Whatever it takes

Chapter 2

PARKER'S POV 

 After what felt like hours she finally turned her stare on me and began to study my face. After a minute she brought her hand up and ran it along the cut on my eyebrow and along my cut lip before pulling her hand away and picking up a pen and pad. She began to write as I watched curiously, once finished she held it up to me....so she still couldn’t talk? It’d been three days now. My guilt hit me again.

 “Did one of my brothers do that to you?” I read out loud. “No, my dad, he was pretty angry after seeing you and your parents at the hospital,” I answered and waited for her to write again. This Is it because of me? I watched her chew on her lip nervously as she waited for me to read it, “I deserved it and I deserve everything coming my way Alexa.” 

 She frowned and wrote quickly What do you mean? I chuckled out of nervousness, “I’ve been striped of my future Alpha title, I’ve been kicked out of my house. None of my family are talking to me. My dad attacked me and said I was no son of his...I’m still to be punished for what I did to you.”

 ALEX'S POV

 I sat thinking about what he’d just said and it bothered me very much, grabbing my pen again I began to write. Holding it up to him I waited for him to read it. “What kind of punishment?” he read out. “I’m not sure, no one has spoken to me about it, I’ve spent two days in the cells hanging by chains,” he said and held out his wrists.

 My eyes went wide and before I realised I’d pulled his arm to me and ran my fingers over the red marks across his wrist. “We need to stop his suffering” Faye said. “And what about my suffering? I can’t talk, he did that to me.” I replied, but she was right, the urge to make him feel better was overpowering. “I know, but he’s our mate, I’m sure he didn’t mean it, I’m getting a bad feeling about something Alexa.” I ignored her and looked up at him to find him watching our hands, my fingers had laced into his...I don’t remember doing that. “It was me...mate pull, it’s what we do, we love him we can’t hate our mate, we need to learn how to forgive him and move on,” Faye said.

 “I’m sorry,” he said again and squeezed my hand, “I will do whatever you want me to do to make this up to you. You just name it and I’ll do it, I’m sure you’ve guessed that we’re mates? I can feel it....can you?” I nodded and pulled my hand from his, I grabbed the pen and started to write. This was getting too much, I had a lot to think about, I still couldn’t believe he was my mate. Did the moon Goddess have some sort of plan or test for us? 

I need to get back to my room, my dad gave me fifteen minutes, if he comes looking and sees you he'll flip,” he read and looked up at me. “Okay,” he nodded and stood up, I could have sworn I saw disappointment cross his face “oh, wait,” he said and pulled a box from his pocket. “This is why I came to see you...uh, happy birthday,” he said and held it out to me.

 I frowned and took it from him, looking up at him and mouthed ‘thank you' with a small smile. “I’m sorry I ruined your big birthday,” he said seriously. I shrugged and smiled at him, I didn’t want a party anyway, my mom insisted. He walked to me and stopped a little away from me, “I hope you’re home soon, and again I’m so so sorry about what happened, I’ll totally understand if you want to reject me,” he said and walked off. I hurried after him and tugged on his arm.

 He turned back to me and waited for me to write. Come see me here tomorrow night at nine?” he read. A smile crossed his face, he reached out and stroked my cheek, “I’ll be here, you better get back inside.” I smiled widely and waved before turning my back and walking away. There was no point trying to talk properly when I couldn’t actually talk....I was pissed off with this writing thing already. 

Getting back to my room I was happy to see my mom asleep in the chair and no one else in the room. Don’t get me wrong, I love my mom dearly but since I’d woken she’s constantly by my side....even if I needed to pee! It was a relief to have a few minutes to myself to just breath. Sitting on my bed I pulled the wrap off the present Parker had given me and my eyes went wide...A phone! He'd gotten my a bloody phone!!

 I smiled and pulled it open, smiling wider when there was a sticky note inside ‘happy birthday Alexa, if you can forgive me in time I’d like to give you the eighteenth you deserve, love Parker xx' I smiled again, that i***t was my mate...pretty sure I was gonna forgive him-that is after he jumps through a lot of hoops of course.

 Parker's  POV 

I sighed as I made my way back to my house, I knew my dad was away for the night so I hoped I could slip in get a shower some food and a good sleep. I quietly let myself in and listened for any movement from my mom or my sister, it wouldn’t be pretty if I ran into either of the. Closing the door I hurried up the stairs and into my room-jumping a mile when my phone beeped in my pocket. Pulling it from my pocket I frowned at the unknown number that had just sent me a message.

 Opening it up I read quickly and couldn’t help the smile that crossed my face. Thank you for my phone it was really sweet of you Parker you really didn't have  to xx I replied right away my idea of food and a shower abandoned. I lay back on my bed and looked at what I’d replied while I waited for her to reply...it seemed okay it's only the beginning Alexa, I meant what I said in the note I promise I will make this up to you, I'll do whatever you want I'll do anything!!!

 I chewed on my lip nervously as I saw she was typing, my heart beat faster as a reply came through. I think it's best you stay away from me for a while Parker? My whole family is out for your blood. I don't want you to get hurt ( still meet me tomorrow  night though)xxx My heart plummeted, stay away from her? She was my mate, I wanted nothing more than to be by her side, how could I stay away from her? I sighed and replied.

If that's what you want, I can't make any promises though. I want nothing more than to see you I don't care what they do to me xx I blew out a deep breath and rested the phone on my chest, it was her call, I had to do what she wanted. I looked down as it beeped again. 

Parker please? I need time to figure things out, I need to figure out how I feel about you being my mate. I'm going to have to tell my parents you're  my mate too, I know they'll want me to reject you. They'll  try keep me away from you, please? I need time xxx I sighed and scrubbed my hands over my face, I needed to respect her wishes and give her what she wanted, thinking for a moment I replied.

Whatever you want I will do, I'll give you as much time as you need, but if you don't reject me and we do want to be together there is not a power on this earth that will stop me. Get some sleep it's late, I'll see you tomorrow xxx, I threw my phone down and decided to go get a shower and leave it at that or I would turn up at that hospital.

 She replied with ‘thank you, take care of yourself, 9pm don’t be late xxx 

ALEXA'S POV

 It was now ten past nine and still no sign of Parker, I was getting worried. What if something happened to him? What if his father beat him again? What if he just wasn’t coming? “Calm down girl, he’ll be here,” Faye said trying to reassure me. “What if he's decided he doesn’t want us? What if he found someone better? What if he thinks we're not worth it?” I ramble back.

 “Alexa,” she sighed, “you need to calm down, he wants us, he'll be here, you saw the messages last night, chill.” “Sorry,” I sighed and sat on the rock, “I’m just worried about him I’m worried he'll change his mind about us and reject us.” I heard a twig snap behind me and my body went tense, before I could turn around his scent washed over me making me relax. 

I stood up and turned around, my heart fluttered, he came, his smile told me I was worrying for nothing. “Hey beautiful,” he said once he got to me. I smiled at him and couldn’t help but walk into his arms and wrap my arms around him. He brought his arms down around me and held me tight against him sending shivers all over my body, “what’s the matter?” he asked in my ear when I didn’t let go. I shook my head and buried myself even further into him, I don’t know what was wrong with me, I just wanted him to hold me. “You freaked yourself out, you need reassurance he wants us,” Faye said.

 Before I could reply to her Parker pulled me back a little and looked down on me, his eyes held concern and worry. “Did something happen? Did anything happen with the doctor today?” I shook my head and just stared at him like an i***t. “So why are you all tense and worried then?” he asked as he rubbed my back. I took him by the hand and pulled him to the rock where my notebook was, scribbling a quick message I held it up and looked away as he read it. 

I thought you weren’t coming....I thought you'd changed your mind. I could feel him looking at me but I still couldn’t look at him, part of me felt like he was going to blow us off and break my heart. I nearly jumped a mile when his fingers came under my chin, he titled my head back and stepped closer to me. “Alex, I’m not going anywhere, I told you last night, whatever it takes I’ll do. I’m late because there were people around and if they saw me I didn’t think I’d make it at all.” Alex?! He called me Alex! He gave me a nickname! I was so happy right now. I moved closer to him and stood on my toes, inching closer to his face I stopped and decided to let him close the distance....if he wanted to.

 His arms went to my waist, he pulled me a little closer before his lips closed over mine kissing me slowly. I was ready to burst with happiness, my insides were hot with fire, my heart was beating so fast, Faye was howling in my mind. My hands found their way into his hair as the kiss deepened. His hands rested on my back as his tongue swiped at my lip, I quickly granted him access. It was heaven, his tongue danced with mine, both fighting for control. 

PARKER'S POV

After a minute I pulled back and rested my forehead against hers, “I’ve been thinking about you all night,” I said huskily. She smiled and pecked me quickly, this was good right? She wanted to be with me? She pulled away from me and I couldn’t help but growl in protest. Watching her grab her notebook I waited for her to write. ‘Sit,’ she wrote and pointed to the ground at the rock. I chuckled and did what she asked, as soon as she sat beside me I pulled her to me and held her against me, “did the doctor see you today?” I asked after a minute. She nodded and I looked down as she began to write. ‘Very little improvement, but he did say it looked like it was mending. He even said I could go home tomorrow for a day or two, now my wolf is here he thinks being in my own surroundings might help.’ 

“That’s great,” I smiled and dropped a kiss on her head. I wanted nothing more than her to be better, I wanted so badly to make it up to her. I looked down as she started to write again. ‘He said it’s 50/50 if my voice will return, he has to wait for me to heal to know the full damage.’ I sighed deeply as guilt hit me so hard I almost fell over, I closed my eyes and rested my face on the side of hers, “baby I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “If I could take it back I would, if I could trade places with you I’d do it in a heartbeat. I can never forgive myself for what I’ve done.” 

I pulled back as she moved, I was expecting her to run away. I was more than surprised when she threw her legs over me and straddled me. I looked at her curiously as she wrote furiously. Stop blaming yourself, it happened, it’s done, we need to deal with it. I’m already worried about you and what your dad is planning as your punishment, please don’t make me worry any more. I forgive you, I just need a little time, all of this is so overwhelming and I’m scared and worried....I don’t want anything to happen to you'

 She bit her lip as her eyes watered...I really didn’t deserve her forgiveness, I didn’t deserve her! Reaching out I caressed her cheek, “don’t get upset babe, please don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. I’ll give you as much time as you need, okay?” 

ALEXA'S POV

 I don’t know what came over me but I launched myself at him kissing him hard. He responded immediately and kissed me back just as hard, he grabbed my hips and pulled me closer to him as he shoved his tongue down my throat. I wanted to moan loudly but it wouldn’t come out, instead I dug my nails into the back of his neck. 

He groaned loudly into my mouth and tightened his hold on me, dropping his head he moved to my neck and kissed slowly up and down. I threw my head back and gripped his shoulders hard so he’d know I was enjoying it. I just wanted to die as he kissed my marking spot slowly...I really wanted to scream out! “Try it,” Faye suggested. I closed my eyes and pushed his head closer and opened my mouth, my breathing was heavy, I could feel my panties grow wet. Nothing came out but a strangled squeal...it was embarrassing. 

He tightened his grip on me and kissed my neck a few times before he pulled back, “we gotta stop babe,” he panted, “we're both enjoying this too much, I can’t control myself much longer.” I nodded and pecked him before rolling off him before I lost control too. 

Scooting closer to him I rested my head on his chest. He brought me closer to him and sighed deeply, “I wish we could stay here forever.” I tilted my head and smiled up at him. “Just me and you...forever,” he said and kissed me. Pulling back he stroked my cheek, “I really care about you Alex, I’d do anything for you.” I smiled and kissed his hand, its clear to me now he wanted me as much as I wanted him. 

I leaned back in and hugged him tight, he held me close and dropped his head to my neck. It was actually quite comfortable and nice. We stayed like that until his phone beeped, sighing he pulled away from me and pulled it from his pocket. Reading the message his eyes went wide and he shot up. I stood up and stepped closer to him tugging on his sleeve.

 He looked at me again and scrubbed his hands over his face, “my dad is back, he wants to see me right away.” Fear riddled my body, shaking my head furiously I grabbed his hand. “I’ll be okay babe, please don’t worry,” he smiled. I grabbed my notepad and wrote quickly. ‘I want to come with you.’ He smiled sadly and stepped up to me, “no Alex, you don’t need to know or hear anything he has to say.” ‘What if he hurts you? Parker please?’ I wrote. “No,” he said again, “I want you to go back to your room and not think about me okay. I’ll be fine....promise. I’ll text you in a while?” he asked. 

I sighed heavily and sent him a glare letting him know I wasn’t happy before I started to write again. ‘You’re all I think about, you better text me as soon as you’re finished with him.’ “Of course I will babe,” he said and lowered his head, “go, it’s late,” he said and kissed me deeply. 

PARKER'S POV 

 I watched her go and sighed, I smiled and waved as she looked back...I hope I got to see her again. My dad didn’t seem too happy, god only knows what’s in store for me. Sighing again I turned around and started to make my way home. Along the walk I started to wonder what my dad has in store for me, I hadn’t seen him since he beat me in his office.

 Getting to my front door I reached out to pull the handle when it opened before I could touch it. I looked up to see my uncle looking back at me, “how mad is he?” My uncle smiled sadly and clapped me on the shoulders, “I wish it hadn’t come to this kid, but there’s no talking to him on this, go on, don’t keep him waiting...good luck,” he said and walked by me. As I got closer to my dads office my heart began to race, I rubbed my sweaty palms on my jeans. I swallowed hard as I reached his door....whatever it was I deserved it. Knocking I closed my eyes and blew out a deep breath, whatever was going to happen to me didn’t even compare to what I’d done to Alexa no matter what it was. 

“Come in,” my dad finally answered. I pushed the door in and slipped in, closing it behind me I stood waiting for him to speak. “I’ve decided your punishment,” he said and walked around his desk. I just nodded and held eye contact. “Before I tell you what it is, I want to know one thing,” he said and stepped closer to me. “Do you feel any remorse for what you did?” 

Of course I did! “yes,” I said and lowered my head in shame. “I regret so much what I’ve done, I’m so ashamed of myself, the guilt is eating me alive. If I could trade places with Alexa I would. I want nothing more than for her to be better and for her to forgive me and let me make it up to her.. I can’t stop thinking about her.”

 “You’ll stay away from her, you’ve done enough, I’m sure she doesn’t want to see you either and you can’t blame her.” “No, I don’t blame her but dad, I have to see her...please?” I asked. I wondered if I should just tell him she’s my mate and we’ve already being seeing each other.

 He sighed and scrubbed his hands over his face, “you nearly killed the girl Parker! Leave her be.” I bit my lip and nodded, “my punishment?” I asked so I could leave and talk to her. “You’ll be at the training grounds at ten am, your punishment is a public whipping in front of the whole pack.” I sucked in a deep breath, that kind of punishment hadn’t been used in a long time.....I might not make it through it. 

STEVEN'S POV

I sat at the kitchen table over a cold cup of coffee, all I could think about was Alexa. Dr Ryan said her windpipe was healing well but he couldn’t tell us about her voice until it was fully healed. Alexa had asked her mother and I to leave her for the night, to be honest I think she was just sick of our fussing. Her mother wasn’t happy at first but she assured us she would be fine and would call us if she needed us

 “Dad?” I looked up to see Grace standing by the door, “what is it sweetie?” “Alpha warren is at the door, will I send him in?” I nodded and stood up, “let him in and go get your mother,” I said and stood by the chair. It was eleven at night what could he possibly want this late?

 “Steven,” he greeted as he walked into the kitchen. “Alpha,” I replied and bowed my head. “Sorry for the late intrusion I just wanted to speak to you and Zara, is she still up?” he asked as he sat down. “I’m here Alpha, can I get coffee or anything?” my wife asked as she walked towards.

 “No thank you Zara, I won’t be staying long.” “What is this regarding may I ask?” I asked. “I’ve decided Parker’s punishment and I wanted you to be the first to know.” “What have you decide Alpha?” Zara asked and placed her hand on my shoulder. “A public whipping in front of the whole pack, it’ll be held on the training grounds at ten am tomorrow.” 

“Alpha,” Zara gasped, “a public whipping? Don’t you think that’s a little cruel and outdated?” “He almost killed our daughter,” I said through gritted teeth. “I know, but surely there are other ways, I don’t think even Alexa would agree with this,” Zara said.

 Alpha Warren sighed and stood up, “he almost killed an innocent child Zara, he'll face up to what he's done, he gets no special treatment.” “Thank you for letting us know Alpha,” I said and stood up, “and please remember to keep him away from Alexa.”

 He nodded and looked to Zara, “you have my word. How is Alexa? She was with the doctor when I stopped by earlier.” “On the mend thanks for asking,” I answered. “her windpipe is healing nicely. We won’t know about her voice until it’s fully healed and more tests can be carried out.” He sighed heavily and turned to face me, “Steven I really am so sorry about this, I don’t know what came over that boy. If there is anything I can do or anything you need please contact me....goodnight,” he said and walked out of the kitchen. “Goodnight Alpha and thank you for calling over!” Zara called after him.

 “Not a word to Alexa about this,” I said and walked out of the room. The little s**t deserved everything he gets.