TTMA [Complete ✔️]

11. Mine

Knox's P.O.V

Earlier that day...

The alarm rang, although, I wasn't sure why I even set it. As per usual, I didn't even get a few minutes of sleep, tossing and turning all night. Today was the day. The day I became free once and for all, the day I saved her from me.

I stepped into the bathroom, grumbling at my appearance.

''I hope your teeth fall out and you go bald!" Kane cursed me for the hundredth time in the past three hours alone. My hair fell wildly around my head, curling slightly at the ends, just like my mother's. My mood perfectly matched my looks-gloom and chaotic.

I brushed my teeth, avoiding looking in the mirror again. Then I ran a comb through my hair, she wouldn't remember me, but at least I would look decent the last time I saw her. My chest already heaved with pain, my lungs burning at the thought of being without her.

I dressed myself in dark blue jeans and a light grey T-shirt, which made my eyes pop, and considered going down for breakfast, but quickly decided against it. My stomach was churning with nerves. The last thing I needed was to throw up and weaken myself even more. With deep breaths, I went downstairs.

Once in front of the packhouse, I watched as one of the warriors prepared a car, deep in thought. Soon, another warrior brought my mate in his arms. I struggled to keep Kane from shredding him to pieces for touching what was his, but she wasn't his, she wasn't mine. Not after today. I was slowly losing to him and had my Beta and sister not arrived when they did, Kane would have disposed of a body too quickly for our own good.

Before I realized what was happening, my mate was in my arms, the warrior slowly walking away, his eyes not leaving mine. His heartbeat was beating rapidly in his chest, fear oozing off of him. Rose was in front of me, her hand gently caressing my mate's cheek.

A pang of jealousy shot through me-my sister could touch her soft cheeks, but I couldn't. It was for the best, yet with each passing day, it became harder and harder to remind myself of that.

''You'll be ok!" Rosalie whispered in her ear before she pulled away and walked back over to Zane.

My sister glared at me and I glared at Zane. One of the reasons I hadn't told her was that she wouldn't forgive me for giving up my mate, little did she know I had no other choice. Rose had longed for me to find my Luna ever since she found out Zane was her mate. She thought that if I had a mate of my own I would go back to how I was once-fun and caring, but it was a lie. I could never be who I used to be before.

Being the i***t he was, Zane had to spill my secret as soon as he went home. I should have known.

''You did know. You wanted someone to stop you." My wolf pried in, interrupting my train of thoughts. I snarled at him, hoping it would keep him away for a while.

''It's time, Alpha, Betas!" A warrior informed us, pulling us away from our staring contest. I froze, it all came so soon. Was I ready to give her up?

Zane nodded, taking the keys from him and sending the warrior away. I was ready. I knew I was ready to do whatever it took to keep her safe, she deserved it more than anyone. My gaze softened when it landed on her, a faint smile curling on my lips.

All too quickly, my face was covered by the usual mask as I repositioned her in my arms, trying to be gentle and not move her around too much. I walked over to the black sports car, that was waiting for my Beta's departure. I tried to place her down, but couldn't bring myself to do it just yet. Instead, I brought her closer, allowing myself to drown in her scent one final time, the familiar smell of vanilla and lavender engulfing my senses.

I set her down in the backseat, wanting her as far away from me as possible before I changed my mind.

''It's for your own good," I whispered in her ear, making sure to be extra quiet, before closing the door and leaving her behind. Forever.

Kane whimpered as I reassured him with the same words I told her. Too bad I wasn't sure of them myself. Was it for her own good or was I too selfish to attempt to change for her?

My daze was cut short by the engine's roar to life and my sister's sniffles from behind me. I took one final glance towards the car, then placed my hand on Rose's lower back and pushed her inside the house.

''If something happens to him, I will never talk to you again!" I rolled my eyes, still pushing her. My sister shoved me away with a sigh.

''I have a bad feeling. Something will happen." I rubbed her shoulder reassuringly. I wasn't good with words, I had no idea what to do when she needed me, but I knew our bond would help slightly calm her down.

I brought Rose to my office so she wouldn't be alone, but neither of us had the strength to speak. I felt as if my air supply was cut out, as if another piece of me went missing. My soul felt crushed into millions of pieces and all I could see was her beautiful, bruised face. All I could do was hope that by ignoring the guilt, it would go away. The only thing left for me to do was try to stop Kane from killing anyone in his sight or tearing the house room by room.

After a few hours of sitting in awkward silence, Rose gasped, suddenly out of breath, snapping my attention to her. Luckily, she was ok in a matter of seconds, but I realized something. For the short amount of time I had known my mate, she had changed me.

She changed me without uttering a word, without a single glance. She made me feel things I hadn't felt in years and even things I had never felt. Concern was one feeling I had forgotten how to feel, but now, absentmindedly crouching in front of my sister to make sure she wasn't hurt, I realized that my mate cracked more parts of the shield than I had thought.

''Knox, I didn't want her only because she was our mate. She made you feel an ounce of what you used to be, of who you used to be. I thought there was a chance you could be yourself again." My wolf admitted.

No words, no reaction, no emotion. Not because I couldn't react, but because I felt too numb to try.

I always thought I would be a shell of my past, a body built on pain, guilt, and suffering, protecting itself from emotions. A mind that refused to feel in fear of being hurt again. I never imagined there would be someone or something, who could bring me back. I didn't know if my mate had it in her to bring me back, but the shield was cracking. Did I want the shield to be cracked?

''Knox?" Rose called, waving a hand in front of me. I shook my head, clearing my throat.

''You ok?" I asked, slumping back in my chair. She nodded.

''Zane has left the borders, I felt our connection weaken." A small, sad smile made its way to her face, but I found myself stuck in yet another daze.

They had left the borders. She was gone, for good.

''It was for the best." I tried to remind myself, but uncertainty drowned me, pulled me under, deeper and deeper the longer that passed. It had only been half a day, it would get easier, at least, I hoped it would.

A few more long hours dragged by. My sister had left to eat something as she explained she had promised Zane to look after herself, while I attempted to get some work done since I was behind. The problem with the trafficking ring had pulled me away from my own pack for way too long, making me very behind on paperwork and taxes.

Attempted was a strong word, I would read a sentence and my mind would drift off, but I was trying until a loud sob echoed through the house. I could hear pack members stop and listen, trying to figure out who the cry came from. I did the same, focussing to the best of my abilities with a weakened wolf.

My sister.

I was on my feet in an instant, they ran without me. I didn't know where I was going, but it seemed like they did as they effortlessly carried me to the previous floor, where the Beta and Gamma couples lived.

''Rose!" I banged on the door, but nothing. Only an even louder sob. ''Rose, open the door!" A whimper. Then a kick from my part, and suddenly the door was broken off its hinges and I kneeled on the floor, where my sister was sat, sobbing as hard as her body would let her.

I wiped her tears away, but more dripped, no matter how hard I fought them. Her body leaned against mine as she tried to calm down. As I wrapped an arm around her, her sobs worsened and she clutched the side of her stomach as if she was in physical pain.

''Rose, what's wrong, you're scaring me!"

''Zane!" She cried out, rubbing her mark. ''He's under attack!" She whispered, clenching her teeth. I saw red, my wolf was ready, we needed to find our Beta and we needed to find our mate-alive and ok.

I mind-linked the pack, requesting my Gamma, Shawn, and three warriors in front of the packhouse in two minutes before shutting the link. Rose was frantically running after me, the pain making her slower.

''I can help, Knox!" She shouted through her tears when she finally caught up to me.

''You're staying here and that's final!"

I kept running, ignoring her protests. There was no time to waste. When my pack or its members were in danger, I would stop at nothing to save them. It was my duty as Alpha, but also a duty to the little empathy I had left, knowing how it feels to lose someone close to you.

A hand grabbed my arm, making me stop.

''I'm coming!" My sister declared, her eyes challenging mine.

''You'll be in the way!" I tried to reason, but she only rolled her eyes.

''I can help and you know it!" I sighed, rubbing my temples, hoping it would get rid of the headache.

Kane wasn't fighting me right now so we should be able to quickly regain our strength and keep Rose safe. Perhaps she could actually help.

''Fine," I mumbled as we both took off, running as fast as we could.

***

The road went on, never-ending. No sign of Zane or my mate. Both Rain and Kane were on the brick of shifting, the slightest sound pushing them off the edge. The three warriors, who volunteered to help, were surely regretting their decision by now, but it was far too late for them to turn back.

The trees passed in a blur, the tires screeching against the road. Even with our wolf hearing, we couldn't pick up on anything, but the blowing of the wind. Rose slumped in her seat, trying to calm her breathing.

''Promise me something!" She finally said, breaking the silence. I looked at her expectantly, although, I was sure I knew what she was going to say.

''Promise me you will save Zane and bring our Luna home!"

Their Luna. It made me feel a weird tingle hearing her refer to my mate as the Luna. But could I promise to bring her home? Could I be a mate, put my past behind me? I had no idea, even if I wanted to say yes so bad it hurt.

''I promise I'll bring your mate home, but I can't promise anything about mine." Before she could react, we heard it, smelled it. The snapping of teeth, snarling, growling, and blood, lots of it.

The car quickly stopped and I was immediately on all fours, shifting into Kane. Rose ran out, finding her mate bleeding to death. That's when I saw her, shaking like a leaf as the largest rogue dragged her away.

Whatever was in front of me in those few moments was shredded to pieces. Kane saw red and he wanted blood. Kane certainly got blood. The road was covered in it, along with piles of bones, and shredded skin.

My sister screamed her mate's name before she put her hands over his heart, her hands producing a warm silver glow, her hair floating in the air. Suddenly, Zane was no longer on the floor, bleeding to death, but sitting with his mate in his arms. My sister was now weak-her healing ability completely draining her energy. Even then, she clutched Zane so hard I thought she would suffocate him.

As they were in each other's arms, my eyes landed on her. Everyone's eyes landed on her. I shifted, slowly walking closer. She was awake, she was afraid, she was shaking, but most importantly, she was mine.

I crouched next to her, extending my hand out to her, but she shrunk back, whimpers and cries leaving her weak body. All eyes were on us, but mine saw only hers. At that moment, I knew, she was mine and I was hers, nothing could change that anymore. Hell, it could all end in catastrophe, if she was next to me, I could endure it all.

A/N: Hi friends! Thank you for giving my book a chance and I hope you are enjoying it! Ugh my heart with this chapter! Knox finally set his feelings straight and wolf boy wants his mate! What do you think?