Chapter 28

Octavia:

December First.

"We will be seeing our first snow fall tomorrow morning. It will be light as it begins here in the north east and moves up high where it'll pick up wind, leaving our friends to the north with a couple of inches of snow."

I turn the weather report down as they begin to talk about the regular news. I could feel my anxiety build. Tomorrow could be the day. The day that we've all been waiting for. I push my hands through my tangled bird's nest and grab the throw blanket, wrapping it around myself.

It's been three days since my birthday. Three days since we saw Siren. Two days since my family left. We explained the whole situation to them and my father swore he would be back here by first snow fall. He knew Jalex as a child and thought that he could reason with him. I'm not too sure about that plan, but my father was stubborn and insisted.

Glancing over my shoulder at the clock that sat beside the bed, it read 7:07am. I yanked myself out of bed and up the stairs for this weather report and it only brought me bad news in the matter of seven minutes. I pray it doesn't snow tomorrow. Or that it doesn't stick to the ground.

"You know you could just move into my room." Ajax says exiting the bathroom in nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. When I snuck in he was already in the shower so this is the first I'm seeing of him today.

"I'm only here for the tv, silly goose." I wave the remote at him teasingly and he just sends me a smirk before heading into the closet.

He looks so good. Gosh the things that we could do to him. Wait, What? We? I shake away the dirty thoughts that my wolf planted and turn my attention back to the tv.

Opening the Netflix app, I quickly put on my new obsession. Supernatural. I totally lost sight of Reign. I have completely moved on from that show. It only made me think of that back stabbing bitch.

"I'm calling a last minute training session with the warriors of the pack. I just want to see where we stand before the snow falls tomorrow." Ajax says plopping down on the couch beside me, shirtless. He places his running sneakers on the floor in front of him and a white shirt in between us.

Trying my best not too stare and possibly drool, I keep my eyes focused on his face. "The news said the snow fall is going to be light. It might not even stick."

"Yes, but I like to be prepared ducky." He sends me a wink as he begins to lace up his shoes. I roll my eyes playfully before turning back to Sam and Dean. This show is so great. Two brothers hunting supernatural beings, it's exactly my cup of tea. Although they did get the werewolf part wrong.

Watching from the corner of my eye, Ajax's biceps flex as he pulls his shirt over his head and covering his beautiful chest. I hadn't realized how much faith I had in him until now. I have a lot. Before I met him there were rumors circling him and his pack. People often whispered about the ferocity and bravery he withheld. If anything, the rumors mentioned that he was indeed the Alpha to fear most.

"You should come along. Get some exercise and a training session in." He stands from his seat on the couch and looks down upon me. How did we get here? To being civilized? Hell, more than civilized. I constantly have the urge to touch him, to have some type of physical contact. All I wanted to do in this moment was kiss him.

A small groan escapes my lips and I shake my head, pushing myself further into the couch. The weather was unforgiving outside, the winds were howling loudly as they shook through all the trees and uplifted the leaves, causing a few of them to stick to the window.

"So you're just going to stay home all day?" His arms cross themselves over his chest as a disapproving glint passes through his gorgeous eyes.

"When will you back?"

Apart of me liked to spend time alone and just watch tv, but the other part of me really wanted him to stay. I find myself wanting to spend more and more time with him.

"Soon."

"Super soon?" I send him a beaming smile hoping that this training session wouldn't last more than an hour.

"Clingy much?' He sends me a teasing smirk as he moves to stand in front of me, blocking my view of Sam and Dean.

"No..." I trail off scooting to the side to try and regain vision of the tv. "But, we should hang out today."

I glance up towards him, my eyes being unable to decide if they want to look at him or the tv. It really was a tough decision.

Its really not. Look at our mate, he's sexy. My eyes focus on him just as he bends down to place a gentle kiss in the top of my head. My hand reaches up, as if it had a mind of its own, and grasps on to his white shirt. His eyes level with my mine and I couldn't help but lose myself in the most beautiful ocean blue I've ever seen.

He leans forward and places a small kiss on my lips. "We can definitely hang out."

"Good." I whisper. His lips meet mine once more for just a second longer before he's making his way out of the room.

I press my fingertips to my lips, already missing the way his felt on mine. Goodness, who even knew I would ever feel this way towards him? That I would even allow him to kiss me? I enjoy his kisses too much.

I push away any thoughts of Ajax and focus attention on the tv show before my hormones started to get all whacky.

The howling of the wind never ceased and I was surprised at how strong it blew. For a moment there seemed to be a lot of commotion outside, causing me to stir and my curiosity peek. I get up from my comfy spot and cling onto the blanket tight. Allowing it to act as a cape or a cloak.

Moving over to the window I take a look at the outside world to find a few fallen trees, laying abandoned by their roots on the leaf covered grass. A few guards surround the fallen trees and seemed to be arguing about something. Probably about the best way to move it.

I clearly know nothing about trees, but it seems like a good idea to cut them up and use it for the many fireplaces throughout the territory. They continue to bicker like siblings and couldn't help but giggle when one of them smacked the other on the back of the head.

I unconsciously press my finger tips to the cool glass window as the wind scattered by with another sweeping howl. I usually loved the beginning of winter. The first snow fall was always a beautiful and exciting celebration over at SnowMoon. This year was different though, much different.

I was forcefully mated to a stranger, who is now someone I'm beginning to adore. My life is endangered and the girl who was once my best friends has a part in that. Now, the snow brings anxiety and fear. Not cause for celebration. How did my life become this way?

I think back to the night I was attacked. The night I met Ajax. Brandon had a attacked my pack in order to get to me, but failed. This was truly his fault. Although, my heart no longer weighed heavy in my chest when I thought of that night. I don't regret what happened as much as I used too. In a way, everything I've gone through as made me a better person. A stronger person...

And it all started with that sick son of a bitch, Brandon. I hadn't seen him since that party and I hope to never see him again.

"Octavia," Cipher's light voice washes over me, pulling me from my thoughts and my eyes away from the window.

She was standing by the door, dressed in a warm sweater and a pair of causal jeans. I greet her with a smile as I turn my body away from the gust of wind that blew outside of the windows.

"I thought we could have some breakfast together." Her lips tilt into a lopsided smile as I nod my head in agreement. Cipher was the older sister I never had.

We grew a bit distant the morning after that party. I wish we would have handled that situation better, but we hadn't. Then all of sudden Siren showed up and I paid no mind to how Cipher was or how she was feeling.

I remove the blanket from around my shoulders and drape it over the couch. Turning off the tv I make my way around the couch and over to the door.

"Are you alright?" She asks, her eyebrows pulling together causing her skin to wrinkle.

"Yeah, let's eat." Maybe I could sneak some Oreos into my bowl of cereal. An evil smirk takes over my lips as I try to contain my excitement. Oh goodness I love them so much.

"You're not having Oreos for breakfast." Cipher laughs as we make our way down the hall and towards the stair case.

"What? How did you know I was thinking that?" My voice became shrill as I tried to hide my embarrassment and contain my laughter.

"You made the creepiest face ever, and so I automatically knew you were thinking about those stupid cookies."

A gasp slips past my lips as my hand comes up to rest on my chest. How dare she? "Stupid? You take that back right now!"

She laughs even more at my dramatics and it felt extremely nice to talk about something so light hearted and well... ridiculous. I was tired of the constant worrying. I just wanted this situation to be over and done with.

We ate a large breakfast. Cipher insisted on making pancakes with scrambled eggs and bacon. While I lounged around pretending to help her cook, I snuck in a few Oreos. I felt like a dirty mistress as I broke an Oreo in half and popped one of the pieces in my mouth. It is totally worth it though.

"You can at least help with the dishes." Cipher sighs as she places one of the pans used for the scrambled eggs on the drying rack.

I swallow what could be the twentieth cookie I've eaten quickly before moving to stand beside her. Grabbing a dish towel I apologize sheepishly and begin to dry whatever dish she had just finished cleaning. It's been just over an hour and Ajax had yet to return from the last training session. I didn't want to constantly be thinking of him, but I am. It's hard not too. It broke my heart to know that he had a rough up bringing. Cipher probably had one has well.

"Why the sad face?"

"Huh?" I quickly put down the dish had been drying for at least two minutes and look up at Ciphers light eyes. "Oh, I was just thinking. That's all."

I didn't want to ask about her childhood and seem as though I'm prying. I want her to tell me when she's comfortable enough to.

"Thinking about what?" She persisted as she handed me yet another dish. I suddenly remember why I dislike cooking so much. Theres always a mess afterwards and one too many dishes to clean. I absolutely hate doing the dishes.

"Just something Ajax told me about your parents." I say vaguely but honestly.

Her eyes fall and she focuses all of her attention onto the plate she's cleaning. Any ounce of curiosity she once held is gone. I press my lips together nervously. I didn't mean to make her uncomfortable.

"Christina and Alexander have always been my parents. I never spent much time with the people who actually conceived me." Her voice was just above a whisper. If not for my werewolf hearing I would've missed what she said entirely.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want too." I give her a sad smile as she shrugs and hands me another dish to dry.

"Theres not much to talk about. I didn't know them and they were- Ajax said they weren't good people. I believe him."

"Yeah, I believe him too."

"So then he told you?" Her blue eyes peek down at me as she rinses off the last dish in the sink.

"He told me that your father was abusive and your mom did nothing to stop it." I sweep the towel over the last dish and place it carefully on the rack with the others that were ready to be put away.

"Was that it?"

"Is there more?" I turn to look at her, my curiosity peeking. Was Ajax still hiding part of his past from me? Siren had interrupted us before we could continue with that conversation, the night of my party.

There was a short pause. Her eyes moved all around the room, refusing to meet mine. I've never seen Cipher act so nervously. Maybe this topic is making her uncomfortable.

"You should ask him."

My mouth opens to form words but I cut myself off at the sound of Ajax and Sam laughing. The door closes and their laughter gets closer.

"I almost kicked your ass." Sam stumbles into the room as Ajax gives him a playful shove.

"In your dreams."

"There's no way in hell I dream about you." Sam scoffs and pulls open the fridge. " I dream about beautiful women feeding me grapes and mass-"

"Shut up." Ajax smiles as he sneaks past Sam. His eyes lock with mine and the smile that takes over my face is uncontrollable. His skin glistened with sweat, his shirt draped over his shoulder as if it were a sweat towel.

"How was training?" I ask as the space between us diminishes. His gorgeous eyes have a twinkle of light in them, a rare sighting. It's always been hard to decipher his emotions. He wasn't exactly an open book.

"It was the same ole thing. I kick Sam's ass and he tries to save his ego by creating a false scenario where he almost beat me." His smile is replaced with a playful smirk as he steals a glance at Sam over his shoulder.

"I really did almost beat you!" Sam chokes out as he shoves one of the left over pancakes into his mouth. I giggle has his cheeks puff out and enlarge due to him shoving more left over breakfast into his mouth.

Ajax chuckles and grabs a hold of my wrist. "Come on." He tugs on my wrist lightly, leading me away from our closest friends and into the living room.

"Wha-" My question is cut short my his plump lips crashing down onto mine, swallowing any words that were prepared to escape. His large hand slides its way up my arm and to my neck, pulling me closer and holding me in place while his arm wraps around my waist.

My hands rest lightly on his damp chest as his kiss devours me. I find myself becoming breathless and craving more of him just as his lips disconnected from mine. His eyes, a few shades darker, dig into mine. They searched for a few moments as I tried to regain my breath. He's so close to me that every time I inhale my breast rub up against his muscular chest.

"What was that for?" My voice is light and airy. I feel as though this is a dream. What if I'm just drifting away on a cloud and none of this is real? For all I know I could wake up in my room and find myself a cold and unforgiving Ajax. How did he become so sweet? So... loving?

"I missed my girl, that's all."

My fingers curled their way into the hair that laid at the nape of his neck, scratching lightly and tugging at the soft strands. I couldn't tear my eyes away from him. I could stay like this forever, drowning in his ocean. "I missed you too." I whisper lightly, my brain barely even processing the words that were spilling past my lips.

I don't know if the mate bond had kicked in at full force but everything seems so different. It felt as though we were actually meant to be together. Being intimate like this with him felt so natural. I haven't questioned my feelings for him and it's strange. I'm not even quite sure what exactly I feel for him. Theres an obvious attraction and maybe a slight infatuation. All I know is that he's changed. We've changed... and I like it.

Eventually we make our way back to Sam and Cipher who were arguing about who could do the most cartwheels. They were so random and strange, but it brought so much warmth to my heart. I missed being like this, light hearted and care free with my friends. They bickered for a good thirty minutes before taking it outside. Naturally, Cipher kicked his ass and Sam just pouted and complained the whole time.

"The wind is throwing me off!"

"It's so cold my hands are going numb."

"I tripped over my shoe lace!"

"I shrieked because I thought I saw someone behind you not because I was falling. I swear!"

I giggled and laughed at all of his lame excuses and nearly peed my pants when he screamed like a little girl. Eventually he gave up and ultimately blamed the weather for his failure. Classic Sam. We were outside for a good hour, Ajax headed in a bit early to turn on the weather channel. I could feel my heart rate rise as Sam and Cipher walk up the few short steps to the door.

I'm not ready to go back inside. The chilling wind blows strongly shaking the naked trees and snapping a few brittle branches. I had a feeling in my gut that the weather broadcast would be completely different from this morning. We are definitely going to get more snow than predicted.

I'm not ready.

I stood still in my place. A few minutes go by before Cipher and Sam emerge from the house. Their curious gaze on me. Cipher retrieved her purse and Sam was stuffing more food into his mouth as he stood beside her.

"Why are you still standing out here?" Cipher asks, her blue eyes take in my appearance and she checks our surroundings in a very protective way.

"Are you channeling your inner snowman?" Sam questions as he shoves a chocolate chip cookie into his mouth, whole. He stomach is probably a black bottomless pit because I swear all this boy ever does is eat and he's still so fit.

I give Sam a worried look and shake my head "no". What the hell does that even mean? Channeling your inner snowman...

"Well, we're heading home. I have to set up a few things for tomorrow."

"I think I broke one of my fingers trying to a accomplish one of my infamous cartwheels." Sam holds up his right ring finger. He compares it to the one on the left and it definitely looks out of whack.

"You're so strange." I try fighting the small smile that threatened to break across my lips. In this moment I'm happy, but I'm scared the moment I step foot into that house and see the weather report its all going to change.

Today is probably the last normal day were going to have. The last day we're all safe from Jalex's harm.

I hug both of my closest friends goodbye and watch has their figures retreat and fade in the opposite direction. The wind bites at my cheeks and nose, causing me to pull the hood of my jacket up on my head and tugging my jacket tighter around my body. Even for a wolf I'm cold.

"Ducky," His voice instantly sends a warm shiver down my spine. I turn to face the most handsome man I have ever seen in my entire existence. My mate. He truly is gorgeous. Stupidly gorgeous. "It's too cold out here, come back inside."

He extends his large hand out for me to grab and I don't hesitate one bit. I couldn't resist his boyish smirk and how he managed to seem so warm and inviting, even with his intimidating build on display. I didn't dare to even think of disobeying him and just a few seconds later my hand is in his and he's leading me up the stairs.

I wring out my soaking wet hair with a towel as I exit his luxurious bathroom. He's already sitting in bed propped up against the headboard, shirtless as is brows furrow together in concentration. Tossing the towel aside I climb into bed with him and peek over his shoulder as he studies a few pieces of paper that sat in a vanilla colored folder.

There was a picture of a boy who couldn't be older than twelve years of age. His eletric blue eyes seemed cold and detached, but somewhere deep down inside them was another emotion that was indecipherable. His black hair flopped messily over his forehead, it was clear that no one bothered to keep up with it. His dark pink lips were etched in a frown. He was obviously very unhappy. Beneath the picture was a description of the boy along with his name and date of birth. Ajax Black.

"Why are you looking at a file of yourself?" I ask, pushing my legs underneath the comfort of the blankets.

"My psychopathic father had these hidden, Alexander found them today." His voice was void as he puts his file to the side and opens another.

There was a picture of another twelve year old boy. There were so many similarities, but so many differences. His steel blue eyes held a mischievous glint and his bright pink lips were pulled up in a playful smile. His short jet black hair was cropped ad well managed. The boys looked so much alike, but one was happy and the other was not. Beneath the picture held one word, one name that made my blood run cold. Jalex Cove.

From the corner of my eye I could see Ajax's shoulders tense. I swallow the lump forming in my throat. If I didn't know any better I would assume that those boys were brothers. Although Ajax's hair does seem a tad bit darker, they were extremely similar.

I pull Ajax's file onto my lap and study his picture one more time, often stealing glances at the photo of Jalex. The more I stared the more similar they looked.

"Why does your father have these?" I ask the second question that was burning in the back of my mind. What I really wanted to know is why they look so similar...

I flip through more of the pages that were held in the files. There was a medical history, school records, extra curricular activities, and personal achievements. Ajax's file seemed slimmer than Jalex's. He probably wasn't motivated to do much considering what he went through as a child. He did take up a lot of contact sports though.

"I dont know. He was crazy." He sighs and grabs both folders, tossing them onto the night stand next to him. He rubs his tired eyes and I lean my head on his broad shoulder, breathing in is delicious scent.

"He looks a lot like you..." My voice is barely a whisper, scared to point out the obvious. It was unnerving the similarities they both held. Dark hair, blue eyes, that beautiful pale flawless skin.

"Trust me, I'm a lot sexier than he is."

I lift my head immediately to take in my mates facial expression. A large smile pulls at my lips as I take in his playful smirk and the amusement in his eyes. "Oh really?" I laugh as he tugs me closer to him, pulling me onto his lap.

"Yes, really." He places a soft kiss on my forehead as his fingers run through my chocolate brown locks. "I wanna be honest with you."

His eyes roam over the length of my face, his voice the softest I've ever heard it.

"I expect nothing more than honesty." I reach out to caress his beautiful face, my thumb running lightly across his defined jawline.

"Tomorrow, might very well end horribly-"

"Ajax." I cut him off as I shake my head. I don't want to discuss the horror that the snow brings us tomorrow. I don't want to think of Jalex and his pack descending upon our lands, threatening the safety of our people. Of my mate.

"Listen to me, Ducky, you're the only person I trust enough to tell this to. You've shown me time and time again that you're heart is big. You put others above yourself constantly and I am so lucky to have you. Someone so dedicated, that they would risk their life just to see the people they love. I would like to believe that some of your good and kindness has rubbed off on me."

I bite my lip as it starts to quiver and the tears threaten to spill. His words were so kind and loving, but it felt as though he was saying goodbye. Did he think we wouldn't win? That Jalex would get the best of us? That he wouldn't make it out alive? I could feel my heart tighten in my chest at just the mere thought of no longer having Ajax at my side.

"And so I need to be honest with you." Those electric blue eyes dig into me and I swear I could feel my heart melting in a puddle right in his hands. He has my heart and I'm not quite sure how he got it. I nod my head up and down, a sign for him to continue. My fingers worm their way into his hair and play with the silky strands nervously.

"I wasn't just physically abused by my father..." He takes in a deep breath. I knew part if this information already, he told me the night of the party that another Alpha abused him as well. I have my suspicions has to who it could be. My hands move down to his tense shoulders, rubbing and massaging at his taught muscles as he tries to find the right words to say. I don't rush him.

We sit in silence. his fingers push through my hair a few times before snaking their way down the side of my body and to my thighs. He begins to fumble and play with the hem of the large t-shirt I was wearing. He insisted that I wear his clothes is that I would have my scent on me to ward off any unmated males. The mark doesn't do much of good job at that unless were fully mated, which we're not.

He clears his throat but his focus still remains on the hem of the T-shirt. I press my lips together nervously as his part to from the words that clearly scared him. He didn't have to be scared of saying them to me though, I would never dare to judge him for his past. He didn't have any say or control over what happened to him.

"I was sexually harassed and abused by Jargen Cove."

Thank you so much for reading this story I can't wait to be done with this writers block so y'all can see the ending I have waiting for you

*evil laugh*

Vote & Comment