A/N: "You are the reason," by Calum Scott. This is so perfect for this chapter! I recommend you listen to it while you read this.

Anna

"Aiden, you can leave now."

His footsteps were swift on the stairs and the basement's door opened and closed in less than forty-five seconds.

I stomped my foot in front of Caleb. "Stand up!"

He stood up, his expression still odd —full of remorse and worry at the same time. "Anna, forgive me." His voice was low and soft but also masculine and deeper than before.

I wanted to forgive him, but the rage was still alive in here. I need to get rid of these negative feelings before trying anything. There would be no point in saying that I forgive him while still resenting him.

I balled my hands in fists and took a step back. Bam! I punched him in the right side of his face, in the jaw, putting my body weight in the hit.

He grunted and staggered to his left almost falling to the ground. His hand went to his red cheek. He hissed and spat some blood. Yet, when he looked back at me I didn't find the slightest glint of anger in his face. On the contrary, he looked at me as if I was the only girl in the world, his eyes still silently pleading for forgiveness.

"That is for rejecting me and almost killing me with the pain!" I yelled.

His eyes were fixed in mine as he took a step toward me with his arms open. "I love you more than my own life."

I struck his left cheek with my open hand, hard. The slap thundered through the room as his head snapped to the right as far as his neck allowed.

"That was for not being there when I needed you!" I growled.

The pain soon extended from my palm to my fingertips. I looked at my palm, which was as red as the mark on his face.

He looked at my hand and immediately took it in his. "Are you okay my queen?" His words laced with care and love.

I pulled my hand away and put some distance between us. "Worry about yourself, you idiot."

He must be in so much more pain right now, but I don't feel it. I can't feel his pain or anything else because he broke our bond. The small thread connecting us is nothing like it was once. Why did this stupid mate of mine took this from us?

"I am sorry. Please, accept me again." He lowered his head and took another step toward me.

He was right in front of me. Bam. Bam. Bam. The outer side of my fists pounded against his chest, but not nearly as hard to hurt him. I was doing in more out of frustration. "Why don't you ever come when I need you?" I slammed my fists against his chest once again keeping eye contact the whole time. "Why does somebody else always have to save me?"

He grimaced and his eyes watered. He visibly swallowed and blinked repetitively – still, some tears poured from his eyes. My hands moved to his face again, but this time, instead of hitting him, I wiped off his tears and caressed his cheeks with my thumbs. A soft grumble came from his chest and he closed his eyes leaning into my touch with a small smile on his face.

He opened his eyes and his hands brushed my cheeks. I was crying? I hadn't noticed. I sniffled. "Why isn't it ever you?" My voice cracked.

"Because I am a shitty mate." He bit his trembling lower lip, a sad frown on his face. "But, I want to be good for you from now on. I know you have probably lost count by now, but please give me another shot."

His eyes were so passionate that I found myself staring deep into them. He leaned down again, his eyes slightly narrowed, his head tilted to the side and his lips a little parted. I lost myself in the intensity of his gaze and in a blink, his lips crashed against mine.

His kiss was unexpectedly delicate and soft – yet full of passion. I could taste the metallic flavor of his blood and it hurt me to think that he was in pain. I moved my lips in sync with his as gently as I could. A gasp escaped me when he trapped my lower lip with his teeth and licked it.

He let go of my lip and deepened the kiss. This time, I stuck out my tongue and lightly grazed his lips. Soon, his tongue brushed against mine. One of his hands wrapped around my waist pulling me closer while the other one went to the back of my head. The heat of his body against mine filled me with joy and desire. His fingers sunk in my hair as he played with it. A muffled moan left my mouth as his hands caressed my body. I could feel his smile against my lips.

I pulled away from the kiss and his embrace. We both stood there panting and trying to catch our breaths.

"Mine..." His loving expression was mixed with sensuality. 

The smell of his desire reached my nose and I was sure he could smell mine as well. I chuckled and swatted his arm. 

"I am dying to see how you show me that I belong with you." I turned to leave but he grabbed my hand and tugged at me softly. I turned around to find him knelt before me again.

He took my hands in his. Keeping his eyes on mine, he kissed the back of my hands. "Anna. I know that I made thousands of mistakes, and that I have said how much I love you before, only to let you down later. But, please believe me when I say that I deeply regret how much I have hurt you. Each day that has passed without you by my side just brought pain into my life. Knowing what we could have had but that I destroyed with my own hands and words made me a bitter person. My body, my mind and my soul have been craving for you for so long."

A swallowed the lump in my throat. Am I dreaming? Did the plane crash and sent me to heaven? Ha! Like I would go to heaven. I squeezed the hands holding mine. This warmness cannot be faked. This is my soul mate.

Caleb squeezed my hands back. "I am lightheaded just for being in the same room as you. You are the only one who makes me so nervous that I want to wrap myself with my blanket and hide from your scary glares, but so in love that I want to hold you in my arms and never let go. Words might not be as strong as actions. However, If you allow me, I will spend every second of my life showing you that you are the most precious, captivating, lovable person in the world. Never again, will someone hurt you, specially not me. I won't ask you to forgive and forget right away. But, please, do me the honor of staying by my side for some time, so I can cover you with my unconditional love."

"Sorry, I need to wor-"

Anthony's voice invaded the privacy of my mind. 'We have a whole free month starting from today. Give your little Alpha a shot.'

'Where the heck are you?' I looked around the room to find a security camera just above us. I flipped it the middle finger and Anthony's laugh echoed in my mind.

Caleb stared at me curiously.

"We are being watched." I sighed and tilted my head toward the security camera.

He looked at it for less than a second, shrugged and turned back to me taking my hands in his again. "Would you - the love of my life, the other half of me, my beloved treasure and soul mate - stay with me for a couple of days? Even if you said no, I would give up anything to go to you and show you how much I love you. I just don't want to let you go again"

So much had happened these months. I was so busy that I had gotten used to the idea of not having a mate, of being free from any worries and only caring about myself and my people. Would it make me weak to admit that since the moment I locked eyes with him, I knew we belonged with each other and that I had to hear him out?

"Caleb..." My voice was small and shaky.

"Yes, soulmate?"

"Stand up. We should talk somewhere else. I will give you a chance to prove that this is really what you want." 

Just I finished saying that my stomach growled. Thanks for the perfect timing.

Caleb stood up and bit his lip probably to prevent laughing. I squinted my eyes at him daring him to let out even the smallest chuckle. He looked away and covered his mouth with one hand. Still, some fine wrinkles formed to the sides of his eyes. He was smiling. But, then his own stomach growled.

I rolled my eyes and turned around. However, I couldn't help the smile than extended through my face. Being with him just has that effect on me. "C'mon. Let's get you cleaned up and fed."

He caught up with me and walked by my side. "That is what-"

I groaned in fake annoyance. "Really, Caleb?"

He shrugged and leaned down to kiss my cheek. "I love you, Anna."

A/N: Thank you for all your comments and votes! They always bring a smile to my face and motivate me to keep writing.