The Alpha's Broken Mate

Chapter 9

Warren was waiting by the front door, towel in hand. As usual he didn't say a word and right now I was thankful for his silence. He passed me the towel and I dried my hair off while he lead me up the stairs and to my room. Changing out off the wet clothes into a jumper and leggings, I walked back down stairs to find he had the first aid box out on the kitchen counter. Sighing I took a seat and let him clean my cheek as I hadn't realised that prick had broken the skin when he hit me. That was sure to bruise. I winced as he wiped the wound with disinfectant. Warren gave me an apologetic look as he did it again. 

"I don't know what came over me, Warren." I sighed looking down at my twiddling fingers, replaying everything over in my head. I hadn't done anything like that before. What am I going to do now? Damien will surely not want me to stay here after that. I mean, I know I did the right thing....but maybe I could of handled it better. "I just ruined everything." Placing his fingers under my chin, he lifted to my face to meet his. His eyes were full of pride. He was proud of me?

"Really?" His left eye closed slightly, it was barely noticeable but for Warren it was the equivalent of a nod. Why? He tilted my head to look at my cheek again for a moment before he turned it back to face him. His eyes narrowed slightly. "What?" What's made him so confused? He sighed before letting my face go. Whatever it was, he wasn't going to tell me. Instead he went to the freezer and grabbed a bag of frozen peas. Great. 

The bath house was my sanctuary. The guys frequently used the ice pool after their training but no one really used the heated pool. A fact I was glad of as I found myself here often. Mosaics decorated the walls with images of a goddess and wolves swam under the water. The ceiling was my favourite though with silver and white tiles making up an incredible image of a full moon. Jasmine incense burned from elaborately carved moonstone holders at each corner of the room as I floated in the warm water. This was the one place that my mind was quiet, where nothing else mattered except the weightless feeling that surround me. The heated water also brought a short but welcome relief to my wrist pain. There was something just so calming about the water, about this room in general. It was like a safe space for me. Somewhere I could be alone but my thoughts wouldn't bother me. Calm, in body and mind. After today it was even more welcome then usual. 

"Roe." That deliciously deep voice I had been avoiding for hours, interrupted my peace. I lifted my head to see him standing by the door. Rolling my eyes I lay my head back in the water, ignoring him the best I could. Could he not leave me alone for two f*****g minutes! I didn't particularly want him to see me like this, in just a silver bikini that did nothing to hide my scars, but I didn't want him to think he effected me. Though I couldn't stop the thought of seeing him naked from running through my mind. s**t!

"Roe, please list.." Instead of listening to him I held my breath and sank to the bottom of the pool, sitting cross-legged, letting the water drown out his words. I couldn't listen to him when I knew what he was going to say. I couldn't face him yet. What was I supposed to say? Admit that I could have handled it better? Well so could he. I didn't want to leave. I knew I had to apologise to him but something stopped me. I looked up to see his figure coming closer to the water. Really? I hadn't been under here that long. I moved from my spot and swam, still under the water, to the steps. He was halfway down them when I emerged next to him and climbed out. 

Damien's P.O.V.

She'd been under the water for several minutes when I started to head down the steps. I had been wracking my brain for hours trying to think of the best way to handle this when I gave in and went to find her. I couldn't think of anything that seemed appropriate to fix things. Nothing was good enough. I just wanted to apologise to her but she wasn't having it. How could I get her to listen to me? I was halfway down the steps when she emerged next to me. A breath-taking vision as the water dripped down her body. I just watched, speechless, as she passed me and went behind the screen. Even the scars on her back and stomach just made her more unique to me, I wanted to kiss every single one and promise her that she'd never feel that way again. I watched as her bikini was placed over the edge of the screen. Only a flimsy piece of wood now separated me from my Mates naked body. Goddess, seeing her in that silver bikini was bad enough. I had to to get out of here before I did something. I ran out the baths and into the forest. I needed to run. 

I made it back to the pack house in time for dinner, not that I had an appetite I just wanted to see Roe. There had to be a way to get her to forgive me. How could I make this up to her. The dinning room was full and nearly everyone was seated already. But she wasn't here. Where was she? I took my seat, hoping she'd turn up soon. Picking at my food, I watched the door. Waiting for her to come through. I could hear Rebecca and her crew making a scene over the food as usual and I had enough of listening to her piercing voice so I left. Finding Roe's scent was easy and I followed it to the library. I should have guessed really. Stepping inside I found her curled up in her window seat, staring up at the night sky with a tub of ice-cream. Of course. Bathed in moonlight made it seem like she was glowing. She was simply stunning. Instead of pestering her again, I decided to go to my office and get some work done. Quietly, I opened the door between my office and the library a crack so I could at least keep an eye on her. How the hell was I going to fix this?

Roe's P.O.V.

The training ground wasn't far from the house. A track encircled two sparing circles, bleachers sat to the left and tree's flanked the right were the punch bags were hanging. I had spent the last hour trying to get better at punching with my left hand. Partly, so I could defend myself and mostly so I stopped thinking about Damien. I was still so mad about yesterday and this morning he had stolen another kiss while I was trying to make coffee. Did he even think before he acted? Was he just trying to make it hurt more when he kicked me out? Infuriating man. I was so absorbed in imagining that I was punching his smug face, I barely noticed that Rob had found me until he called out my name. As usual on a morning, he was in his workout gear that every guy here seemed to wear. A pair of shorts and nothing else. For a man in his late forties, he took care of himself. He held out a bottle of water that I gratefully took.

"Thankyou." I smiled as I downed half the bottle. Quenching a thirst I hadn't even noticed had grown while I was out here. He looked between me and the bag.

"So, what's up?" He asked, arms folded.

"Nothing, I'm fine." I shrugged, avoiding his eyes and taking another sip of water.

"Really? Is that why you're out here beating the living daylights out of that punching bag?" Putting the bottle down, I ignored him and I went back to sending my fist into the bag. "Come here." He muttered after a while. He moved my feet a little further apart and then readjusted my hand so it wasn't as tense. "There keep your fist like that." He moved to stand behind the bag, holding it still. Not that I made it move anyway. "Try again." I did as I was told and tried out the new stance. "Good, now harder." I did my best to throw harder and faster punches with my left hand. Loosing myself in the rhythm and adrenaline.

"That bloody son of yours." I breathed out between blows after a while. I don't know why I was telling him, it just came out.

"Did he do something wrong?" Rob asked, still holding the bag steady no matter how hard I punched.

"You mean besides the fact he's the most annoying man I've ever met?" I seethed, hitting the bag harder. "He's always there." Hit. "Always helping me when I don't need it," Hit. "Always reading my mind." Hit. Hit. "And he's keeps bloody kissing me!" This punch hit harder and I heard Rob grunt. Finally!  "And I know he wants me gone after yesterday." I breathed out, panting heavily.

"Is that all?" Rob chucked. I looked at him incredulously, my breathing still laboured.

"Really? Rob, he can do miles better then me. He shouldn't be kissing me, he deserves better." I said exasperated, hands on my hips in defiance. Surely he knew that better then anyone!

"Roe, you couldn't be more wrong." He sighed, shaking his head as he moved closer to me. "I'm proud of you for standing up to him. Now he maybe my son, but that doesn't mean I think he's good enough for you. I see you like a daughter and I'd be a pretty bad dad if I didn't scrutinize any boy you were interested in." He smiled down at me. Did he just...

"Rob! I'm not...I don't...Ugh you've got it all wrong, Old Man." I could feel my face heating up. He couldn't be further from the truth! His smile just grew wider.

"Old Man?" He chuckled. "I'd rather you call me Dad." He said it so casually, as if that wouldn't be a big deal.

"You already have children, it wouldn't be fair." I stated.

"So that means I'm stuck being called Old Man?" He smirked, amusement clear in his eyes.

"Yup, so suck it up." I smiled up at him, crossing my arms against my chest.

"Come on, lets get back to it." He smiled, shaking his head as he moved back behind the punching bag. 

Three days I've been ignoring Damien now. Avoiding him every chance I got. Rob helped by keeping me busy training. But the stubborn i***t was everywhere. Trying to talk to me, but I wouldn't let him. If he couldn't talk to me, he couldn't kick me out. At least that's what I kept telling myself. maybe Rob wouldn't let him, but surely he wouldn't go against his son. Hiding out at the club didn't help either as he'd turn up and hang around my bar. It was infuriating, but not as infuriating as the fact that my brain kept replaying that first kiss over and over again. Did it mean something? Was Rob right? I needed time to think and I couldn't do that with him hovering around me like a lost puppy. Grumbling, I headed out the back door and into the forest that surrounded the house. There was a small clearing a short distance through the tree's, the perfect place to be alone and think. And I desperately needed both right now. I needed to clear my head. The smell of wet earth was strong and intoxicating as I sat on the damp grass. I didn't care if I got wet, I was just glad to be alone. This morning, Damien had gotten a call that meant he had to leave for a few days, so I knew that no one would interrupt me. Though I suspected that one of the boys wasn't far away from me at any time. Like big brothers they were always looking out for me. Even though I was ignoring them just as much lately. They just had to keep mentioning him, didn't they. So I'd change the subject or simply leave the room.

My mind felt like it was going to explode. I laid on the grass, watching the dark clouds that floated by and let the occasional drop of rain fall. Things I had remembered where flittering around my brain and I didn't want to think of them. Mostly I didn't want to think about Damien or what he did to me. Especially now. What was I supposed to do? I'd never admit it, but I hated that he had gone away. I hated that I needed him. I hated that I had already forgiven him. Mostly I hated how every time I saw him I just wanted to run into his arms and hold him until nothing else mattered. I didn't like this feeling. Why did he effect me so much? Why did I let him? Closing my eyes I tried to focus anything but him. Listening to the birds and feeling the breeze brush against my skin. It was relaxing.

Damien's P.O.V.

The meeting was dragging and everyone here was testing my last nerve. Honestly if I wasn't already in a foul mood because my Mate was avoiding me, then being here would have put me in one. I did not need to be here. They could have easily handled this issue themselves and I could be at home trying to fix things with Roe. I just needed her to listen to me, I needed to apologise. But my stubborn Mate was annoyingly good at evading me. Even Demon was more agitated then usual. Slamming my fist into the table, I stood and stormed out of the room only to run into the exact person who called me here.

"I do not need to be here for this. Why did you lie, Janine?" My voice was low and laced with anger. Her throat bobbed and her blue eyes went wide.

"Well Rebecca said that you'd been tense these past few days." She placed her hands on my chest. "And we thought that getting away from that human mi..." A low growl escaped me as I grabbed her arm, my claws coming out and drawing blood.

"Let me make one thing very clear, neither you or your cousin hold a candle to Roe. If I hear you disrespecting her again I won't hesitate to hurt you. Now get out of my sight!" I growled at her cowering figure as she fled. Looking around I saw everyone's head hung low, necks on display in submission when my phone rang. "WHAT!" I yelled as I answered my Beta's call.

"Roe's been taken!" Alec's words caused my breath to catch in my throat. Three words. Three words that sent my world spiralling. I didn't hear what Alec said after, I just roared alerting my warriors that something had happened. They didn't question me, they just followed as I ran from the building to my car. Seething that while I was here dealing with petty she-wolves, my Mate was taken.