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Chapter 57

I stalked towards the packhouse in anger and annoyance. I wiped away the messy, dried tears from my cheeks and let out a troubled whimper. Opening the packhouse door, I was met with my mom.

"Hey, Honey. How was school?" My mom asked. I hid my angered face and replaced it with a smile.

"Hi, mom," I whispered, sliding next to her. "It was ok." And with that, I ran towards my room. She offered me a confused look before I ran but I ignored it and walked up the stairs, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to escape.

"Tiana, what's wrong?" I heard my mother yell from downstairs but I ignored her again and ran to my room. I entered my room and slammed the door shut then jumped on my bed, letting out a muffled scream against my pillow. A tear slipped out my eye as I remembered today and how Zander treated me.

This was getting out of hand.

I sat up and ran a hand through my hair, feeling more frustrated as time went by. I can't believe him. I can't believe he's acting like this. Since when did he start acting this way? I growled out and rubbed my hand over my face in frustration.

I whipped my head in the direction of where my door was when I heard it open. Adam came walking in with a frown on his face, and once he saw my state, his frown deepened.

"Tiana?" He murmured as he closed the door behind him. He walked over to me and sat on my bed. I immediately pulled him into a hug as he rubbed my back. "What happened?" Adam asked, pulling away from the hug. I sighed out and looked down at my hand.

"Zander happened," I whispered, glancing at him. He huffed out and shook his head.

"I passed him a while ago and he gave me one of his hatred glares, but with more hatred, so I guessed that something happened between you two," Adam spoke. I frowned at his words and couldn't stop the feeling of guilt that overcame me. It wasn't hard to notice that Zander wasn't fond of Adam. Hell, he hated him. It's really hard to have a mate that hates your best friend.

Adam never did anything to Zander, yet he still despised him. Zander was jealous of Adam. Not just Adam but any male I'm with or I talk to. Over time, Zander grew to be possessive and protective, leading to problems in our relationship. And he hated that I was best friends with a male. He never intentionally hurt Adam but he'd throw words at him from here and there. Other males, yes he would.

I guess he never touched him because he knew that Adam was very close to me.

"What happened this time?" Adam questioned, catching me out of my thoughts. I looked at him and sighed.

"I'm getting tired of his behavior, Adam," I whispered, shaking my head. "I was about to leave the school when a new student asked me where the exit was. So since I was leaving, I decided to walk him out of the school. And guess who saw me as I walked out with another boy next to me?"

"Zander," Adam whispered, nodding his head. I nodded as well and let out a long sigh. "What did he do to the boy?"

I winced as I remembered the scene and ran a hand through my messy hair. I huffed out, feeling the familiar guilt I've been getting used to overcoming me.

"He stalked towards us and literally punched the poor guy," I responded, clenching my fist as I remembered Zander's unacceptable behavior. "I wouldn't be surprised if the boy changed schools and never showed his face ever again." Adam shook his head and pulled me closer to him, wrapping his arms around me.

"What did you do after that?" Adam questioned.

I looked up to him then glanced down at my hand. "We did the usual. Fight, argue, yell at each other," I answered, releasing a long breath from out of my chest. "Adam, I don't know what I'm going to do with him anymore." Adam's arms tightened around me and he placed his chin on the top of my head, rubbing his hand on my back in a soothing manner.

"Maybe you have to let him go," Adam whispered, making my eyes widen and snapping my head up at him. My mouth hung open from his words and I looked at him in disbelief.

"What are you talking about?" I gaped at him. "Let him go? He's my mate, remember?" Adam shook his head and sighed out.

"He's your angel side's mate. Meaning, you have another mate out there. And so does he. You both are half angel and half-werewolf, so both of you will have a werewolf mate. Maybe this mate isn't healthy for you," Adam explained. I looked down at my hand as I comprehend his words. He was right. I do have another mate out there and maybe he'd treat me better than Zander does.

But what if I never find him? What if I give Zander up and never find someone else to love me like how Zander does?

Zander and I were both hybrids. We both met months ago and immediately knew that we were mates. He was the Beta's son that lived away with his mother, but months ago he came to live in the packhouse and that's how we met.

We immediately knew that were mates from our scent and attraction. At first, I thought that he was my werewolf mate but my werewolf disagreed, telling me that was not her mate. My mom, however, told us that Angels have mates as well, and since we were half angels, we would have two mates and when the time comes, we'd have to choose between two. Which is really hard.

And I wasn't looking forward to that day.

"What if I never find him?" I whispered, looking up at Adam. "What if Zander doesn't give me up? You know him, he's really possessive over me." Adam smiled down at me and tugged a piece of hair strand behind my ear.

"I'm not sure about that, Tiana. But if you're destined to be with Zander or your werewolf mate, then you'll end up with anyone of them. But you won't know till you try," Adam said, softly. I let out a loud huff and rubbed my face with my hands.

"What are you exactly saying?" I asked, looking up at Adam in confusion.

"Reject him. He doesn't deserve you. Someone better do," Adam responded. I bit my lip and registered his words into my head. It was really hard to think about it. Should I do it? Did I even love Zander? I mean, we only met a couple of months ago and we're still young, so I don't even know what love is. Before I could even open my mouth and reply, a loud booming voice made us snap our heads in the direction of my bedroom door.

Zander was standing there, right outside my room raging with anger. His jaw and fist were clinched as loud growls emerged from within his chest. He roared out and came running into my room. Adam and I separated as we stared at an angry, furry Zander.

"You bastard!" He roared as he stalked towards Adam. "How dare you drill those thoughts into my mate's head?" He growled. Adam and I stood up as we stared at Zander. Never in my life have I seen Zander this angry. Yes, I'd see him pissed and angry as he saw me with other guys but to this extend? Never.

My eyes widened in worry as he grabbed Adam by his shirt and slammed him against my bedroom wall, making a gasp escape my mouth. "You want her to reject me?" He yelled, throwing a punch to Adam's jaw, making my eyes widen even more. I ran up to him and tried to pull him away, but he only pushed me making me fall to the ground.

"Why? Is it so you could have her to yourself?" He roared, throwing Adam to the ground and kicking him. "She's mine! Nobody else can have her." I gasped as I saw Adam's bloody state. Since Zander was the beta's son, that meant he was stronger than Adam. Adam tried fighting back but Zander would only punch him, leading him to fall to the ground.

I stood on my feet and ran up to them, yelling at Zander.

"Zander!" I cried as he continued to throw hard punches at a weak Adam. "You're going to kill him! Stop." Zander whipped his head over to me and something dangerous glint in his eyes. He growled and looked over at Adam.

"That's what I'm going to do," he roared and shifted into his wolf, catching me by surprise. I placed my hands over my mouth as Zander stalked towards an almost unconscious Adam, on the verge of passing out.

"Zander no!" I yelled, running in front of Adam. "Don't you dare. If you lay another hand on him then consider us over." Zander's eyes darkened a dangerous shade and a loud growl emerged from his chest. He used his head and pushed me aside, aggressively, making me fall to the ground.

I whipped my head up and all the air was stuck in my throat as I saw Zander sink his teeth into Adam's neck, making time stop at that moment. Tears fell out of my eyes as I was stuck in my place, paralyzed. A muffled cry escaped my lips as Adam cried out in pain.

It all happened so fast. One second Zander was on top of Adam and the other second a huge wolf pushed Zander off of him. I watched in relief as the Alpha growled down at Zander, making him whimper in submission. I ran up to Adam and cried out as I saw him drown in his own blood.

"No, no, no." I shook my head as tears fell out of my eyes. "Please don't die. Please." I begged. Immediately, many guards came and took Zander away as the pack doctor took Adam to his infirmary. I watched as they took a stilled Adam away from me. I shook my head and cried into my hands.

I prayed that nothing would happen to Adam. However, I knew what was going to happen to Zander. He tried to kill a pack member. That was against the rules, and punishment is death. I felt my heartbreak at the thought of those two. I was terrified that something would happen to Adam and I'd lose my best friend. I was also heartbroken that I was going to lose my mate.

He deserves his punishment, but I was broken that I'd lose my mate now. I shared a connection with him and now I'm going to lose him. Worse, losing both of them. I cried in my room for hours, too nervous to check up on Adam. After what seemed like ages, my bedroom door opened and my mother walked in.

She immediately pulled me in for a hug as I cried against her chest. My mother rubbed her hands against my back in a soothing manner. After I cried for who knows long, I pulled away and stared at my mother.

"Shh, Darling. It's ok. Everything's going to be ok," she whispered, wiping the tears from my cheek. I looked up at her and she smiled down at me.

"How..." I stopped to catch my breath. "How's Adam?" I asked, too afraid for the answer. My mom tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and smiled softly.

"He's ok. The bite was deep so he's going to be out for a couple of days. He was lucky though," she whispered. "He was on the verge of death, but he's fine now." My eyes watered all over again and I felt the familiar tears slip out of my eyes all over again.

Hearing that he was on the verge of death broke me. I stood up and looked at my mother.

"I want to see him," I whispered. She nodded her head and stood up, wrapping her arm around my shoulder.

"Then come on. Let's go." I nodded and we walked out of my room and towards the infirmary. I sucked in a breath as I saw the Alpha walking towards me with a sympathetic expression. He stopped in front of us and I felt my heartbeat against my ribcage violently.

"Tiana," he greeted. I nodded my head and looked down.

"Alpha."

I looked up at him and he cleared his throat, shaking his head. "I'm sorry for your loss," he whispered, making a lump form in my throat. "You're mate is dead. He tried to escape the borders and my men killed him on the spot. He was going to die anyway for going against our rules. I know it's hard. My beta is having a hard time as well but what was done is done."

My heart stopped and lonely tears fell off of my cheek.

"He tried to escape?" I asked, shocked. The Alpha nodded and patted my shoulder softly.

"Yes. He tried to escape his punishment," he responded. I choked on my own breath and my mother's arm tightened around my shoulder. "I'm sorry." And with that, he walked past us, leaving me standing there in pure shock.

"He tried to escape his punishment," I whispered to myself, feeling tears escape my already red eyes. "What a coward." I shook my head and wiped the tears off my cheek. I couldn't believe him. I couldn't believe he tried to kill my best friend. And I couldn't believe he'd try to escape and think of never returning.

I thought a mate was supposed to understand you and never leave your side? I thought that a mate was supposed to accept you and the people around you? I thought a mate was supposed to love your mate no matter what happens and sacrifice what you feel, even if it's jealousy or hatred towards another?

If this is how a mate treats the other, then I don't want a second mate.

Unwanted memories flashed back. It hit me like a slap to the face. It was like time stopped as I stared into Zander's shocked eyes. Eyes that I never thought I would ever see again. Many questions roamed through my head. My head started to throb as I comprehend everything.

Zander is alive. He never died.

I took a step back as I stared at him with nothing but shock. Mason looked between him and I in shock and anger as he heard Crystal's words. I looked over at Mason, knowing that he was feeling many emotions all at once, and so was I. His fist was clenched as his eyes were wide. I looked over at Zander and he took another step closer to me, making me step back.

"Tiana," he breathed out.

"You're supposed to be dead," I hissed, feeling my eyes water in anger. "How are you alive?" I yelled. He winced at my loud voice and looked down at the ground in shame. Mason stepped closer to me and grabbed my hand. I looked up at him with blurry vision.

He looked upset, angry, and confused, yet he still grabbed my hand to comfort me. I looked over at Zander to see him glaring at our joined hands, making me want to scoff. He brought his eyes over to me and they softened with guilt. "I'm sorry, Tiana. The Alpha let me go that day so they wouldn't kill me. My dad didn't want me to die and neither did I."

I sucked in a breath and I took a step away from everyone. I shook my head in disbelief.

Everything was a lie.

A tear slipped out of my eye and I turned around and ran. I ran away from them and entered the packhouse as my heart beat aggressively against my ribcage. I ran into my room and slammed the door close then locked it. I laid against the wall and let the tears I was holding back fall. Everything hit me. And I couldn't take it all at once.

I sat on the ground and cried. I cried for the days that I thought I lost my mate. And I cried for the days that I burdened myself for being the cause of Adam's injuries. I cried as my memories hunted me all over again. I couldn't believe him. He left me on my own to suffer. He ran away from his problems and from me.

A loud knock on my door brought me out of my thoughts and the scent told me it was Mason.

"Tiana. Please. Open the door," he whispered. I shook my head even though he couldn't see me. I couldn't face him. I was too ashamed to. I lied to him and never told him the truth. God knows what he's feeling right now.

"M-Mason, leave," I croaked as more tears fell out of my eyes.

"No, Tiana. I won't leave," he argued from behind my door. "Please open up so we can talk."

I kept shaking my head to myself, crying into my hand. I wish Adam was here. He was the only one who helped me go through all that in the past. And I needed him here. More than anything. I pulled my face out of my hands as Mason kept begging me to open the door. I sucked in a breath and felt my heartbreak at his weak voice.

"Get me Adam," I spoke. He stopped and everything went silent for a second.

"Adam?" He questioned, sounding hurt. I inhaled and nodded to myself.

"Yes. Please, get me Adam," I whispered. He was hurt. I know it. He was disappointed that I chose to speak with Adam over him, and I didn't want him to feel that way but I had to see Adam. He's the only one I could talk with. I needed some time before I could face Mason. Before I could explain everything to him.

"If I get Adam. Will you talk to me?" He asked, his voice cracking. My heart fell to my stomach and I closed my eyes, leaning my head against the wall.

"Yes. I will," I responded. He went silent again before he spoke.

"Fine. I'll get Adam."

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