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Axel's POV

I am not ashamed to admit that I was looking forward to my third period class. I had it all planned out. The students would all work together except Sang who would work with me. Knowing how smart she is, it wouldn't take long meaning I could get to know her.

I knew about her because of my brothers telling me, but I want to know her personally. Sang seemed incredibly interesting and was gorgeous on top of it.

Imagine my disappointment when she didn't show up.

I never thought our team would find a bird for us after Her. She left us for another man and it broke all five of our hearts. When we combined with the Blackbourne team, the chances of finding another dropped even lower.

Sang, however, had somehow managed to capture all of our attention without even knowing it. It was too soon to approach her with the idea of a relationship. We had to be careful and make sure that we didn't scare her off.

After all, most girls would flip out of fourteen men who were practically strangers all the sudden declared their love and that they would share her.

Not that we loved her.

Yet.

Mr. Blackbourne had asked why I was so upset, but I didn't explain. I think Marc understood though. He too had been looking forward to seeing her.

I stepped out of the car and thanked Corey for driving us. He was also upset because Sang and Brandon were both absent. He nodded in response and followed me in.

I walked carefully to keep from trudging or slumping. I didn't want my brothers to know just how affected by Sang I was.

I pushed my black hair out of my eyes and took a deep and calming breath. The scent of the flowers filled my nose and I smiled. We had all worked together to plant the garden and it was an enormous masterpiece of nature and beauty.

We didn't all live here full time, though. Nathan, Luke, and Kota spent certain nights with their family to spend more time with them. They knew that, if needed, they would have to leave them for a mission so they spent a lot of time with them to make up for it.

I heard shouting ahead and looked to see everyone crowding the door, but I couldn't see why Gabriel was blocking the doorway.

Soon I realized that Sang was here. My heart beat faster and I felt like a young girl seeing her first crush.

I was shocked to see her and see that she was here. She looked incredible and completely different. Her hair was dark blue and silver and her eyes were glowing brighter and seemed reflective.

Sang looked breathtaking.

We didn't get a chance to ask her about the changes yet.

When she tried to bolt because of the time, I think my heart broke. I was glad that North quickly stopped her, but jealousy quickly rose in me. He got to spend so much time with her and now he got her on his lap and in his arms. I didn't mind the two together, I just wished that I got a chance to get closer to her. To hold her and to give her a nickname and be rewarded my own nickname.

But then Sang started shaking. I went into panic mode. We all did. Even Mr. Blackbourne who was trying to hide it.

We all tried to snap her out of it. North even tried to smack her, but she didn't react at all. Surprisingly, it was the name from Sean that snapped her out of it.

I think we were all shocked and impressed to see her take him down. Sang moved so fast that I have no clue how she did it. And she looked hot doing it. I wasn't the only one who was having a problem seeing Sang like this.

I felt a pang of sadness when Sean earned a nickname before me. It was consoling to know that his was strange. Pug? How did she even get that name? Sang made it seem like it was obvious, but it really wasn't.

I don't know a word to describe how I felt when Sang started talking to herself about not wanting to kill us. I was shocked, concerned, freaked, intrigued, worried, and startled all at once. I think we all felt the same. Poor Corey, looked like he might cry. We all understood that whatever had happened to make her like this would have to be awful.

When she started to talk about her Master and her play dates, I think we all had mini heart attacks.

She turned and took off her shirt which would've sent our hormones into overdrive if we weren't so freaked. Sang's back was a mess.

It was a haunting and tragic beauty with scars covering her back. The more prominent and deep ones were in the shape of vines. The vines grew everywhere and covered her back. She had many other scars, but they were much fainter often thinner. Sang had scabs crossing her back that looked fresh. They appeared to be from a whip.

I was terrified for Sang. No wonder she didn't want to go home early.

What kind of monster, of wicked person would do this to someone? I am not going to say, 'who could hurt such a pretty or innocent girl' because it doesn't matter. Regardless of looks, age, deeds, or gender, no one should ever, ever have to go through whatever she did to carry those scars.

I held myself together surprisingly well, but the others were unable to. Corey was shaking, pale, and had tears streaming down his face. Victor, Kota, Brandon, Nathan, and Luke ran out of the room. Judging from the retching, I could make a good guess as to why they ran out. North and Raven looked murderous. Marc, Gabriel, and Sean appeared to be too stunned to move and Mr.Blackbourne was frozen in place and unmoving.

Sang looked crestfallen when they ran. I stood quickly and strode toward her. I ignored Sang's flinching and wrapped my arms around her and hugged her to me tightly.

At first, Sang went rigid, but then she sagged and melted into me. Sang being topless in my arms was hard to handle, but she was wearing a very modest bra and I was more focused on my need to fix everything for her than my need to bring her even closer.

"Sang, they left because they were horrified by what happened to you. Trust me they want to help you and to get to know you," I told her quietly so only Sang heard me.

"Am I going back home now?" Sang asked in a wobbling and high voice.

"Never," I answered forcefully, my arms tightening on her. She would never be hurt again as long as I am here to protect her.

I was one step away from kidnapping her and wrapping her in bubble wrap.

I released Sang slowly and helped her put her shirt back on. I took Sang's shoulders and ushered her out of the living room and away from everyone's reactions.

I took her out to the garden and pointed out all the different types of flowers. It was calming and I finally got to spend time with her.

I smiled at her smile and took her hand pulling Sang toward the other side of the garden.

I decided to not let go of her hand and held it as I taught her the names of the flowers and when they would bloom. Sang's hand fit perfectly in my own and I got a ridiculous and giddy rush as I held it.

"Mr. Toma?" Sang started. This was the first time she had spoken the whole time we were outside. "What am I going to do?"

I told her honestly, "I don't know, but I do know that I will help you with any and everything and be right next to you. And please call me Axel."

Sang smiled and hesitantly asked, "Are we real friends?"

I stared at the remarkable girl and took her chin in my hand. I pulled her head gently making her look at my eyes so she could see my sincerity.

"Sang, I would be honored to be your friend."

Sang beamed at me and her eyes started to glow again. My heart stopped.

"Come on," I said. "Let's head inside. Hopefully those boys will have sorted themselves out."

"Okay, Axel."

Maybe it was cheesy, but I loved the way she said my name.

***

Sang's POV

I am a little overwhelmed and confused.

I don't know why they freaked out of it wasn't because I disgusted them. Everyone's parents do this to them, what is so special about me?

Nothing that I could see.

I am weird and different, but not in a good way.

I am ugly and disgusting and vile. This is why Master needs to cleanse me every week. I am supposed to be purged today, but I think I am going to miss it.

I am kinda happy though!

I got another friend! Now I have three: North Star, Brandon, and Axel.

Star, Sarah, and I all loved holding Axel's hand. It was comforting and made my heart flutter at the same time.

Brandon really confused me though.

I thought that we were friends.

Why did he run from me? I don't want to lose him, but if I disgust him, I don't want to make him deal with me.

I push my thoughts away.

Is this what smart people feel like? Always thinking, and thinking too much?

Good thing I'm not smart!

I walk with Axel into a huge kitchen. It has tons of appliances and food everywhere. I could cook just about anything in this kitchen.

Axel goes to the fridge to pull something out, but I stop him saying, "Am I allowed to cook something?"

He looks surprised but nods and answers, "Of course you can. Do you want any help?"

I smile at his kindness and decline.

I love to cook. I don't know if I am allowed to eat or not so I decide to cook for them and make a little extra just in case I am allowed to eat more today.

I pull out a pan and the ingredients to make grilled cheese sandwiches with apples. I slice the apples and am happy to see that they are crunchy and juicy. I have always wanted to try this, but I don't get to eat much.

I pile the sandwiches on a couple of plates and call out, "Food is ready!"

The boys come in surprised.

"Sang Baby, you didn't have to do that," North Star protests.

I give him a smile full of mischief and declare, "It is too late now! Eat up!"

None of them move though and they all look at each other again.

Mr.Blackbourne says, "Ms. Sorenson, you amaze us. We reacted inappropriately, all of us except Axel, and here you are, cooking for us."

I roll my eyes.

"Who said it was for you? I wanted to eat, but I don't know if I am allowed to so I made enough for you guys."

Pug looked at me, "Pumpkin, whenever you are hungry, you eat. There is no need to ask or worry or cook for us."

I beam at him and reply, "Thank you, but I love cooking. I would be more than happy to cook for y'all."

I grab a sandwich for myself and Luke does the same causing them all to grab one.

I smile loving the sandwich. It turned out better than I had hoped for.

"Oy! What the **** is in this?!" Meanie yells.

"Meanie, it is just apples. Good, huh? I have always wanted to try it."

They all begin to relax and start talking and eating with each other.

"So Sang, what happened to your hair and eyes?" Kota asks curiously.

I swallow my mouthful and say, "My hair changes since it is fall and my eyes, I don't know. I wish I knew."

They all look curious and interested, but don't push knowing that I don't have any answers either.

Pug looks at me before carefully saying, "Please explain your reasoning for calling me Pug."

"Do I have to spell out everything to these nincompoops?" I mutter before answering.

"Sean is like yawn, which cat's do best. The opposite of a car is a dog. The cutest and best kind of dog is a pug. You are Pug."

Sean winks at me. "So you agree that I am the best and cutest?"

I cock my head, "No. Why on earth would you think that?"

They are all equally great and cute.

He blushes and the others laugh for some reason before resuming their conversations.

I love watching them because they are the most amazing family that I have ever seen.

They make me wonder if I will ever be that happy in a family somewhere. I hope so.

I just need to find my perfect family.