chapter 16

Dean carried me up the stairs in a sort of bridal position, a wide smile plastered on his face, he seemed to be very pleased with himself, and I couldn’t deny that I was happy to spend time alone with him. I snuggled into his chest and took a deep breath, taking in his scent as I did, the smell alone enough to rouse naughty thoughts from me. He took us into the bedroom, I couldn’t help but notice his bulging muscles and hard abs.

He was a sculpted god, much like Zane but much bigger, I concentrated on his Sandy brown hair and soft hazel eyes, the ones that turn black when his wolf comes out. He was breathtakingly beautiful, more so than I could ever be. I just hoped that he would still see me as worthy once he knew all of what happened, or would he simply throw me to the side like dirt the way that Sarah wanted?

I guess I was paranoid, but my life depended on them accepting me, no matter how sad that seems. I wouldn’t force them to like me, not in any sense of the word, but I’d like to be accepted. I’ve never be treated fairly for who I was before, never been treated as nicely as they have shown life could be; and now I’ve had a taste of that freedom I wanted more. I wanted a life of my own.

I didn’t know what they meant about powers, or what would happen to me once my birthday comes and goes, but all I know is I do want to protect them as they would me. I want to help in anyway that I can, give something back to those that saved me. I could be happy here if given the chance, I could live a good life. I could have fun.

“What are you thinking about sweetness?” Dean asks as he places me onto the bed, his voice gentle and soft. “I hope it’s nothing bad.”

“I guess I’m worried that if I’m not this famous red wolf, you’ll throw me away like dirt.” I say honestly, my panic swelling in my chest.

What if it’s true? What if they won’t want me once I fail to show any kind of power? I didn’t want to be tossed aside and abandoned, I wanted to be loved again, like when my parents were alive. I didn’t realise I was crying until the alpha wiped away the tears that had dropped onto my cheeks, his eyes soft and yet sad.

“We would never do anything like that to you Annalise, I could never hurt you that way.” He says, the strength in his voice causing my panic to stop. “You are mine as much as I am yours and no matter how this plays out, that will not change. You and beautiful and strong, stronger than most to survive what you have. I admire you Sweetness, I couldn’t have done what you did.”

I sniffle, attempting to calm the tremors racing through my body. “I’m not strong, I couldn’t save them.” I whisper brokenly.

“Couldn’t save who?” He asks, frowning as he sits next to me on the bed.

“My parents, Balthazar chained me with silver and locked me in the windowless room for days whilst they were tortured, he left them to die and I had to watch.” I openly sob, the emotion within me overwhelming. “I tried to break loose, I begged my wolf to come and help me, I begged the moon goddess. But they died and I was left with their bodies for three days before my master let me out.”

I had never told anyone that story, not even the other slaves, it hurt too much to talk about and I didn’t want to relive it. But somehow, I knew I could trust Dean, I knew that he wouldn’t judge my weakness the way that I did. I wanted justice for them, I wanted Balthazar to pay dearly for what he did, but I was just a child, defenceless and blind to the cruelty of the world, from there things only worsened for me. When I got my wolf he never left me alone, kept me away from everyone else, the only person I spoke to outside of him was Margaret and even she didn’t know all that he did to me. No one did.

“You couldn’t have saved them, our kind are weakened by silver.” Sighs Dean, his voice laced with sympathy. “ I know what it’s like to lose your parents, not like that and certainly not as bad, but I know the pain of loss sweetness he says, trying to help in the only way he knew how. “What I can do is promise you that no one here will ever harm you like that, none will lay a finger on you. You will be safe with me. With my pack.”
“What I can do is promise you that no one here will ever harm you like that, none will lay a finger on you. You will be safe with me. With my pack.”

“Can you really promise that?” I ask, hope lacing my voice.

“I can.” He nods, “I won’t let anyone hurt you the way that he has.”

I threw myself into his arms and hold him close to me, no one had ever spoken to me like that before, I wanted to keep him with me. he was perfect in every way, and if he was right, I was his. I crossed my arms behind his neck unplaced a light kiss on his lips, my desire swelling within me, and it was almost as if I could feel his too. I broke the soft kiss and lead my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat and finally feeling at peace with the knowledge that I would be safe.

“Thank you.” I whispered.