Cleo's Heart Decisions.

'Last' Breath!

Take a breathe and remember, anything can change the next second for ther worst or for the... Best!

~about two days later, Diamond Heart Pack, hospital~

Cleo’s pov

I hug Adel that is crying hysterically and narrow my eyes annoyed from her high screams.

She is behaving like someone is dying and I know this is happening because of her hormones, but how much can I take?

I am already overwhelmed for lots of reasons as I am leaving (finally) and I am still exhausted mentally and physically. I haven’t recovered completely yet, but I am much better and in condition to travel with Kevin (I know you just got excited, you have to see me).

Anyway, I’ll have time to talk to you about it, I have a crazy Adel to deal with!

“Come on, you are crying like I am dying, going to war or leaving for another planet!” I say in sympathy and caress her back and her cries turn stronger in less than a second.

SHIT!

What did I tell her now?

I am right, aren’t I?

“Adel, think about the baby and stop! I feel horrible here!” I continue with guilt and she gasps tightening her hold around me.

Oh… This hurts, I am better, but not perfectly fine and she just reminded me of my mother’s bear hugs that break my bones!

God, pregnancy changes the woman, it is transforming her to a super hero or something familiar!

“I am sorry, it’s just so damn emotional!” she mutters through her cries and taps my back with everyone looking at us touched.

Yes!

All except from Thor and Elliot! Cool, right?

I have already greeted Richard, Cassidy, William and Gabriel! I have to do the same with Ava and Finn next and then they are going to get out to leave me with my parents, Kevin and the doctor!

“I know, but you have cried already enough the last two days! I am fine now and this is not the last time you see me!” I reply and she pulls back nodding with a small smile.

“You’re right, I have to calm down…” she whispers and I kiss her cheek some times making her chuckle.

Oh, my girl is sweet like a chocolate cupcake!

“Yes! And I want you to take care of Ava for me!”I say next and both of us turn to Ava that sniffles and walks to us to join our hug.

I feel really bad I am leaving Ava to be honest, it’s worse than it is with all the others, because Ava needs help, protection and support and it’s like I am abandoning her, I feel guilty for this!

I wish I could take her with me, but I know I can’t, at least for now! I hope Adelaine can make it now that she is going to stay without me, or else I am going to tell William about it to make sure he is going to help Adel and take care of Ava!

“I am going to miss you!” Ava whispers once I pull her in my arms and I smile doing my best not to cry.

“I am going to miss you more and I don’t have to tell you to call me any time you want! Take care of yourself and if you ever want, come to see me!” I say breathless and she nods quickly.

“I will, don’t worry! I will be with Adel and the baby now that she is going to give birth!” she whispers with meaning and quite enthusiastic and I sign satisfied.

We break our hug really unwillingly and she takes some steps back with Adelaine. William and Gabriel join their side and the last I have to greet now is Finn that steps forward with a nervous yet melancholic smile.

Do you know what?

I think I like him and he is not that bad after all! It was a small shock for me to know that he saved me and I am alive because he came here in time and did his best to come back the fastest he could! And also, he had been visiting me these last two days with William and the guys although he wasn’t talking. Even my mom likes him now, I have never seen her so positive to him!

Maybe I was wrong for him, but he had given me reasons not to like him back then!

“Thank you for everything again Finn, I owe you, I am never going to forget what you did for me!” I say as I raise my hand to him and he takes it immediately.

His smile is very charming and honest if you ask me, he is happy I guess, I don’t know him so well, but I can’t be so wrong this time!

“I am glad you are alright and I could help!” he replies and gives my hand a squeeze when the doctor clears his throat and I turn to him in understanding.

It is almost time to leave from hospital, because I have to go and talk with Thor as well and he needs to tell me and Kevin some things first.

“Alright, we are going to wait for you outside!” Richard states and they all nod.

I leave Finn’s hand and observe them getting out in silence. First are Richard and Cassidy, next goes Finn and William and in the end is Gabriel with Ava and Adel. The door closes some seconds later and I sit again on the bed with my parents to the right and left of me with Kevin standing next to my father. The doctor is standing a meter from me and he looks calm and pleased with the turn things have taken and I agree with him!

He really helped me and he is happy for me, he took my side!

“Okay, I want you to be careful like I have already told you! Try not to get tired for the next couple of days, don’t shift for one week, eat the most you can and try to drink water, because you need fluids more than the usual and rest! Have fun, but do not pressure yourself! Sleep at least 8 hours every night and take a nap the afternoons. Also, in one week from now I want you to go the pack’s hospital to have some blood tests and when the results are ready, send them to me just to check on them! Kevin, if she doesn’t follow my instructions, call me immediately and make sure you take control of the situation!” he says and in the end turns to Kevin that nods firmly with a smirk that makes me roll my eyes and my dad giggles.

Men…

They are acting like I can’t take care of myself, but I know they love me a lot and they are worried, so this is saving them from my protests and nagging.

“Great then! I am leaving you and I will be looking forward to see you again in about two weeks, Beta! Once you come, pay me a visit!” the doctor continues and I stand up to hug him.

I like him, he is amazing! He supported me from the first moment and he kept away Thor by telling my mom to stay here with me all the time, not that my mom didn’t want to…

“Thank you, I will come to see you once I am back!” I say warmly and he smiles.

“I will be waiting! You have been my favorite patient so far!” he speaks back and I laugh as we break our hug and he turns to walk out.

The second I stay alone with my parents and Kevin I sigh heavily like a weight has left from my shoulders and Clea purrs.

At this point I have to tell you that I’m better than the expected, but not as perfect as I would like! I am not in pain anymore, but my body feels sore sometimes and when they hug me tightly, I feel a small annoyance. I am also eating from last night, I couldn’t the first two days, because my stomach was a mess and I was dizzy most of the times, but now I am glad my appetite is back and last night I almost threw up, because I ate too much!

One more thing that frustrates me, but I can’t change it, is that I am sleeping way too much! Seriously, I am sleeping for about 15 hours a day and this is the first time it’s happening!

And last, but not least is that Clea is not dizzy anymore! She is full of energy, she is the strong, crazy, confident Clea I know and this is the biggest relief for me! I don’t know what I would have done without her, I can’t live without Clea, I mean it! If anything had happened to her I would have killed Thor and…

“Come to your old man, baby girl!” my father says bringing me back to reality and before I realize it, I am finding myself in his arms and I bury my face in his hard chest smiling.

God! His heartbeat is strong and steady which means he is calm and I wasn’t expecting it. I am leaving and this is happening, because he wanted me to go and I thought I was dreaming at the beginning!

Do you believe it?

He was the first that agreed with me leaving and going to Kevin’s for as long as I want! He was more than excited and we had the opportunity to talk about everything (except from Thor and the truth about the rogues and the white wolf).

He said he is sorry for the way he reacted and everything he told me when I announced him and my mom about going to join the King’s army and he gave me his blessing for anything I decide to do in my life from now on. He explained to me that he was hurt and it was sudden for him, he doesn’t want me to go and I already knew it, but now he wants me to do whatever makes me happy and he is going to support me.

I am more than grateful he changed his mind and I have him by my side again! He is my rock, I needed his agreement, because I feel safer in this way and also, I am surprised for one more thing!

You see, my dad adores Kevin, I mean it and it’s too difficult for me to believe!

These two are too close, they are always together and my dad is not jealous of Kevin or annoyed he is here! His behavior has nothing to do with this he had some days ago and I can’t complain. I like them together, they are talking, Kevin is not nervous, they like discussing and they have a common point, they are crazy for me!

Both of them are killing me with their over protectiveness, but they are cute and I am patient although it is getting on my nerves!

“I love you more than anything and I am very proud of you! I wish you the best, have fun and take care of yourself, I will be waiting for you!” he says and kisses my forehead with my mom approaching us.

And now I want to sob!

I hug her tightly not caring about the small wave of pain and take her scent with long deep breaths as she is hugging me right back.

What can I say about her?

She never left my side, she had been sleeping on a chair next to me most of the times, but then I demanded to sleep together on my bed and my dad took my side and we convinced her and she is extremely tired, but she hasn’t complained at all!

She is the usual, strong mother I know, she is my angel and I feel bad for what happened and for having her here constantly! She is exhausted, from her expression I know she needs some peace and it is more than necessary for her to rest.

Also, I can’t forget to commend my dad’s behavior to her. I mean… I have never seen him running behind her like a lost puppy! Alright, he was always serious in front of me, he is not so expressive with her when they are not alone although he loves her, but now…

He is acting like they have just met and he is crazy for her, I am impressed yet happy for them! He is behaving like a teenager, really, this is fantastic and my mom feels awkward when he is hugging or kissing her in front of me. Even Kevin is speechless and feels weird, but we are trying to be discreet!

“I am going to miss you! I will be calling you and if anything happens and you need us, tell me immediately!” she whispers touched and I nod trembling.

“I am going to miss you more! I want you to rest and relax now, okay? I will be fine!” I say forcing myself not to cry again and my dad smiles tapping Kevin’s back.

“Okay, I will! I love you more than anything else!” she says and I kiss her cheek lots of times making her laugh.

“I love you more!” I whisper although my dad can listen to us and smirks teasingly.

“Are we ready now? Don’t forget you have to talk to Thor before we leave and we don’t want you to miss the flight!” he says next and I shake my head nervously.

Well, now comes the worst yet best part!

I have to go and ‘talk’ with Thor, it won’t be a talk, but anyway…

He asked to see me before I leave and I couldn’t deny, because he did it in front of our parents! To be honest I have no problem to go and talk to him in his office, it will be better, I am doing it only typically! I am leaving anyway, you see, I called the King, I told him everything and he got upset, worried yet angry!

He wanted to come, but I said it would be better, if he didn’t and I asked from him to rest for some weeks before I go, I wanted to delay the process and he agreed without second thought!

This is why I am going to Kevin’s pack and for the next two months I will be there and I will come back here only for one more time (probably in about two weeks) to pack all of my things and sign the necessary papers with Thor, as I won’t be this pack’s member and Beta anymore!

Thor didn’t like anything of all these, but he couldn’t do otherwise, because the King himself called him and it was my last big hit to him and now I am going to ‘end’ it!

“Yes, we are ready, dad!” I state and turn to Kevin that gives me a firm nod.

I am more than ready!

~at the same time, Thor’s office~

Thor’s pov

I tap my fingers on my desk and sigh heavily.

I think I am dying, this is a nightmare and I am going to wake up soon!

Three days now I am not eating, I can’t sleep, I am locked in my office and I am getting out only to go and see Cleo with everybody else, because she doesn’t want to stay alone with me and I had to play smartly to see her alone now!

She hates me, I know she does and she doesn’t want me at all! She is never talking when I am there, she is not even looking at me, it’s like I do not exist for her and this is killing me!

I am suffering, I want to tell her how sorry I am, but I can’t find the right moment, she is doing it on purpose and in this way she is rejecting me and my heart is breaking! I know I did wrong, I have no problem to admit it, but I need one chance, I have to explain why I did what I did!

My wolf is not talking, he is just screaming, howling or roaring when he is not blocking me and he is not supporting me! I am alone and I don’t know how to deal with it! I am relieved only for two reasons, the first one is that my parents believe I am a mess because of what happened to Cleo and she is leaving the pack which is technically the truth, but not all of it and the second is that Lillian is not here. I sent her to Australia, again, I had no patience to see her, I would have killed her and Elliot took her yesterday at the airport!

Anyway, I don’t care about her!

Cleo is leaving today and she is going to come back only for once more in some days and I can do nothing to change this! The King called me, she talked to him, he knows everything and he was mad at me, well not mad! Furious!

I thought he would come here to kill me, I swear and the weird thing is that he didn’t even shouted, his tone was low, but I could feel his rage and I couldn’t say a word!

He is the King, he orders and my word has no power in front of his!

I am trapped, I have no other option than let her leave and my heart can’t bear it!

All these days I was watching her suffering and I don’t know how I have made it till now! The first day she was in great pain, she wasn’t moving, she was barely talking and she was broken, her expression is something I am never going to forget! She couldn’t stand up until yesterday noon as well and she had eaten nothing until last night! Believe me, it was the worst torture for me and not only for her!

It was my fault and I am regretting it, I am truly regretting it!

I jump up when I hear a knock at the door and her scent hits my nose. My wolf starts howling again and I stand up nervously the very next second when the door opens without me telling her to come in!

SHIT!

She cares about nothing, she has never doing anything like this in the past, she was always very appropriate and now she is the exact opposite thing, she is not even polite!

I observe her getting in and closing the door behind her without looking at me for even a second and I lose my breath. She is beautiful!

It’s like nothing has happened and she is perfectly fine!

She is wearing a midi, narrow, dark blue dress with a pair of flat, black boots and a leathered black jacket. Her hair is down in its usual natural big waves and she has no sign of makeup, but her skin looks amazing and her scent…

Good!

How am I supposed to let her go?

She closes the door and turns to walk immediately and take one of the two seats in front of my desk, she doesn’t bow, she is still ignoring me and I can’t blame her! She doesn’t respect me and it hurts me, but I guess I asked for it with my actions.

I clear my throat nervously and force myself to stop shaking, because right now I am shaking like a leaf and I can’t breathe or move, my heart is not beating!

I stay like a statue with my eyes locked on her and she lifts her head to look at me some seconds later. I lose the ground under me when her eyes meet mine and her cold gaze makes my skin shudder.

She hates me, I can see the disgust and hatred in them, they are almost black and they are shining dangerously.

For a while I can do nothing, I don’t think, I feel only pain and desperation, but soon I manage to take a short breath and walk nervously to the other seat next to hers.

All this time she says nothing, she is just following my every move with her eyes and when I sit and try to touch her hand, she snaps mine away and I can’t hold my tears back for more. I start crying breathless and a sob escapes my lips.

I can’t do this anymore!

“I am so sorry! I am so, so sorry!” I whisper ready to touch her again with my tears falling like rivers, but for once more she snaps my hands away and her eyes get darker.

I can smell her anger and I don’t know what to do! It’s the first time she is so silent and this is scary!

“You kept your promise, congratulations!” she states coldly and I hold back another sob.

It doesn’t sound like her, it’s like her ghost is talking to me, I can’t recognize her and her aura has changed as well, it’s more imposing than ever!

“I didn’t want this to happen, I had no idea what was happening, I am sorry! I swear, I…”

“Did you feel any pain?” she cuts me off abruptly before I say more and I lower my head embarrassed.

I was blocking her completely, I was so mad that I felt nothing, no pain, no annoyance…

This is what an asshole I am!

“I see!” she says under her breath when she gets sure I won’t reply and I wipe my tears trembling and gasping.

“I didn’t know! I did everything, because I wanted to make you understand I am important to you! I didn’t want you to leave, I was jealous and mad, I didn’t want to lose you and I still don’t!” I say in despair and she smirks ironically making my heart tighten even more with me unable to breathe again.

“But this is what you managed to do! You lost me for good!” she replies shortly with an emotionless expression.

“I…”

“NO!” she states before I continue and raises her hand to prevent me from trying again.

“I am talking now!” she adds and I nod timidly defeated.

“I was patient, I tried to understand you many times, to understand what I had done and you didn’t want me and left from my life like that some years ago! I wanted to know why you changed your mind about us even as friends and I was hurt when you said you don’t want me, because I did want you as my mate, but I have a dignity as well and I couldn’t accept your insanity and mixed signals! I was in pain, because I did love you, but you made me cold and distant with your behavior. I know I am not perfect, but I know I don’t deserve anything like this and this treatment from anyone, not even you! I didn’t want you, because of you, you expected from me to run behind you like a desperate, weak girl?! I was never like that and I will never be! I did my best to be discreet and not challenge you, but you kept on hurting me more day by day, you never stopped!” she says and I bury my face in my hands unable to look at her deadly gaze for more.

She feels nothing, she doesn’t love me, she is saying the truth and the pain has crossed every limit there is.

Knowing that she did want me and I was so blind and selfish is killing me from guilt.

“You want everything for yourself, but you’re willing to give nothing, not even an explanation and I can’t understand you anymore, but I don’t want to now! Maybe I would have thought to give you a chance, if you had explained yourself and you had asked from me one more, but not anymore!” she says next and I leave my hands fall down while leaning closer to her.

“Please, I…”

“No! Everything is over from the second you marked her!” she states and stands up before I touch her.

“Cleo, I…”

“You nothing!” she interrupts me furiously for the first time and takes a step back ready to turn and leave.

“We are done Thor, for now and forever!”

~at the same time, somewhere too far away~

Alexander’s pov

I put one last shirt in my suitcase and turn to Austin, Micah and Jonah when the first clears his throat discreetly and gives me a wicked smile.

I think I am going to kill him although I love him and I consider him as my own brother, seriously!

I don’t know why I told them to come, Avery is more than enough and she feels sympathy, she is not teasing me, she is standing on my side like always and she is my secret angel!

And I think I have to explain who they are and tell you some more about this little, funny asshole, Austin!

Well, Avery is my one and only baby sister! She is 18 years old and one of my biggest weaknesses! I am seven years older than her, but we were always very close, because she is too mature for her age and how could she not be when she had always me and the guys around her? She is the younger one and the only girl and we were always behind her, we somehow spoiled her, but in the good way and she deserved it!

Next is Micah, the second Beta I have as this pack is larger than the usual and Austin needs help and Micah is great and cooperates perfectly with him! These two have many things in common, but Micah is more serious most of the times and Austin is more energetic and expressive! Also, Micah is the second oldest friend of mine because he is one year younger than me (24) and we have never left each other for any reason!

After him is Jonah, the Gamma and older one between us! He is 27 years old and for years he was behaving like our big brother, well he was in a way, but when I turned 18 and I became the pack’s Alpha, I took the ‘leadership’ in this sector as well! I really love him, he is something between the crazy Austin and the serious Micah and extremely clever! He doesn’t talk too much, but when he does, one word is enough to make you laugh or shut up (it depends on what he says)!

And last but not least, is the tornado himself, Austin, my first Beta, my Cleo’s older brother and my chosen brother! Seriously, I can’t imagine my life without him even though we’re quite different and his pranks and teases (when he is in this mood) are frustrating me!

We are closer than I am with the guys, because of what is happening with Cleo and, because we have some more things in common except from her!

You see, our grandparents are friends like us since they were kids and they were the Alpha and Beta of the pack before our fathers and after their deaths! Yes, both of us lost them when we were kids for different reasons and we grew up without them! We had only our mothers and grandpas that took the weight of the family and the pack again on their own shoulders as our grandmas are not alive either!

Also, our mothers are best friends from when they were kids and they are like sisters. These two and my father grew up together in this pack and Maya (Austin and Cleo’s mother) met her mate later and he came here and joined us!

So, I guess you understand why I feel so close to Austin and the facts that I have chosen Cleo as for my mate and she seems to love my wolf (she hasn’t met me yet), I am doing my best to protect her and she had been missing all these years, are making our bond even stronger! We want the same things with Austin and we share each other’s feelings, we are one!

“Say it, I know this look!” I hiss through my teeth as Avery hands me the last pair of black trousers and he sits up as he was lying on my bed like it’s his (yes, he does it).

He is surely going to tell me to get dressed more elegant than ever at Bree’s ceremony where I am going to meet Cleo for the very first time and then I am going to kick his ass, because he is doing it on purpose! He knows I am getting panicked for meeting her and this has never happened again with nobody else and he wants to make me feel worse, because he is enjoying it!

“Kevin just texted me! He and Cleo just left the pack and she is prefect!” he replies raising his phone and the guys nod to confirm it.

I smile excited yet relieved (like all of them) and leave the trousers as Avery opens her arms to hug me and I laugh again after lots of months.

God!

I am so happy I want to scream! This cousin of mine is a genius and Adira with Finn are remarkably strong and brave! I am glad I believed in Finn that night, Adira needed him and I was always worried about her!

She is in more pain than all of us, even Maya that doesn’t have Cleo, because Maya is here now and she is safe, but Adira…

Man, I think this woman is blessed from the Goddess, there is no other explanation about it!

“We have to tell the others as well! Maya is waiting!” Micah says cheerfully and I nod looking at Austin that shakes his head in agreement.

Yes, he is right! Maya is the first that must know!

“I will go, don’t worry!” Avery says and pulls me closer to kiss my cheek (I am tall, I am sorry).

“I am very happy for you, brother! You are finally going to see her!” she says ready to cry and I kiss her forehead.

“Yes, but nothing has happened yet and I can’t tell her who I really am! She mustn’t know about Axel!” I remind her nervously and my wolf (speak of the devil) groans in annoyance with his eyes narrowed.

He agrees with me as for my general plan, but when I am nervous he is getting mad and I understand him! He wants me more optimistic while I want to be more self-collected.

“Oh, come on! Everything is going to be perfect for the two of you! She is going to love you just like you love her!” Avery ‘scolds’ me firmly and I bite my lower lip.

I hope so, I am dying for Cleo from the moment I saw her, she is my everything!

“And she is going to come here to us and her real home in any case!” Jonah says confidently and points Micah that smirks devilishly.

Mmm, yes! I have plans for Micah and all the family agreed, he is more than enthusiastic for what I am preparing for Thor Walker and Etan Taylors…

“Yes, the guys are right, my dear brother in law! Nothing can stop us now!” it’s Austin’s turn to say and Avery caresses my cheek smiling warmly.

Now that I am thinking about it, they have a big point, all of them!

I am going to see Cleo at Bree’s ceremony is some days from now, Kevin is going to take care of her and when Cleo goes back to her pack, I am going to strike and take my revenge!

I am going to bring Etan and Thor to their knees for everything they did!

“Do you have everything you are going to need for your trip? Is everything ready? Do you need anything else?” Jonah asks me bringing me back to reality and I snap my head to him breathless.

“Everything is almost ready…” I mutter and they all smile in understanding.

They know what is missing and it’s not only one thing, they’re two…

The two hearts with the music boxes or to say it better…

Cleo’s and mine hearts, our hearts’ necklaces!

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

Hello my dear friends!

This is the 18th chapter and I am sorry for the small delay but real life happens sometimes and this is why I think this chapter is very pleasing in lots of ways!

Get ready, Alexander and Cleo are going to meet each other and I finally put his perspective!

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

What do you think about this chapter? What about what Cleo said about her parents and Finn? What about Thor? How do you feel about his meeting with Cleo? And how do you feel about Alexander and everything he said? What about the not one but two hearts (I wanted it to be a surprise)? What is going to happen next?

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 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!