Sophia’s POV

The last few days have been great. Knox has been so wonderful, apparently not all men are complete assholes like my ex. And he is so great with Ella. I have seen her smile more these last few days then I have in a really long time.

She absolutely loved the picnic Knox took us on, so much so that we went on another one the next day. It warmed my heart to hear her quietly giggle to herself as Noah chased her around the field.

It worried me that she still has not talked yet. Physically we were both healing and doing better. In another couple weeks our casts come off. But emotionally, I pray that she will be able to move on from all that has happened to us.

Sitting on one of the benches outside in the garden area, I watched as Ella played with Noah. He chatted non-stop, trying to break her silence. I have to admit he really was a good boy. He rarely left her side and she seemed to depend on him, more so than me. I guess she just needs him more, especially when you can’t even rely on your own mother to keep you safe.

The guilt of failing to keep her safe weighed heavily on my heart. How does a little girl get over what her father did to her? He was her father, a man who should have protected her, not hurt her. I should have been stronger for her.

As her mother, I failed…

I didn’t realize that I was crying until the tears ran down my face and fell to my hands that were resting in my lap. I hurt, oh god do I hurt. My heart hurt...

Noah gaze met my eyes and he gave me a small smile before returning his attention to Ella. Using my sleeve I wiped away my tears. I didn’t want Ella to see me.

Suddenly strong arms circled my shoulder and pulled me into a very muscular chest.

Stiffening for a second, I realized that Noah that little sneak must have called for his dad.

“Oh sweetheart, I am here. Tell me why you are crying, please – it breaks my heart to see you in so much pain.”

Wrapping my arms around Knox’s shoulders I whispered to him that I didn’t want Ella to see me like this. Reaching down under my knees he lifted me up and began walking to the house. Oh how I loved to be in his arms. I felt so safe and I realized that it has been a very long time since I felt this way. That knowledge cause the tears to fall faster.

Knox gently laid me down on his bed and climbed in next to me. “Okay baby, we are all alone and Noah has watch over Ella, so tell me what is wrong.”

I just couldn’t hold it in any more so I let it all out. I needed to lean on someone. The pain, the guilt, the terror that still crippled me. How my ex got off on abusing and raping me. How after we married he started to change and then he slowly began to threaten and control me. For a bit while I was pregnant he physically left me alone, but still belittled me constantly. Then when Ella was about a year old, he returned from an assignment a completely different man. Stronger, more domineering, more abusive than ever.

Over the next year I ended up in the hospital several times, never leaving him because he would kill us both if I did. Finally while he was on another undercover assignment I went to the police and hired an attorney.

Since he was with the FBI, they tended to protect their own. At first the cops weren’t very helpful, but I had voice recordings, photos, even videos as evidence. After that they changed their tune.

The FBI had no choice but to turn him over and release him of his commitment to them. He was taken into custody by his own team after they reviewed the evidence.

After several months, he was finally behind bars, the divorce was final and I received full custody. Ella and I were finally free of that bastard. She was only 5 years old at the time and was so tentative for a girl her age. I decided to start fresh and relocate to LA, and for the next couple years we lived in peace.

That was until he was released from prison. Early for good behavior. I believe his buddies with the FBI had something to do with it.

Since my neighbor Tim was a cop, he knew all about our situation. And if he didn’t come over that day, my ex would have killed us both. Tim shot him twice before calling for backup and medical help. While Tim was checking on Ella, Brian escaped out the back door.

A week after Ella and I were released from the hospital, I packed up the car and we ran. A few days later is when I called Jane for help. I knew I physically couldn’t go on.

Knox continued to hold me as I poured out my heart, even admitting my guilt in not being able to protect my daughter and how I had failed as a mother. I wasn’t sure how long we laid there in that bed, but he never left my side or interrupted me.

I hiccupped and sighed as I finished my story. Knox’s arms tightened around me until I settled down.

His hands cupped my face, tilting it up. “Baby, you need to listen to me very carefully. I am so sorry that you had to go through all of that and I will happily kill that bastard if he ever comes near either of you, that being said know this… YOU ARE A WONDERFUL MOTHER…and Ella knows this. She is just a scared little girl right now and still trying to process all of this mess. She will come around, I promise you. You did not fail her, he failed her. You fought for the last few years to give that little girl a good life. And she loves you. She has a special connection to Noah that is why she turns to him, not because she doesn’t need you.”

“Knox what do you mean, what special connection.”

“Okay, I just need you not to freak out about this. I was going to wait until you were more comfortable with our world, but I believe Ella is Noah’s mate.”

“WHAT! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? THAT BOY BETTER STAY AWAY…”

“Sophia stop, please. Let me explain before you go all mama wolf on me. Some shifters find their mates very young and it is innocent as being really close friends. Any sexual feeling do not develop until around 18 years of age. See shifters find their wolves around the age of 16. It takes a couple years, most of that time is spent in their wolf form, connecting and forming a bond with their wolf. Most new shifters go out on their own for a time before returning to the pack. By my calculations, Ella will be close to 17 when Noah returns. I promise you she is safe with him. He will protect her with his life…always. She feels that connection now, which is why she leans on him. You will never have to wonder if she will end up in a situation like yours, remember what I told you about mates. This is a good this baby…”

Calming down I realized what he was saying was true. Noah was a great kid and already very protective of Ella. And if physically she is safe until 17 then I guess I was okay with that. Hell I lost my virginity at 15 so I hand no room to talk.

The more I stayed here and experienced their way of life, the more I recognized that these were good people, they were one big family. A family that I wanted Ella and me to be a part of.

“Okay Knox, thanks for telling me. It is just a lot to take in, you know. I am still dealing with accepting you as my mate and all that entails, and now my daughter also has a mate. I understand that the two are very different, but it is still hard to absorb all of this.”

“I know baby. And I will be as patient as I can in explaining everything to you. I promise you that we will go as slow as we need to.”

Whispering a thank you into his neck, I held on to him, taking in his warmth and strength that he offered. He was slowly knocking all the walls around my heart, and surprisingly I was completely okay with that.