I puffed out all of the air I was storing in my cheeks like a chipmunk, and forced myself to push the door open. I walked in, dripping wet, causing a large puddle of rain water to form on the old wooden floorboards, as I stared awkwardly at my parents who were sitting on the couch in silence. My mother turned to me, her mouth set in a grim line.

"How was it?" she asked, seeming almost fearful.

My father's piercing gaze was making me uncomfortable, his dark brown eyes boring into mine, trying to read me.

"It was...fine," I mumbled, dropping eye contact. I had to prepare myself for their outburst. I knew it was going to happen no matter what I said. They didn't like Logan. They didn't want me to be mated to such a monster.

"Fine?" probed my father, raising his eyebrows questionably.

I shook my head, shrugging. "Yeah, it was fine."

I was telling the truth; it was fine. I enjoyed seeing where Logan lived, and it was nothing like what I was expecting. It had changed my perspective on him. I still had little respect for him, and I wasn't sure how I felt about him, but I know I didn't hate him. I know I was intrigued and wouldn't be able to live with myself if I told him I never wanted to see him again, because it would have been a lie.

"How could it have been fine?" my father's voice rose; my mother looking at me worriedly as my eyes started to fill with tears. I didn't know what to think anymore. How did they expect me to answer them when I was so torn myself? I didn't know how I felt and I was scared. This had all happened so quickly and the warm feelings I was feeling towards Logan were causing me a great deal of stress.

"You weren't there, you wouldn't understand," I said angrily through gritted teeth. I was fed up of being told how to feel.

"Eliza, we do understand. I know how it feels when you meet your mate, but he isn't a good person and-"

"You don't know that!" I yelled, the tears finally falling. "You don't know anything! Stop telling me what to do, I have my own thoughts and feelings and I'm going to make my own decisions!"

"So he's got inside your head huh? He's told you how sorry he is and how long he's waited to find you? He's told you he would never have organised anything if he knew you were his mate?" laughed my father, shaking his head. "He's a liar, Eliza! This is what they do, they suck you in, chew you up and then spit you out! I'm not allowing this to happen to you! You will never see that monster again!"

I stood there, completely frozen, gobsmacked by my father's sudden outburst. In all my twenty years, I had never heard him yell like that. I had never seen him so angry. His face was beet red and his hands were balled up into fists; his chest visibly moving up and down due to his heavy breathing.

I finally recomposed myself, huffed and span on my heel, sprinting out of the door and out into the pouring rain.

"Eliza!" yelled my mother worriedly as she stood in the door entrance, tears dribbling down her cheeks.

I ran as fast as I could, rage boiling in my blood, adrenaline empowering me. I couldn't believe them. They were my parents, but they couldn't control me like this. I wasn't a child anymore. I was an adult and I didn't care what they said, I was going to be making my own decisions for me, not them.

I slowed down to a jog when I saw the path that led down to Alpha James' house. I bit my lip nervously before turning down it, making my way towards it. I wanted to talk to James. His advice was always the best and he was always so calm. He never lashed out or lost control. He would be able to talk some sense into this situation.

I knocked on the large wooden door, admiring the carvings of snakes and bears. I had only ever been to Alpha James' house a few times. He liked to keep it private and have his own space with his family, which I respected, but I had to talk to him. I didn't want to go back into my house. I knew what would happen. The argument would be never ending.

After a couple of seconds, Alpha James opened the door, his eyes widening when he saw my soaking wet and shaking form. "Eliza? Come in."

I forced a smile, stepping in, feeling guilty about showing up unannounced.

"What can I help you with?" he asked, settling down on the expensive looking cream couch, gesturing for me to do the same.

"Are you sure?" I asked, worried about soaking it through.

Alpha James nodded, his face laced with concern. "It's unlike you to be acting so quiet. Is there anything I can do?"

I perched myself on the edge of the couch, not wanting to settle into it fully. I pushed my now stringy chestnut hair out of my face; the rain water causing it to stick to my flushed cheeks. "I don't know what to do. My parents now hate me, but these feelings are too confusing! They aren't something I can just push aside!"

James nodded in understanding, scratching at his chin. "I understand. Feelings towards a mate are always strong and I understand you are under a lot of pressure right now, but Eliza, as much as I do not agree with what Alpha Black has done, you must do what you feel is right. If you do not know what is right, that's okay- just take your time."

I smiled gratefully. "Thank you."

"Your parents don't hate you, how could they? They're just being parents and they are worried about you. You're their only child and they don't want to see you hurt. I know if I was in their position I would be worried about losing you too."

A small chuckle left my lips. I didn't know how I got so lucky to be a part of this pack. I didn't want to have to leave, I loved it here and I wanted this to be my home forever. I was proud to be part of the Blue Stone pack.

"You know you are welcome here, and if you like, you can stay here tonight if going back to your house is a bit too much right now? There's a spare bedroom I can get sorted for you?"

"Thank you so much, James."

James nodded, standing up. "I'll go get it ready for you, you can go and take a shower if you'd like. It's the first door on the right when you get to the top of the stairs."

I made my way up the stairs, trying not to slip on the polished floorboards, but I failed. Tumbling up the stairs, I cursed to myself quietly as I pushed myself back up onto my feet, only to be met by a smiling and slightly freckled face.

"Woah there, you look..." mumbled Theo, holding back his amusement.

"Just don't," I laughed, shaking my head.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, leaning back against the wall and crossing his arms over his muscly chest.

"It's a long story."

"Is it?" he questioned, raising his eyebrows. "Or do you just not want to tell me?"

I squinted my eyes at Theo's grinning form. "Fine, my parents don't want me to see Logan again, so I ran out and now I'm here."

"See? Wasn't so long was it?"

"Funny," I said sarcastically, throwing just as much sass back at him.

My gaze drifted down to Theo's long sleeve black top and grey jogging bottoms, which were covered in paint stains. I raised my eyebrows at him, nodding down at his messy looking clothes.

"Oh, um, I was painting..." Theo mumbled, dropping his gaze and scratching head head nervously.

"Your room?" I asked.

Theo laughed, shaking his head. "No."

"Oh? Can I see?" I said, excited.

Theo hadn't struck me as overly artistic person, but when he reluctantly led me into his room, I was blown away. Covering his walls were all sorts of paintings, all sorts of sizes and all sorts of colours. Each canvas displayed something different, each with meaning and clear artistic vision. The splashes of colour mesmerised me, drawing me in, causing me to look even deeper into the picture, only to discover more small details that added to the meaning of the painting. I looked at his current unfinished project.

A woman was half-painted, her long blonde hair flowing down the canvas. Her beautiful blue eyes had been coloured in, using tiny flecks of green and amber to add a realistic effect, and her pale pink skin had incredible shading, creating shadowing in all the right places. The brightness used in her eyes caused a reflection off the light, sending rays of light to dance across the page. It wasn't even a completed piece and I was already stunned by it.

"It's my Mom," Theo whispered as I continued to analyse his painting.

"Theo, these are amazing."

Theo looked down, kicking the floor with his hands in his pockets. "They're alright. I just couldn't leave them all behind."

I had never seen anything so spectacular in my life. Theo had a god-given talent and he was hiding it from everyone.

"No, they're incredible!"

Theo raised his head, smiling, his emerald green eyes peering right into my dark chocolate brown ones.

"Thank you."

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Question for my readers! What is your worst habit?

Thank you for reading. I hope you guys all enjoyed this chapter! This chapter is longer which I am happy about, but please vote and comment as it really helps me out! I appreciate it!

Lots of love xxx