Hate to Love

10

Julian

I got back to Jasper's office with the reports. I hated leaving the two of them together, especially knowing that she used to have a crush on him. I did not know that I could be so possessive of her but here I was. I opened the door and noticed that Jasper was alone.

"Where's Alice?" I asked.

"She went to the kitchen to get the chef's signature. She should be back soon." My friend answered. "Are you worried?"

"Stop teasing me." I sighed. "I know that it's stupid but I can't help it."

"It's cute in a way." Jasper chuckled. "It feels like her wish has been granted, she got you as a mate."

"She was very small when she asked for this." I said with a smile.

I was very fond of that memory of a time filled with laughter. I was sure that I would punch Charles in the face if he ever came back but I still wished for his return, Alice would be so happy.

We heard stomping coming from the hallway and I knew who was coming even before she opened the door. Alice was radiating rage as she entered the room. She threw me a dark glare before putting the papers on Jasper's desk. He looked at her surprised but she turned to look at me. What did I do this time?

"We need to talk." She growled.

Was she defying me? I did not deserve this so I glared at her.

"Don't fight in my office." Jasper said exasperated. "Go to your own."

I opened the door for her and she left towards my office. I opened the door and as soon as I closed it, she was on me grabbing my collar. She was such a fury. That was something that I actually loved about her but not when it was directed at me.

"How dare you speak like that about me to my father?" She snapped.

"Like what?" I asked, frowning.

I did talk to her father about her because he asked me how she was doing. He knew all too well how difficult our relationship was so it was normal that, as her father, he was worried about how things were going between us. We might be mates, but that was all there was between us apart from bitter feelings.

"Did you tell my father that I was a hassle because I lived in the past and didn't seem to be capable to move on? That if things kept going down this path, you would reject me because I was too childish? Why did I even think that you could change..." She said, releasing me and turning her back to me so she could control her rage.

"Wait a minute..." I countered, getting as close to her as I could without touching her. "Who told you I said that? Because that's not even remotely what I said."

"Don't lie to me." She snapped, turning around to face me, her blue eyes bleeding to the ones of her wolf under the strong anger. "Veronica heard you."

Veronica. I growled low hearing her name. I had underestimated her but I would not let that slide. She could trash talk me as much as she wanted but she had no right to cause further pain to Alice. I would not accept that.

"She's lying." I stated, trying to keep my anger under control. "Your father asked me how you were doing and I told him that we were taking babysteps. I was trying to find a way to make you trust me again but it would not be done in a day. I... Betrayed you, I can't take it back and I have to live with it but... I want you to be my mate. Things will never be the same between us and that's on me, but I want you by my side. You're my mate and I want no one else. If you don't believe me, you can ask your father."

She seemed to hesitate and that gave me hope. She wanted to believe me but she also knew that what Veronica said was not entirely out of caracter. I would have said something like that a few days ago even if I did not mean it. That made me hate Veronica a bit more and she would regret that.

"I don't know who to trust..." She said tears of rage falling down her face.

I caused this confusion and I could never take it back. It was my responsibility to try to right my wrongs. I decided to pull her into my arms so she could calm down or hit me if that made her feel better. She tensed but she did not pull away.

"I know that you can't trust me right now but I told you that I was done lying to you and I meant it. There will be no more of that between us and if I have any issue with you, I would tell you directly. Veronica will pay for lying to you, I can promise you that."

I cupped her face in my hands and wiped the last of her tears away with my thumbs. I would do that every time she would cry when she was little. She used to offer me a small smile and tell me that she loved me but I was not expecting her to say it now. I would have to earn back that right. I did not realise how lucky I was back then and I seriously wanted to kick myself in the face.

"I don't want to suffer anymore, Julian." She said, her voice cold. "I can't live like this."

"I wish I could protect you better than that." I said, pained. "All I can say is that I don't want to cause you pain. You're the last person I want to hurt."

"Stop saying it and act." She snapped at me. "Prove it or let me go."

I did not know what to say but she was right. Words meant nothing anymore and doubts would always be present if I could not prove her how fiercely I wanted her as my mate. So I did the only thing that I thought would show my feelings for her, I kissed her. I crashed my lips on hers and poured all my feelings into it.