"Mistakes are a fact of life.

It is the response to error that counts."

Nikki Giovanni

"So go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can.

Because that's where you will find success.

On the far side of failure."

Thomas J. Watson, Sr.

Chapter 30

"You know when we were younger he was always so damn stubborn, and competitive. He wanted to turn out being a winner in everything. So being the nice brother i am, i allowed him to win plenty time. Sure I got teased about it, but seeing that smile on his face made it all the worthwhile" James chuckled, remembering the old memory he had shared with Adam.

I have great admiration for James, he put aside all he's sorrows for so long, and has been brave about everything he's been through, and here he is chuckling over memorable memories.

"You seem like a great brother" he sighed, disagreeing with what I had just stated. From where I am standing he seems like the greatest of brother. I envy Adam for having such a great brother. Who will stay by his side and not treat him like dirt, like Brad once had.

I shifted on his lap staring at him confusingly. He shook his head once more, his face was sad, and he looked deeply at Adam lying on his bed, the sorrow came back on his appearance when he took in the sight of his brother. The waters forcing its way down his cheeks seemed to me like James had much regret and anger in his past; he wanted to get off his chest. I don't think James is bad, actually he's not bad, but he the only person oblivious to that fact that he's the good guy.

He ran his hand through his messy hair, shaking his head and looking back at me. The sincerity in his eyes was what makes James, James.

"I left him Mariah, to face the world on his own. I didn't even have the courage to call to see if he's okay. I shut him out of my life. I feel like a terrible brother." His voice quivered at the quivering disappointment took over.

"James we all make mistakes. Realising them is what make it important. Like my dad always said, 'making mistakes is your life. Without them you are perfect'" I said going into my own daze thinking about my father.

James smile snapped me out of my daze as i looked up at him. He flashed his perfect pearly teeth, chuckling at me. I felt happy that he could still keep that smile on his face, whatever terrible moment he has to go through, James will always be happy "The words from a very wise man" he stated. I smile at his choice of words. It's true my father's always gave words of wisdom to those who suffered or needed his help.

"Now I see where i get me genes from" I smirked. I shocked myself by smirking, as I wasn't one to, but who cared right this minute. I wanted to feel different and by changing my aura hopefully I did. I didn't wanted to bring a dark cloud over us, and by changing my mood hopefully i will feel relief and relaxed.

"Urm not really" he said flatly, staring at me then around the room, which had earned him a smack. He rubbed his chest, while glaring at me. To be honest my hands is feeling the sting form the hit, man his pecks is hard.

"Shut up, I am intelligent" I defended.

"Yes sure for a model" he muttered.

"Hey. Well my grades have always been top of the classes. But i have to say looking at the papers they have always been so easy. And that is such a stereotype, because I'm a model I'm not intelligent"

I hate it when people automaticity thinks I'm stupid because i am a model. In fact lots of my girls are top grade geeks. They have graduated and have a backup plan. One of them even wants to be a scientist, so i proved those stereotypical idiots that not all models are stupid.

"You know I'm kidding boo boo" he said ruffling my hair. I sent a deadly death glare his way.

"Hey you've called me boo boo" I said exaggerating my amazement. Lately he doesn't call me boo boo, it has put me in place where I believe I am not the same girl he had met a year ago.

"I know sorry. You will always be my boo boo"

"Sorry to correct you but it was meant to be boo hoo" I said flatly. The real terminology was actually boo hoo. He had a fake hurt expression on his face, disagreeing with me. At least he shared one thing in common with Adam; he always had to be right.

"No it's not, it's boo boo" he whined.

"I'm sure boo boo is when someone gets hurt" i laughed, when his face went straight and he went in to thinking mode. I had a victorious smug on my face, i knew I was right

"i don't care your my boo boo. Jeesh you can hurt my ego"

"I'm sorry but how does that relate back to your ego" i laughed even hard, at which point i snorted. James hadn't realised it thankfully as he covered his ear making 'la la la' noises. How immature?

"It just does" he huffed. I rolled my eyes at him.

He glared at me as i kept the same glare, trying my hardest not to blink. I stranded his lap, him which was my tactic to win. He blinked staring at the position i was in. I hadn't realised that all i was in, is my underwear, and the look on James face told me it was hard for him to keep his cool. I stifled a laugh when he tightened his hold around me. He leaned in closer which just made me stay in my position waiting in anticipation to receive his delightful kisses.

There was a slight knock on the door which had made him pull away and groan in frustration. I stood up for him dusting my shirt down. I looked up to see Tammy standing in the door way. James had also turned around staring blankly at his mother. We both looked over her shoulder to see no sign of Tom.

"Look Leo i know you don't want to speak to us. But we never would do anything that cruel. Kill a mate of our son. Your dad has been doing his research for years on finding out who killed her..."

"Well?"

"If I tell you will not believe a word I say. I want you too see for yourself. I want this family back" Tammy cried. "i never wanted this life, i never wanted to be an alphas wife or even a mat, or a Luna. I always wished had a normal family no pressure no nothing. Your dad always wanted to be the best and i didn't want to hurt his feelings when it came to pressuring you boys. I'm sorry"

"It doesn't cut it. You know for them years of being alone, I felt empty, scared and pissed. Aretha was my life back in the day and you knew it. I don't care that she's dead I just care the fact at my parents killed her" James snapped.

When he mentioned about Aretha being dead, it blew me away. He didn't care if she was dead? Part of me wanted to question him and the other part told me James is wise he wouldn't just say something like that out of anger.

"We didn't though" Tammy wept. I felt based for her, i knew her and tom weren't people to do something so cruel. Tom was a clever man, but he was never so mean and harsh. Sure he pressured his boys, but he would never kill his own sons mate. i relay wanted James to find out the truth even if he didn't believe it, I wanted to put peace between a child and his patens. I hated this feeling of anger radiating off James body.

"Bring the proof" James sneered, which made Tammy flinch from his tone.

"But you have to come to Rome with us?" she said.

"You're saying the people who killed her would be the people she knows" James said confused.

Aretha was Italian; she was born and raised in Rome. James had told me he had met her when she came in an exchange student programmes. James had told me how she lived with one of his human friends and that is how they had met. Their story was so lovely to hear. I was jealous of how much affection he had given her when he had found her. He had been her own red carpet, she was his centre of attention, it was like she was the earth and he was the moon.

"Yes. Your dad tried to find you to clear his name" Tammy said.

"Mum I'll see." He replied. Tammy's face lit up when James said the words 'mum'. I smiled at the view of a very ecstatic mother.

Tammy came and sat beside Adam while I and James sat comfortably together. I rested my head on his broad shoulders, staring at Adams body. I smiled every time seeing his chest rise, and it had the same affect on Tammy and James.

Someone opened the door quietly behind us. We all turned around to see the culprit. I felt my anger rising once more, he may be my brother by blood but he will never be able to have that status again. i felt James body move undermines. Before i could even stop him, he shot up grabbing Brad by collar. The fright on Brads face made me aware he was truly scared.

James pushed Brad towards the wall, banging his head to the wall. I didn't blame James right this minute but we couldn't afford someone else being in hospital. "you hurt him" james gorlwed menacingly.

"i'm s-sorry" brad whispered.

"You're not all saint yourself." I heard a fist connecting to a nose. I looked up to see James landing another dreadful punch to brads face and gut. Brad tried to wheeze, but it was hard, as James had his neck trapped beneath his elbow, while the other hand just punched.

I truly was scared, i had never seen James so violent and aggressive. "Your sister needed you and you watched!" James roared and landed a punch to his stomach once more. Tammy tried her best to pry her son away from Brad but it wasn't working. My body wasn't moving in the slightest seeing like James had frozen me in my spot.

I finally found y inner self and i ran up to James placing a hand on his trembling shoulder. His shoulder was tensed and his muscles were rippled that I could feel them form under my fingertips as i trailed my fingers over his veins. I felt nervous, feeling it may not have the same affect it has when a mate does it. but for some reason my desires took over as i imagination ran in my mind, every time I touched his shoulders and muscles.

Shocking James dropped Brad down as his slid against the cream coloured walls. James slowly turned around looking at me and the fact that he was lusting at the sight in front of him. He licked his lips staring at my lips while i felt my tongues slide along my bottom lip. Damn what is he doing to me?

"Not here" I whispered hoarsely.

"How can you calm me?" he questioned more likely whispering to himself.

"Mating?" I answered simplify. The mating must have caused something strong between us like mates have. He marked me to be his and we mated. So in reality I was his and he was mine.

"No, even before. But this time it's stronger. I have the urge to listen to you. It's like, like you can control my emotions"

"I don't know" I answered. I really had no understanding of what had just happened.

"I don't want to know the reason, because I know I love you" he whispered as he held on to my face, as my hair swallowed his hands. I caressed his cheeks smiling up at him.

"I love you...not" I replied back, with a laugh while he rolled his eyes at me.

"How mature" he replied sarcastically rolls his glimmering eyes at me.

Looking at James told me he really did love me.

Okay tell me what you think. Brad deserved that right? He is such a tool.

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