Alison woke up with a groan. Her head was pounding slightly. It was half-past six. After lying there for some time, she finally stood slowly and headed to the bathroom. She looked up and was taken aback by what she saw in the mirror. Her face was pale and dull and there were dark circles under her eyes, the courtesy of crying a lot last night and sleeping only for a few hours.

She stripped off her clothes and stood under the shower. Her tense body relaxed as the warm droplets of water massaged her tired body. Images of crying twins were flashing in front of her eyes, filling her with both sadness and confusion. What had happened in their past that caused them to see such dreadful nightmares?

Not finding an answer, she quickly washed and rinsed her hair and body and wrapped a towel around her body, and brushed her teeth. She then walked into her closet and chose a floral long sleeve blouse and skinny light blue jeans.

Not wanting to look like a ghost on the second day of school, she blow-dried her hair and pulled them into a loose ponytail. She then applied a bit of concealer under her eyes and successfully hid the bags under them. After applying a bit of nude lipstick and a bit of her perfume, she grabbed her bag and left her room.

Her feet take her to the twins' room and she silently opened the door. Her eyes softened at seeing the twins cuddled to each side of her mother and the three of them were soundly asleep. She smiled and watched them for a few minutes before turning and closing the door behind her soundlessly and she then went downstairs.

She walked into the kitchen and was surprised to see Ben sitting there behind the table. "Hi, Ben." she greeted as she walked to the kitchen to find something to eat.

Ben looked up and smiled widely which faltered when he saw her tired eyes. "Good morning, sunshine." he said cheerfully. "You had a tough night too I guess."

Alison grabbed an apple and sat beside him. "You have no idea." she grumbled and Ben chuckled and patted her back. Suddenly an idea popped into her mind. Ben was a close and old friend of the King family. He should surely know what has happened to the twins.

"Ben!" she called and Ben hummed in response as he took a sip from his cup of coffee. "Do you know why James and Jordan see bad nightmares?"

Ben looked at her shocked and didn't say anything for a moment. He then sighed and shook his head sadly. "It's a long story, Al." he said giving her the same answer as Rich. The topic must have been hard for them to talk about, but Alison should have known to be able to help her favorite brothers if needed.

Another idea popped into Alison's head. "Well, if you take me to school we will have lots of time in the car and you can tell me the story." she offered with a Cheshire smile.

Ben threw his head back and laughed wholeheartedly. "You're good at negotiation for sure." He said and then pushed his chair back and stood while grabbing his keys from the table. "Come on then. Let's go." he said and gestured for Alison to follow him.

Alison grinned and quickly stood and picked her bag from the floor, feeling good that she was not forced to go with Xander to school.

"I take Alison to school. Inform Mason." said Ben sternly once outside to one of the guards next to the front door who nodded. He then guided Alison to a beautiful silver Astone Martin parked in front of the stairs. He laughed at her who was looking at the car with awe with her mouth slightly open. "Beautiful, isn't it?" he smirked and Alison nodded. "Okay, enough of drooling. Hop in."

Alison sat in the luxurious car as did Ben and soon he ignite the car's engine. The car roared beautifully and soon Ben pulled into the road. When they get out of the gates, Alison turned to Ben slightly. "Well?" she asked while raising an eyebrow.

"Well, what?" he asked innocently, obviously trying to avoid the topic.

Alison rolled her eyes. "Don't play dumb." she groaned. "Tell me the truth. I promise I only want to help."

Ben sighed. "I will tell you the story. But only a brief summary and you should promise not to ask more questions." he said sternly and Alison nodded. "Promise" she said eagerly.

"It happened four years ago when the twins were only 4." began Ben. His voice was cold and hard. His hold on the steering wheel tightened and his knuckles turned white. "They were kidnapped from their kindergarten by the rival group who wanted to stop us from signing a contract. When we found them, they were battered and bruised. The poor babies wouldn't talk for weeks. They would sit in a corner only and stare at nothing. It took too long for them to get back to their normal lives, although the nightmares never stopped."

He was partially telling the truth. The twins were kidnapped by the Russian mafia who wanted revenge over one of their stolen shipments.

"Oh, dear lord." whispered Alison as she put a hand on her aching heart. "What they have gone through? What kind of a monster would hurt a baby?"

"They never talked about it to anyone, not even your mother that they love her like their own." said Ben sadly. His eyes softened as he briefly turned his head and glanced at her. "That is why Albert is so strict toward you, Alie. This family has seen horrible days. They don't want to face them again. We have so many enemies, Al. This is the nature of our business. The rival companies always seek a way to hurt us. The older boys, even Hunter, are so much stronger than you both physically and mentally. That's why Albert is worried for you and your mother. You are easy targets. Don't guard in front of him and his ways to protect you. He loves you and wants to protect you."

Alison stared out of the window. Different thoughts and emotions were swirling in her mind. Now she understood many things. Now she could get along with some of the rules. She made a mental note to take care of the twins and pay more attention to them from now on.

Soon they reached the school's gate. Alison turned to Ben. "Thank you, Ben." she said softly and moved slightly to kiss his cheek. "And sorry for the sorrow that you have gone through."

She then opened the door and left the shocked Ben inside of the car and walked towards the school's gate.

It was half-past eight. The corridors were slightly crowded. Alison was standing in front of her locker slowly taking her books and stuff, drowned in her thoughts about what she had seen and heard from last night. Her mind wanted to explode from too many thoughts. She sighed and closed her locker and turned only to jump back startled as she saw a boy with blond hair leaning on the lockers and smirking at her. A group of boys was behind him smirking at the interaction between them.

"Hello, beautiful." said the blond lazily as he flashed her his smile. "Did I startled you, love?" he asked with a fake sadness and his friends laughed.

Alison clenched and unclenched her fist and narrowed her eyes at the imbecile in front of her. "Look, Mister," she said irritated. "I'm not really in a mood today. So you better back off." She said and tried to push past him.

The boy blocked her way and stood a little bit too close for her liking. His height was easily giving him the advantage of towering over her, but Alison stood her ground and didn't show any interest nor fear. "Maybe I can help you feel better, sweetheart." he offered innocently but his eyes shone wickedly. "The janitor's closet is near." he said as he raised his hand to touch Alison's cheek.

Just as Alison was ready to knee him hard where the sun doesn't shine and before the boy can touch her, a deep voice boomed in the corridor and an arm snaked around Alison's waist and pulled her into a solid muscular chest and a great smell of a cologne hit Alison's nostrils. "If I were you, I would have thought twice before touching what is mine." he said.

The boy dropped his hand and took a few steps back. He paled visibly and his eyes widened as he stared at the person behind Alison. "Sorry, Wessst." he stuttered scared. "I didn't know that she is yours."

"What??" exclaimed Alison and wiggled in West's hold but his hold tightened around her and he kept her in place with his other hand. "Now you know. Fuck off with the group of your goons before I erase all of you bastards from the surface of the earth." he growled dangerously.

The boys didn't need to be told twice, they turned and ran in the other direction.

Alison looked around. Everyone was watching them while whispering and pointing at them. She wiggled harder this time. "What are you ...." she began to talk but was cut off as West turned her around to face him.

Their bodies were flushed against each other as he once again hold her tight with a hand on her lower back. He stared at her ocean blue eyes for a second which melted Alison's heart before his head dived down. Alison closed her eyes in anticipation and just then she felt his lips touch hers for a mere second and traitorous fireworks erupted in her stomach. Gasps of shock filled the crowded corridor.

"Alison!" Alison heard Jess's shouting her name but before she can come out of her daze and react, West grabbed her hand and dragged her after him as he pushed the students out of his way and walked fast in the corridors while dragging Alison like a trembling lost puppy behind him.

He stopped in front of a door and entered the empty classroom behind it and pulled Alison along. He closed the door and the next second, Alison's back hit the door and she was caged between the door and West's solid chest who had both hands on both sides of her head.

She couldn't focus, still dazed by the almost kiss and his overwhelming cologne and his minty breath fanning her face. Not being able to control himself, Alex buried his head in the crook of her neck and smelled in her divine scent. "What are you doing to me, Alison." he whispered and lightly kissed her neck, just below her jaw and smirked when he felt her shiver.

Alison slightly composed herself and put her hands on his chest and tried in futile to push him away. "What are you doing, West?" she asked trying to sound tough but in fact, her voice came out like a shaky whisper, shocked to feel this way when West was this close to her. Even her last boyfriend who she was with for two years, never had this effect on her. Her heart was beating miles a second and her breathing was uneven. But she could feel Alex's heartbeat matching hers under her palm.

Alex pulled away and stared at the angel in front of him. Their eyes, dark gray and blue, locked and they both lost themselves in each other's eyes. Her scent was driving him crazy and he should control himself the best. "What's happened?" he asked suddenly.

Alison frowned. "What??" she asked confused.

"Just yesterday you were a ball of happiness," he explained as he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "And today, you are so tired and sad. Your eyes are telling me everything so don't lie to me, love. What happened from yesterday till now? Did that fucking boy you left with yesterday do something to upset you?"

Alison tried to push him away, but failed again like he was made of solid rock. "I don't know what you are talking about." she said.

"I said don't fucking lie to me, Al." he growled and narrowed his eyes down at her.

"Alex, please." she said and then felt him freeze. She looked up and saw him looking down at her with an emotion unknown to Alison. In fact, his inside melted when he heard his name roll off of her sweet tounge and all the thoughts and worries left his mind just like that. His heart stirred a bit. This new feeling was odd for him. A mix of hope, happiness, and love. Yes, fucking love. This girl in front of him had stolen his heart away by practically doing nothing. She had him wrapped around her pinky finger. He was ready to do whatever she asks and do whatever to keep her happy.

"Say it again." he whispered as he once again buried his face in her hair. "My name. Say it again."

"Alex!" whispered Alison unconsciously, not being able to control herself. His name tasted so sweet.

Alex moved his head and now his face hovered in front of hers. His lips were lightly brushing hers. He planted a feathered kiss on her lips. "You are mine, Alison Harris. mine. never forget it." she heard him whisper next to her ear before pulling away and the next second when she opened her eyes, she was alone in the dark room.