Chapter 12

I stood in front of the mirror admiring the strong women. Its true what they say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

I heard someone calling my name breaking me out of my trance.

After three long and hard month of recruiting and training the models I finally did my own shoot.

The shoot for a a new magazine in France, which was based on health and fashion.

I touched the side of my cheeks, not messing up my flawless makeup. After having my hair pulled up into a tight bun I finally let it down letting it flow over my naked shoulder's. My flawless makeup was simple but yet so beautiful thanks to the makeup artist. My red pumped lips stood out the most making me admire how good she truly was.

Anxiety had been my biggest enemy at the start of my career. My past always haunted me. The feeling of fear was the effect my past had on me. When I looked out into he world, fearing the worst possible situations in life. But my past always prepared me for the worse.

I looked in the mirror and all I saw now was a venerable girl staring back at me. Her shoulders slumped slightly, but still managing to hold her posture, but her posture wasn't confident as before. This time it showed weakness. Finally it morphed into anger.

Soon anger faded away and that frown turned into a small smile when her sad eyes met her knight in shining armour that stood behind her.

"You okay?" he asked looking at me with concern. I still hadn't turned around, still looking at him through the mirror.

Now that weak girl she once saw wasn't lost anymore. A friend had joined her and filled the loneliness.

"Yes I'm fine" he walked forward, still not taking his eyes off from me.

"You're beautiful." He whispered while taking steps closer to me.

My heartbeat sped faster every time his body came closer to mine.

"Thank's." I blushed redness tinting my cheeks. "Come on let's get going then." I finally said, my enthusiasm made him smile. My stomach did somersaults at that smile.

He escorted me out of the changing room, placing me swiftly into the Rolls Royce that had been waiting for us.

I quickly texted Macey, asking her the regular questions. I knew I was coming off a bit overbearing but I just needed reassurance.

"We're here sunshine" his voice, was husky, I raised an eyebrow when he said the word sunshine. "What?" he laughed.

"Sunshine?"

"Well I wanted to call you something else. Is it illegal or something" he asked curiously, but he chuckled.

"It's just not like you to call me anything else other than endearments like 'hot stuff' " We walked towards the entrance, being a private area paparazzi's were forbidden beyond this area.

I inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of werewolves. I could smell, arrogance and power from the werewolf most of them being Alphas.

I read a message at the entrance in big printed words.

'Only alphas allowed, with only two other guests'

"Well I thought as we're in France I'll call you sunshine" I laughed, and linked my arms through his.

We entered, the whole room went silent all gazes were on us, and it was like someone just pressed paused. Then all of a sudden all the werewolf whispered things amongst themselves. My body was shaking slightly due to my anxiety of crowded places.

Did anyone recognise me. My paranoia sitting in.

I know normally I'm plastered all over the world, but my main target audience were humans. I hadn't come across other packs, since I left. I'm only use to James and his pack.

"Why are they staring at us?" I whispered to James. I knew the reason for them to stare at James, him being a successful alpha could be a good reason. He was most recognisable for creating unity between humans and werwolves.

Working around humans James knew how to deal with the arrogant ones but he would create peace between hunters and Alphas.

But I didn't get why their eyes at us.

"Us?" His eyes brown were raised. "you mean you 'Mercedes' he whispered huskily back into my ears which made me shiver.

I looked back at all the alphas and realised, I was Mercedes. Not meek little Mariah.

I cracked a small smile it was nice to be recognised for something good.

"I feel so special you know." I replied back sarcastically.

When I looked back they were back to eating, but that didn't mean they didn't stop staring . One of the waiters came towards us. A handsome young man, with shaggy brown hair. His eyes turned to me i felt by body still. his gaze wasn't friendly but rather predatorily.

I hated heated gazes from any man. After everything I had gone through even therapy could help me get over this; dealing with men.

James stepped forward, which made the waiter step backwards and take his eyes away from me.

Instead of looking back at me he led us to our table.

I breathed in and focused at the room It was so elegant, large chandelier, ornament made from gold and beautiful displayed tables.

James pulled out my chair. I polished my dress properly as I sat down. I ran my hand nervously in my long brown hair. My curls bounced at their tip. James looked nervous as I did, because most of the werewolf's here were either with their mates or dates. And us both well were anything from lovers.

"This is beautiful you know" I finally said nervously.

"I know I thought I'd take you out somewhere good instead of a take away or McDonald" he stated, we both burst out into laughter for an unknown reason gaining unwanted stares. I was happy that he made this less uncomfortable, actually it wasn't really uncomfortable, it was more nerve racking.

"So anyway James, how did you think I did today?" I asked. Because as it was my first comeback since 3 month, I didn't want to seem rusty.

"Well you did great actually I was shocked your shoots were still so flawless." He said honestly still holding that infectious smile, that would involuntarily make me smile.

"Tell me about it" I said, tying to sound cocky, just like James, but unfortunately I didn't come across like that.

I flicked my hair over my shoulder, which made James crack up laughing. I on the other hand was trying to be serious, and didn't join in with him.

The young waiter came back, but this time approached me with a friendly smile. I don't know why James would scare him off? It's so unlike him to do something like that. We ordered our food and, I had ordered sea food, and James had ordered some type of French soup, with a baguette which definitely I will be stealing bit by bit. The guy had come with 2 cups of water and, a bottle of their finest wine. I don't drink so I wouldn't know how these types of wine would taste like.

"Let's not talk about work, let's talk about other things" he said, turning to face me again. I knew by his tone, he hadn't taken me out to dinner for me to question him about my modelling abilities.

"Like what exactly?" I asked, taking a sip of my water.

"How about let's talk about your past" my eyes widened and my body shook slightly. He sensed this and took a hold of my hands, in his. He made circular motions on my palm, which felt so good. "You don't have to if you don't want to" he said thoughtfully looking concerned.

I shook my head. "I think I do need to explain my past to you" I sighed. "Do you have any questions?" I asked

"Well few...what happened to your dad?" he asked finally, looking into my eyes. I could see regret in his eyes for his question. But I couldn't hide away from my past any longer.

"Well...my father..." my lips were closed tightly in a thin line. I was trying to hold back all my emotions. "He was murdered" I inhaled once again, but deeply this time. My father, I thought of the memories he had. I could feel my eyes burning with tears I fought for years staying strong.

"You don't have to tell me." I shook my head fiercely. I rubbed my eyes tenderly with the napkin.

"I do James. I have to take it off my chest. My father went away with his best friend, my old alpha but he never returned alive. My mother at the time felt a sharp pain in her heart and we kind of knew what was happening. After that she was never the same again . We weren't told much other than that he died as a hero." I finally said, the end of the sentence had turned into a whisper. There was silence for a while.

"He must have been." he said genuinely. I giggled from his words in return he gave me a confused look.

"Normally most people would say, I'm sorry and other bullshit they don't mean. But you said the total opposite" I smiled warmly.

It's true my father's a true hero, risking his life for a few month old baby. My father didn't realise the consequence when he jumped in front of a bullet for a baby. It was a reflex, not something he saw others trying to do. When he sees danger or a threat his instinct kicks in and automatically he goes into protective mode. My father jumped in front of that silver bullet, so that baby could see world, to grow up live a part in this life. My father was a true, civil member of society; he was a fighter and a man. My father isn't like most men; he's caring, loving, and most of all he's a mam. He's not afraid to show his emotions .

A true man, cry's, doesn't care who sees him. A true man does a lady's job without feeling embarrassed. That's what a true man is, not being afraid what other people think. A true man is himself, won't let anyone get a say in his life. My father was a true man, and so is James. He's a true man in my eyes to.

The waiter came back with our food. We sat and chatted for a while. We both didn't bother talking about my past life anymore. I hadn't told him where I came from or what my old pack was called. He never bothered asking and I never really cared much about them to talk about it. I hadn't spoken about my mate after the revelation. I'm happy to keep it that way.

I finally excused myself to go into the toilet. I swiftly got up form my chair, still getting perverted, hungry look's form the unmated werewolf's.

I walked past the sexy waiter, receiving a wink off from him. I'm still quite shocked that around James he's pretty much modest, but when I'm alone he becomes into most young unmated werewolves. Typical werewolf boys.

I walked into the toilet, washing my hands and pampering my face slightly with a tissue, to get rid of my smudged up makeup. As I leaned towards the mirror a bit more, to get a better view, then I heard a familiar screech.

I turned around to see the only person I hoped never to see again. "