Chapter 37: Thirty-seven.

Colt gripped on tightly to Felix's waist, though it was not in an effort to stay on the speeding bike. She was desperately trying to breathe through the pain she was feeling, and using her friend as an anchor to keep herself grounded. She had no idea where they were headed, but right now she didn't really care either, she was too busy clamping her eyes shut against the world, as tears flowed freely down her cheeks. Her initial shock and anger had dissipated since she first found out about what Elijah was planning, leaving behind a hollow loneliness that was building inside of her, the result of what she felt, was the deepest of betrayals. Elijah had tried to take her home from her, again. She had been prepared to let him in, she had decided to allow him to mark her as his, she had even completed her part and marked him in turn. Events she had always promised herself she would never concede to, and he had abused that trust and faith she had given him. Colt didn't know how she would ever forgive him, but more than that she didn't know how she would ever forgive herself, for being so damn näive.

Colt felt the bike come to a stop, she hadn't even realised they were slowing down and reluctantly she let go of Felix, and opened her eyes.

"Come on Kitten," he said gently as they dismounted the bike and he led her up the path to her house. "You need to be in your own space Colt." he added, reassuring her. "You need to know, your home, and no one can take that away from you."

Colt numbly walked into her house, only mildly pausing at the scent on the wall left last night by Elijah with a shudder. She went straight through to the kitchen on autopilot and put the kettle on for tea, not saying a word.

Felix followed her inside concerned and annoyed, but rather than approach her, he instead grabbed the bleach from the utility and a bucket of hot water. He couldn't do much for her he decided, but he could wash the scent mark away that the neanderthal had left at her door. Internally cursing the wolf for such a pathetic and outdated practice. At least Colt wouldn't have to smell him every time she entered or exited her home.

He was methodically scrubbing the wall, making sure he used plenty of bleach, when he heard the tell tale sign Elijah had arrived. Four feet and a growl, typical and a total cliché.

"I wondered how long it would take you." he said, without turning. "I can't believe I was rooting for you. You're a class A asshole, and pissing on her wall? For fuck sake, grow up." he didn't even glance over his shoulder at the angry wolf, before continuing, totally unconcerned by the aggression. "I thought because you were her true mate, you could make her happy. You could give her that feeling of completeness that she craves. It's why I helped you. But now, I wish I hadn't bothered, because you are quite clearly just another archaic wolf who obviously is no where near good enough for that woman. Not that I think anyone ever could be"

Elijah, shifted back into his human form. "How long have you been in love with her?" he asked quietly, his own shame coating his tongue as he spoke, and nullifying his anger.

"Probably, since a week after I met her." Felix responded, with a shrug. "But, it doesn't matter."

"And why not?" Elijah asked, curious about how anyone could walk away from Colt Merrier. "Because, she isn't meant for me. Though if I'm honest I can't see what makes you so worthy, when for years all you've done is cause her pain."

"What? I only met her six days ago. How?" asked Elijah confused.

Felix sighed and stood up, he handed Elijah the bucket and said "It ain't my story to tell. I suggest however, you address one issue at a time and refrain from relieving yourself on anymore buildings. Apart from anything else, its down right unhygienic." he scowled, strolling off towards the horse paddocks.

Elijah hung his head, he had never felt as ashamed and embarrassed of himself as he did right at this moment. The timing couldn't have been worse, he felt calmer than he ever had in over ten years, yet now he was at a serious risk of losing the reason why. Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves for the argument that would undoubtedly follow, he opened the door and walked quietly through to the kitchen, where he could hear Colt's quiet movements.

He paused, in the doorway, putting the bucket down as he made eye contact with his mate. The look on her face was like a knife in his gut. Colt looked broken, and it was all his fault. The fire and challenge that resided behind her beautiful eyes, was gone, like it had been snuffed out, snuffed out by him.

Before he knew what he was doing, he was across the room in a flash, pulling her into his embrace as she burst into a fresh wave of tears. "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry." he begged, willing her to understandand and be okay.

Despite herself, Colt clung to him desperately, looking for a sense of relief from the hollowness inside her. They sank to the floor, as Colt overwhelmed with pain, curled herself up within Elijah's grasp, as she wept, clinging on to him for comfort.

Once her tears eventually stilled, Colt seemed to remember herself somewhat. Elijah was still holding her tightly while stroking her hair,as though she might break at any minute, when she abruptly pushed away from him, standing like she had been electrocuted, and putting as much space between them as she could.

"Get out." she whispered, not looking him in the eye.

"Please, just, let me explain." He begged stepping towards her, and reaching out.

"No, Elijah." she sighed holding her hands up, and moving further away from him. "There isn't really much to explain. You thought you could make me throw away my life, my livelihood, and my home. Not to mention my friends, and the people who rely on me. So, you acted on it. You didn't ask, you didn't consult me, you just took over." Colt hardened her face as she spoke, "It was cruelly done, and you were wrong. And now, I need you to leave."

"I'm sorry. I presumed when we mated you would stay with me, Little Bird." Elijah tried to explain, but even as he did, he could see Colt was mentally putting up her walls to him, trying to shut him out.

"Elijah, I think the time for cute names has passed." Colt said, still not wanting to look at him.

Elijah reached out to hold Colt again, panicked as he sensed her slipping through his fingers. This time she didn't move away though, as he wrapped his arms about her. However, she didn't actually move at all, Colt just stood there stiff and completely unresponsive in his arms.

"I'm sorry, it was selfish and it isn't something I would have followed through on. I would never try to hurt you, Colt, never." Elijah apologised, wishing she would forgive him.

"It's too late." was the reply Colt gave him. "I would like you to leave now please, Elijah. I want to be on my own, and it's time you started respecting me with that."

"I can't leave you, Colt not when you aren't alright. Maybe not even then, we are part of each other." Elijah begged, wishing she would yell or scream, or at least do something to show him her fighting spirit was still in there. Heck he would settle for any spirit being in there right now.

This broken down emotionless version of his mate was killing him, and he was quickly becoming as lost as she was.

Colt stepped out of his grasp, and walked away silently. She didn't look at him again just carried herself off upstairs, leaving a very confused and very worried Elijah in her kitchen.

"What have I done?" he said, holding his head in his hands, unsure of what to do to help her.

Behind him the kettle started to whistle on the stove top, sending further alarm bells off within his head. Colt hadn't even taken it off before she walked away. He quickly turned the heat off and ran after her upstairs, panic filling him at what he might find. He took the stairs two at a time and found Colt sat on her bed staring out of the window. She didn't even acknowledge his presence when he entered the room. She also didn't fight him when he slipped her shoes off and tucked her into bed. She suddenly felt so cold. He was actively afraid for her now.

Spotting her cell phone, he made a decision. One he would likely regret later, but all the same one he didn't feel he had a choice on otherwise. He picked it up and strode out the room, heading downstairs, he saw that Felix was still outside, calmly talking to one of the horses, but he didn't have time for this to bother him. Ignoring how he felt about the lion's ongoing presence, he quickly opened the cell and clicked into Colt's emergency contacts, since he had no idea what her pin would be to unlock it. He selected the number he was looking for and hit dial before he could change his mind.

After three rings, there was an answer "Hello, baby girl."

"Actually, Mrs. Merrier, its Elijah Lupus here." he responded, after gulping down his anxiety.

Colt's Mom instantly replied concerned, "Where is my daughter? What did you do?"

Elijah wished he could argue with her accusations, but he knew he couldn't, so went with honesty instead, "She is asleep at home. But,"

"But what?" Kalvin growled, joining the call.

Elijah could hear the voices of a few others growling in the background.

"She needs you. Now." he said desperately, ignoring the inner part of him that wished to respond to the challenge.

"We are on the way." came multiple voices.

He hung his head and disconnected the call. Looking up he seen Felix in the doorway.

"It sounds like reinforcements are on the way." He said, his emotions only conveying worry for his boss and friend.

"Yes." said Elijah, before shifting back into his wolf form again, not wishing to hear more of Felix's insights on his mate. His mate, which the lion shifter clearly knew and understood more about, than he himself did. Then he trotted up stairs to see Colt again.

She was exactly where he had left her to make the call. Only now he could see she was shivering. Panicked he nosed the blanket back and climbed on the bed on all fours.

If nothing else right now, he could at least keep her warm.