When the Pieces Fall

Chapter 3

Omega Pov

In the days following that kiss, my life only grew more confusing. I am happy to say he left his room. Sadly, he only left to spend time with me. Trying to do any kind of chore has been impossible with him. I don't know what's expected of me anymore. All he seems to wish of me is to eat and sleep.

Even now he makes me sit on furniture instead of constant standing. He sits staring at me as I fidget in the plush cushions. He keeps trying to have "talks" with me. He mostly just stares at me intensely. It has been very uncomfortable.

"Why did you reject me?" He finally asks. I never really thought he'd ask that.

"I thought from your actions that you would feel guilty if you did it sir" I speak softly. Loudness would get me severely punished.

"I wasn't going to reject you", he says "I need you. I will always need you". His words only confuse me further.

"But you told me that I'm worthless and that no one will ever love me", I tell him doubtfully. He flinches back in pain.

"I'm so sorry for hurting you but, I want you to know that me not accepting your rejection isn't just about the mate bond. I don't care how much this hurts me. I just want you to come back to me someday. Even if that never does happen because I know I don't deserve that I want you to know I love you.

Tears come to my eyes. What does he mean? He doesn't love me. No one does. I want his words to be true so bad but, I know they can't possibly be. I do love him. Why must he hurt me more with his lies like this? This is crueler than him just accepting and killing me.

"Hope? Hope, please why are you crying? Darling let me fix it" he begs me. Why does he beg? Alphas don't beg. This would be a show of weakness for only the eyes of his true mate to witness. We don't belong together. I would only be a disgrace and who knows when he'll realize that? I feel my breathing pick up even more so.

"Hope please calm down, you're scaring me" he stands from his chair and comes dangerously close to me. Bending down his forehead rests against mine. His fingers trace softly over my jawline. My ragged breath halts in my lungs. Those tingles I have been becoming more familiar with these days dance across my skin. His every move I electric in the best way. My back arches as shivers of pleasure run down my spine. My stilled breath finally finds its way out of my lungs and mixes with his.

His eyes glance down to my parted lips and for a moment I remember the feel of his against him. I remember what I gave to him that day and how perfectly in sync we were. He was gentle with me. He was nothing like how he had been in the past. He was pure magic for a moment. Then I remember that fear when I realized he wasn't pulling away. I don't know if I deserved that.

I tilt my head up to my lips to meet the just the corner of his. He moans at the feel of our almost kiss. I lift my hand to trail a thumb just along the perimeter of his lower lip trembling from the tease of it. His eyes start to turn animalistic, yet he holds himself back still. His hands drop from face to my waistline.

I flinch in pain and the moment is over. His eyes turn to concern and he bends further to pull up my shirt just a bit.

"Please don't" I whisper but, before I can stop him, he has seen that which can't be unseen. My scarred body unveiled to him. Past wounds haunt my famished body still. Some were carved into it intricately in a calculated kind of anger while others were rougher and brash. Most of them were put there by him though.

He looks up to try to meet my averted gaze. Desperation comes off him in waves. He drops my shirt in shame and pulls away. He takes his spot again in his chair.

"I'm sorry for having overstepped my bounds" he apologizes "I won't do I g it again unless you want it". That was the problem though. I wanted all of that and more but, I also want to be as far from him as I possibly can be. I'm starting to realize he may want me. I also know that this could be an act to get me to accept him so he can hurt me worse as his mate. What would he do if I mess up again? I can't take that kind of abuse as his accepted mate. That kind of heartbreak would be unbearable. People never really change.

"Alpha I apologize but, I feel I must go," I say standing to bow.

"Please you don't have to my darling," he tells me "you are my equal and I want nothing more than for you to treat yourself as such". I think over his words and unfurl my back.

"I can't"

...

That night he sent a boy to me.

"Luna the Alpha wishes to speak with you privately. On urgent matters" he says. I have long since given up on getting the pack to call me omega. I bow to him and follow him up towards the Alpha's room. He knocks swiftly on the door, bows, then turns to leave. I call thanks after his retreating figure.

I turn back to find the door already open with him smiling down to me. I drop my eyes from him submissively.

"You wanted to talk to me, sir?" He sighs at my words.

"Yes come in," he says opening the door wider. I step in at his invitation. His arm wraps around my shoulders in a comforting gesture he guides me to his sitting area. His room is very spacious and can easily accommodate so much. He sits me in a love seat and pulls up a chair for himself to sit across from me. His furniture is more luxurious than that of the lower levels if the house yet, I am unable to relax in such proximity to him. The air between us is tense.

"Where do you sleep, Hope?" I have started to grow used to him calling me that.

"Generally, on the floor and out of the way sir", I tell him knowing he'd be happy to hear it, "or sometimes outside". I expect happiness from him but, his face turns more sorrowful than ever.

"From this point on I would like for you to sleep here". My eyes shoot up to meet him and my jaw drops open in shock.

"B-bb-but sir-r I ca-can't-t pos-sib-l-ly". This room he meant for the Alpha and Luna only. I don't know what he wants of me.

"Yes you can", he says "I want you here with me".

"I suppose I can take to floor if that's how you feel sir".

"No, you must have the bed".

"But, where would you sleep then?".

"I can take the couch"

"No sir I would feel guilty"

"You want me to sleep with you then?"

"If it wouldn't bother you too much sir", he smiles at my words.

"I would love nothing more".

...

We lay far away from each other as possible. I can feel his gaze on my back. I know somehow he wants to come closer to me and I realized that when we were staring at each other from across the bed earlier. To be honest I crave the feel of his arms around me. He is like poison, delicious and addictive. His every action makes me crave more but, I know I don't deserve that. I am grateful as I am confused by all of this. I don't remember if I have ever experienced a bed before now. This is like a cloud enveloping my aching body.

I imagine his arms pulling me into his embrace under these soft covers and holding me tight. I smile to myself and begin to drift off. The imaginary security comforts me.

...

Will's Pov

She doesn't look at me as she drifts off. It's my fault. Who wants to look at their worst nightmare as they drift off? I don't even want to look at me. I do appreciate her kindness to let me at least I lay so close to her. I deserve far less. I should sleep outside like I know she has.

I watch as her breath steadies itself. Her soft breath becomes a lullaby. I could spend all night watching her relaxed like this. I have learned how uncommon it is not to see her on edge. I know I stole comfort from her but, I'm happy that at least a little bit of her is left. I feel my own eyes begin to droop.

...

I wake to the sounds of crying. My eyes open to see Hope crying in her sleep.

"Hope please wake up" I use the most soothing voice I possibly can. She still sobs deeply. Somehow, I know that whatever she is seeing is about me. Tears slip down my face at the sight of her trembling form. Have I truly broken this girl, haven't I? I am nothing but a monster in her eyes and she is right.

I pull her into me, and she calms at the sparks. I guess this is what people would call cruel irony. I'm the one who hurt her and I'm the only one that can fix. I want to put her back together so bad. I can't just hold when she's awake though.

She curls herself deeper into me and smiles ever so slightly. This girl was meant to be in my arms, and I'll be damned if she leaves them forever.

...

Omega pov

I woke to the feel of sunshine on my face. For once I feel refreshed waking up. Then I feel it. There's something heavy around my waist. I turn my head back to see Alpha snoring quietly. I remember last night all at once and how we agreed to share a bed. He must have cuddled up to me in his sleep. Damn bond. He'll be disgusted when he wakes to see me so touching him. I carefully slide out of his arm and get up.

I should go start with his breakfast. I head down the stairs soundlessly, so I don't wake anyone in the packhouse. I make it to the kitchen and set to work.

"What are you doing?", Asks my wolf "go to mate".

"No I can't I have to work", I tell her.

"You are the Luna you don't have to do anything".

" I am not the Luna I am the omega".

"Yes you are that boy up there accepts you with everything in him. He loves you more than the mate bond".

"No, he doesn't I am an awful vile creature".

"Yes, he does and I can feel his panic. He's worried you left him". I sigh in my head at her impossible words. I guess I can check on him when I bring him up to his breakfast though.

I lose myself in cooking. I've always loved this part of the day. No one is up to hurt me, and my creativity can just flow. I could make anything I please. Today I decide on pastries for everyone. As I knead the dough, I start to hear voices.

That's odd. Most people aren't up yet. I guess it's none of my business though and I continue as I am. Suddenly there are steps behind me and turn just in time to be wrapped in the Alpha's arms. I go rigid at the surprise of it. He holds me there so long that I start to grow used to it. He inhales my scent deeply.

Then I feel his lips against my forehead. He doesn't kiss me. He just simply holds me there. It's like he's making sure I'm still real. It's a comforting gesture. I can't say I don't like the feel of it. He breaks off and looks deeply into my eyes.

"You scared me", he says " please don't ever do that to me again".