Cleo's Heart Decisions.

Before The Storm...

You never know who is going to betray you, who has a face different than the one you see and who is your real enemy... And... You never know what is coming next!

~some minutes later, some kilometers from Diamond Heart Pack’s territory, forest~

Cleo’s pov

I stop the car on the side of the road and open the window sighing heavily.

I left from the hotel Kevin is staying some time ago and all this time was enough for me to think of the perfect plan and take serious decisions!

I am going to be honest, I am in pain I have to leave like this and so suddenly, I don’t want to leave my parents and friends but I have no other choice! I have to go because I don’t want them to know about Thor and me! I tried to be patient, I had hopes that the bastard would be logical enough to ignore me after he said he doesn’t want me as his mate but…

He has lost his mind for good and it is my duty to stop everything before things get out of control!

From last night I am a mess, from the moment I took the decision to follow Kevin in two days my heart is aching for who I am going to leave behind and how hurt my parents are going to be but…

I prefer them to be in pain because I am leaving than because of this whole thing with Thor!

I am not afraid of him, this is the truth and maybe I am sounding crazy but I am not!

Thor can do nothing to me, trust me… It is not a coincidence I was one of the three best students in my college and the King suggested me in person to go and join his army. I haven’t shown Thor what I can do and who I can be and one thing is for sure…

He surely doesn’t want to touch me again because then he is going to be the only one that bleeds and I mean it!

Anyway, what matters me now is that I have made my plan and I am ready to put it in action! I am going to play dirty but I don’t feel bad about it because that jerk decided to start it and he is playing in the dirtiest way there is so…

Let the game begin but one thing is for sure!

I will bring him to the forefront and there is one person that needs to know about it because he has to ‘accept’ me officially or to say it better, I am accepting his offer and this someone is…

The King!

Yeap, I need to talk to him in person and I feel quite nervous because it is too early and it will be too sudden for him but he gave me the mettle to do so! You see, when I met him some weeks ago I talked to him in private, we were alone, it was a nice discussion, I felt great with him and he was very friendly so I am not so scared. He had told me to call him any time, he gave me his number and probably this is what I am doing now, I am calling him too early in the morning!

“Finally! Just call him Cleo, the sooner we talk to him, the better!” Clea says in impatience and I nod taking my phone from the passenger’s seat.

It’s time, she is right and I am the hell ready although it is killing me already the possibility of not meeting the white wolf again!

I turn on my phone and exhale heavily as the screen gets filled from Thor’s notifications. Mmm… Messages, calls and I don’t give a damn s**t so I just ignore them all and go to my contacts.

Alright, King David… Here we are!

My fingers are shaking, my skin is shuddering, I think my heart is hurting me right now but I am ready, more than ever! I am leaving, this is final!

I press the green button and start the call, I bring the phone close to my ear and close my eyes waiting for him to answer the call before I freak out! It takes about some seconds until I listen to him answering and I lose my breath.

Damn!

“Alpha King David Jackson!” he says in a strong but not strict or angry tone and I smile breathless forcing myself to talk.

I can do it, yes! Our King is nice and he needs to know, I trust him!

“Good morning Your Royal Highness and I am sorry I am bothering you so early! I am Cleo Taylors, we…”

“Cleo! What a nice surprise! How are you doing?” he cuts me off in excitement before I say more and I smile blushing.

Alright, I was expecting him to get happy but not so much and I like it, this is relaxing me as well!

“I am fine and very impressed you remember me my King! How are you doing?” I ask trying to stop trembling and Clea smirks pleased.

“I am great and very happy to hear you! And I can’t forget one of the most promising young fighters in my Kingdom Cleo but please call me David, I told you last time we talked I don’t like formalities! Okay?” he says in joy and I smile even more like I am a five years old girl.

I really like him, I knew he was caring, simple, friendly but now he proves to be even better, he is the best! He is young but very mature and everyone loves him, I know he can help me now!

“Okay, I think I can do that David, thank you very much!” I reply more relaxed than before and he laughs in enthusiasm.

“Don’t thank me, it’s not a big deal but… Are you alright? Did anything bad happen?” he asks after some seconds and I think I can distinguish the wary in his voice so I guess I have to get straight to the point.

Yes, he is making it very easy for me like this and this is exactly what I need!

“I am fine, really but I need us to talk David, it is sudden I know but it is very serious for me and it matters you as well because I took some decisions!” I say steadily and listen to him sighing probably from nervousness.

“Cleo, I am getting worried now!” he mutters and I bite my lower lip to find the courage and say it because when I do there is no way back.

Just do it Cleo, do it!

“You don’t have to worry David, really! I… I am accepting your offer, this is why I called you! I want to join your army the sooner!” I say with a clear voice feeling a big weight leaving my shoulders and Clea starts howling victoriously.

Um… I will be honest, this feels good, extremely good!

“Do you mean it Cleo? Are you coming?” he asks me in enthusiasm and I think I am blushing.

“Yes, I mean it! I am coming, this is final!” I state and he leaves out a cheerful noise.

Glad he is so positive, not that I had doubts but this gives me more optimism.

“I am very happy Cleo, you have no idea what an honor it is for me and a great opportunity for you! I am excited but I need to ask you… I remember you really wanted to go to your pack and take your duties as the pack’s Beta so… What changed so suddenly? Is anything wrong?” he says and his voice turns concerned in the end.

I shake my head one step away finding the courage and tell him what he has to know and I try to find the right words. I won’t lie but I won’t tell him some basic details. I just need his support because I am sure Thor is going to create problems or at least he is going to try it and only if David interferes Thor has more possibilities to stop.

“The truth is that something did happen David and I don’t want to stay here anymore but I don’t want you to worry so much, I just need your help! I am ready to tell you everything!” I say and listen to him groaning in agreement nervously.

“Alright then Cleo! I will do anything you want me to, I am here and I am all ears!”

~some hours later, Diamond Heart Pack, pack house~

They are sitting on the two chairs right in front of my desk and I lower my gaze ashamed yet nervous!

It is almost time for lunch, I am done from training, fortunately I haven’t seen Thor because he went to a pack next to ours to talk with its Alpha and I am relieved to say that things went great with David!

He is going to send me a contract Thor and I have to sign tomorrow in order to stop being his Beta and accept becoming a permanent warrior and if Thor doesn’t agree then David is going to talk to him in person and even come here if it’s necessary.

So I am really positive because Thor is a coward generally and I am sure he won’t try David’s patience but I can’t have hopes when it comes to my parents, especially my dad!

They are here as you can imagine, I asked from them to talk because they have to be the first to know about my decision and it will be the most difficult part for me and I need to be done from this at the beginning!

I am extremely worried about my dad’s reaction because the last thing I want is to hurt him and I know how painful it is going to be for him! I am his greatest weakness, his little princess, the light in his life as he usually says and he had other plans for me so now it’s really stressful for me! I am going to break his heart, he was dreaming of the day I would be back, I would take his title and we would be together! He wanted me to be here, find my mate (don’t commend this, really) and create my own family! He wanted to live all these on my side and this won’t happen as we all understand and he is going to be devastated.

And my mom… I am sure she is going to take it much better, she is more self-collected, stronger and she has been surprising me nonstop from the moment I came back but I know she is going to be very sad! She will be extremely proud of me, this is also something I am certain about, I mean everybody knows that becoming one of the King’s most trusted warriors at the age of 19 is a really big deal that almost nobody achieves. My mom always wanted only the best for me and if you ask me, then this is the best for me!

This is a great opportunity now that I have to leave from here!

“Cleo, what is happening? Why did you want to see us?” my mom asks breaking the silence and waking up my panic.

Of course she knows something is wrong here! I mean, it is writing on my face, I am shaking, sweating, my heartbeat is way too fast, I am sure I am pale as well and I am not so good at lying to them!

“Just do it! Don’t think about it because you won’t tell them a thing in the end!” Clea growls pushing me to open my mouth and spit everything out and I stiffen.

Fine damn it!

“Um… I want to tell you something, that’s why I told you to come here!” I say forcing a smile and my dad narrows his eyes confused.

My mom from the other side doesn’t look so surprised or impressed and I have no idea what I could suppose from her expression, she is calm and this is weird.

“Don’t tell me it’s about Kevin because I haven’t said a thing about you sleeping with him last night but this doesn’t mean we are perfectly fine! Is he your boyfriend? Are you going to take it further? And what about your mate Cleo? I have my suspicions he is your mate and you keep on hiding it!” my dad start almost yelling furious and I gap blinking my eyes.

Ops! I forgot to tell you about it! My dad is mad because I spent my night at Kevin’s room and I can’t quite believe it because we didn’t have s*x or something and he knows about it!

“No, it’s not about Kevin! You have an obsession with him dad, you are overreacting, really! I don’t understand you at all when it comes to Kev and if he was my mate then you would have been the first to know about it, the hell, I wouldn’t have even been here!” I reply in frustration in the same strong tone like him and he growls raising his hand to talk but I narrow my eyes warningly and he stops.

Fuck!

“Can you two calm down please? Etan, Cleo is right! You have done this again and it is really childish! You know our daughter, she is mature and Kevin is an amazing young man! If Cleo says they are not mates then accept it for once and for all and trust her!” my mother states strictly, I give her a thankful smile and my dad rolls his eyes sighing ironically.

“Adira, what if they want to start something now? They are not mates and maybe Cleo regrets it later and…”

“Enough!” I cut him off ready to slam my fists on the desk and he groans defeated while crossing his hands in front of his chest.

He takes his dark, serious expression I rarely see because he never gets mad at me and I can easily say it’s hard for me to see him like this when I know things are going to get way too worse in some seconds from now.

“So?” my dad says through his teeth and I take a deep breath without thinking about it for more.

It is now or never Cleo, don’t think about it and say it!

“I accepted our King’s offer to join his army! In 10 days I need to be at the palace and my place is permanent!” I announce breathless as the words leave my mouth instinctually and I lock my eyes on their face waiting for their reactions.

And…

My dad is too fast to react, he stands up like a flash, his eyes are widely open and too dark, he is trembling like never before, the veins on his neck have already popped out and his chest is going up and down making me dizzy.

He has the wildest expression there is and he doesn’t seem so hurt right now, he seems to be furious!

Damn it!

“Did he change your mind? Did he come here to take you from me? It’s his fault, isn’t it? Why did you take such a decision without telling us, me?! I love you like no one else, you are my world, everything I have and this is how you treat me? I am your own father, I could give my life for you and this is how you are leaving me now?” he screams outraged and slams his fists on the desk with so much power that almost breaks making my mom and me stand up and take a step backwards.

I try to think of something to say but my heart is getting ripped and nothing comes in my mind from the pain. I feel like my strength is leaving me, my legs are too weak and everything is burning inside me, I want to throw up and I am getting dizzy!

He is in a completely different state of mind from the one I had thought and I don’t know if this is good or not. I know this is his defense and he is dying inside but this is killing me as well!

I wished he would have tried to understand and help me somehow because it’s not easy for me either!

“Dad… I…” I mutter unconsciously and he screams pushing back his chair and making me jump up scared.

Oh my God!

This is not my father, I mean… He can’t do this to me, I…

“Don’t call me father anymore because you just killed me! Your father is dead!” he roars and before I realize what is happening he storms out and I fall on my knees gasping.

No…

No my dad!

I break into sobbing, bury my face in my hands and the time stops. The only thing I feel is pain and my heart is burning like hell! I can’t breathe, I don’t know what is happening to me, I am just suffering!

His words broke my heart for good! Telling me that I killed me and he is dead because of my decision to leave is a nightmare and I know he means it, he is partly right! I told him nothing, I didn’t try to tell him gradually about it but I couldn’t do otherwise, I had no other choice!

And I feel horribly, I did the worst thing I could have done to him, I acted like I am ungrateful to him, like he seems nothing to me and this is not true!

What have I done to deserve all these?

Why me?

“Baby… Please, stop crying!” I listen to my mother saying after some time that feels like a century and feel her wrapping her arms around me.

At least I have her…

“Mom…” I mutter running out of oxygen and take my hands from my face to look at her although my vision is blurred from the tears.

She is in pain but not so much! She is not mad at me either, she has a weak, sweet sympathetic smile on her face and it’s a small hope for me!

She looks like an angel, now more than ever!

“What is it baby? Tell your mommy!” she whispers while caressing my hair and I sniffle fighting to breathe.

She is my savior!

“I am so sorry mom! I didn’t want it to happen this way! I… I… Swear!” I whisper doddering and she smiles emotionally.

Her eyes are full of affection and adoration making my heart melt and her hands feels cold against my hot skin. That’s all I can feel at this moment, nothing else!

“Sweetheart, you don’t have to ask for my forgiveness! You have done nothing wrong Cleo!” she says softly and I hold back a sudden sob.

No… I mean…

“And what about dad? Did you listen to him?” I say putting great amends not to cry again and she kisses my forehead.

“Baby, it was too sudden for him, that’s all and he is jealous of Kevin as well! He thought Kevin made you take this decision and he felt like you prefer Kevin over him but he is going to calm down and then he is going to talk to you! Don’t worry about it!” she says while caressing my back and I stiffen trying to calm down.

“I don’t want him to be mad at me, I love him very much!” I whisper with more tears falling from my eyes and she shakes her head in understanding.

“I know mommy’s treasure and he knows you love him so calm down now and everything is going to be alright!”

“And what do you have to say about my decision to leave?” I ask next holding my breath in agony.

Her opinion means the world to me, she was always the stricter one, my female idol, she wanted perfection from me and I need to know if she agrees or not! This is going to give me courage to face my dad when he feels ready!

“Cleo…” she starts and caps my face in her hands coming even closer to me with her eyes never leaving mine.

“If you are happy there, I will support you till the end! The only thing I want for you is to be happy because I know my daughter and her eyes tell me she is not happy here, not from the moment she came back!” she says and I press my lips together ready to lower my head but she stops me.

“My daughter’s eyes are not shining anymore, her bright smile is gone, she has lost her joy and her spark and this is killing me!” she continues and pecks my cheeks gently.

“So if you are happy with your choice, so am I! And I am proud of you because for once more you are proving how clever and strong you are! You will never lose me baby, I will always be by your side, okay?” she says in the end and I nod quickly.

“Yes, mom! Thank you, I love you very much!” I whisper and bury myself in her embrace.

“And I love you more than anything else mommy’s baby! As long as I live, don’t worry about a thing!”

~about an hour later, dining room~

Third person’s pov

Cleo and Adira were standing behind Cleo’s seat at the dining room.

It was time for lunch and most of the ‘family’ was there! Only Etan was missing because he had disappeared and Lillian that had gone for shopping.

And that was something Cleo was happy about, Lillian had no place there with them and it was pointless for her to be present, she didn’t care about her opinion for obvious reasons!

From the other side, Cleo was still suffering from her father’s behavior, his absence was hurting her the most because she knew he was too mad at her but Cleo had forced herself to be strong in front of the others and especially in front of Thor.

All the others were sitting on their seats in silence, Adira had already informed them that Cleo had something to tell them and all of them could feel that it wasn’t for good, especially considering the fact that Etan was not there!

William, Gabriel and Adelaine had their suspicions about what was going to happen and they were nervous! Thor’s behavior the previous night was something nobody could have imagined and the guys had spent the entire night with no sleep, their wary had passed every limit! William had gone in Thor’s office to check on him and he had found him drinking, they had talked and Thor was very furious causing William to worry extremely much.

William knew his brother, he could see he had lost his patience and self control, his jealously had reached its peak and he was dangerous, they couldn’t risk it more and that was why he had informed Cleo, she shouldn’t go back to the pack with Thor in that condition!

From the other side Elliot was sure something was going on but he didn’t know what exactly and he was curious yet worried! He was thinking that maybe Cleo wanted to tell the family about him and Ava and he was freaking out. He knew that it would be his end because Richard and even Thor had been always punishing every violent behavior inside the pack, for them there were not ranks when it had to do with the basic respect and Elliot had gone against them.

Finn was trying to hide his concern about what was happening and what was going to happen! He was certain about the outcome of that mini meeting! Cleo had something way too serious to tell them because of Thor’s behavior and Thor wasn’t going to react calmly… He had to be ready, he had to be in alert and protect Cleo if he had to and he had to be the calmest and fastest he could. It was his duty to take care of Cleo now…

Richard and Cassidy were very curious and confused! They didn’t know what was happening and Richard was staring at Cleo the whole time. He admired her, she was exactly what the pack needed and he was feeling proud of her because he was like an uncle for her and he had taught her many things. The sweet, sensitive girl he knew had now become a strong, young woman! From the other side, Cassidy had a feeling that something was wrong but she had no clue as to what it could be! She knew Cleo had something serious to say and she was trying to prepare herself in any way she could.

And in the end was Thor… He was doing his best to prevent himself from tearing down the room because he was angry again. It was the first time he was watching Cleo after the previous night and his jealously had made its appearance again. The night before, he had gotten drunk, he had gotten hurt or at least that was just what he had been thinking!

Cleo had rejected him in her own way, she preferred any other person than him and when he had called and texted her in order to talk she had ignored him! She had also spent the entire night with Kevin, she had been in his room, alone with him and he had gotten crazy for her!

The truth was that he had threatened her, he had told her that she was going to bleed but it was the last thing he meant. He couldn’t harm her because he did love her, she was his everything although he had chosen another path and staying away from her was a torture for him but she… She had decided to push him out of her life, she didn’t love him, she didn’t want him, she was breaking his heart but still, he couldn’t hurt her!

And now he was getting panicked, he knew Cleo although she had told him he didn’t! She was strong and clever, she was up to something and he was sure she wasn’t going to talk about them being mates but again he couldn’t calm down!

What if Cleo had now decided to go with Kevin? What if she was leaving him for someone else, it was possible to happen and he couldn’t even accept the thought!

Adira was standing next to her daughter like every other time without moving or talking! She was stronger than any other time because she had to, they were close to the end she knew it was coming! She was happy Cleo had taken the right decision, it was about time for her to leave away and stay safe!

She really wanted to tell Cleo everything, she wished she could but it wasn’t right! She would do things even worse and she couldn’t break her daughter’s heart, not when she was at the pack!

Cleo had to leave and she would help her at any cost even if it meant for her to die, it was her duty to help her daughter and save her and she was ready, after so many years she had the courage she needed!

Cleo had to run away from two specific persons… Thor and Etan!

“Cleo, what is happening my child? Why all these?” Richard asked her after a while putting an end to the silence and Cleo bitted her lower lip getting ready.

Clea appeared in her mind and nodded giving her strength, she was supporting her like always and she was proud of Cleo! She knew her human and she had no doubt about her, she was determinate to leave and that was final, she just needed from Clea to give her a small, final push!

Cleo lifted her almost bended head up the very next second and took one last breath! Her heartbeat was normal and strong, she was not nervous or overwhelmed anymore, she was calm and most importantly she was ready!

“I have something to announce and I want to say it only once!” she stated and they all stiffened from her firm, strict tone.

Thor’s skin shuddered with a bad feeling building up and his wolf howled in pain. He didn’t like her expression or the harsh way her tone had left from her lips, her eyes were almost black as well and all these didn’t help him stay unaffected!

“This doesn’t sound so good honey… What is it about?”Cassidy asked holding her breath and Cleo shook her head weakly.

“It’s about me!” she replied coldly and Thor’s heart almost stopped from fear.

So he was right… She was definitely up to something and he wouldn’t like it.

He began trembling and sweating and the glass in his left hand was ready to fall but he instinctually tightened his hold around it and prevented it from falling. He just locked his eyes on Cleo and prayed for something positive, he didn’t want to lose her or the others to know about them!

“Alright… What do you want us to know dear?” Richard asked running out of patience with his agony getting bigger and Cleo turned to him with a dark look.

She would say it, it was already finished!

“I am leaving the pack!” she announced and the glass in Thor’s hand…

Fell on the floor and broke into pieces that got scattered everywhere!

~at the same time, somewhere too far away~

The woman broke into her father’s office without knocking!

She was fuming, her cheeks were red from anger, she couldn’t control herself anymore or her body that was shaking and her eyes had turned black!

She had had enough, she couldn’t show more patience, she couldn’t lose him because of her!

She had to die the sooner!

“Your men are useless and she keeps on being alive for seven f*****g years!” she screamed not giving him time to react first and slammed the door closed screaming.

Her father stood up and groaned in frustration. His daughter was always reckless, selfish, arrogant and she had never tried to do a thing! She always wanted to have the perfect life without moving even her little finger! It was his fault but he was tired of her the last days and he had to stop her before it would be too late!

“Keep your voice low, you don’t want him to find out, do you?” he asked her through his teeth and she growled walking to him like a tornado.

She couldn’t do that, she needed her dead!

“He is not here and he won’t be for too long if she stays alive and he finds out the truth! She must die and you keep on failing!” she roared breathless and hit her fists on the desk making him leave out a loud, warning scream.

She had to stop, he couldn’t risk his pack and its future and power because she couldn’t keep her mouth shut and be patient!

“Stop talking to me like that and in this tone because I am the Alpha here and you are depending on me! If you want your happy ending and this pack to have a strong Alpha after me, then close your mouth and do something for once, be patient! She is going to die with the first chance I have!” he said through his teeth wildly and she pressed her lips outraged.

“She was a child and she made it for six f*****g years father! Now she has her wolf and she is way too strong! The more time we lose, the stronger she is going to become! She has ancient blood, do you understand what this means? Send men and kill her, do not underestimate her!” she replied gasping panicked in the idea of her living and her father nodded firmly.

“I know daughter, her death is just a matter of time!” he stated and she sat on a chair in front of his desk doddering.

She wished he was right!

“Do anything you can father because I am going to lose him forever if he finds out the truth about her!” she just murmured defeated and he smirked wickedly.

Fortunately she had calmed down and he was now free to continue, he had great plans… He wasn’t going to fail again…

“Don’t worry… Cleo dies too soon!”

******************

Hello my dear friends!

This is the 12th chapter and Thor is a paranoid, Adira is hiding things, Etan shows his real face and new enemies make their appearance!

I really need to know your thoughts and feelings so please let me know!

What do you think about this chapter? What about Cleo's decision? What about the King's behavior and role? How do you feel about Etan explosion? What about Adira's? And who are the two 'enemies' in the end? What is going to happen next?

Get ready from now, the next chapter is going to be very strong and jinx...

Also there is one more new book, its name is Thorns Of The Past so please go and check it out if you are interested!

Thank you very much for everything, your love, support, commends and impatience in order to read the next chapter! I also read all the comments and I try to answer them the sooner so I am sorry if I am delaying it sometimes, I am reading everything and I love it! I am trying my best so please continue showing me how much you want more and commend and tell me your opinion, or share the story.

This is it for now, I will see you again in the next chapter or in my other books! Until then stay safe, smile and have fun!

I love you all very much,

                                      Marie!