The Alpha's Broken Mate

Chapter 7

Roe's P.O.V.

How could I have broken down on him again. For heavens sake. And then he acts like it didn't happen. I mean, I'm glad because I don't want to think about it. But for a second, for one stupid second I thought his actions meant more. I'm an i***t. My eyes find him in the crowd, he's talking to a tall guy and shooting him glares occasionally. The guy run's a hand through his copper hair and I find him looking in my direction, then Damien's eyes meet mine. Blushing I quickly turn my attention back to the drinks I'm making. s**t! Suddenly the lights dim and everyone's attention turns to the ceiling as the trapeze artists begin. Once I finish the drinks I lean against the fridges to watch the act, when a stick of candyfloss blocks my view. I smile appreciatively at Damien as I take the stick. He placed himself next to me and I did my best to focus on the act. 

The music starts and spotlights find the performers on opposite sides of the room, wearing matching purple sequined leotards. The girl takes off first, picking up momentum before the boy joins in. His eyes never leave her as he picks up speed. He reaches out to her and she reaches her hand out too but pulls back at the last second. He tries again and this time he grips her wrist and she lets go of her trapeze. He pulls her up and into his arms but she keeps pushing him away until she's swinging upside down by her leg. Slowly he pulls her back up to him. They spin around the bar in perfect synchronicity as she tries to escape him and he keeps a hold of her. At one point he has her on his lap, a hand pressed against her back as slowly he pulled her closer to him. But she pushed him backwards and he took her with him. My heart was in my mouth as I watched them fall. But his legs wrapped around the bar and his arms were around her waist. He never let go of her. They hung there for a moment before her arms wrapped around him and he pulled them back onto the bar. Holding each other as the room erupted into a cacophony of applause.

"That could be us." Damien's breath on my ear made me jump. Feeling his arms tighten their hold on my waist I suddenly became aware of how close we were. How did I not notice him wrap his arms around me? How long had we been standing that close? With his chest pressed against my back. I turned to look at him and found his expression only held sincerity. What did he mean by that? He couldn't possibly want me.

"I...I.." My cheeks heated up and I just couldn't speak when his eyes held me like that. You could get lost in those eyes. My pulse was racing and I nervously licked my lips. Damien's hypnotic eyes flicked to my lips, catching the action. When his eyes met mine again they were darker. He looked back at my lips and started leaning closer. "I've got customers." I mumbled and somehow pushed out of his grip. What the f**k was that? Was he really going to kiss me? I swear I heard him chuckle but I decided to just ignore him for the rest of the night. 

A slow dance ended the night and I cleaned the bar while watching the couples. Some gazing into each others eyes dreamily, others resting their heads on their partners chest. It was beautiful to watch. Suddenly I was pulled into someones chest. Damien's. I looked at him wide eyed, my heart in my throat, my hands pressed against his chest. He smiled softly and placed a hand over mine that was over his heart, his other hand at the bottom of my back holding me close to him. The sparks from his touch sent my pulse racing.

"Roe." His voice was husky and it was doing strange things to me. What the hell was going on? "Dance with me. Please?" Was he serious? There were so many women here that were better then me, he should be with one of them. "Please?" He asked again and I could see that strange emotion in his eyes again. Nodding I placed my head against his chest. I just couldn't look into his eyes anymore. I was wanting things I could never have. He wouldn't want me if he knew what I remembered. But good lord, it felt so good to be held by him like this as we swayed to the music. I could hear his heart beating just as fast as mine. Why? Was he nervous? Was he excited? Was he excited to be holding me? I shook that thought from my head. Nope it would never be that one. The song ended and I tried to pull away from him but he held me tightly. I looked at him to ask why but the words fell away as soon as our eyes met. His hand left mine and his thumb gently traced down my cheek and across my lips. His eyes never leaving mine. 

"Damien, we've got an issue." Alec's voice cut through the moment and I swear Damien growled as I turned away from him. Whats up with him now? He pressed his lips to my temple making my breath hitch.

"Stay with Roe." He said to Alec and he quickly left, leaving me feeling cold without his warmth. What the hell was wrong with me? I watched him leave until I noticed Alec smirking.

"Oh f**k off!" I yelled and threw a beer mat at him. He easily dodged it and laughed.

"So what are today's treats?" He said as he headed to where I usually keep my stash. I shook my head and followed him smiling. My mind kept wondering where Damien had gone though. What had happened?

I had overdone it. Really overdone it. Despite every ones attempts to stop me I wanted to be useful. I wanted to help make it an amazing night for everyone. And it had been perfect. Now I was laid in the bath struggling to wash my hair with one hand.

"FOR f**k SAKE!" I screamed and launched the shampoo bottle at the wall. Tears of frustration streaked my face. I f*****g hate this.

"Roe! Roe, are you alright?" A worried voice asked from behind my bathroom door.

"NO! I'M f*****g USELESS! I can't even wash my own bloody hair!" That was it. I couldn't hold it in anymore. I broke down into those horrible sobs that leave you gasping for air. I hated this so much. It wasn't fair. What was worse was that I didn't even know if I had done anything to deserve this. I didn't know why. I only knew that I was stuck with this and I really hated it. Giving up I did my best to get the shampoo out of my hair and got out of the tub, wrapped a towel around my body and opened the door to find someone waiting for me. Damien pulled me into his arms and I broke down again. He shouldn't be seeing me like this but I needed this. I needed him and I shouldn't. 

Damien's P.O.V. 

I held Roe tightly as she cried into my chest. I never thought I'd see her like this. She was so strong. Yet here she was saying that she was useless. She couldn't be more wrong. She was far from useless, she was just too stubborn to ask for help or accept it. I could feel a fraction of the pain she was in all night and I had no idea how she survived it. I barely did.

"Dude what was that racket?" Alec mind-linked. I gently rubbed my hand up an down her back, trying to comfort her as she clung to me.

"Roe. She's upset. But I've got her, don't worry." I answered. She was in my arms and I was determined to make her feel better. I just didn't know how.

"What do you mean you've got her? We can hear her crying" He asked.

"I mean I've got her. I'm holding her right now, What did you think I meant?" She's my Mate, it makes sense for her to be with me. Our Mates bring us the greatest comfort.

"Well, it's just that she hasn't let anyone see her that way before. She normally locks us all out and the next morning she acts like it never happened. We might hear a sniffle but nothing like we're hearing now." So it's happened before. I really should read that bloody file. Is she starting to trust me? My strong Mate is being vulnerable with me. Only with me. 

I held her for a while before I took her hand in mine and lead her back into the bathroom. She looked at me confused and then panicked when I turned the shower on.

"What are... you doing?" She asked. Her voice laced with worry. I held her face in my hands and looked deeply into her eyes. Goddess she was beautiful, even with tears staining her face.

"Trust me." I said gently. Her eyes searched mine for something before she nodded. Letting her go I pulled my shirt off and quickly pulled it over her head, before she could get the wrong idea. Roe gasped and stared at me wide eyed as I gently pulled her left hand through the sleeve. I left her right as I didn't want to hurt her and tugged at the towel she was still wrapped in, until it fell away. She stood there in my shirt that reached her knees, her hair still wet down her back.

"Mate is beautiful and now she'll smell of us." Demon howled happily. He had a point as usual. But I desperately wanted her to smile and I didn't think that was going to happen tonight. I took her hand in mine and gently pulled her into the shower with me. I didn't care about getting my clothes wet, I just wanted to take care of her. Admittedly I'd rather us both be naked right now, but that might be pushing it. I turned her back to me and began carefully washing her hair. Lathering up the shampoo, thoroughly washing it out and then repeating with the conditioner. Gently running my fingers through her wet hair. It definitely wasn't something I'd ever thought I'd be doing. Much less enjoying. For Roe, I would do anything and it scared me that she had that power over me. "Moron." Demon muttered. I rolled my eyes at him and focused on getting Roe out of the shower. 

I left Roe to get dried and rushed back to her room after a quick trip to mine to get dried and changed. Slipping on some jogging pants and a t-shirt. Finding her sat on her bed in just a towel I moved to her side and sat next to her. She didn't look at me and fiddled with a loose thread on the bottom of the towel. Placing my hand on her cheek, I turned her to face me. She leaned into my touch for a moment before her cheeks flushed and she looked down. I followed her gaze down and my eyes caught her chest. How I wanted to rip the towel from her. s**t! She needed some nightwear to wear. Quickly. I moved to stand up and she whimpered, looking at me sadly.

"You need something to wear." I said softly. She looked down again blushing. Goddess I loved when she blushed. What was she thinking? She hesitantly reached out and tugged on my shirt. Wait, does she want to wear my shirt? I couldn't help but smile at that. I took my shirt off and pulled it over her head. "Anything for you, Roe." Her cheeks heated more as she pulled her arms through the sleeves. She removed the towel and let it drop to the floor before moving under the covers. Standing up, I lent over her and brushed the back of my hand against her cheek as I placed a kiss on the other. A small smile played on her lips and I swear my heart skipped a beat. I smiled back and turned to leave when she grabbed my hand. She refused to look at me but tugged my hand as she scooted over on the bed. Did she want me to stay? "Are you sure?" I asked and she tugged my hand again in response, so I climbed in to bed with her. I laid on my back and pulled her to my side, placing her head on my chest. She was so small in my arms and fit so perfectly. Roe gently rested her right hand on my chest and sighed deeply, relaxing into me more. Does contact with your Mate help the pain?

"Well duh." Demon shook his head at me.

"f**k off!" I yelled at him. Gently I stroked up and down her side, hoping to help lull her to sleep.

"Damien?" She mumbled sleepily.

"Yeah, Princess?" I felt her smile against my chest.

"I remembered my name. Roe is a nickname." A nickname? Then what was her real name? "Aurora. I'm Aurora Summers."