accept it, it’s amazing.

“You didn’t even have to assure me. I am certain about it, I trust you with the most important to me thing, my kids’ lives. I just wanted to know what you think, but I guess you are with them.” he replies quite touched at the beginning and wickedly in the end, and then he does it, he turns to…

Ian!

The blood in my veins freezes, I turn to Ian, but stay still between George and Derek, Matthew and Kyle who are opposite of each other, at the two sides of the massive desk, and Ian surprises me with his calmness, his remarkable composure. He is not panicked, he was prepared for George’s sudden move, he had predicted it and how could he not?

As the years pass by, they have won a place in each other’s heart and Blaire sometimes is jealous and annoyed of how high Ian is in George’s eyes. Some would easily say that Ian is biological son of George’s, that’s how much he loves him, and Ian adores him right back, their bond is strong.

“I’ve listened to the rest. Derek assured me that Tia will be in good hands, we already know it, but anyway… He wanted to repeat it and I respect it. Your father, Kyle and Albert have made obvious what they would want me to reply, but you have said nothing.” George begins and presses his palms together while Ian nods firmly, confirming everything George said.

His stern gaze is enough to panic me even more, although I put great efforts to behave naturally for now. I’m shocked that nobody else has noticed it, except if they know something I don’t and Ian is like this for a different reason, which is even weirder, as he tells me absolutely everything.

“I want to know what you think, Ian. What would you do, if you were me? You and Tia have gotten very close these last years, you love her very much, you know how she feels better than I do. It’s up to you, son.” George continues and I put my hands in my trousers’ pockets, in a desperate try to hide the fact that they are sweating.

I keep my mouth shut while I observe Ian for a moment, my heartbeat becomes faster and my stomach tightens from agony. I can’t understand what is happening to him, this came out of nowhere, at least for me. When Ian is so silent and serious, something is definitely wrong, this is a dangerous combination that we are not that used to.

“I have no idea what I would do, honestly, George. That’s exactly why I preferred to say nothing. I trust Derek too, I know him and I am sure that he won’t leave Tia from his eyes. She also wants it very much… Albert and Ann will make sure that everything is perfect…” Ian says steadily with no sign of emotion in his voice and I lock my eyes on Matthew, who seems to understand the difference in his mood.

“It is your decision, not mine, but I will support you and agree with any choice you will make.” He states after a torturing second, not giving us an opportunity to say anything.

Derek stiffens on his seat and Kyle narrows his eyes troubled, not that George looks any better, since this answer is mysterious and something we weren’t expecting, but Matthew’s first wonders and surprise are gone, mine not.

Does he know anything I don’t? And if yes, what?

“Are you alright, bro? What’s the matter? I thought that you would be the happiest of all. What is wrong?” Derek asks confused and Kyle groans in agreement almost immediately.

“Nothing. I just don’t want to affect his final decision. I’m happy for you, I always was and this is never going to change. I’m in a difficult position, but George already knows everything he needs to, so?” Ian replies unaffected and completely calm, giving me an even harder time.

“Are you sure? I mean, we need to listen to you, because it matters us.” It’s Kyle’s turn to say with George nodding in agreement.

“In addition, you know very well that if there is anything that bothers you, we are here to help you, boy. Is there any problem?” George asks worried, more than he was until few seconds ago and Matthew raises his eyebrows in frustration and impatience.

“Everything is fine. I’m just working on some new ideas, about the companies. That’s all. I don’t want to discuss about them yet. And now, excuse me, but I have to go. Work is waiting.” He states coldly and gets ready to turn around and head to the door, leaving all of us surprised.

FUCK…

“Hold on, Ian!” George exclaims quickly and stands up, with my eyes going from Ian to George and the opposite.

“Yes?” this tone of his sends chills all over my skin.

It’s deeper than the usual, maybe hides anger, complaints, fears, desperation, agony and bitterness, but why does Ian feel this way and why now?

“I took my decision. Tia will go to Switzerland with Derek. And Ann and Albert will go with them.” he announces and Derek jumps up from his seat with a bright smiles on his face, Kyle taps his back encouragingly and Matthew smiles pleased immediately.

George’s eyes shine from pride, just like Derek’s, and Kyle can’t hide his future intentions. He is going to tease Derek until the day we leave, that’s for sure, but it will be very entertaining and interesting to see this. Anyone can feel the connection between these three men and I talk about them right now, as they are expressive, unlike Ian, Matthew and me. They do look like father and sons, I assure you and I would be enthusiastic for them, if Ian’s behavior wasn’t bothering me that much.

“Thank you so much! You can’t imagine what this means for Tia and me, really!” Derek mutters, hugging Kyle, who pulls him first for a brother’s hug and George smirks.

“I bet I can, son. I definitely can, but let’s put an end in Tia’s torture… She has to know.” he replies and looks at Ian, asking from him to agree and give him his permission.

Ian says nothing, he just shakes his head shortly and makes a step backwards. It’s like he is ready to run away and I must be far. I won’t accept him to leave alone, not without me, since I am certain that Matthew won’t try to stop him now.

“Yes, Tia and the rest of us have to know. The sooner, the better, right?” Kyle says in excitement and Derek’s smile becomes even wider.

The poor kid is insanely in love with his mate, just like Tia is with him, their love is strong, the distance made it more intense and stable, if you ask me. Not to mention that Tia is very mature for her age, a true woman, not a reckless teenager.

“Exactly! Shall we go? And Ian can leave later, okay?” George ‘suggests’, mostly trying in a discreet way to keep Ian here for further interrogation (like he doesn’t know that Ian is too clever and nobody can trick him easily), and the others, expect Ian and me, nod.

“Come, hurry!” Kyle murmurs under his breath, dragging Derek behind him, and George walks to Matthew, joins his side and both of them follow the boys, giving me the opportunity I wanted.

It’s Ian and me now…

He avoids eye contact with me, aware of my intentions and turns to leave, just few steps behind his father and George, but I am going to put an end in this whole thing immediately. I need to know everything, because when someone from those I love suffers, I bleed.

I rush to him as fast as I can, careful not to make much noise and the others understand anything, and I grab Ian’s arm before he walks out of the office. The fact that he doesn’t react at all gets on my nerves instinctually and when I force him to turn and look at me, I paralyze from horror.

His eyes’ color isn’t that beautiful, breathtaking mix, bright grey and blue, they’re almost black!

I make a step back, scared of challenging his wolf and triggering a possible outburst, and Ian stays absolutely motionless. This time he doesn’t take his eyes from mine, he has the hand above and I don’t control this situation.

What did I do and he stares at me like this?

If I didn’t know him so well, I would dare to say that he hates me.

“Ian, what the…” I whisper, running out of oxygen, with my heart tightening painfully in my chest, but he growls and stops me.

I gulp, not getting a thing, do anything I can to put my thoughts in a queue and find the courage to ask him more without crossing his unstable limits, and he raises his hand before I open my mouth, reading my thoughts, like always.

“Don’t leave Tia from your sight, Albert. Keep her and Derek safe, both of them.” he orders me demandingly, with a big dose of worry and I blink my eyes.

Huh?

“Why, Ian? Why all these? Talk to me!” I mutter dizzy and he exhales heavily in despair.

His anger disappears, his eyes soften like his face features and it doesn’t take me long to see in front of me the great, caring man I know, but this time I see him vulnerable and fragile, not strong, brave and self-collected. I see his sensitive side, the one I like and have missed the most, because I always want to remember that everyone has the right to feel scared sometimes, even Ian, and even I.

“I don’t know, honestly, I don’t! I have a weird feeling, but I have no clue, if it’s about this trip or about anything else. I just want you to promise me that you will be okay, all of you, and you will bring my little angel back safe and sound.” He begs me in the end, with the most heartbreaking expression I have ever seen and I clear my throat nervously.

I’m losing my mind…

“And one last favor. Please, help me leave from here without being seen, cover me. I need to leave, now!” he adds I don’t know how much time later, since my senses have left me, just like the time’s sense, but this wakes me up somehow and I react instinctually.

I don’t think that I can deny anything to him right now, he has me. Watching him in pain is one of my worst nightmares. It reminds me of those days… The days he was a ghost and we didn’t know if he would live or not, due to weakness, although there is a difference with those days. Back then, Ian wasn’t terrified, he just wanted to die and he was denying our help, he wanted nobody, but now he is horrified and not for him, but for his ‘angel’, Tia, or better his Tia, that’s how he calls her.

“Tell me where you will go and I will, I promise…” I say in such a low tone that it’s hard to listen to my own words and he leans closer to me slowly with our gazes constantly locked.

“To my grandpa, mom and aunt’s graves!” he states and I stumble like I get electrocuted.

No…

If he wants to go, this means that he…

He avoids going to them, because he feels guilty for what happened to them, even though nothing was his fault, but still… He says that he should have been smarter and that he couldn’t protect or save them from Zachary.

“Why, my child? You never bear to go. Why now?” I ask unconsciously and he stiffens, lowering his head embarrassed.

“I need to be with them, just for a while.”

~some hours later, night, somewhere far away~

Unknown person’s pov

She makes one last step towards me, but stops with a loud, warning growl of mine.

She has no problem to show me her annoyance with my reaction and avoidance, but I don’t care about how she feels, I never did anyway, she is just a toy for me, nothing else. She doesn’t want to accept it though. She keeps on expecting and wanting more from me, even thought I have made my intentions clear from the very beginning, from the first day I approached her with my tempting offer.

She knew from back then that I want us to cooperate and nothing more, the fact that her behavior has changed and she tries to affect me, get closer to me and get in my life is something I stand only due to my plan. I still need her, just for few more days, but when the right time comes, she will be nothing, but another prey of mine.

Cozbi…

I hate her to death, she disgusts me and what gets me more furious is that she thinks that she is better than her…

Tia!

Who told her that she can compare her?

Tia is a true miracle, a treasure, and on the other side, Cozbi is nothing, a trash!

Sometimes, I still get angry with myself for putting her in my plan and ‘asking’ her help, or better taking advantage of how fool and thirsty for money and power she is. I don’t know what I was thinking when I decided to approach her, honestly…

I mean, I was aware of what a shameless w***e she was, a true b***h, but I took it further, I put her in this and I am in the middle as to if I did right or wrong.

Okay, fine… The truth is that she has been doing an excellent job as my spy and more than this… She is the reason I have touched Tia, I have spent time with her, I have made sure that my plan will succeed completely and she will be mine soon. She has helped me a lot, although she doesn’t really want it, because she has other ‘desires’ about herself and me. She is truly stupid, but still, I owe her.

The thing is that her presence bothers me. She disgusts me as I said above. She shows how ‘cheap’ she is, she has no shame, no concern, no limits and no manners. She is disrespectful, because it suits her to make amends to ‘earn’ me. She hates Tia, she says it clearly, she does her best to make me hurt Tia to death in order to take my revenge and be hers, and this is what makes me so furious.

I won’t lie, my first purpose was to take my revenge for my father and uncle’s death from Tia’s family, but when I met her in person…

When I first saw her few months ago…

When I realized why I became so obsessed with her…

When I found out that she is my mate, I…

My first plan changed, a lot and I don’t regret it!

Tia is mine no matter what, I can’t ‘touch’ her, she is my mate, but her family is a whole different story, a bad one, something I truly hate. My love for Tia makes no difference to my first plan, I will take my revenge from them, through Tia, but at the same time I will do the best for Tia and me, us.

I will do the right thing for us to be together and have her only for myself, they will lose her gradually expect him…

My ‘opponent’, the dog, Derek!

He will lose her at once, he will hate her, forever!

I grit my teeth when images from him touching her appear again in front of me and I close my eyes, denying losing control now, because if I do, Cozbi will belong to the past, as I will attack and kill her immediately and then I won’t be able to take useful information from her.

I have to be patience, only for a little bit longer, just few more days!

“I talked with her. She called me about two hours ago and she had interesting news… News that ruins your plans.” She begins and I narrow my eyes surprised yet worried.

Damn it! I shouldn’t have left from the mirror’s room!

“She was extremely excited. She leaves with him to Switzerland in five days from now, but they will be accompanied. Albert and that Ann will be with them, so… Problem!” Cozbi states, challenging my rage even more and I grab my armchair’s wooden arms instantly.

I will kill her, f**k!

I feel my frozen skin getting hotter, even though I know it is impossible for my low temperature to rise and a furious growl escapes from my throat. My jaw starts clenching, I am too close to break the armchair, I want to tear down my tower, scatter death around me, but I can’t, yet…

He will continue to touch her, they will be together and Albert will certainly be a huge obstacle for me. He may be old, but he is a very strong white wolf, the best trainer there is, he was everyone greatest fear for years and I can’t underestimate him, it will be a terrible mistake of mine, if I do.

“Stop this madness, take the right decision and kill her! She is a curse for you, you can’t love her. Remember the reason you came to me one year ago… Remember your father, your uncle…” Cozbi continues with audacity I haven’t given to her and I open my eyes while standing up, with her stepping backwards the very next moment.

The horrified expression on her face, her suddenly pale skin, messy, long, black hair, brown eyes and sharp nose feed my anger more and more while I observe her silently and I feel my eyes turning red, like her blood.

I would give everything in order to drink even the last drop of her blood and leaving her lifeless body to collapse on the floor, but I must hold back. I have other priorities first.

I will kill Cozbi, but only after my revenge succeeds, I get Tia and I torture Cozbi in order to have some fun with her.

“I never asked your opinion, did I?” I ask her whispering through my sharp teeth, and she lowers her head, shaking intensively like a fish.

I can listen to her heartbeat, I can smell her fear, I can see how horrified she is and I feel better with myself instantly. That’s what I always wanted, everyone to be scared of me, to shake in front of me, beg for my mercy, fall on their knees.

“You came and informed me, you did your job. You can go, we have nothing else to talk about!” I order, one step away from attacking her, since her surprising obedience triggers my nature.

“But, I…” she begins to say almost from inside her.

“YOU, NOTHING! LEAVE, NOW!” I roar all of a sudden, catching her off guard, as she jumps up and puts her hands on her lips to hold back a scream.

We stay frozen for some seconds, each one of us for different reasons, I don’t want to approach her more, because I will lose my self-control, and she knows that she has crossed the line, she doesn’t want to die.

She is aware of my power, it isn’t that difficult for her to understand that I could find a way to make it without her, so her life is useless to me. The last thing she wants is to pressure me more, leaving will be the wisest thing of hers.

“I will… Come… When I have news. When she calls.” She mutters, shaking from horror and I groan shortly, pleased.

Finally!

She leaves me alone to think, I need to.

I must come up with something, I have to, this ‘trip’ will be an opportunity, the greatest I will ever her!

If I be careful, think and be smart, I will be able to put an end, the final one!

And Tia will be mine!

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

Hello everyone!

Welcome all again! This chapter got written with me under the blankets (I am a wreck from exhaustion), but it is finally here!

Before anything else, I want to say that I will start writing Cleo's Heart Decision's next chapter from tomorrow, then I will continue with Thorns Of The Past and in the end with His 'Rejected' Queen.

And now back to our topic, this story! We saw more an interesting point of view from Albert, Ian's presentiments and the unknown person's point of you, I also threw a bomb, so... Do you have any idea of what will happen next?

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

What do you think about Albert? What about everything he said? What about Ian's strange behavior? How do you feel about Tia going to Switzerland with Derek? Also, how about Ian's need to 'meet' his grandpa, aunt and mother ? And let's continue with our mysterious man and the woman called Cozbi? Who are these two? What is your opinion about them? What about the man's statements about Tia and him? What about the ending, which are his intentions? 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...