Cleo's Heart Decisions.

Pain, Plans, Promises.

We can wipe the tears in our eyes, but we can't wipe the pain in our heart. We can also make the perfect plans, but we can't break our promises!

~about 9 days later, morning, airport~

Thor’s pov

I look at the arrivals’ corridor nervously and try to stop shaking and sweating.

The more I am waiting, the worse I am feeling, seriously!

I am about to see Cleo from second to second and I am dying already, I drove till here with great difficulty and now I think I am going to pass out from nervousness!

And to take things one by one, I am sure I have to start from the beginning and this is exactly what I am going to do!

You have lots of questions, don’t you?

I don’t blame you, but what I am about to say are going to make me feel even worse, I can’t think about what is happening between me and Cleo and especially her cold, cruel behavior!

She is breaking my heart and it feels like I am in hell!

So, I am going to begin with the fact that I haven’t managed to talk to her at all since our short ‘discussion’ in my office the day she left with that piece of s**t, Kevin! I had been trying to come in contact with her the first four days, I had been calling and texting her nonstop, but not only she never replied and ignored me, but also she blocked both of my numbers (my private phone and my office’s).

I was heartbroken the first four days, as I was feeling guilty, humiliated, hurt and rejected, because it was clear she didn’t want to talk to me, she could and wanted to avoid me and she didn’t care I was persistent, but when I realized she had blocked me, I felt even worse, I died!

It felt like she deleted me completely from her life, like she didn’t just block my numbers, but me as well! She kicked me out of her life, she made me feel like I do not exist, like it doesn’t matter her about me and this is my fault, but she never allowed me to get close to her, to explain myself and…

I am dead all these days, I am moving around like a ghost, I am locked in my office most of the time, I am not talking, I have barely slept and I am not really eating, I am just attending every meal to avoid my mother’s nagging. I am also angry (all the time), nobody can really talk to me without me growling or walking away to protect him from my anger and my wolf is in a worse state of mind as he is howling constantly when he is in my mind and when he gets tired of driving me crazy, he blocks me and I stay alone!

Cleo’s absence and ‘rejection’ is killing both of us, me and Tucker! I have tried to talk to him, beg for his support and help, but he denies talking to me, he hasn’t said even a word all these days!

The last two weeks are a torture for me, I had never imagined I would feel so much pain for marking someone else instead of Cleo and cutting all the bridges with her. I mean, this is what I wanted to do, because I was angry before and I was reckless, I can admit it now, but when I got so close to lose her, I realized I can’t bear it!

I can’t live without Cleo and I was so mad that I couldn’t accept or think she loves me, but now I am sure she does, her words in my office are the proof for this and this is why I am not accepting to let her go again!

No, she stays with me in either way!

I don’t care about anything or anyone else, not even the King himself and I have made my plans, I had plenty time to think about everything!

So…

I am going to tell her I love her and I had my reasons for not wanting her as my mate and Luna before, I will try to avoid telling her the reasons at the beginning, but if I have no other choice, I am going to tell her everything and I will ask from her to stay here with me, but…

There is a small problem with this, because I have already marked Lillian, my parents and the pack believe she is the rightful Luna and I don’t want them to find out anything, I have to protect my fame, so…

Lillian is going to be my Luna for the eyes of the word and I will be free to be with Cleo, I mean until I think of a better plan! Mm… Maybe I could accuse Lillian for cheating on me, break up with her or even kill her and tell everyone she died in an accident or something and then announce Cleo as the one I want… Yes, these could work, but it’s too soon and I want to be careful!

Also, I must get rid of Etan and Adira before anything else, they are going to be a threat to me, I can’t risk the pack or anybody else finding out what happened and how they got Cleo! I must protect our fame and if they die, Cleo will have only me and she will forget about the truth more easily!

Yeah… I guess I have pretty good ideas, but first I have to make Cleo accept me and this is why I came to take her from the airport in person and I took my measures to make sure nobody is going to ruin my plans!

You see, my parents couldn’t stay here and this is why I made them a ‘present’ and bought them tickets for a trip to England and more specifically to my mother’s old pack! I was sure Cleo would try to take advantage of their presence to keep me away by blackmail me she would tell them and it wasn’t difficult to think about this trip as a gift for them!

Also, I send Etan to a business trip to Canada as he has taken Cleo’s position back for about two months until William gets ready to be my Beta and replace Cleo, or at least this is what I said! So, with Etan absent Cleo won’t be able to keep me away from her and as for Adira… Well, she won’t be a problem because I’ve already explained to her that if she tries to stop me from approaching Cleo, I am going to tell Cleo everything and make her hate Adira for the rest of her life! I have to admit that this worked as she is really terrified and she didn’t try to stop me from coming here or from sending Etan away and I am excited and very pleased she feels so helpless, as in this way I am certain she won’t open her mouth and she won’t be an obstacle for me!

And next comes Gabriel! Yes, I guess this is a small surprise for you, but not for me! I had to find a good reason to make him leave, because if he and William are here together, they can be a huge problem for me and I needed the one of them away. I couldn’t find an explanation for William to leave, so I found one for Gabriel that by the way was too close to kill me the night we had Cleo’s ceremony taking place and I haven’t forgotten about it! And to explain what happened with him, let me tell you that I sent him to a mini seminar for Gammas in New York, he left about two days ago and he is going to be here in three or four days.

Moreover, this weakens Adelaine somehow and don’t get me wrong, I love her and she is pregnant and this is exactly why she won’t be able to be so ‘energetic’ or ‘aggressive’ with me and she won’t be a problem. She has gained too much weight, in some days she is going to give birth and she won’t try to risk the baby’s life and the same thing goes for my dear, traitor brother that won’t be able to be with Cleo all the time, as he spends too much time with Adel!

And last but not least we have Finn as Eliot is never going to betray me or leave my side for any reason! So, Finn can’t be a threat, as I know him and is aware of what I am capable of, he won’t try to get me furious, he means no harm to me, I am sure he won’t be a big deal!

I won’t even mention that Lillian is still in Australia to her sister’s (I wish I could kill her, but I can’t, not yet), so what do you think?

I am clever, aren’t I?

And after all these, I think I am more than ready to meet Cleo, although I am more nervous than ever and I feel her reaction won’t be what I want or wish! She is going to be angry and I have to be calm (the most I can).

She has no idea she is going to see me here and I am freaking out already! If she hates me that much, she won’t be happy and she will probably make a scene and I hate to think about it!

I really need her to accept just to come with me back to the pack and give me an opportunity to talk to her, I just need some time alone with her, that’s all!

I really miss her, I am dying to see her again and I know she is perfectly fine now (thanks God) from my parents and their discussions with Adira, Etan and the other guys (the previous days). I am very happy she is strong and healthy again, as I was feeling awful and guilty for her condition, it was my fault and I had a very hard time blaming myself for everything that happened, I nearly lost her!

I give a quick look at the bouquet of white lilies (and yes, I bought her a bouquet, I have to be nice, don’t I?) and bite my lower lip nervously. I do my best to stay calm and keep my heartbeat slow, but this is difficult and things get worse when I turn to look at the arrivals’ corridor and my eyes land on Cleo.

I lose my breath immediately, I open my mouth widely and the blood in my veins freezes, not only because she is more beautiful than ever, but also because she has stopped walking and she is staring at me like a statue and to be more specific a very furious one.

She is wearing a pair of black skinny jeans, black high heels that make her body look even more gorgeous that it already is and a white narrow, sleeveless top that reveals her neck, shoulders and beautiful, smooth sternum with her hair up on a pony tail and her face shining, but…

What the hell?!

She has her necklace!? The one she lost the night of the attack at Stella’s house!?

I thought I had listened to Etan saying she didn’t have it anymore, that it had probably fallen from her neck that night and nobody managed to find it! But now it has changed color… The precious stone is white and there was only one necklace, so what happened?

I have a very weird feeling about it and this is not a very good sign… I have to find out what happened, but how?

Damn it, stop it Thor… You have more important things to think about now as…

Her eyes have already turned darker and soon they are going to be completely black!

Her hard expression is killing me and I stiffen awkwardly fighting to find back my lost breath with Tucker moving ecstatic in my mind. He is making me dizzy and I gasp paralyzed with my eyes never leaving hers. I don’t know how I’m standing, I feel nothing except from a mix of enthusiasm, pain and fear!

I take one step forward instinctually ignoring everyone else around us although it takes me much effort as the airport is full of people and she presses her lips together with her hold around her leathered jacket and her bag (she has no luggage, she just came to take the rest of her things) getting tighter.

SHIT!

She is going to kill me no matter where the f**k we are right now!

What have I done and she hates me that much?

I didn’t do it on purpose, I asked from her to forgive me, I cried, I begged her to listen to me and look at her!

I love her and she doesn’t care at all, she behaves like I am her enemy and all I wanted to do was to figure out what to do, I…

No!

I am done stepping back, she has to come with me and have a good discussion on our way back to the pack!

Focus Thor, you are an Alpha, you are a man and her mate, she can’t avoid you for too long, not again, show her that she can’t walk away from you anymore, she must surrender!

I take a deep breath in hurry and start walking to her with determination passing by many other people around us. All this time I’m walking, she is not moving, she is just observing me approaching her and her eyes do get darker as the seconds pass.

Her scent hits my nose and soon feels my lungs and my body reacts immediately as my skin shudders and my stomach gets a mess like there are butterflies in it.

I smile with confident when I am about two meters from her and her jaw starts clenching, her cheeks turn red and she narrows her eyes in frustration.

I was right, nobody informed her and this is why she is so angry yet surprised, it was the last thing she was expecting!

“What the f**k are YOU doing HERE?” she asks through her teeth in a husky, unstable voice when I stop less than a meter from her.

I smile more, ignoring her rage and rude tone and decide to play it casually. I am going to behave like nothing has happened and everything is perfectly fine. Fighting with Cleo is pointless, because she is more stubborn than she was when we were kids and I know I won’t have many possibilities of winning, if I get mad.

“Welcome back! These are for you!” I say proudly and raise my right hand with the bouquet of white lilies to her.

She bites her lower lip to hold back a growl and gives a short look to the flowers. They were her favorite when we were younger and sometimes I was giving her some I had been ‘stealing’ from my mother’s at the pack house’s garden. She was blushing every time and their place was always in a vase on her bedside table.

We don’t move or talk for a while, I am looking at her without taking my gaze for her face and she is staring at the flowers with a blank expression. I can still smell her anger and I am getting nervous. I thought she would soften with the flowers, this small trick was successful every single time in the past.

“This does not answer my question, Walker!” she states angrier than before and grabs the bouquet from me and starts walking away to the closest exit.

Oh, thanks God!

See?

She is a good girl and I was right, it worked and she is coming with me, she is trying to control her rage although she is fighting to keep her temper in here.

I turn and join her side with quick, big steps and I smile with her not looking at me, she is trying to ignore me, but she won’t be able to do so once we stay alone…

Fuck, I really want to kiss her, but I mustn’t, not now…

“I wanted to come and take you back to the pack… I… How are you feeling? Did you have a good time? How did you spend your days?” I ask although I don’t want to know.

I mean, I hate the fact that Kevin was with her, she was not here next to me and it was so easy for her and she had such a great time as the others had been telling me. I am not ready to know, I will never be, but what else can I do?

I care about her and I have to show my interest and make her feel more comfortable and open up to me…

“I was perfect until some seconds ago and I had the best time of my life and do you know why?” she asks wildly shaking and stops next to some seats too close to one exit.

Fuck!

Why is she so difficult to be pleased and extremely angry?

I am trying here and she is killing me!

She turns her body to me one step away from exploding and raises on the air her left hand with the bouquet, but I prefer to lock my eyes on hers and ignore everything else.

I feel awful right now, her gaze is burning, she wants to kill me, I assure you!

“Because I was away from you, I couldn’t see you, listen to you and feel you! Because I forgot you exist and now you decided to continue your game and I hate it!” she states with disgust and with this she leaves the bouquet and it falls in the trash next to her and the seats.

She is breaking my heart right now, I totally mean it, I want to sob…

She has nothing to do with the Cleo I knew, she is someone else, it can’t be her!

My Cleo was never so selfish, rude, arrogant, cold and heartless!

“I am going nowhere with you, Walker! I stay here and you go back alone! Send someone else to come and pick me up, even Eliot would be better than you!” she continues and sits victoriously to one seat behind her with me staring at her frozen with open mouth unable to react.

She is making it way worse and I thought things couldn’t get worse in any case, because it was already a hell for me.

How is she doing this? Doesn’t she care at all?

“Cleo… Come with me, please...” I whisper nervously doing my best not to scream or cry and she smirks ironically.

“Cut the crap! Stop playing the nice, caring man, because both of us know you are a f*****g, lying asshole!” she replies with a low growl in the end and I exhale heavily, take a step reaching her and get ready to grab her from her arm, but she prevents me by grabbing my wrist.

I just lost the less patience I had left, I want to kill someone and her words triggered me. She is never pleased, she is acting like she never makes mistakes and she is perfect!

Fuck it, she asked for it, I tried to be gentle so many times and she never showed understanding!

“I said come with me or else…” I begin putting amends not to make a scene, but she stands up and pushes me away.

I look around me nervously and very ashamed and catch many people looking at us. This is the biggest humiliation I have even had in my life and all this because of her!

Damn her stupid, stubborn head!

“Leave or else I scream and accuse you of trying to take me with you by force!” she states breathless with her eyes almost black and I open my mouth gasping.

I can’t believe her!

“Are you serious? Why are you doing this?” I whisper in despair trying to be the most discreet I can and she sits down again.

“Because I am going nowhere with you, I know you well enough and I don’t trust you at all! And yes, I’m very serious, in fact I’m more serious than ever before!” she says in the same tone and I run my right hand through my hair shaking outraged.

Let me kill someone, please!

She is talking to me like I am nothing and she doesn’t know me at all!

I said I loved her, I confessed to her how I feel and I am willing to do anything for her, I want her in my life, I can’t live without her, I have already paid the prize for my mistakes, but she can’t get satisfied!

What if there is another man in her life?

Can she be in love with someone else?

I mean…

Is it Kevin or anyone else I have no idea about?

And what if this new necklace has to do with him?

Can it be?

Fuck my life! This makes perfect sense and if I am right, I will find and kill him, next lock her in a room and never set her free for the rest of her life!

She can’t do this to me, she is mine and only! I want her and she must want me right back, she can’t be with anyone except from me and do you know what?

I just thought of something and it won’t be very pleasing for her, but this is her decision…

I am going to find out the truth and give her a lesson to remember!

“Alright… As you wish… Finn is going to come to take you… We will have our time, don’t you ever think you can avoid me for too long…” I state and take a step backwards with her smiling challengingly.

Get me madder… It’s alright Cleo, I will release my anger on you and only… Just wait until you come to the pack…

“Yeah, sure… Keep dreaming! I hope the papers are ready, because one call and the King comes to take your head…” she speaks up and I shake my head in frustration.

Leave it for now Thor! You will be the winner…

I turn around without saying anything else and rush to the exit like a maniac, I am fuming, I feel nothing than rage and pain and Tucker is not feeling any better.

She is driving both of us crazy and we are done!

I take my phone from my trousers’ left pocket and unlock the screen in hurry. I go straight to the contacts and stop to Finn’s name without losing time. I start a call and put the phone close to my ear as I get outside and the cool breeze falls on my burning cheeks. It feels like I am on fire.

I wait impatiently for some seconds and when he answers my call, I sigh harshly.

“Thor? What is it?” he asks immediately with worry and I growl.

“Come at the airport to take Cleo. She is not coming with me!” I order shortly ready to end the call and he groans nervously.

“Alright…”

“NOW!” I growl and hang up before he tries to speak again.

That was it!

You asked for it, Cleo!

~at the same time, Diamond Heart Pack, pack house~

Adira’s pov

“What happened?” I ask panicked watching Finn’s nervous expression and he shakes his head in frustration.

I can’t calm down since Etan, Richard and Cassidy left! I mean, with them here (yes, even Etan) I was sure Thor would stay away from Cleo, but he got rid of them in the best way and he blackmailed me.

There are not many things I can do to keep him away from Cleo and this is why everything ends today! I informed Alexander, Austin and the others and I also called Cleo last night to tell her about Thor’s intention to go to the airport to pick her up.

I know I told him I wouldn’t tell her a thing, but she had to know, she had to be prepared and I hope she was convincing and she seemed too surprised. I trust her and I am hopeful Thor understood nothing, but now he must have been angry as Finn has fainted dangerously and I have a bad feeling.

I just want these next few hours to pass the sooner with her being safe and sound! She must leave and I won’t feel better until she gets in the car and leaves with Micah to Alexander’s pack.

They told me their plan and I agree, Finn thinks it’s a great idea and I am sure Cleo is going to follow him, the excuse is very good, she loves the pack and she is certainly going to believe everything!

I know my child, she is dying for this pack, so her decision is more than a fact for me and in this way Etan and Thor are going to pay for everything day by day, they are going to suffer and this is what I want!

“Cleo denied following Thor, he called me to go and take her… But he was too mad, he is up to something… Maybe we should call Austin or Alexander again…” he whispers after he gets sure nobody can listen to us and I place my hands on my lips ready to cry.

I knew it! He is insane and dangerous, he reminds me of Etan, he looks more like him day by day and this is terrifying!

If Finn is so worried and if I may say scared, we have to hurry even more, he is right!

“Go to take Cleo and I am calling Austin! Don’t leave Cleo’s side in any case… Be close to her until Micah arrives!” I whisper trembling and he nods quickly, caresses my arm in hurry and then turns and walks away heading to the stairs.

What am I going to do?

This won’t have a good outcome, I feel it!

Cleo is strong, the strongest woman I know, she is just like Maya, but Thor is sick like Etan and I have seen the hell taking place in front of my eyes once, I won’t bear to see it again, not with my child, not her!

I can’t underestimate Thor, I mustn’t and maybe Alexander has to come and stay close as well… I mean… I trust Micah, he is certainly stronger than Thor, but with Alexander I am going to feel even better, more confident!

His bond with Cleo got stronger, she got excited with him although she told me nothing. I know my daughter is confused as she has no idea about the white wolf and Alexander being the same man, but I listened to her voice and it was enough for me to understand that things got perfect. Also, I talked with Alexander after Etan left and he told me everything, even Kevin called me to tell me details and I am glad she liked him so much and she has his heart now.

She deserves only the best and Alexander is the best man there is, she is going to be happy with him and I am sure they are going to end up together although he insists on not telling her he is the white wolf!

Anyway…

I must call Austin!

I run to Finn’s office in the end of the corridor and get in with nobody on this floor. I close the door behind me and then lock it exhaling relieved. I can’t call them from any other phone, because they are going to understand it. I have my secret cell phone very well hidden as the last thing I want is Etan finding it and I avoid calling from Cleo’s office’s phone, because he has taken her place again and he might see it from the account in the end of the month.

I run to the desk, sit on Finn’s chair and take the phone with shaking hands. I create Austin’s number the fastest I can and take a short breath. I wait for Austin and tap my fingers on the wooden desk in agony and it doesn’t take him long enough to pick it up.

“Aunt?”

“My boy…” I whisper feeling some tears building up as my bad feeling gets more intense second by second and my wolf signs for me to calm down and be strong.

She is right, I have to be strong just for some more hours, but it’s difficult, I feel powerless!

“What is wrong? Is my sister alright? Is she there?” he asks worried and I clear my throat determined.

The sooner I tell him, the better for all of us and most importantly for Cleo!

“Austin, Finn is going to bring her to the pack… She denied leaving with Thor as we had imagined, but Finn said Thor sounded out of control and I am freaking out! Is Micah ready? The fake papers?” I say in despair and he curses under his breath the second I finish.

He is not wrong for getting angry, he lives for the moment he is going to hug his sister and he really needs her! He is such a sweet boy, I wish I could meet him just for once, but anyway… What matters me is that he is alright and strong!

“Yes, don’t worry, I’m going to tell him and our men to begin now! Do you want me to tell Alexander to be around there? Well, I am sure he is going to come anyway, if I tell him all these…” he replies quickly and I hold back a cry of relief.

“Yes, please tell them! We must hurry, we can’t risk it now we are in the end!” I whisper breathless and he groans in agreement.

Thanks Goddess I have them all these years although I never met them! They are my rocks and I wouldn’t have made it without them supporting and encouraging me. I know I promised to Maya that I would never step back, but there were many times I was terrified and desperate and I thought I was done and Alexander, Austin, even Melody, Xavier and Dylan talked to me and gave me strength to continue.

I owe them everything and I am glad Cleo is going to be safe and sound with her family in her real pack!

I am going to stay back with the monster although, but it’s fine. I have to keep on being close to him to make sure he won’t find out anything and they will be safe.

They deserve it and I owe it not only to Maya, but also to…

“Aunt?” Austin says worried bringing me back to reality and I blink my eyes realizing I am crying.

God!

“Yes?” I mutter emotional in a try to sound calm, but I am sure I have failed.

“I have to go and… Before this I need to tell you something…”

Oh, s**t! I won’t bear it, he is hurt, I can hear it in his voice.

“Anything you want sweetheart!” I say gasping with more tears falling from my eyes and my wolf letting out painful, low howls.

“I love you very much, I am never going to leave you alone and… I promise you, one day I will come to kill him and take you with me!”

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

Hello my dear friends!

This is the 20th chapter and and I am sorry I got late and the other books are going to be late as well (I mean not in five days but in one week), but I had a small accident, I injured some of my fingers and I needed a small break, things are quite weird and not so easy for me these days!

Anyway, everything is getting betters now, tomorrow I am updating His Rejected Queen and on Saturday Alpha's Abused Mate so get ready!

Also, I would like to tell you that there is a problem with the comments, I can't see many of them (in all the stories), I don't know what is happening, so I can't reply to them yet, because I want to answer to all of you and not only some, but I want you to know that I did read them all and I was planning to answer to them today with the new chapter as always, but this happened and I can't yet! I sent an email to the techicians (the support team) and I am waiting for their answer, I hope they can fix it!  

And at this point I really need to know your thoughts and feelings so please let me know!

What do you think about this chapter? What about what Thor said? What about his plans? How do you feel about his way of thinking? And how do you feel about what happened between him and Cleo? What about what Adira said and Alexander's plan, do you have anything in mind as to what is going to happen? How do you feel about Adira's discussion with Austin? What is going to happen next?

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 because my memory is not very well, 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.

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!