The Alpha's Broken Mate

Chapter 12

Sunshine danced across my face, waking me up. Slowly I opened my eyes, squinting at the light that filtered through a gap in the blinds and breathing that salty scent again. Where was it coming from? It smelt so good. As my eyes adjusted I noticed a pillow was somehow wedged between the blind and the window, probably from the pillow fight. Smiling, I closed my eyes. I was not ready to get up yet, when an arm tightened it's grip on my waist. How had I not noticed that. Slowly, careful of my back and of waking who ever was there, I turned to find the arm was attached to a sleeping Damien. His warm breath fanning my face. We we're sharing a sleeping bag, but I couldn't remember how that had happened. Probably shouldn't have drunk so much rum. That was surely to blame for my current situation. Watching him sleeping had me entranced. His sharp features were softer and he looked peaceful. My fingers found their way to his face, gently tracing his jaw line where his jet black hair was curling onto his face. He really was handsome. Something in the back of my brain was pushing me to kiss him and I really did want to kiss him again. Something was always pulling me towards him. I'd ask Julie about this later. My hand moved down his arm, feeling his corded muscles as I carefully moved it off me and slid out of his grip.

The house was peaceful so early and I was grateful as my head was still aching. Deciding I needed some fresh air, I grabbed a blanket and a cup of coffee and headed to the porch. Stepping outside I found I wasn't alone. Alec sat on the steps. He looked so lost with his head in his hands, blonde hair still messy from sleep. He was so lost in his thoughts he didn't notice me sitting next to him until I put the blanket around us both.

"Alec, what's wrong? Talk to me." I asked softly.

"It's my fault. It's my fault you got hurt. I'm so sorry." His head hung lower and he mumbled into his palms. "I was supposed to be watching you, Roe. But I...." With that he left.

"Alec! Alec!" I sat watching him as he vanished into the woods. It wasn't his fault at all. I needed my friend back. I needed to fix this. 

Groaning in frustration, I slammed the rolling pin back onto the board. Making a deep dent in the cookie dough I was trying to roll out one handed. Though it did feel pretty good to take my frustrations out on the dough. I was growing more and more annoyed with Alec. I had no idea where to even begin to get him to stop blaming himself and it was starting to drive me insane. Not to mention it wasn't helped by my brains obsession with Damien. His sleeping face and the feel of his arm around me kept playing through my mind on a loop, making it impossible to think about anything clearly. Sighing, I slammed the rolling pin down again.

"What's got you so worked up?" I looked up to see Jace standing in the doorway, half asleep with his hair still mussed. It was still early and I guessed everyone else was still asleep in the living room.

"Men!" I gritted out, slamming the pin down again.

"Woah! What did I do?" He said, his hands up in surrender.

"Nothing yet." I muttered, shaking my head. "Ugh, why is Alec blaming himself? It wasn't his fault." I said. Letting go of the pin and rubbing my temple. My headache was just getting worse.

"Give me that." Jace shooed me to the side and took my place, taking hold of the rolling pin. "What are you making?" He asked as he began to roll out the mixture for me.

"Cookies." I shrugged. He rolled them out perfectly, clearly remembering from the last time he helped me bake.

"At this time in the morning?" He asked as I handed him a cutter. I gave him the larger star shape, while I took the butterfly.

"I needed something to do. I've already got pancakes prepared for breakfast." I pointed over to the stove where six stacks of pancakes were waiting for everyone to wake up. Admittedly, I could have used some help for them as trying to flip them wasn't easy with my left hand. So they definitely weren't my best attempt.

"You're not even usually up at this time. Never mind making breakfast one handed. I think someone else has got you worked up too." I just grumbled at him which only made him laugh. We cut the cookies in a comfortable silence and it wasn't until we had placed everything in the dishwasher that he spoke up again.

"Between you and me, Alec said he left his post for a girl." For a girl? "It's a mistake he'll never make again." Jace sounded pissed as he left the kitchen. But that didn't make sense. That didn't sound like Alec at all. Yes, he was a player and liked to chase girls but that never got in the way of his job before and I knew all the boys took watching over us girls just as serious as their security jobs. Or maybe I just wanted to believe that. Maybe I just wanted so desperately to believe that they cared that much, but really they didn't. This train of thought was starting make the headache worse and still I had to get ready to go into town with Julie. No, I was right that something was wrong here. I just didn't know what.

"So, come on. What's up?" Julie asked as we pulled up to the house. We'd had a great day out, she ended up insisting we do some 'retail therapy' though most of mine consisted of books, but now it was late and I was so tired. How did she even know something was bothering me? "Don't give me that look, Roe. I know when your minds elsewhere and I know it's not just to do with Alec. Though you are right, there is more to this then he is telling us." At least someone agreed with me on that. I took a deep breath before answering her.

"How did you know you loved Rob?" She looked shocked for a second before she smiled softly, her gaze becoming distant.

"I'm not sure, really. But from the first time I saw him I was drawn to him. The more I got to know him, the more I found I liked him. He was kind but he wasn't a pushover and I couldn't get his smile out of my head. He made me a priority in his life, made me feel beautiful like no one ever had. One day, there was a...robbery at the café I worked at. Oh, you should have seen him bursting through those doors and attacking the rog...robbers like they were nothing. Then he came straight to me to make sure I was okay. He was so worried about me. I think I fell harder for him that day, though I had already begun to love him before then, but that didn't stop me from slapping him for being so wreckless." She chuckled and the image made me smile. She spoke with so much love for him. "Why? Are you in love with someone?" I quickly looked away, feeling my cheeks heat up at the question. Was I in love with him? Is that what this feeling was?

"I'm...I'm not sure." I answered honestly. "Most of the time he just seems hellbent on annoying me. But then he's always there when I need him, when I didn't even know I needed him. His smile makes my heart skip and I do love it when he holds me. How does he do that? How does he make me want to never leave his side and be physically as far away from him as possible, at the same time?" I asked exasperated with the whole thing. If only it could be simple. Some sign that told you when the right person was there in front you. Instead of all this guess work. How could I be sure that he wouldn't leave?

"Honey, that's because you're scared of letting him in. Why? Its obvious this boy is besotted by you and you by him." She smiled softly at me.

"Julie, there are too many unknowns. I know nothing about who I am. What if it turns out I'm a murderer? Or something else just as vile. What do I do then? What will he do?" I asked her. Because seriously, anyone would run away from that wouldn't they?

"Sweetie, listen to me. No matter what you learn about your past, it is your past. It's not who you are now and I know you are the kind, hard working and stubborn girl we have come to be so fond of, so proud of no matter what the past digs up. It doesn't change who you are now and if he's the right man, it won't matter to him. You will never loose us and I bet, if you give him a chance, you'll find you won't loose him either." Carefully, she leant closer and tucked my hair behind my ear. Such a motherly gesture from her, for once I didn't flinch. Though it did make me cringe, the smile that graced her lips was worth it. "Think about how you feel with him, rather then listening to the thoughts in your head." Her words were softer now.

"Maybe you're right, but I know there is something he's keeping from me. How can I let him in if he won't do the same?" I sighed. Why was this so complicated.

"You ever think he could be just as scared of you leaving him?" Her words were soft but they hit hard, leaving me speechless as she stepped out of the car. He could be scared of loosing me? What the hell do I with that?

Damien's P.O.V.

I didn't want to be away from her now. Not after everything. I needed her to be next to me, or at least in my sight. I wanted to go into town with her and Mom, but Demon had warned that smothering her wouldn't help. For an impatient, blood thirsty mutt he sure was patient with Roe. So instead I was stuck in my office trying in vain to concentrate on the work that had piled up while we were gone.

"She needs us just as much." Demon's voice held a confidence that I didn't share. Cocky mutt. They've been gone for hours and as confident as he was, we were both anxious to have her back safe. The door abruptly opened and Mom slipped in, closing the door behind her.

"Are you ready to see Roe's new look?" She asked excitedly. New look? She didn't need to change at all. But Mom didn't give me chance to respond before she opened the door and stepped aside, revealing my stunning Mate standing on the threshold shyly. She nervously tucked her hair behind her ear and that's when I noticed the change. She was stunning and it was dramatic. Her long brown hair was now a deep, wine red and side bangs had been cut in to cover her cut. It really suited her and somehow made me want her more.

"Beautiful. It really suits you, Princess." I smiled at her and watched her cheeks flush and she smiled softly, not meeting my eyes. Her gaze landed on my desk and her eyes narrowed before she looked up at me with a glare that made my blood freeze. I gulped at the intensity of it.

"Seriously!" She huffed and stormed out of the room. I watched her retreating figure storm down the hallway.

"What did I do?" I looked at Mom for the answers but she just shook her head at me.

"Oh son, you are stupid sometimes." She chastised as she moved towards the door. "Your Mate made you breakfast. Which you haven't eaten and from the looks of it, you haven't eaten all day. Honestly, I'm not happy about that either." 

With that she left me alone, staring at the closed door dumfounded. What just happened? Looking over the desk I noticed the untouched plate of pancakes from breakfast.

"Roe made....Shit!" I slumped back into the chair, dragging my hand down my face. But how was I supposed to know she made me breakfast. And now both of them were pissed at me.

"She's not mad about that, Dipshit. They're mad you haven't eaten all day." Demon corrected.

"How could I eat when I was worried about her?" My mind was one thing since they left this morning, and that was Roe's safety. I needed her close, now more then ever. We still didn't know who had taken her.

"She doesn't know that." He had a point. Her scent hit me again just before there was an odd sounding knock on the door. Quickly, I moved around the desk and crossed the room to open the door for my Mate. She stood there with a face like thunder, a plate of cookies in her hand and one foot raised to kick the door. That's why it had sounded strange, she had kicked the door. She thrust the plate at me and I cautiously took it from her.

"Roe..." I started but she interrupted me.

"If you won't look after yourself, then I'll have to." She said firmly and placed her hands on her hips. "That should see you until dinner which is in an hour. Eat." She commanded before she stole a butterfly cookie and walked away. She used my own words against me and I couldn't help but smile. She cared. She cared about me. Now I just had to figure out away to get her to stop being angry.

Dinner did not go well. Roe completely ignored me even though I was eating. It didn't matter how much I tried to apologize, she refused to even acknowledge my presence. It hurt but I had no idea how to fix it. I was on the phone to Shaun trying to organise the transport and accommodation for the upcoming Alpha meeting. I hated them. I needed to tell Roe what we are before the meeting, because I wouldn't be able to do it without her. I've fought with at least one Alpha or Beta at everyone I had attended and if I went alone now that I had found her, I doubted I'd have any control over Demon's temper at all. It would be a blood bath and that's not good for diplomacy. Not to mention the fact it would put Roe in danger. I really needed to find a way to tell her.

"So, will you be sharing a room?" Shaun asked suggestively and I could practically hear the smirk in his voice. I just sighed.

"Book three rooms." I answered him.

"You haven't told her have you?" He asked incredulously.

"No, she's still mad at me." I replied. I really didn't know what to do about her. It had only been a day, but her avoiding me was driving me insane.

"And you honestly can't think of anything you've done wrong?"

"No, I've no idea. I apologised for not eating all day and she just looked at me like I had three heads. I have no idea what..." A wave of her scent hit me and heard footsteps coming closer before a tentative knock sounded. "She's here, be careful what you say." I whispered down the phone. "Come in."

"I uhm...oh sorry I didn't mean to interrupt." She spoke shyly, not meeting my eyes.

"You're not. Come in."

"Uhm, your Mum said that Dr Cora gave you my painkillers?"

"Oh yeah, sorry. I was going to bring them straight to you but arranging this damn meeting is taking forever." 

Hesitantly she closed the door behind her and walked around the desk to come to a stop in front of me as I took the bottle from my drawer. Purposefully I let my fingers linger on her skin as I placed the bottle in her hand. The sparks were addictive and I had really missed the feel of her. Her eyes immediately snapped to mine. Those stunning hazel eyes with hints of gold were wide as looked at each other. I could hear her pulse began to quicken along with her breathing, keeping time with mine. She was so beautiful. Gently, I tugged her hand to bring her closer and surprisingly Roe stepped into the gap between my thighs. Even sat down she was barely taller then me. I ran my free hand down her cheek, loving the feeling of her skin against mine as she pressed her face into my palm. My precious Mate. Nervously, she licked her lips. Her eyes never left mine, but I caught it and slowly began to close the distance between us until our lips were almost touching. 

"Hey, Roe." Shaun spoke up and instantly Roe jumped back. f**k. I had forgotten about him. I watched as she backed her way towards the door.

"I..Uhm..Hi." She said nervously as she ran out of the room.

"Shaun!" I growled, dragging a hand down my face. I was so close! So close and she wanted it too.

"What? What did I...oh. Did I ruin a moment?" I could hear the grin in his voice. Why do I out up with him?

"Shaun!"

"Well how was I supposed to know? I thought that silence meant you needed an icebreaker to..." He explained but I cut him off.

"The transport." I grumbled, trying to get him back on topic as I just stared through the open door after Roe. Maybe there was hope for me telling her the truth sooner then I thought.

"Fine. So do we let everyone drive themselves?" He asked finally getting back to the business at hand.

"And end up with a pissing contest of who has the best car?"

"Good point. I'll call the hire company and get a fleet of limos, that should keep them happy enough." That was a much better option.