For the past few days I've been staying low and in isolation from my family and friends at my granddad's cabin. I understand that most people would think that it would be insane to go back to where it all began but if I don't face up to it, I'd practically be running away. Don't get me wrong; my nerves are all over the place just by setting a foot near this place but, at least it's a start to heading towards the right direction.

Hopefully.

Stirring my tea as I leaned against the back of the couch, I closed my eyes as I took a deep breath in so that the feeling of everything is over, would just sink in. Lifting the cup towards my lips, I froze midway when I heard the door knock. Setting my cup down, I simply just layed down on the couch as a voice spoke out, "Jess? I know you're in there!" I bolted upright as I stared at the door with disbelief.

Mum?

Heading towards the door, I unlocked it and was met with the sight of my mum with a smile on her lips. "Mum? What are you doing here?" I asked as I stepped aside to let her through. "Is that really the first thing that pops out of your mouth just after you were kidnapped Jesse?" she asked with her hands on her hips with her left eyebrow raised.

She knew?

"You knew?" I asked with my eyes bulging. Shaking her head, she plopped down on the couch and said, "Of course I knew. Well, I knew something bad would happen to you." Taking a seat beside her, I asked, "What? Mum, how did you find me? When did you know I was kidnapped?" She waved her hand in the air dismissively, "Details, details. What I want to know is, how are you Jess?" Her eyes stayed on me as she took my hands in hers. I shrugged out, "I'm fine mum." Her left brow raised with an are-you-serious look as she said, "You may be able to lie to yourself love. But you can't like to your own mother. Now tell me, how are you?"

Where do I start?

By the time I started telling her all that happened to me, I was already balling my eyes out whilst she comforted me by giving tissues and even making me tea. "So, does Carter accept you as his mate?" Blowing my nose in to a tissue, I replied after wiping my nose for good measure, "He says he does. But,"

Mum cut me off with a knowing smile on her face while saying, "But you don't know if he's just saying it or really means it." Nodding slowly, mum only rubbed my back reassuringly before saying, "Jess, you have no idea just how much I know what you feel. I've been exactly the same place you are now. Rejected by my mate, having them stubborn on getting us back, getting kidnapped and staying at the hospital. But I'll tell you one thing we don't have in common." I stared at my mum curiously while waiting for her reply.

She let out a smile, "This is your life Jess. Your story, your tale. My teenage life ended and moon goddess knows how many people have heard my tale. If they did, I wonder how much of an impact it had on them. Obviously I know people would be outraged as to why I accepted your dad once more after what he did to me. But, why I chose to take him back is my choice and mine alone. Right now love, it's your choice. You choose whether or not you want to accept Carter or to just leave both of you tortured by being apart from each other because of what he did. It all depends on you Jesse. Carter already had his say on how he wants both of you to be. If he really loves you, he would honour your choice, and let you be happy."

That conversation happened hours ago and right now I was laying on my bed with my head hanging over the side with my feet on the wall. Mum left hours ago and even told me to go home. I told her I will but, I just needed a little more time. Closing my eyes, I recalled my mum's advice and searched through every inch of my heart as to whether or not I should accept Carter.

Slowly, the memories of when I met Carter then rejecting me and then apologizing while trying to win me back, caused mixed emotions to unravel inside me. I honestly didn't know which to choose. If I accepted him, I was worried he would just leave me on the side. If I rejected him, the pain of being apart from my mate would multiply by tenfold because of his mark on my neck.

What do I do?

Letting out a groan, I thumped a fist on my bed as I spoke alone in my room, "Moon goddess, why is this so hard?" Flipping in to my back, I snuggled my face in to my pillow as I decided that I would just sleep on it rather than pick my brain so hard, it felt as though crows were pecking it to find their next meal.

Sleep, was what I definitely, needed most.

The next few days, I mostly lazed around the house and started hanging around outside to get a breath of fresh air, rather than stay cooped up for so long in the cabin. Stuffing my clothes in the washer, I closed it shut before pouring the detergent in its slot. After turning it on, I went back to the kitchen to start working on lunch whilst thinking once more about Carter. My heart and wolf loved him and accepted him with all their being but, my mind and pride say otherwise. He rejected me, humiliated me, and.... confused me.

Stabbing the knife on the cutting board, I growled out, "For fucks' sake! Why don't you just give me a sign?" Just as I said that, I heard a knock at the door. Thinking it was my mum, I only replied while picking up the knife, "It's open!" Continuing my chopping up of onions, my hand froze when, "Jesse."