I don't even notice when I fall asleep but I fall into a world of hell. I'm in Maddox's house but not in the room I was in before. I'm standing outside his door, staring at the dark wood in front of me. I hear soft cries of pain coming from the other side but my hand will only move in slow motion to the door handle. My heart speeds as different things run through my mind on what could be happening. Is Maddox being hurt? Who is screaming?

Finally the door opens and I'm paralysed completely. My eyes blink and I try to process the image but I can't. In front of me is my aunt and uncle, late alpha and luna, lay there in the bed, frozen. On top of them is Maddox, his large hands wrapped tightly around there necks, squeezing the life from there bodies. I try to scream and beg him to stop but none of them hear me, I'm stuck at the door, staring. Mays swollen belly being crushed by Maddox's leg. Tears explode from my eyes and I thrash in place. I scream for Maddox to stop, telling him I'll do anything if he will stop hurting them.

The images gets more blurred by the second from my tears and soon just looks likes a wash of different colors. I jult awake and sit straight up, sweat dripping down my back and a cold chill up my spine. I look around panting and realise it was all a dream, I fall back and clutch to my beating chest. My god that was the worst dream imaginable. I close my eyes and try to even out my hollow breaths.

I sit up again and face the wall. I want to see him, to erase the image of him in my dream. I cringe thinking about it. I slowly stand on shaky legs and wrap my arms around my body securely.

By the time I'm standing outside his door my heart is pounding but now it in anticipation. I don't know why all I'm gonna do is look and check in on him. I slowly and quietly twist the nob and the door creaks open. I crack it enough to see him. He's laying in bed, laying on his stomach, his face against the pillow, his lips parted. He looks so peaceful, no scowl or harsh eyes and eyebrows, no clenched jaw, and no May or Lucian to hurt. I sigh and stare at him a little longer. I want nothing more than to climb under his naked chest, caress his muscular arms and fall back asleep.

But I turn and start to shut the door but not before I hear him stir awake. My movements freeze and I debate if I should just run away or stay frozen and pray he falls back asleep.

"Everly?" His voice is groggy and deep with sleep

I turn to him, opening the door a little wider "sorry" my voice is hardly above a whisper

"What's the matter?" He asks slowly sitting up, the sheet falling from him and exposing the hem of his boxers

I hesitate to answer "nothing, I just had a bad dream" I whisper

He pouts his lip "come here" he demands softly

My feet move unconsciously to get closer to him. I sit on the edge of the bed and look up at him. The low moon light shadows across his face, his sharp features softer than usual. "Closer" he instructs, pulling me from my trance

I crawl closer to him and he grabs me and pulls me under the covers before I have time to react. He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls my back against his chest. He sighs, in relief, and tightens his grip around me. I stay tense but soon melt into his warmth and body. The feeling of being wrapped in his arms makes me feel a feeling I have long forgotten...love.

I smile to myself, my dream forgotten, the only thing on my mind now is the way his finger tips run up and down my stomach and arm. His fingers interlock with mine and he buries his head into my neck, his stubble tickling my skin. He inhales deeply and relaxes against me. "this is where you belong" he whispers against my neck. Soon sleep takes over and I fall into the darkness, his presence never drifting.

*

I wake up with the sunlight streaming in and my body cold under the covers. Opening my eyes I look around and remember last night, I blush and force myself to get out of bed or I'll be laying there all morning day dreaming about him.

I go into the bathroom and splash water on my face and find a wrapped spare toothbrush under the sink. His toothpastes tastes just like him and I savor the flavour for the minutes I brush my teeth. Walking down the stairs I smell bacon and instantly my mouth waters. Turning the corner I see a shirtless Maddox holding a pan full of sizzling pork. I inwardly smile and move a grey stand of hair from my eye. I walk quietly into the kitchen, not really knowing what to say. He turns to me as I lean against the counter and smiles a big beautiful smile making me shiver. His eyes widen and he drops the pan on the stove and takes two large steps over to me, getting to me in under a second. He swoops me up and hugs my body to his. He pulls back and places his lips on mine, hungrily. I'm slightly taken back by this but I quickly catch on and kiss him, letting our lips mold together and my finger instantly move to his chest. His hands move to my butt and he pulls me up, my legs wrap around him and soon my butt is placed on the counter, he pulls me to the edge and stays securely in between my legs. His lips are sweet and I pull away slightly to catch my breath. But as soon as I pull away so does he. I open my eyes lazily and see him looking at me. He clears his throat and smirks "good morning"

I giggle quietly to myself "morning" I breath out

He kisses my cheek and I wait for an explanation on why he just attack me, not that I minded, but he stays quiet and goes back to flipping the bacon. I shrug it off and walk to the stole around the counter "how did you sleep?" He asks and I blush to myself, remembering

"Good" I don't go into detail about my dream or how amazing it was to sleep in his arms. But from the smirk on his face I think he knows. We talk lightly over breakfast and his finger occasionally run over my thigh under the table.

"I have a meeting today" he says as we finish cleaning the kitchen

"Oh? What about?" I ask him putting up a plate

He doesn't answer but walks towards his office so I follow "some alphas from surrounding packs have asked to come and meet me, I haven't gotten a chance to meet my allies since I have become alpha of your pack." he tells me and I nod in understanding

Lucian was always so kind and giving to the surrounding packs. He would send over wolves to help train new shifters, in times of war he would volunteer to help. I know Maddox will have to work a little harder to be so kind but he's such an amazing alpha. He's strong, loyal, and I know cares for every single one of the wolves in his pack.

"We can deal with your family afterwards" he says breaking me from my trance

My eyebrows knit together "what do you mean?" I move closer to him and he wraps his arm around my waist, looking down at me

"Well they have to be punished...they lied to me, their alpha, and kept my m- I mean you away from me" he says calmly and as if it's the most obvious thing

I push away from him and look up at his face, his emotionless face. "Punish them how?" I ask becoming slightly worried

I don't really know how to feel about this. Knowing Maddox I'm not sure the kind of punishment he's talking about. Is he going to torture them? Banish them? Humiliate them? Kill them? My heart stops at the thoughts and images. They haven never treated me right and I owe them nothing. They have hated me since the day I was born and have lied, hurt, and been cruel to me every day I've been with them. But I don't know if I'm the type of person to allow my hate to consume me and let something bad happen to them.

"Banish them, I was going to make sure at the meeting today the allies to this pack would not take them in; that way they are as far away and shamed as possible" he tells me going round to his desk and fiddling with papers

I'm stunned "were you going to discuss this with me?" I ask, my tone a little louder than I meant

He looks up, brown eyes confused and eyebrows raised "what is there to discuss?" He asks and I frown

"They are my family" I tell them even though the words feel odd on my tongue

"What do you mean Everly? They are not your family, they have done nothing for you...I am your family now. You never have to see them again" I know I should be fine with this but something about the way he is telling me how to feel and not consoling me about my family's fate angers me

"You can't decide that" I tell him crossing my arms

There is a silence and his movements stop. His eyes move slowly from the table up to me, they darken at my challenge to him. I'm surprised I am able to stand here and keep eye contact. Wolves who challenge there alphas can almost never look into the intimidating stare.

"Everly I am your alpha and I will not allow my pack to think me weak. Your family will be punished! They have lied to their alpha and they can not go unharmed by this! I will not change my mind" his voice frightens me and I'm not strong enough to keep looking into his angry, scornful, and disapproving eyes at my disrespect.

I feel a tear slide down my cheek at his true Alpha voice and I shutter and turn to walk away. "Don't bring this up again Everly this has to be done" his totally disregard for my feelings hurts more than it should.

I walk up the stairs and almost automatically run into his room but I fight the urge and go to the room beside it. I feel so alone again. I thought Maddox would be the one to fill the void but the hurt I feel right now tells me otherwise. It's feels as if he cares more about the packs opinion of him than how much this hurts me.

By the time I have calmed down slightly I hear hard footsteps walking up the stairs. I don't move. I don't blink. I continue to stare at the painting on the wall.

The knock on the door doesn't surprise me but I make no move to answer for it. My heart speeds up in the slightest knowing his closeness. Even in this state I crave to be near him.

"Everly?" He says calmly, slowly opening the door wider "I'm going to the meeting now...I won't be gone long" he tells me, but still I do not move

I hear him sigh and I can sense his irritation but he makes no further advance into the room. He shuts the door and his footsteps get lighter and lighter until I hear the front door close. I finally move and sit up. I don't want to be in this house right now. I don't want to admit why this hurts so much. With me in this mood it brings back too many memories. I stand from the bed and walk out, wanting nothing more than to run.

A/N

Hope y'all enjoyed this chapter! Next one up soon

VOTE AND COMMENT! -Madi