23.

**Micah**



It took everything in me not to charge, back into that room, and demand names of the people who hurt her. I couldn't even move from the doorway, currently, I was sitting on the floor begging my wolf to calm the hell down.

We were so protective of this she-wolf, my vampire was already enchanted by her. We all gave in to our emotions that ignited when we first met that red-headed beauty at the café, knowing she was a protector made us a bit hesitant but after her breakdown, we threw caution to the wind and gave in to our emotions. She was ours no other man can have her; no one would ever hurt her.

Eva was ours, being the somewhat voice of reason I thought about what would happen when I do find my true mate. Do I have one out there? Maybe I do but the realization of hurting our red didn't settle well with me. I didn't want to give her up, I couldn't.

A pair of black trekking boots came into my line of vision without looking up I knew it was Angelo.

"When will she wake up?" I asked. My voice was soft not wanting Eva to know we were in front of the door.

He didn't answer as usual but sat opposite me, his gaze was on me and it was unnerving. It felt like he was searching through my thoughts but I knew he wouldn't do it without permission. He was worried about me. I met his gaze and my assumption was right he was worried it showed in his eyes.

"You do know we are the older ones right. We are the ones suppose to be in worry mode all the time for you and the others." I said smirking.

He shrugged while trying to hide a smile; everyone grew up close – Anais, Caiden, Rebecca, Angelo, and myself were inseparable. We trained together, went to the same college we did everything together Angelo became the only one among us who matured faster. The reason behind that was one we wouldn't wish on anyone, not even our brother, he grew up too much I might add and it took away our once cheerful talkative friend.

Caiden and I seem to be most of his worries, he was always there, the listening ear, the one who cleans up our accidents with that part more Caiden's mishaps.

"Do you think he's alright? This would throw him back" I finally said after our silence.

Angelo groaned pulling at his hair, "Yeah I'm worried too." I said understanding where he was coming from. We both went to the living area and stood to look out the window at the spectacular view. I laughed softly remembering the day Caiden and I moved in, we had our freedom, no restrictions of being royalty, no one following us about always being pleasant to us because they had to, we were ourselves.

Angelo released a calming breath then sat on the floor and closed his eyes, a sad smile came to my face as I knew what he was doing.

Using their brotherly bond he was trying to connect to Caiden without using mind-link but their shared power of projection. It always amazed me how they could do that, project themselves to each other wherever the other but this usually happens when both are at a receiving level-willing to connect to each other. Knowing how hurt our elder brother was, this was worth a shot.

Stepping away from him and sitting on the sofa my mind went back to my sweet little red. Who was this person that hurt her so bad that she had up so many walls? Should I ask her?

'She will pull away from us' my wolf said weakly.

'We need her. I think she's ours.' He continued. What he said didn't make me happy, it didn't make me think that we have a chance with her it only made me think of her position as a protector.

'I don't think so. She can never be ours. Maybe for now we can keep her safe and give her the love that she deserves ' I told him with a heavy heart.

He whimpered and cut our link I know he wants her because hell I wanted her to myself if only she knew that. With the hidden words, she told me it gave me an opening to help her. To show her that she isn't worthless to everyone around her as she saw herself; I want to show her how much I wanted her even if she's broken, even if she wasn't mine I was willing to be there for her.

After thinking of ways to get closer to her I decided to leave Angelo to himself and go to Eva; opening the door to the room I expected to find her asleep but she wasn't. She was sitting in the middle of the bed in an oversized t-shirt with her hair in a messy bun. I didn't know what to do; my body wanted to go and take her now, kiss her senseless, and take advantage of her delectable physique but my mind just wanted to be there for her and break down those high walls of hers.

"Hi," she said shyly. I smiled and slowly went to her taking off my hoodie and shoes to join her on the bed. "Hi" I returned.

We stayed quiet for a few moments with her nervously playing with her fingers while I patiently wait on her.

"I don't even know why I was staying up for you. I don't even know why I'm still here. I thought after that stunt I pulled with Prince Caiden and Rosa he would have done something to me" she rushed out.

"Caiden wouldn't hurt you intentionally he knows how young and new you are to this protector stuff." I truthfully told her

An unladylike snort came from her as she fell back onto the bed. "The way he sent the guards for me I swore he would have had my head on a platter for leaving him and his mate" The way she said mate didn't go past me, it came out bitter and distasteful.

"Eva. How did you reach this far? How did you become Rosaline's protector" I asked cautiously. She turned to me and held my gaze; her eyes showed her hesitancy and confusion. "If you think I'm not the person you want to tell this to then it's okay," I said quietly after a few minutes too long.

"I was beaten to near death because I refused to submit to my mother's boyfriend. He wanted to control my wolf."

I froze as every word that rushed out of her mouth washed over me. "What?!" I growled out. My fangs elongated as my claws made an appearance as my temper rose, I've heard of stories that elder vampires and their families still force young wolves to submit to them but I always turned a deaf ear on them.

"It's all in the past now." She said nonchalantly.

"This is why you're like this? So...." I was looking for words that didn't sound too harsh because I don't know how she would react. She was so unpredictable.

"Bitchy. Coldhearted. Selfish. Total Drama queen? I've heard it all. I have my reasons" Eva said laughing bitterly.

"And those are?" I asked but I knew the answer to my own question. She was afraid to get close to anyone; scared that they would hurt her like her mother's boyfriend but mostly scared of being hurt emotionally.

"Can we just go to sleep now?" she said turning her back to me. "Red," I called out to her touching her shoulder.

"No Micah. Just let it go."

Sighing heavily I joined her on the bed, careful not to touch her, but it was so hard not to, I couldn't resist. Without a second thought I pulled her against my chest, "Much better" I mumbled into her hair. Her body was stiff for a moment then she relaxed, we said nothing to each other lost in our own thoughts. "I never ask to be like this Micah. All I ever wanted was to get out of my mother's house and find my mate. Thinking he would make everything alright. He would love me and take away all this pain but..... "

"it happened" I finished for her.

"It came like a blow to my chest when Caiden found Rosaline. I thought...I thought I was over it you know. Over not having a mate. Then it all came back all the pain and anger I couldn't stand being around them and even her. She was turning her back on something so rare, so beautiful." Eva was then crying as I felt her tears on my forearm.

"She doesn't understand Micah. A mate completes you and she's just throwing it all away"

"Then help her understand, love. She's young and new at this. Cut her some slack. Also, try to be more understanding with her. Put yourself in her shoes." I said trying to calm her down.

"I know. I know" she sniffed.

I held her closer to me listening to her cries, it was killing me to hear her cry, I felt so useless. Tonight all I can give to her was comfort and reassurance, the other part she would figure it out on her own.