i kinda feel like the last chapter sucked, but hey let me know? nicely, please ;) anyway get ready for some acacia and jace content! what do you guys think of the changing pov's with interlinking storylines? do you like it? hate it?

anyways i can't thank you enough for the amount of love you've given and continued to give 'Little One'

reminder: if you have any questions about characters, plot, storyline, me, or anything of that nature leave a comment on the q and a chapter!

acacia's pov

"What'd you say, Sweet?" I looked into my mate's concerned eyes. In just a few days this stubborn, sweet, adoring man has wormed his way into my heart. I already can't imagine my life without him. I know that this is the way God created us, we are given a bond, and with that bond a relationship forms, but it still shocks me how strong the bond is. I'm terrified to tell him about my Father. I don't want to see the looks of pity and horror cross his face. I didn't want him to know what he did. I didn't want to ever say his name ever again. A shiver runs up my back as I think of him.

"Sweet, talk to me. Are you alright?" I sat in his lap, and he turned me to face him. I instinctively curled into his chest, trying to hide from the world. Hide from him.

"Acacia. What do you mean your both Alpha's children? Are you saying your Father was an Alpha? I know pretty much every Alpha from the last 30 or so years, and I've never heard of another Alpha with a child who was a runt... Unless..." Sebastian's eyes got wide as he realized.

"My Father did not accept me as his child. He wanted to kill me as soon as I was born. My mother had begged him not to. So in an act of mercy he graciously allowed me to live," Jace growled next to me, "He refused my Mother's request that I would be raised alongside my elder brother's and sister. He sent me away to live in the country with an older couple. I lived with them until I was six." Silence fell over our table. No one knew seemed to know what to say.

*

After sitting in silence for a few minutes, the boys paid and headed back to the packhouse. Jace hadn't said a word since my revelation. He kept his arm tightly around me as we walked the short way home. Alexei left to go check on the Theta's, and Alpha Sebastian and Thea had made plans to go see his cousin, Al. After promising to get together with Al and Cassie and have a girls night soon, we went our separate ways.

*

Jace waved to a few straggling pack members as he hurried me up the stairs. When we reached the landing he put his hands on my waist and pulled me close. Still not making a sound, he tucked his head into the curve of my neck breathing heavily.

"Jace?" I questioned him worriedly,

"Sweet I'm sorry if I'm scaring you, just please... give me a moment to remind myself you're here. In my arms... I knew you had suffered. I found you near death... But hearing what that scum of an Alpha did... I'm grasping for control right now, baby, and I.. I," He whimpered as he took in my scent. I just nodded and wrapped my arms around his neck. Bracing myself, I jumped up, Jace catching me and wrapping my legs around his waist.

"I am here. With you. He does not matter anymore. Insignificant." I knew my English wasn't perfect, but I think Jace got my point. My Father is in my past. Jace is my future.

"I just don't understand how someone could do anything to harm you. I look at you and see the most precious woman I've ever laid eyes on, and to think I could have lost you. Acacia, I found you almost dead. Ainsley told me if I had gotten there a week later I might not have been able to save you. You didn't deserve that. You shouldn't have had to spend the better part of your childhood fighting to stay alive. I can't... I can't lose you."

Tears started fighting to fall down his stoic face, and my heart wept for him. He squeezed me tight and carried me into the suite. I yawned as the long day caught up with me, Jace of course, noticed immediately;

"Sweet, why don't you lay down for a bit?" His worried eyes looked me over,

"What about you?"

"What about me Sweet?" He cocked his head slightly, and I grinned at his boyish face.

"You need sleep too. You are not sleeping well. You are too busy worrying about me. Every time I have woken up in the night you have been awake. It is not healthy." I chastised him.

"I'm fine Sweet." I pushed his chest, "Woah baby what was that about?" His eyes grew wide and he let out a shocked chuckle.

"You are not Superman. You can not take care of everyone and not take care of yourself. It is not healthy Jace. I am worried about you."

He softly kissed me on my forehead, "It's been a long time since I've had anyone to worry about me. Don't get me wrong my family cares about me, Sebastian and Alexei care about me as I do them, but none of them worry about me. I'm an Alpha male, I'm capable of taking care of myself. Though when it comes to you, I think I tend to forget. It feels nice. It feels good to have someone worry for me, you are so caring and sweet. I'm lucky to have a gorgeous, sweet, beautiful, precious, adorable," I giggled as he goofily smiled and tickled my sides.

*

Jace eventually begrudgingly finally agreed to take a nap, as long as he could hold me in his arms. I have no problems with that stipulation, so I happily agreed. Jace held me close as he laid down, tucking my head against his chest, resting his head in the crook of my neck. I breathed in his calming scent and cuddled into his chest as I tried to get comfortable.

"You're like an adorable little kitten when you cuddle. I swear it takes you at least five minutes for you to pick a position." He kissed my head as he laughed.

I huffed, but it only made him laugh more, and he just shook his head giving me a kiss on the forehead. Still struggling to get comfortable, with his shirt scratching my cheek I whined. "Your shirt is too scratchy. Take it off." I remarked sleepily.

Jace guffawed, "Well then little miss. Your wish is my command, my dear." His sarcasm made me roll my eyes, as he pushed me up so he could get his shirt off. He smirked at me as he took off his shirt in that annoying way only boys do, and I swear my heart stopped. My eyes got wide as I looked at his bare chest. What's better than a sixpack? Whatever that is, is what Jace has. I couldn't take my eyes off of him, " Sweet, you alright there?"

I glared at him and huffed as I settled back into his arms. It didn't take long for me to get comfortable, with his warm chest lulling me to sleep. I felt Jace place a kiss on my head as he settled.

*

jace's pov

Acacia eventually drifted off to sleep, but I couldn't seem to shut my mind off. My wolf was calmed by her being in my arms, but I couldn't help the irrational thought that I needed to make sure she was still there. I was terrified that if I fell asleep I'd wake up and it'd be all a dream. I'd wake up and my beautiful, sweet mate would be just a figment of my imagination. An Alpha male's biggest fear is losing their mate, but even worse for me I was always terrified of never finding her. I was born through my Father's one night stand with a random woman. I've never known what happened to her, she gave birth to me giving me to my Father. My father would never speak of her, and I knew why. He was ashamed. It's considered shameful to be with anyone but your true mate and my Father eventually died of shame never finding his mate.

Growing up, knowing I was born of a sin I had a fear God would punish me for my parent's actions. I thought he wouldn't give me a mate. When Sebastian found Thea I was reminded all over again of that fear. It began to eat me up inside. My wolf succumbing to the darkness only my mate could heal. I eventually snapped and in order to ensure my sanity I shifted and set off on a hunt. I still remember so vividly finding my Acacia.

*WARNING, DESCRIPTION OF GORE PLEASE DON'T READ IF YOU ARE TRIGGERED BY THIS KIND OF STUFF*

I had been running for days. I couldn't seem to ease the tension in my body. I felt that hole inside of me more intensely than anything I'd ever experienced. After days of running and running, I felt the wind knocked out of me. A sharp pain hit my left side, and a scream pierced the air. I set off towards the sound, and as I got closer I smelt her. My mate. That intoxicating smell, cherries mixed with apples. Odd combination, but it was heavenly. My happiness was short-lived when I finally saw her. She was tied to a tree, covered in grungy scraps of clothing. Her hair was matted around her face as tears streamed down. She was caked in mud, and cuts were all across her body as a man laid whip after whip on her small frame. It felt like time stopped as I watched the nightmare play out in front of me.

I let out a growl loud enough to shake the ground, and I shifted as the rogues turned towards my voice. My little mate's eyes widened with fear, and my heart broke. I never wanted her to be afraid of me. Everyone else had something to fear, but her? Never.

It didn't take long to take out the rogues. There were only five, and they were clearly untrained. When every last wolf was massacred, blood dripping from my claws, I looked over at her shaking body. I shifted back quicker than I ever have, and walked over to where she sat, slumped over.

"My precious beauty. I am so sorry it took me so long to find you, but I promise, no one will ever lay a hand on you with malice ever again. I will protect you till my dying breath."

*TRIGGER WARNING OVER

Thinking back to that moment now it feels like a lifetime ago. My sweet Acacia had been with me for a little over a week, but the more I spend time with her, the more it feels like I've known her my entire life. If I ever lost her... I don't think I could live another minute. She has entwined herself so tightly around my heart there's no letting go. I can only hope she feels the same.

* Sneak Peek of Next Chapter

alexei's pov

I can feel her. I can feel her strongest emotions through the mate bond. Even though we aren't mated, God allows mates the gift of feeling one's emotions if they are intense enough. Every time I feel her fear my heart breaks more and more. My wolf is howling for my mate, but I'm terrified of what I might find when I meet her. Does she not want a mate? It's rare, but there have been some cases of wolves rejecting their mates. I've seen it first hand. My Alpha was rejected and became a tyrant to our pack. I was luckily granted leave after so many years under his reign of terror, and I joined Sebastian's pack.

Mates fight the darkness within male wolves. The longer a male goes without his mate the more the darkness consumes them. I'm young enough that I can still fight it, but fighting the darkness while feeling my mate's fear... Not being able to do anything about it?

That's a man's hell.

*

hi guys! i'm so excited with where this book is going! i'm really looking forward to delving into other characters in their stories rather than right one book on one couple and then go to the next. i like the intertwining stories, but what do you guys think? let me know in the comments below!

did you guys like this chapter? it took me a bit to write it, but i think i like how it turned out. i have the next chapter more planned out, so it shouldn't take too long!

thank you so much for your love and support,

-ej