Never Give Up

Chapter 13 - Taylor

“Look, Taylor, I’m going to level with you, but I don't want you to get upset. It’s been a very distressing situation and I am really worried about you. Now, don’t go all crazy on me because I know you. You have the temper of a pit bull.” Rafe came barging into my room as if his ass was on fire. I had given up shouting through the door. My throat was killing me.

Did he really just come in here and start saying some random s**t to me?

“The last couple of days–” he started, but I quickly cut him off.

“The last f*****g couple of days? Who the heck do you think you are? Do you have any idea what it is like to be taken against your will? Do you know how I feel?”

I jumped out of bed, storming over to him. He smirks and it only causes me to become angrier. I’m going to wipe that damn thing off his stupid, sexy as hell face.

“You think you’re a goddamn gift to the world? You’re nothing but a stupid asshole and you need to get a reality check. I am not backing down. I will fight every goddess-damned one of you because things have gone way too far.” I’m losing hold of my temper, my finger has been poking him in his chest with every word that flew out my mouth. God, his chest is solid. I can imagine what I’ll find under there. Shaking my head, I get back to my point.

“I’m so angry with you all. Everyone seems to think I’m this girl who will cower to anything you say, but I refuse to back down to men who think they can bully their damn way to power, hurting people along the way. What the hell did I ever do to anyone? Seriously, tell me because I swear I have no recollection of any events where I hurt someone as much as you all are hurting me.”

Sighing, I walked back to my bed and lay down, throwing an arm over my face.

“Look, Taylor, I get that it’s shitty for you. I get what has taken place has been barbaric. Unfortunately, I can't tell you why you’re here or what you did to be here because, truthfully, I have no damn clue. I wish I could take your pain away, Princess. You don’t deserve any of this s**t and I will do my best to make it easier for you. You’ve just got to level with me though, okay? Can you do that?”

He’s not asking for much, and I sure as hell could do with a friend. I hate being on my own because my mind runs at a thousand miles a second, trying to make sense of it all.

“Okay, I will level with you.”

Sitting up, I looked over at him. Damn, he’s sexy with his t-shirt tight against his broad shoulders and chest, even making his jogging bottoms look good.

“Hi, I’m Taylor. I’ve been trapped here for a little over. I’m not really sure. You are?” Oh, that stupid smirk is on his face again. It annoys the hell out of me.

“Hi, Taylor. My name is Rafe and, unfortunately, the Alpha is my Dad.”

I can’t hide the shock, but he looks so sad and embarrassed to tell me this truth.

“Oh, erm…I witnessed my Mom having her head chopped off, so I guess I won.” Rafe laughs and I smile, “ Can I say something to you?” Rafe nods his head, I take a deep breath, embarrassed myself over what I want to say. “I was quite happy just being held in your arms like earlier. They make me feel safe, like no one will dare come between us and nothing bad can get to me.” I look down, scared to see what his reaction was.

I heard him walk over to me, stopping just in front. I feel his finger being placed under my chin and slowly he lifts my head up. He has a smile and his eyes look kind. Ensuring I have nothing to worry about, he takes a step back and opens his arms. I barely even think about it before I jump into them. He really is my safety blanket, one of which I am not too eager to let go of. He sits me down on my bed again and walks over to grab me a bottle of water.

A small smile formed on my lips. Wow, I haven’t smiled in a long time. It’s good to know it can still happen. I turned my head away to hide it. Feeling the bed dip, I turned to look at him, thoroughly shocked when our lips met.

You know in movies when you see fireworks go off in the background as the leading characters finally kiss for the first time, it's so emotional and you're jumping up screaming at the TV, YES!? I was not expecting that when our lips touched, scared I pulled myself away.

“s**t! I’m sorry.” A blush covered my face and I had to look away.

“Taylor, it… I just didn't expect you to turn around so quickly. I’m sorry.” He smiled weakly., although I noticed he was quite rigid.

Well, that was awkward. I am so embarrassed. Rafe passes me my bottle of water as I lower my head, thoughts from the last twenty-four hours running through my mind.

“Thanks, Rafe. I just can’t bring myself to comprehend what happened yesterday.”

A lone tear escaping, I move myself to lie behind where Rafe is sitting. I can't believe how exhausted I still am. With the amount of drama that has gone on in such a short period of time, I’m not surprised.

“Look, Taylor, I won't lie. I will protect you and I will get you out of here.”

Turning my head to face him, I weakly smiled and nodded. I feel some desire for him. I can't trust myself , I can't even trust him. Something inside me is saying it's OK, but is it enough?