Time is the master of all. It controls everything. How long we live. How long our food is in the oven. How long we are in love.

Time can go by in a flash. Time can drag on forever. Time can corrupt ones very soul.

Tick tock.

Tick tock.

Tick tock.

I stare at the clock feeling the familiar feeling of anger and annoyance bubbling in the pit of my stomach.

I know what I have to do, but I know I'm going to get in big trouble for it. Jayden will be furious. And hurt.

It's been 3 days since I last saw Jayden, so far he has been leaving before I wake up and coming home after I've fallen asleep.

I'm deeply hurt, my wolf feels rejected that he doesn't want to be with us especially after marking us. He has blocked off his mind link completely now, he opens it regularly every so often to check on me.

I've reached the limit now, I can't cope with my wolfs constant whining and my constant chest pain. This is exactly what problems come with a mate, that I frankly didn't want.

I pace the room with my mind reeling over my stupid idea, but I know it'll finally get Jayden's attention.

This is crazy. You're gonna kill yourself.

I groan in annoyance. I have to do this because I can't get hold of him any other way, he has ordered Tate and Derek to stay with me at all times and not allow me to go near him while he is 'working'.

I know he isn't because Tate slipped up the other day and told me he was avoiding me. How was I suppose to try and fix things if he won't let me see him?!

I'm finally starting to admit to myself of the feelings I harbour for him, but it's hard when all I'm starting to feel is anger towards him.

I glance at the open window and step towards it slowly, the gusting breeze bangs the windows against the wall making me jump.

Yet another storm is rolling in so I better do this before the rain starts, I do not want to get hypothermia.

I listen carefully to the activity outside the bathroom door, I hear Tate and Derek steady heart beats from the other side of the door.

I have to be quiet.

I look out the window to see if it is clear which luckily it is, I carefully climb up onto the window frame and perch. I look down and have to gulp down my fear.

It's a 3 story drop from this window to the ground, if I'm lucky I could land with only minor bruising but if something goes wrong I could possibly die.

This is for Jayden and I.

This is stupid.

No, no it's not. Just do it!

I take a deep breath before letting my body fall off the window frame and into the hair. My heartbeat speeds up dramatically as I fall to the ground at a frightening speed.

Within seconds my feet touch the ground, I cry out in pain as my ankle cracks from the harsh contact. I use the tuck and roll move I was taught in training.

I sit there for a second trying to control the raging pain in my ankle, I glance down and see the bruising already starting. I get up as quickly as I can.

I race straight towards the forest, just as I enter the darkened tree line I hear Derek's familiar voice shout my name, "Melody!"

I ignore him but mentally smile, I keep running deeper into the woods. I can sense Jayden in my mind but keep him blocked out. They must of told him.

I get deep into the forest, I'm close to the border now so if I go further the patrol will find me. That is not what I want. I quickly, without thinking, shift into my wolf.

I stop and listen carefully. I hear the howls of wolfs, most likely signalling that I have disappeared. I pant heavily, I freeze as an unknown sound bounces off the trees around me.

It's the sound of a bear. My ears are up and I lift my head as high as I can and look around. My eyes scan my surroundings slowly as another sound reaches my ears, a wild boar.

Then another and another. I let myself growl lowly and crouch down readying myself. Instead of something coming from where the sounds are, I hear Jayden's orders from close by.

I start running towards the right instead, ignoring the random sounds I just heard. I must keep up with the plan.

The pain in my ankle is becoming almost bearable. Suddenly the ground shakes beneath my feet as a loud frightening growl bounces off the trees.

Jayden.

He's angry. I can sense it, he is completely raging. My wolf is yapping happily and the thought of finally seeing her mate.

I sense his wolf getting closer making my heart thump in my chest.

Will he be really angry? Will he hurt me? What if he decides to punish me?

What if I can't fix this now?

Have I messed this whole thing up?

Will he reject me for disobeying him?

His footsteps are getting closer and I can hear his angry growls.

My ears prick up as I hear the twigs snapping under my feet, the pain in my ankle is forgotten as my worry about Jayden takes over.

He is slowly breaking down the wall in my mind.

I'm starting to feel weak and I'm giving in.

His wolf comes into view and I see the anger and hurt in his pitch black eyes. I want the blue ocean pools back now.

He gets ahead of me and jumps in front of me, I force myself to halt being I still crashed into him. Unlike me he kept his foot in and stood tall in front of me.

I wince as I feel my ankle starting to throb at the sudden pressure of halting. His face morphs into one of worry but it passes and the anger continues.

He breaks through the wall I put up in my head and the growl that comes through is frightening making my head spin.

'Shift now Melody.' He snarls angrily through our mind link. I bow my head but don't shift, he steps forward threateningly.

A man appears out of nowhere and chucks some short and a t-shirt at Jayden who catches them in his jaw easily. I watch as the man nods at me before racing off once again.

He shifts in front of me, I turn my head away feeling the usual shyness overcome me. He pulls on the shorts and throws the t-shirt at me.

I look at the shirt then up at him, he crosses his arms making his muscles bulge but makes no attempt to move. I quickly shift and pull on the shirt.

I stand up straight and looks at him, his eyes are still black but they look even angrier now, if that's even possible.

Without talking he grabs me then picks me up, one of his hands behind my knees and the other strongly wrapped against my back.

I sit in his arms silently, avoiding his gaze and those of strangers. I'm guessing that he told most that I escaped so the heat rises up my neck.

Jayden is using his alpha wolf speed so everything becomes blurred, I know where he is going though. His bedroom. The Alpha Prince's quarters.

Alpha Prince.

Those two words still make my head spin, because I'm mated to him. I look up to see his sharp chin which is covered in stubble.

I want to reach up and touch it. Touch him. Just to feel the comfort and sparks that come with his touch, to know we are mates.

It keeps me sane, my brain is still trying to persuade me I don't have a mate and it makes my mind a whirlwind. I'm sick of it.

I think I am ready to accept him. What harm can that do? I'll finally have a mate. Someone who will love me. Someone who will protect me.

Sooner than I realise we are in his bedroom and he throws me rather roughly onto his bed. He stands at the foot of the bed breathing extremely heavily.

His eyes are switching between black and the blue I love so much. I slowly get off my back and turn so I kneel in front of him. His eyes follow my every movement.

"Jayden-" I start but he cuts my off by roughly pushing forward and putting his lips against mine. I could tell he wanted dominance so I gave it to him, the kiss was rough and deep.

His tongue easily slips into my mouth and my hands find their way into his hair. His arms snake around my waist and he hoists me up slightly.

He pulls away and I breathe deeply trying to control myself. He rests his head against mine then, after a few peaceful seconds, he sighs loudly.

"You ran." He states painfully, his arms leave my waist and he steps away from me. He takes all positivity with him because all I feel is nervous and scared.

"I-" Jayden's eyes go darker as he glares at me, I shut my mouth instantly and look down at my lap.

"You ran from me." He states again but this time with anger "You ran from your own mate! Why Melody why?! Have I not done enough for you?!"

I try to speak but I feel as though there is a plug on my throat, stopping the words from escaping. I hear him step closer and my head tilts up to him.

"Speak." He demands.

"I ran." I say, the shock on his face is evident as he steps away from me. "But not for the reasons you believe."

He regains his composure and looks me straight in the eye. "Why did you run then Melody?"

"Because..." I run out of words because it finally hits me, even though my plan worked it was a stupid plan.

"Because what?!" He shouts this time, I flinch back in surprise. Suddenly I feel something in my stomach, it's burning and I know that's it's anger. He has finally gotten me angry.

"Because you left me!" I shout standing up off the bed "Because you were a coward who ran away the moment things got serious! You marked me, without consent may I add, then left!"

He isn't trying to hide his shock now, it's clear in his face. He looks at me before stepping forward. "Melody I-"

"No Jayden! Don't make any excuses! I don't want excuses! I don't want you to leave me! I want you with me." The anger cooks and I look up at his concentrating face.

"I-" I cut him off again.

"Jayden. I forgave you for marking me, days ago but you have avoided me. I've slept in your bed, not mine because I thought that would mean something to you but it didn't. So I ran, to get your attention. Because Jayden I...I accept you as my mate." I say.

Jayden's face morphs from anger to surprise to absolute glee. His lips tug up into a grin and he comes over to me. In seconds he places his lips on mine again, but this time the kiss is soft and slow.

He pushes me back slowly making me fall onto the bed with him on top. He keeps the kiss going but I can feel myself getting breathless, I pull away slowly.

He places kisses down my neck before surprising me with a open mouth kiss on my mark. A moan rips out of my throats and I feel my stomach flip at the sensation racing through my body.

"Melody." He says, I can hear the smirk in his voice "My Queen."

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