Chapter 7

Addison

Something isn't right and I have no idea what to do about it. Something inside of me is screaming at the fact that I'm missing everything right now. I know that Mateo is meeting with my parents, and I can only imagine how that is going. I hope that a truce was called because I already know that Dad might end up trying to kill Mateo or something. I don't even want to think about that because I just know how his mind works.

He doesn't take too kindly to those who keep trying to fuck him over. I know he probably sees Mateo as a threat, and he might do everything in his power to eliminate that threat. It wouldn't even surprise me at this point, that's how far I'm done with this shit. I keep wondering if maybe Mateo is going to do the right thing, but I shouldn't hold my breath there. Who does he owe anything to?

Not me, that's for sure.

I let out a shaky breath and I shake my head back and forth. I don't know what's going on right now, but I feel so uneasy. It's like someone is going to do something to me and I will be able to do nothing about it. It's kind of terrifying to even think about but it is something that I have lived with my entire life. I sense their hatred. I know they hate me.

Letting out a shuddering breath, I continue about my business as I walk around the cell and try to get rid of this gnawing feeling. Something is terribly wrong, and I have no idea what to do about it. I want to ask Mateo, but he isn't back yet. Did something happen to him? Did something happen to my family. Am I going to learn the news of someone being slaughtered?

Do I even want to know?

I look up as I hear the door open, and I'm surprised to see Mateo walk in and he doesn't look harmed. But the look on his face tells me that something else is the matter.

"What's going on?" I ask him curiously now as I raise an eyebrow.

"You're going to have to make a choice." He explains to me, a weird look on his face as he goes on, "I know that I might not have been the most suitable mate in your eyes, but I can assure you that you will be happy with me. I can't be sure a hundred percent what's going to happen between us or anything, but what I do know is that you're my fated mate."

"You locked me in this cell." I correct him, seeing how he flinches back like I had just slapped him, "why should I believe a single thing that you say?"

"You don't have to believe me." He assures me, shaking his head back and forth, "but I am telling you the truth. This was the only way that I could keep you safe from everyone out there that would honestly do everything in their power to harm you. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you the truth, but I didn't want to bear you looking at me the way that you are now. Like I'm some kind of monster."

It"s like a slap to the face because I had no idea, I was looking at him like I was. I can only imagine how hurt he is thinking that I don't believe him. I mean, I honestly don't know what to believe or even think. I don't know how I can trust him after everything that has happened, and I'd like to think that I would be able to, but it is becoming more and more obvious that he is continuing to hide things from me. He might think it is okay and he might assume that I'm going to be alright with it but I'm not. After everything that I have been through, I wish that he would show me a little bit more respect than he does at this moment.

If I had it to my way, I would do everything in my power to just tell him to fuck off. I want to but I can't, feeling like I am battling a battle on the inside from what I want and what I should do. I know that all that I have been through, there's no way that I can just allow him to win this because it could turn around and destroy everything that I have built. I can see by the look on his face that he knows this as well, but he is giving me the option.

"They are going to marry you off if you go with them." He explains to me, shaking his head back and forth, "and I don't want to see that happen. I wish that you could trust me in what I know is best for you, but I can see why you don't. I do not deserve it."

I just bite my tongue because I know this could turn around and really screw me. I don't know what the game is but I'm thinking that he wants me to stay. He wants me to pick him. I would have had no issues with picking him if he hadn't treated me the way that he did but now, it truly feels like I might be in a losing battle. I don't know how he is feeling, and I don't know if I'm going to make this right but what I do know is there is no way in hell that I'm going to be able to just back down.

"Give me a good reason why I should pick you." I finally tell him, folding my arms across my chest, "and no bullshit either. You need to make me WANT to pick you. Not just because you're my fated mate, but because you feel something towards me as well."

He is watching me curiously now, as if he is trying to decide what to say to me. I couldn't be completely certain of where this is going but I know what I want to happen. I know how I feel about him, and I know what makes me ache for more. Everything that is Mateo is coming to light, but I can't just trust his word. He needs to prove it to me.

"What do you want me to do?" He asks me softly, running his fingers through his hair, "I will give you whatever you want."

I'm not sure what he wants or even how well this is going to go but what I do know is that I'm not going to back down. I couldn't be completely sure of my feelings towards him and the whole situation but what I do know is that I'm not going to be able to back down. He needs to prove all of this to me.

After what feels like an eternity, he reaches out and gently cups my face in his hands, rubbing the pad of his thumb along my lower lip. I let out a startled gasp as I hadn't expected it and I felt the tingle between my legs once again. I think he just knows what he is doing, and he knows how to drive a girl wild. I wish that I was able to tell him to f-off, but I know this wouldn't do me any good. I am completely at his mercy.

"You can hate me all you want." He explains to me softly, shaking his head, "But I can assure you that everything that I have done has been for you. I might not be a perfect mate, but you will be happy by my side. We will grow to love one another… But it is your choice."

I don't get why he is allowing me to have a choice. If I decided to say no, would he actually let me go? But do I even want to go back? I know they will marry me off.

I don't want that at all.

The only question is if I can trust Mateo to do the right thing. I don't know if I even want him. I don't know if I can really trust someone like him as my mate. I have been through so much in my life and I have gone through some scary things. I have done things that others would only dream about since being out here. I know that Mateo wants to create a pack but is Dad even going to allow that? Are we going to be safe out here? I couldn't even be completely certain of what because I already knew what I had been through, and I knew what might end up happening to us if a war happened.

It immediately dawns on me that it isn't Mateo making me choose. It is dad. He is trying to see what I decide and if I'm going to turn my back on my people. On my kingdom. He never will could get pissed off if I end up choosing Mateo and I'm afraid of what that might end up doing to us. Would I be able to protect everyone that I have cared about? Is Mateo going to protect me from those who are probably going to hunt me down? Will he even be able to? I don't like thinking like this and wondering because that is just as scary.

"I guess you need to show me why I should pick you." I murmur a little more huskily than intended and his eyes narrow.

His lips twitch slightly as he takes a step towards me, "Your wish is my command."