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"You mean, you wish she was like Cleo?"

Jesse's question sparks my a new thought in my brain. I don't wish she was Cleo or like Cleo. I just wish things could be easier. That I could help her somehow. More than I already am. I want her to trust me but every step forward is then a thousand steps back.

It fucking hurts.

"I'm not saying that exactly." I sigh and lean back into the chair.

My head begins to pound, I want today to be over and for tomorrow to be a fresh start.

"Then what are you saying?"

I ponder for a second. What am I trying to say?

My mind races and I think back to what I said less than a minute ago. She acts like a teenager? She's mentally ill. I scold myself for being so ignorant with my wording. She doesn't act like a teenager, she's just lost in a world that she's trying to re-build around her.

I feel my brows scrunch up and I lean forward again, resting my elbows onto the table and sliding my hand over my face. All she needs is security. I want to give that to her more than anything. I promised I'd never give up on her and I still stand by my word.

She's shown me a side to her that I think no one has seen in a long time, if at all.

"No," I shake my head angrily at myself. "What I said was wrong. All of it is wrong. These last few months have been amazing. She's made such good progress with her mental health, with her ability to trust even a tiny bit. I know she's had a tough past and I feel guilty for getting angry at her."

Jesse chews on the inside of his lip. "But is she going to open up to you completely? Or is it just going to go backwards and forwards like this forever."

I turn to look at him. "She's trying," I say confidently. I know more than anyone that she's tried so hard to move on from her past. Find a new light in this life. "She's really trying and I admire that. She might have some hiccups along the way, but honestly? That's expected. I shouldn't have been so hard on her. And I shouldn't have said that I want parts of her to be different. I just want her to be happy with me."

He stares back at me, blinking. He definitely knows what I'm thinking.

It's obvious. Even my voice has dipped and my heart is completely on my sleeve.

"I've fallen for her, Jesse. I've completely fallen for her."

His mouth parts slightly. The room is silent for a few moments. "You're in love with her?"

I exhale a short breath of air, my lips curling at the idea. It warms my heart more than I expected it to. "God, yes," that feels good to admit. Finally. It's been on my chest for fucking weeks. "I've been in love with her for a while."

I've been apprehensive to tell her. Too much emotion and I don't want to startle her. It might be too soon, so I forced myself to wait. I wanted to be sure that she felt it back, and that will probably be a little while from now.

But saying it outloud? Christ, it pierces my heart with a such a deep happiness I didn't know I could possess.

Jesse's expression softens. "You've been so patient with her," he comments. "I don't know what's gone on with her or the depths of her mental health. I couldn't understand how hard that must be to witness or even deal with."

"She needs someone to be patient with her," I say assertively. "She might not have been what I originally envisioned but now that I think about it, this is better than anything I could ever have imagined. When I think about our bond, our connection. We just fit, we work. Even if we aren't conventionally what each other wanted. This is one hundred percent better because it's so real."

"I think it's just rare I see you like this."

My eyes narrow slightly. "Like what?"

"Defeated."

"It's because I care about her so much. Sometimes I don't know what to do. I'm still learning and I don't want to continuously push her away," I exhale, rubbing a hand down my face. "I am exhausted but that's because I want to be the best for her. It's hard when she doesn't want to talk to me when she feels anxious. It hurts."

He offers me a sympathetic smile. "That's understandable."

"I hate it when we fight," I sigh and bury my head into my hands.

"Don't we all," Jesse scoffs. "Me and Fran argue a lot but that doesn't mean we don't love each other. You learn from it and you move on. Each time you'll get stronger and it'll be a step closer to trust. Real trust. Soon you'll never be looking back."

I drop my hands to the table. "I would never look back anyway. She's it for me, Jesse. No matter what life throws in our way. I don't care if we have to go through this a thousand times, I'm still going to be there for her."

Jesse rests his head on his hand. "You're a good mate, Everett. A real good mate."

Guilt twists in my stomach about what I said earlier. Maybe I'm not. Maybe I say things that I don't even mean because I'm tired. "I don't know what she's been through, but I know it's worse than anything that has ever happened to me. So I will wait however long it takes for her to open up, even if that's forever."

"She's lucky she fell into your world," he says slowly. "I don't know anyone who is devoted to their mate as much as you are."

"Thanks," I say with a smile. "I'm going to head upstairs and check on her."

Jesse nods and stands when I do. "Yeah, I think it's time for an early night."

We part ways when I walk towards the spare room. I know she's been in here all day, when she's sad or we argue, she shuts herself in here instead of our room. It's the peace and quiet that she needs.

I knock on the door. "Reign?"

No answer.

My mouth falls to a frown and I knock again. "Reign, please. I just want to talk."

Silence.

I huff out a breath and press my hand to the door handle. This won't get sorted if we ignore each other. "Reign," my voice lowers as I step inside. Yet the room is empty.

My eyes take a double glance but it's clear she's not here. She probably has gone to bed in our room, I pray. There is nothing I want more than a cuddle with her, inhaling her scent as she snuggles into my chest. To tell her I'm sorry for what happened today at the market.

I shut the door and walk down the hall, straight to our bedroom. The door is slightly ajar, the hairs on the back of my neck begin to stand. Something feels off and my blood runs cold. I step forward and push my way into the room.

She's not here. She's not here.

"Reign?"

My eyes scan the room and check the bathroom but she is nowhere to be seen. Fuck. I walk to the edge of the bed, glancing down once. I notice a piece of paper with scribbled writing.

I take it between my fingers and bring it to my eyesight. My hand is shaking as I read over the wobbly lines. Making out the words as best as I can.

I'm not what you wanted, so what's the point? Hope you find the person who makes you truly happy.

Alarm bells start ringing in my head. I can't stop reading the lines over and over and over until my eyes are burning. Somehow hoping the words will change and this is all a joke, that this isn't real life. I swallow thickly. I think I'm in shock. I'm definitely in shock because I can't move or blink or do anything but stare at this piece of paper.

She thinks she doesn't make me happy?

"Fuck," I curse and run a hand across my head roughly.

Then I take off into the corridor as fast as I can, snapping myself back into reality. "Reign? REIGN!"

My throat scratches from the intensity of my voice, but I'm desperate. Nausea creeps up in my chest as I rush down the hall. I call out her name, everyone can hear me but I need to know where she is.

When did she leave?

Fran emerges into the hall, eyes confused and drowsy. "What's going on?"

I sprint towards her. "Reign. Have you seen her? When did you see her last?"

"I haven't," she shakes her head and wraps her jumper around her body tighter. "Why?"

Fuck. I thrust the piece of paper into her hand and she reads the note in record time. "Fuck, Ev. What have you done?"

I ignore her concerned eyes. Sickness is evident in my throat. Worry doesn't even cut it, I'm fucking distraught and I don't want her going out there into the world that she hated for so many years. Alone.

She could get in trouble. She could get hurt. And I won't be there.

My feet begin to pace up and down the hall, itching with irritation and hatred for myself. What the fuck have I done? I pushed her away.

Reign. Angel. Where are you?

Silence.

Please, angel. Let's talk. Don't do this. Don't run away from me.

My mind doesn't ping like it usually does. It feels like my mindlink messages are going nowhere, she's deflecting them. Ignoring me. Pushing me out. But that won't stop me. I have to keep trying.

You make me happy. You make me so fucking happy. Please, Reign. Come home. I want to listen to you. Tell me how to fix this. I am begging you.

When the message in my mind disappears into nothing, I yell at the top of my voice.

"Everett," Fran moves to my side. "What happened?"

I can't even speak. If I do I'll end up smashing my fist into the wall over and over until there is absolutely no flesh left on my knuckles. I did this to her. I made her feel unwanted and now this is what I get.

She doesn't even want to be here with me.

"What's going on?" Milo steps out of his room.

"Reign, she's gone," I pant because my chest has become so tight all of a sudden.

His expression drops to a look of shock then horror. "What do you mean gone?!"

Fran hands him the note and he reads it once then twice. He glances up at me with hooded eyes. "What the fuck did you say to her?"

I get he's angry. I am furious with myself. With everything I said earlier. She must have heard me. I am a fucking idiot and I might pay for it for the rest of my life.

"I need to find her," I struggle with my words. I grip Milo's shoulder. "Please come help me find her."

Milo straightens his spine and swallows. "You're a fucking idiot, you know that?"

"I know," I say through gritted teeth. "And I need to find her before something happens, before she's gone forever. Please. Help me bring her home."

He places the note back in my hand. "Let's go."

It's nighttime and I don't expect the pack to get up and find her without a plan. If Milo and I are unsuccessful, I'll take them out tomorrow on a mission to find her. But right now, she can't have got far and I have to look before I lose my goddamn mind.

We make it outside, we shift into our wolves and we charge through the trees. I can still smell her sweet scent so we chase it, it's the only hope I've got right now.

What did you say? Milo directs to me through mindlink.

I was talking with Jesse. I said some things I didn't mean. I-I was stupid and idiotic.

Fuck, Everett. What did you say?

I sigh to myself. Saying it again might make my wolf turn on me but I know I can't ignore Milo. That I wished parts of her were different. That she's like looking after a teenager.

Milo snaps his jaw at me. What the fuck is wrong with you? Reign might be the person who is misunderstood but it is not fair for you to say that when you know how many insecurities she has.

I love her, Milo.

He scoffs in my mind. Could have fooled me.

I almost lose it as we race through the trees. I don't care if you don't believe me. I said something stupid because I was upset and tired with what happened today. I didn't mean it the way it came out. If I could take away her problems I would. But I love her with every part of me. I want what's best for her.

Milo's wolf gives me a side eye. I already know what he's thinking. Bullshit.

Right now I don't care what he thinks. I have to find her so I can apologise for my inexcusable behaviour before I never see her again. I can't live with that possibility, not when she is my entire life and I will never be happy again without her.

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Author's Note

Hello my loves, what did you think of this chapter???👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼

I like how Everett checked himself on what he said, too bad Reign didn't stick around to hear the rest😭🥺💔 he said he is in love with her

Also Milo giving Everett a hard time, Milo cares about Reign so much and it makes my heart ACHEEEEE

What do you think is going to happen next?🫠

Don't forget to vote if you enjoyed, it truly makes my day!✨

Love Savanna x

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