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« He's not angry with you, Luna, » Danny added, « he comes to see you when he has time between his Alpha duties and his personal duties, it just happens to be when you're sleeping. »
« Woah, » Gabbie suddenly stepped back and blew out air from her mouth, scrunching her face up as she scanned me, « you smell like-oh my god, you didn't ! » Her mouth fell agape and everyone appeared confused except for me.
Do I smell like Calix ?
« Does she have free time ? » She turned to Wayne, watching him nod, before looking back at me with her hand over her mouth, « why ? » She muffled a wail.
« Am I missing something ? » Danny frowned.
« She went to see Calix ! » She blurted, « I can't believe this, there's no telling what Axel would do if he found out she's going out to talk to him ! »
Everyone looked at me and I expected to cower, instead, a strange feeling warmed my veins and I held my head high, « it's wrong to let him die down there. Yes, I'm seeing him, and I'm feeding him. »
Her mouth fell open wider and Wayne awkwardly scratched his neck, sneaking out the door and pulling it quietly closed behind him.
« I'm sorry for raising my voice, but you need to understand he's not evil, he's angry ! » I huffed, narrowing my eyes at the two of them and their faces paled, « now take me to Axel ! I don't care if he's busy ! » I crossed my arms, staring at their frozen, horrified figures expectantly.
« Guys ! » I yelled, and they jumped with small yelps, bowing their heads.
« Yes, Luna, » they muttered simultaneously, « right this way, » they added, turning and walking out the door like children who just got in trouble.
A small smile found my lips at the warmth that filled me. Confidence tingled my chest and I followed them, already loving the power and importance I feel at their obedience.
So they submit to me like they do with Axel if I assert confidence and demand in my tone ?
Well, I am his mate…
We entered the huge house and they led me down the hallway, entering a familiar room only for them to come to a halt and I slammed into them with a small grunt.
« Um, where is Axel ? » Gabbie asked, genuine confusion in her tone. I moved past the two and spotted Blaine leaned back in Axel's chair.
« This is why he didn't tell you, » he shrugged, « he knew you'd run your mouth to Angel. This is something he just wants to keep private, I suppose. I'm in charge until he returns. »
« Yeah ? Do you even know where he is ? » Danny scoffed, making Blaine's face go from smug to a scowl and silence wrapped around the room.
« No… »
Danny opened his mouth to fire back, however, Blaine quickly added onto it to redeem himself from the embarrassment.
« But, he said something about someone named Jackson Williams. »
I furrowed my brows, looking down at the design in the wooden flooring with scrambling thoughts. Why does that name sound so familiar ?
Oh.
« What would Axel do if someone were to anger him ? Very, very badly ? » I asked, a cold rock of realization latching onto my stomach as I impatiently waited for an answer, darting my gaze between the three of them in panic.
Jackson let me borrow his pencil.
« Probably murder, what they did to piss him off depends on how slow he'll drag it out, » Blaine answered, completely unbothered, while the other two shared looks in suspicion.
« Do you know him ? » Danny questioned, raising a brow, and everyone stared at me.
« Yes, » I said quietly, fidgeting beneath their eyes, « h-he forced me to have… » I swallowed harshly, a lump growing in my throat at the memory, « he had sex with me and his friend did too, b-but I didn't have a choice. They-« I paused, dropping my head to stare at my feet and exhaling sharply, « they forced me. I cried, I screamed, I fought, but nobody came. Nobody helped me… »
*
« No ! Please, no ! »
« Stop it ! »
« Help me ! »
« Stop ! »
« I'm begging you ! »
« I can't move ! »
« Somebody, please ! »
« It hurts ! »
*
The sound of my hoarse screams and objects clattering due to my unsuccessful escape attempt from that day echoed through my mind and I swore I felt his cold hands touching me all over again, causing me to swat at them frantically, gasping for air, « stop ! »
« Angelica ! Look at me ! »
I blinked repeatedly, my rapid breathing coming to a slow as I realized Gabbie was holding onto me tightly. We met gazes and concern was evident in her eyes.
She guided my breathing back to normal, smiling softly, « you're okay, » she said, rubbing my arm and nodding reassuringly.
« Well… if that's the case, » Blaine paused, confusing me for a moment before I remembered the topic, « I pity the fool for ever laying his hands on you, cause Axel will not be playing nice. »
How did he even find him ?
« Yeah, that guy is going to be begging for death, » Danny snickered, looking over at Blaine and they shared amused smiles, but I didn't find it amusing at all.
I don't want anyone to get hurt.
« Why do you look so upset ? » Gabbie frowned, « that asshole is getting what he deserves. »
I shook my head, « no, he doesn't deserve to get hurt. He was young and didn't know any better, » I replied, watching everyone's faces drop and they stared at me with wide eyes.
« What are you talking about ? He assaulted you, why are you defending him ? » Blaine sat up in the chair, seeming disgusted.
« Okay, hold up, chill, » Danny shot him a look then turned to face me, « when did this happen ? »
« Middle school, » I responded. Their eyes nearly bugged out of their heads and Blaine smacked himself in the face, making me flinch at the sound.
« So this was a decent bit ago, » he sighed, rubbing his face then lifting his eyes back onto me while everyone stared in silence, « alright, well… Axel might be acting a tad bit excessively then. »
I felt heat overtake my cheeks and I looked down at the floor with nonstop racing thoughts, playing with my hands.
It felt strange talking so much, especially about things I swore to never tell another being because of the fear they'd degrade me. My mother never cared when I told her, she'd just insult me and tell me it's the only thing I'd ever be useful for, so I never wanted to talk about it again.
« He's not overreacting ! His mate was sexually assaulted, Blaine, it doesn't matter how long ago, it's still very clearly bothering her, » Gabbie growled, pulling me into a side hug with her arm and rubbing my bicep soothingly, « don't belittle her feelings, it was a traumatic experience regardless when it happened. She's very brave for talking about it. »
« What if the same thing happened to Whitney ? How would you feel ? Now times that by ten, and that's how Axel feels, » Danny folded his arms and all eyes fell on Blaine. His expression hardened and there was a long silence.
« …fair. »