"You okay?" Rose asks as she walks near Engel who was busy staring out at the garden in front of her.

"Why do you care?" she answers which makes Rose sigh deeply.

"I don't understand why you cannot answer anything straight. It would make things less uncomfortable and difficult" Rose retorts but it doesn't affect her at all.

"When will I be able to get out of this prison?" Engel asks instead.

"This isn't your prison Engel, please don't insult my home and hospitality in that way" Rose scolds the girl before she holds the girl's shoulder and turns her to face Rose.

"And when I speak I would like you to look me in my eyes or at least face me. None of us in here is your enemy; we are here because we care about you...

Well, I care for my son and he cares for you so indirectly I care for you too, then again, Erika being your mom, I have to protect you...

Your mother, if it wasn't for her I would have never been alive or see my son grow up"

"Why are you saying all of this to me?"

"Ah, this girl can't even talk with her. You are not the only person in this world who has a tragic life...

Listen to me and listen carefully, I have kept my mouth shut about your behavior and cold shoulder just because my son requested me to...

He left you in my care and I do not want to break his trust he has in me. However, enough is enough; you need to get out of whatever shell you live in or whatever the sadness you have because living a life like this is not worth it...

Not just you but my son and everyone related to you are hurting and I really do not like with the way you are living...

I mean how a girl like Erika can give birth to a daughter like you. Have you seen the way your mom lives her life, now that is how, everyone should live, freely, doing whatever the fuck you want to, making every moment worth it...

Every time I see you all I feel is sad and frustrated, there is no life in you, no spark. I wonder what my boy is even thinking being with you...

You, you are a very ungrateful girl, do you have any idea how long my son waited for you to step in this world? Do you have any idea what your mother had to go through just to give you birth?

I mean, who does not have sadness in their life, not everything in life is on a silver plate but still your life it is much better than others have...

You have a loving family, mate, both, who can lay their lives on the line for you. Do you have any idea how lucky you are to have a mate who loves you so, so much that no matter how bad you treat him, he stands right next to you?

There are people out there who have spent their whole life for a glimpse of their mate, for their mate to come seeking them while you have had your mate by your side even before you were born...

I do not know why I am saying this to you, but I am and I will. I...I know how it feels to loose your mate, how helpless you feel when you cannot be there to protect them no matter what...

How miserable life turns out to be once they leave you, seeing your son cry for you but you can never walk up to them to wipe their tears and say that I am his mother...

To see him grow up into this beautiful man and go through the same misery I once went through when my mate left my side. Not everyone is lucky to have a mate Engel, even if you have a short life, live it fully without regrets, without hurting those who love you unconditionally...

I have known and seen how miserable life turns out when the other half of your soul is torn away from you, my son, he has the most tender heart which beats just for you, he has lots of cracks in it because of you but please don't break it" Rose begs as she finishes saying her say.

*******

Engel quietly listens to what Rose has to say in regards of Gio, but it was not something she did not know. She knows that she has hurt Gio a lot, lot more than she dares to admit.

"I am dying, it will be better if he lives his life without any attachments with me. I will end up breaking his heart and leaving him...

I do not know when it will happen, it may happen now or tomorrow, few days, weeks, years but it will happen and then I will have to leave him...

Hurt, sad, broken...it hurts to hurt him, but I just want him to live life without me, with someone who does not come with baggage...

I love him; I love him so much it hurts to not be able to touch him, talk to him, spend my days in his arms like we used to" Engel confesses as she cries all her fears and frustration out in front of Rose.

Hiding her face in her hands, she cries, as she could not control the sobs that leave her. Saying it aloud broke something in her, something she has been holding inside all this time.

"Silly girl" Rose sniffs as she holds Engel in her arms comforting the girl as much as she can.

"You need to give both of you a chance, honey. Gio will go even crazier if you leave him without giving both of you a chance to be together...

Even if it is for a day or year let him be with you, let him in your life so even if it's for a while you two can be happy" Rose speaks softly hoping that Engel listens to her and gives in.

"Trying to fight him all the time, I do not know how to go back to being what we were" Engel speaks as she wipes her tears away.

"Of course you know all you have to do is smile my son's way and he is putty in your hands" Rose chuckles as she let go of the girl.

"I don't think he wants to see me, he was so angry when he asked me to pack and if he did he wouldn't have left me here, not even once did he come to check on me" Engel protests as she does not want to have her hopes high for nothing.

"Are you sure about it?" Rose asks with a mischievous smile before she gets up.

"What do you mean?" Engel asks in confusion but before she could get a answer someone interrupts them.

*******

"Ah, there you are" Ryan's voice makes Rose turns towards the man.

Her smile brightens as he walks towards her and she happily jumps in his arms.

"I missed you," Rose admits with a sigh at being in his arms again.

"Sorry, got wrapped up in something, I heard we have a guest," he teases as he nods towards Engel who looks at them mouth gape open.

"Engel, you do know Ryan, yes? He is my second mate" Rose smiles as she makes the introduction.

"But..."

"I am lucky, I got a second chance in my life with this man" Rose smiles stopping Engel's words.

"Oh well, nice to meet you" Engel greets, as she does not know what to say.

She has seen the man a few times with her father and some parties but never got the chance to talk with him.

"Well, I will leave you two ladies alone. I am in need of a shower, see you in a few and Engel it is nice to meet you too...

Hope your stay in our home is good" Ryan smiles before he walks inside the house leaving both the woman in the garden.

"If it was not for him I don't know what my life would have turned into. After the death of my first mate, I was nothing but a shell but Ryan came in like a ray of light in my life and ever since, I have never felt so alive" Rose states before Engel could question her.

"So, it is possible to find another mate?" Engel asks curiously.

"Don't Engel; don't do that to yourself and my son. Not all of us are lucky enough to have a second chance...

I don't know what the future holds for you and my son but what present you have now is what you need to focus on, okay," Rose advises leaving the girl alone.

Engel takes a deep breath, as she once again turns around to watch the view in front of her, as her thoughts are jumbled, she does want to be with Gio and the only question is how?

*******

In the middle of the night, the only things that are heard is the creak of the insects and the footsteps of Gio, who tries to walk carefully so not to wake anyone, especially his mate.

Slowly, opening the door he finds his mate asleep, wrapped in the blanket, seeing her peacefully asleep brings a smile in his lips.

Being careful, he sits on the bed, praying she does not wake up. Hearing her even heartbeats brings calmness in his body and soul, so lightly he traces his mate's face and smiles.

"What is worrying you so much, baby?" he whisper asks even if he knows he will not get any answer to it.

He has been waiting for her to fall asleep for hours, like all the other nights she was here; going to her bed at the exact time but tonight was different.

She was having a difficult time falling asleep as he could clearly hear every sigh and every twist and turn, she took before she finally fell asleep.

Therefore, not wasting a second he was here with her, after not being able to see her for the whole day, he was happy he could see her now.

Even if he comes to visit her like, some creep at the middle of the night and stay with her until dawn, he cannot help but look forward to it everyday as this was the only time he could touch and see her without upsetting her.

This was the only time; his baby would let him touch her.

"I wish I could know what is stressing you," he whispers once again as he slowly touches her hair.

"Come to me baby, I miss you so much, I wish you would give us a chance, give me a chance...

I do not think I will be able to breathe again if you reject me again, come back to me baby, come back, be that same girl who could not be away from me for a second...

I miss you terribly, miss touching you, seeing you smile, talking with you. I have so many things to say to you, so please do not push me away...

This time I cannot survive the pain," he admits as he puts a soft kiss on her forehead and with a sigh gets up from the bed.

"Gio"

Gio stands still for a moment as he hears her call, dreading that she woke up he slowly turns to face her only to find her mumble his name in her sleep.

"Gio" she mumbles once again, which brings a smile in his face.

Going back, he sits on the bed and just watches her sleep, happy for now.

"Dream, baby dream about us, My Engel" he smiles as he continues watching her face.

*******

"Stop, stop, stop" Erika shouts at Enzo which makes him put his foot hard on the brakes.

"What?" Enzo asks looking around to see what made her shout.

"Get out"

"Wait, where are you going?" Enzo asks as he follows his mate out of the car.

"Here, we are having sex in here'

"What? In the middle of the road" Enzo asks horrified.

"No, there, in the forest, now that I think of it, we never did it in the jungle, come on" she orders as she crosses the road and happily walks into the forest.

"Piglet, I don't think this is a good idea, let's go back to the hotel. Once we get back to our pack I am sure we can do it in the forest" Enzo tries to talk her out of it but it is of no use.

"Ah shut up and get naked, hurry," Erika snaps at him as she starts to take her clothes off.

"Seriously" Enzo murmurs as he slowly goes to take his clothes off as well.

"What is taking you so long?" Erika sighs as she goes and helps him take off his clothes.

"We really aren't young enough to do this" Enzo once again tries to talk her out it

"This, this thinking of yours is what always kills the mood; you are already sporting a hard on, what else do we need to have sex?

Do not be shy, as long as you can keep this hard on, we both are more than fine. It's been so long since we even did this" Erika mumbles the last part before she folds Enzo's shirt and throws it somewhere.

"Wait, wait," Erika stops, as he pulls her close to him and tries to kiss her.

"What now?" he asks not knowing what she was up to.

"You cannot just jump on me like that; we need to create the mood which you viciously killed"

"Jump on you? Look who is talking?" he mumbles letting her go.

"Close you eyes" she orders him and he does it even if he is a bit wary.

"Okay, don't open it till I say" Erika warns him as she steps a bit away from him.

"Run" she whispers near him ear confusing him.

"What, why, would I run?" Enzo asks as he opens his eyes only to stumble back as Erika is in her wolf form stands in front of him.

"Erika, no, please, change back" he slowly talk to her but the wolf in front of him just sneers and shakes her head.

"This is not funny," he warns before he runs for his life as she jumps his way.

"Don't you dare shift" she sends the message through their bond, which makes him curse.

"What the hell babe, can we not just talk?" he shouts as he runs naked in to the forest trying to dodge his mate.

"No, this is much more fun" Erika's laughter is heard in his head, which worries him even more.

"Why are you even doing this? I thought we had made up" Enzo shouts trying to find a way to hide as he cannot shift into his wolf form.

"Only you thought so, there is a long way for you to go and make up" she shouts at him in anger.

Enzo curses as he hears his mate howl, which halts him for a second, he needs to either talk her out of it or hide somewhere until she calms down, as an angry Erika is not a good combination with an equally angry wolf.

Erika shifts back to her human form once she is sure Enzo was deep in the woods, naked. She grins in victory, as she walks back to where they started, she wears her clothes before collecting his and walks back to the car they came in.

"Serves you right," she laughs as she starts the car and shuts their bond.

*******

"Wow, do you come here often?" Adriana asks as she looks around the pub they were in.

"Sometimes" Eric smiles as he passes her a soft drink.

"Thank you, wow this is really nice. Ah, no wonder everyone is crazy to go for a drink on the weekend" Adriana pouts as she talks to herself.

"Why? Don't you like to go to these places?" Eric asks curiously.

"Actually, this is my first time in this kind of place" she whispers so no one hears her.

"Oh, well I guess you should enjoy it then"

"Of course I will. So, about earlier, you looked a bit upset" Adriana coaxes for him to talk making him smile.

"You are a very curious person I see"

"Yes, I am"

"And honest too" Eric points out before he laughs as she nods her head proudly.

"So" Adriana asks again looking at him straight on.

"Even if I was upset now that I met you I am not. Tell me about you Adriana, what do you do?" Eric asks her instead as he sips on his drink.

"Me? Ah...well you know, I...there is nothing to say about me. However, this night it is about you, I thought we are here because you were down...

So, tell me, I am a very good listener" Adriana laughs it off as she turns the question towards him again.

"What shall I say? The girl I have been waiting for so long she...I let her go, I cannot fight for her right now...

I thought I was ready but it seems I need more time, time to think it all through. But, something good did happen though" Eric explains with a big sigh.

"Really and what is that?" Adriana asks excitedly.

"I get to meet you and be the first one to bring you in a place like this," he teases

"Oh really, ah...at least I am a good thing for someone" she pouts sadly, as she remembers about her mate.

"Then again, I may be a bad influence to you, you should be careful" Eric grins mischievously making her laugh.

"What bad influence, don't worry, I can take care of myself, but I am so glad I got to meet you"

"Well, I am glad I got to meet you too Adriana, want a new drink?" he asks as he gets up from his seat.

"Okay" Adriana smiles as she finishes the drink in her hand and enjoys the music playing.

*******

Eric walks away from Adriana to bring more drinks that is when he sees Erika sitting on the bar tool shouting at the bartender.

He abruptly turns around changing direction and rushes out of the pub before; he is, caught by her. He curses, as he has to leave Adriana all alone even if he does not want to, he cannot afford it if she catches him.

Therefore, as discreetly as he can he walks out of the pub making sure none of the girls sees him runaway.

While Eric successfully gets out of the pub, Adriana looks around searching for Eric. When he does not return Adriana gets up from her seat and goes seeking for him.

"Oh...where did he go?" Adriana asks to no one as she stands near the bar and looks for him but does not find him.

"Did he go to bathroom?" she talks to herself as she looks around to see him but does not.

"You just got ditched" a voice, states from behind her.

Adriana turns around in confusion only to find Erika staring her way.

"Excuse me?"

"The man you are searching for, he just ditched you," Erika confirms once more as she once again shouts for the bartender to bring her a drink.

"Oh...no...I..."

"Don't worry; there is nothing to be embarrassed about it. We all get ditch, once in our life or one too many times but do you know, what hurts the most?

Yes, it is the moment when the same person keeps ditching you. Nevertheless, today I took my revenge by ditching him, naked and no one to help him out...

However, why do I feel so sad about my revenge? What is wrong with me?" Erika keeps babbling.

Adriana bites her lower lip and cringes before she slowly tries to get away from Erika but halts as all of a sudden Erika holds her arm to stop her.

"Where do you think you are going?" Erika asks Adriana who closes her eyes not knowing what to say.

"Wait, are you trying to leave and go help him out, Wah...seriously, you...not a moment ago you got ditched and now as soon as I said I left my mate alone, all naked you are running to him...

Don't you have any shame left?" Erika shouts jumping off her tool and standing in front of Adriana as she inspects the girl.

"Blonde hair, short dress, killer heels, wah...you have come well prepared" Erika points as she circles the girl before she stands in front of Adriana.

"No, I am not going for your mate. I mean...how can I? I don't even know where you left him" Adriana stammers as she tries to get away from Erika.

"Stop...you; you really are not going to go for my mate?" Erika asks the girl.

"Yes, I am not. I already have a mate to begin with. But, he still has yet to look my way" she sadly confesses the last part.

"Wait, you mean, you have a mate who is not returning your feelings?" Erika asks the girl who nods in confirmation.

"Oh, I know how it feels; I went through same thing when I met my mate. What's your name?" Erika asks the girl her voice full of sympathy.

"Ah, my name....Adri...Adriana" she stammers

"Don't worry, Adriana, I will help you get that mate of yours...when this night ends you will have a doctorate on how to tame your mate...

The secret to lure them, it's all about sex" Erika whispers in the girl's ear as she looks around suspiciously.

"No, no, we cannot do this here, let's go somewhere where no one will find us suspicious" Erika finalizes as she drags Adriana along with her.

"Eh...but...I need..."

"Ssh, you don't need anything right now, except me. As soon as I saw you, I knew something is familiar about you...

I see myself in you, when I was of your age, same desperation...let's go" Erika orders as she drags the girl along with her ignoring Adriana's protest.