I heard her sit down, but I couldn't look at her, not after what I just did. Mixed emotions were swirling around in my chest. I was pissed at him for having what's mine; I was disappointed in myself for losing control, and I was disgusted in myself for making Bridget fear me. Even if it was just for a moment, I never intended for her to see me like that, ever.

"Did I kill him?" I asked, a dark edge to my tone. To be honest, I couldn't care less if I had, but I know it would devastate Bridget, not to mention she'd have to exile me for killing a pack member. I heard her curse under her breath.

"No, but he's lucky he was gone before I found out what he said." She growled, her anger prominent in her tone. I scoffed at this.

"I bet."

Things went silent for a little while. I said nothing. We sat there breathing in the fresh air of the forest. The scent of pine filled the air, calming me immensely. Bridget exhaled deeply before she spoke.

"Tony," she said but paused to collect herself I stole a glance at her and I saw the tears well up in her eyes I wanted to hug her so badly but I let her continue "he was my first mate. I thought he was the person I would spend the rest of my supernatural life with. I was young when we met, just barely an adult, he was twenty-one and I was eighteen and he died." Her voice wavered, and I was sure she was crying.

"You don't have to tell me." I whispered as I pulled her hand into mine. She shook her head.

"No, I have to. You deserve to know," she protested wiping her tears "four years ago there was an immense hunter problem they had been getting braver for months until they finally attacked. If it had just been the hunters, things would be different, but it wasn't as if sensing the pack was weak the rouges had infiltrated it was chaos. Death was everywhere I found him alive. He was so distracted by my presence to fully focus on himself and his surroundings he didn't hear the arrow slice through the air, but I did. I heard it. So I pushed him out the way and it hit me, it just barely missed my heart and that's how I got this," she showed the deep scar on her chest. Tears were flowing freely from her eyes and her voice was low, sad. "He was hit too, but only because he was trying to shield me. If it was just the arrow he'd have been fine, weakened but fine. But it wasn't just that once he fell it was like it was open season on him I tried to fight but with the silver making its was through my body I was too weak, too weak to save my mate. I killed him. He died because of me." She sobbed, her body shaking with every cry. I pulled her into my chest, trying to console her crying self. It physically hurt to see her like this, to see her so upset.

"No, you didn't. Was it tragic? Yes. But your fault? Not in the slightest. I'm sorry so, so sorry Bridget please understand I know that gut wrenching feeling of losing a mate not as severely but I know what it's like. My mate... err, ex-mate. Autumn. She rejected me for my brother," I said as I watched her head snap up in shock as her eyes met mine, "she's now pregnant and I just couldn't be there when she gave birth. I couldn't watch them any longer, knowing my brother got everything that should've been mine. I tortured myself for three years, I waited three years for her, but I wasn't enough for her. Or for you it seems." I confessed looking away.

"Me? Why would you think that?" She asked. I could sense the confusion in her tone.

"As soon as I got here you and Brent..." I trailed off not wanting to finish the sentence "I thought this time I'd be enough. Guess not." I mumbled. Bridget grabbed my face in her hands, forcing me to look at her. Her hazel eyes were hard, and they were staring intensely at me.

"That's not it at all," she argued, her tone was forceful making me want to believe her "I can't explain why I did what I did... I felt like I was doing something wrong because I felt all these feelings for you that I haven't felt in a long time. But it wasn't you Jerome you did nothing you are everything I could ever need I swear." She admitted causing me to sigh.

"Bridget I don't believe-"

She cut me off by leaning in and capturing my lips with hers. My response melted away as her lips moved in sync with my own. I felt the familiar rush of emotion, the sparks, the heat, the passion. Everything. I pulled her onto my lap so she was straddling me as my tongue swirled against hers, filling me with a newfound excitement. Her hands found their way into my hair where she pulled me closer. This kiss said everything we were too afraid to say. I pulled her closer getting caught up in the moment our lips moved in sync until she pulled back for air she rested her head against mine, a shy smile on her face. I though wasn't finished I pulled her back in for another kiss. This time I shifted, so she was lying underneath me, her arms were still around my neck, our bodies even closer together. Once again we got caught up in the moment only it was I who broke away, a grin plastered onto my face.

"You kissed me." I stated watching her cheeks blush crimson. She pushed me backwards as she sat up.

"You kissed me back." She remarked causing me to smirk I stood up pulling her with me she lent back against the tree I placed my arms either side of her head leaning closer so our faces were inches apart.

"I know." I breathed my heart beating wildly in my chest she bit her lip. My eyes dropped from hers to stare at the movement, I leant down and pulled her bottom lip in between my teeth and bit down lightly before I kissed her again quickly this time.

"We should get back." She panted I nodded not moving.

"That we should."

I pushed back off the tree, letting her walk out from my grasp; I expected her to walk ahead, but she grabbed my hand and entwined our fingers and began pulling me towards the pack house. I looked down at our hands and smiled.

She made me happy.