Traumatized Alpha Twin Mates

Chapter 6

{Marcus}

She was a small thing. Dull grey eyes and pitch-black hair. Her eyes always held a terrorized glint. Something about her was familiar; maybe it was the way she smiled or the way her hips swayed. Oddly familiar. She was short and barely had any skin on her bones. She was perfectly imperfect; beautiful. 

But I wouldn't allow myself to be near her or kind to her. I know what happens each time I open up to my mate. Kaylee and Mika were proof of that. Not living proof but dead proof. I tried not to dwell on the past but their screams still haunt my dreams. The way Mika tried to reach out for me as the mysterious man stabbed her relentlessly. The way Kaylee stared at me, wide-eyed as a trigger was pulled on her. The betrayal of my elder brothers. The burning rage I still had for Alpha Victoria. 

Brooke was another opportunity. I won't waste that opportunity by showering her with love so then somebody can come and kill her. No one could even guess we were mates considering the distance Marco and I put with Brooke.

My wolf was making it hard for me though. Brooke looked so cold and vulnerable when she rushed inside the jet that my Alpha wanted nothing more but to comfort her. Her quiet sobs in the bathroom did nothing to help. My wolf whimpered, begging to be let out to soothe his mate. She was human, yes, but something about her didn't seem human. Her eyes were always wary and alert as if something were to spring out to attack. She was hiding something and that something was weighing her down terribly.

Not to mention I had to control the boner she gave me. Maybe this girl won't die this time but if anything she'll kill us with her close proximity. It scared me to touch her. She looked so fragile and the last time I had any contact with a mate they'd die a couple of hours later. That's what Kaylee and Mika's deaths had in common. I had marked them and we completed the mating process for them to be killed off tragically. 

I didn't need anyone's pity. I needed time alone to heal. Running off out of the country was the best idea Marco ever had. A perfect place for a fresh start was all I wanted. I didn't want another mate to appear, much less a third chance. I don't even think that's possible.

"Was that your car?" I question her secretly. She stiffened and narrowed her eyes at me.

"That's my pride and honor. I worked late hours to buy myself that car for you to rain on my parade and I'll repeat myself: Not all of us are rich directors of a hospital," she huffed and stared at the window. She sat in the far corner, away from Marco and I. It hurt my pride not being able to spoil her rotten but I still needed time and space to heal. 

"What about the phone?"

She glared at me. Come to think of it, she was adorable when her cheeks puffed up in anger. "Why do you persist in interrogating me, Mr. Reed? And for your information, it's the only phone I can afford. You're still forgetting that not everyone is rich," she rolled her eyes. 

"We're staying in New York for seven days," I comment casually, knowing she won't take it lightly.

"Seven days," she echos. "Seven broke days for Brooke," she mutters.

"Excuse me, Miss Rivers?"

"It's nothing. I'll figure it out in New York. How about you, Mr. Reed? What are you doing in the big city?"

"We've booked our hotel suite and have something to do at 8. How about you, Miss Rivers, where will you be staying?" Marco cut in. I raised my eyebrows at him but he shot me a pointed look. 

She cringed and bit her lip. "That's for me to know, not you Mr. Reed"

Marco's lips formed a thin line at her tone but he didn't reply. I yawned lazily and got up. "I'm going to sleep, Marco"

"Yeah, I'll be there in a second" Brooke looked at both of us weirdly. Marco added with a roll of his eyes, "There's two beds in the room" 

I stare at Brooke for a response for a retort but she sighs wistfully and stares at her shoes. I don't know what I was expecting for her but I ignore her as I go into the bedroom.

****

It doesn't really take long for Marco to climb into his own bed. The lights have been turned off on the entire jet expect for the control room. It also doesn't take long for the soft teeth clattering to start.

Marco stirred in his bed and stared at the ceiling. The jet engines roared loudly which lulled us to sleep but the soft shivers Brooke gave because of the cold kept our wolves awake. Our wolves could sleep peacefully knowing their mate was uncomfortable. I, myself, can never get a good night's sleep because of the nightmares that terrorize my mind.

I sulk out of my bed and out of the room to find a trembling Brooke. It seems that she is always cold. A delicate flower was what she was...and I won't risk breaking it and myself. The heat was on but the cold leather of the seats she laid across pressed against her exposed hips and stomach.

I eyed the purple bruise on her hip and pressed my thumb against it. A jolt of electricity ran through me and I jerked back. Brooke rolled over to face me but she was still asleep. She had placed a protective arm on her hip. Her blouse had raised higher with her movements so the skin underneath her breasts was revealed. I felt myself glaze over with desperate want.

My hand traveled down her thigh and to her scraped knees. Guilt builds up in my throat when Brooke sighs in her sleep as my other hand rubs her thighs. I place gentle kisses on her knees to help with the pain. I had always been the soft one with Kaylee and Mika. I saw Kaylee and Mika within Brooke's features and the longing I've had for them resurface.

I hate that Brooke brings back these past feelings. And I hate the fact that I can only see Kaylee and Mika when I look at her. Brooke's hand finds mine and I recall Kaylee. I lean into her touch, thinking she was Kaylee. Kaylee would always hold my hand and never want to let go. Her fingertips trace my palm which was something Mika always did. 

"Mika...Kaylee..." I whispered slowly so I wouldn't wake up Brooke. When I realized that all along it was Brooke I retracted.

I could never love her like I loved Mika and Kaylee. She'll never replace them. I glared at her sleeping body with an unknown feeling that I've done something bad to her. Something she'll probably never forgive me for. She looks oddly like...NO. I can't let myself think about Alpha Victoria or I might do something else much worse to that woman than killing her sister.