Chapter 54

(Bell's POV)

I don't know how long I've been here but I could hear footsteps outside of the door.

I watched as shadows from under the door would pass by, stop, and then continue walking.

I knew they were checking up on me. I could only think they were guards.

I knew I was safe here but for being safe this didn't help me at all.

I felt like I was back where I started.

Stuck in a cell, which is now a room.

With guards who are watching over you 24/7 .

I looked around the room and their were cameras.... Just like the ones Jo had.

I could feel my throat start to tighten,and  my hands were getting sweaty. I could hear this annoying beeping sound in the back ground and I realized it was my heart monitor.

The door burst open and someone started screaming. I jumped from the bed and ran to the corner of the room.

I saw a lot of nurses come rushing into the room and my eyes scanned through the crowd to see who was screaming bloody murder.

I covered my ears and the nurses kept talking to me but I couldn't understand what they were saying.

Jackson came running into the room and I saw as he started yelling something at everyone and in a couple of seconds they all started to leave the room.

He turned around and put his hands out in front of him and started to walk slowly towards me.

He was acting like I was going to hurt him or something.

I felt water slide down my face and my vision get blurry and then it hit me.

I was the one screaming.

I could see his mouth moving but nothing was coming out.

I shut my eyes and shook my head as I hugged my body.

"Arabella... look at me."

But I just kept shaking my head.

"I'm not going to hurt you okay? Please don't cry baby girl I'm right here and I will never let anything or anyone hurt you ever again."

He sounded so sincere and I finally stopped shaking my head but I didn't dare move.

"Please look at me."

I still didn't move.

"Please?"

I finally looked up at him and he smiled back at me.

"There's my beautiful mate."

I wiped my tears and he took a step towards me back I took one back.

The look of hurt that flashed through his eyes made my wolf whimper.

"I won't hurt you Arabella... please believe me."

In my heart I knew I do. But it was just a habit... a bad habit.

I closed my eyes and took deep calming breaths.

It was quiet for about two minutes before I opened my eyes again.

"I'm sorry." I whispered.

He was hesitant to walked towards me but when he saw that I wasn't afraid anymore he kept walking until he was standing in front of me.

I was so embarrassed, so hurt, so stupid to have even done something like this.

I felt so stupid that I couldn't even look him in the eyes as he stood in front of me.

My eyes were trained on the floor.

He slowly moved his hands towards my face and it took everything in me not to flinch away.

"You have nothing to be sorry about. I should be sorry. I shouldn't have left you alone even if you wanted me too."

He lifted my chin so that my eyes were now starring into his and they were so kind.

CHe had these brown eyes but they were everything but boring. They were gorgeous.

He leaned down to kiss me but someone walked in and I threw myself in the corner of the room again. It hadn't even occurred to me that I had walked away from the corner.

I felt like my heart was about to jump out my chest and Jackson knew it.

He turned around and growled at an older women who didn't look very amused at his actions.

"I will not tolerate such behavior Jackson." The women crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

I closed my eyes and tried to calm down.

"Please knock next time before you enter a room." He said just as annoyed as she did.

"Well, I would but you had your wall up and we need to talk about the ........"

It was quiet and I felt eyes on me. I tried not to acknowledge it but the silence was becoming deafening.

I opened my eyes to see her looking at me and he looking at her.

"And who is this?" She asked with a little bit of disgust in her voice.

"This is the rogue we found in the woods." He said not looking at me.

Rogue? Was that all I was to him?

She looked me up and down. I suddenly felt self  conscious about my appearance.

"Well get rid of it. You know how I feel about them."

He smiled at her and nodded his head.

"Yes mother. As you wish."

She smiled back and went to leave but turned back around.

"Oh and Vanessa is looking for you." She walked out of the room and I was left with two things.

My feelings being damaged, and wondering who this Vanessa girl was.

I hug my body and Jackson turned around to me.

"I'm sorry about that she does....."

"It's fine. You owe me no explanation."

I went to walk past him towards my bed but he grabbed my arm.

"Arabella please..."

"Please let me go Jackson." He let go of my arm and I sat on my bed.

"When will my family arrive?"

He looked hurt but cleared his throat and answered my question anyways.

"Uhh they should arrive any minute now."

I nodded my hair and ran a hand through my hair but it didn't go far because my hair was really knotted.

"Can you bring me some clothes I would like to take a shower." I sat with my back towards him but I could feel him looking at me.

"Sure. I'll have Lilly bring you some would you like me to..."

"No. You can go. Vanessa is waiting."

I could feel the jealousy come out and I knew I didn't have a right to be jealous he was nothing to me. All I was to him was just a rogue.

"Arabe..."

"Please, leave."

I walked towards the restroom and locked the door. I put my back against the door and listened to see if he would leave.

After a couple of seconds he left....... Slamming the door behind him.

I took a breath of relief and finally decided to hop in the shower.

I stripped the night gown that I had on, off and turned on the water.

As I was waiting for the water to warm up I finally got to look at myself in the mirror for the first time in years.

My hair was a mess kind of like a nest.

My eyes were a nice and dull gray. My eyes traveled to my stomach and it was flat. My ribs were kind of sticking out but that's what happens when they barely feed you.

I turned around and looked at my back.

I could see the scars now and they were worse than what I expected.

Everyday I woke up and felt these lines on my back that I hoped wouldn't be there one day.

To me they were just lines, long, bumpy lines that reminded me of everything that I have been through.

But they were these pink, dirty, long jagged lines that decorated my back and they were ugly.

I knew there was nothing I could to get rid of them but I knew one thing.

These scars made me and I will never let them brake me.

I saw the steam from the water start to fog up the mirrors and I was excited that I actually get to take a long hot shower.

I got in and the water was burning my skin but I didn't care.

Because as it was washing all the dirt off it washing my stress, my worries, my fears and my problems.

In this moment I wasn't someone who was kidnapped as a child, or someone who was abused and beaten for years. I wasn't the girl with the scars.

And I certainly wasn't the mate that Jackson denied. I was just someone who was at peace.

I let the hot water run down my body and I could feel myself getting happier and happier by the minute.

This may be a simple shower to someone else but this was heaven for me.

And I wouldn't change this for anything else.

I grabbed the soap that smelled like lavender and washed my body.

I was in the middle of putting conditioner in my hair when I heard a door open.

I didn't move and I tried to stay as still as ever waiting to see if the person who was the room was threat or not.

I heard the bed springs of the bed move and I knew they were by the bed. I could hear their foot prints hit the floor and I knew they knew I was in here.

"Excuse Miss Arabella?"

I didn't say anything as the voice from behind the door waited for my response.

She didn't sound mean... she actually sounded pretty nice but I wasn't going to take that chance.

"Miss Arabella? Are you there?" Her voice sounded like she was about to panic and I could tell she thought something bad happened in here which is why I haven't answered.

I could stay quiet and let her think the worse and leave but if she did leave I knew she would go back to Jackson and tell him that something was wrong.

"Y-yes?" Curse my stuttering.

"Oh thank God. You scared me Dear. Alpha Jackson said you requested some clothes?"

She sounded like a nice sweat lady. And by the tone of her voice I knew she was an older she wolf.

"Y-yes I d-did."

You could hear the smile in her voice as she spoke.

"Well, I brought you some sweaty and they are on your bed. Would you like me to wait till you get out of the shower and assist you as you get dressed?"

Oh god.... She really was nice but I still didn't know who she was so I knew I couldn't trust her just yet.

"N-no thank you."

"Very well."

I waited till I could hear the door close until I began to move.

I sighed when she finally did leave and returned to my shower.

Thoughts of my family coming made my stomach turn.

What if they don't like me? What if Braxton doesn't remember me and just doesn't like me?

Will my father like me? Eva did say he was nice...

I kept wondering about the 'What if's' that I didn't even notice the water had turned cold.

So when I did notice I turned off the shower and decided to get out.

But there was one problem I didn't have a towel.

Maybe if I just run to the bed and get the clothes and run back I'll be okay to change.

I peeked out the door and made sure no one was in the room but I had noticed there was a towel waiting for me on the floor.

Oh thank God.

I happily grabbed the towel and dried off my body.

I started to hum as I dried myself off.

I wrapped my body and peeked outside the door one more time and still no one. Perfect.

I walked over to the bed sure enough the clothes were right there.

There was a pair of light blue jeans, a white and maroon long sleeved shirt and some white shoes and socks.

I don't know if it will fit but it wouldn't hurt to try.

"It's really not that bad of an outfit."

I smiled knowing I had Izzy here with me.

"It's not. but I don't think it will fit."

"Mmm probably not but the old lady does have good taste."

And this is why I love Izzy. Shes more of the spunk type of me. She has this sass that I wish I could have but I don't.

"Haha that she does. Hey izzy?"

"That's my name."

I really didn't know how to ask so I'm just going to go for it.

"What do you think about Jackson?"

It was quiet before she responded.

"Sir jackass? He's alright I guess... Not to bad on the eyes but I still want to know who this Vanessa she wolf he is talking to."

"But what do you think about him? Like as our mate?"

Again it was quiet.

"I don't trust him. He's hiding something and I want to know what it is before we get involved. We can't afford to get hurt again."

Her voice sounded so sad and I knew it was because she blames herself for not being able to protect me.

"Izzy, you know I love you right?"

"I love you too Bella."

With that I cut the connection and started to get ready again.

The jeans were a little loose but it was good enough. The shirt fit perfectly and I was happy that it did.

I walked over into the restroom and I looked in the mirror and for once in my life I felt...... Normal.

I went back to the room and sat on the bed as I put my socks and shoes on.

A knock was heard at the door and I didn't move.

"It's me open up." I heard Jacob's voice.

I got up slowly and cracked the door open a little bit.

I didn't say anything and just waited until he spoke. He stood there with arms crossed and an annoyed look on his face.

"Come on. Your family is here and Alpha Jackson is kind of busy doing important things so I am to escort you to see them until he can make it." With that he walked away and I just followed.

I was kind of scared at first because I didn't know anyone here and no one here knew me and I knew they could tell I was a rogue because of the faces I was getting.

I kept following Jacob but I had to admit their house was amazing.

We passed game rooms, and a room for babies, three kitchens like five living rooms and it was just big.

Some people smiled at me and I smiled back but I got some really nasty looks from some she wolves.

Some growled and It kind of scared me but I knew if it came down to it I will defend myself.

We finally stopped at an elevator and Jacob pushed the button.

"I have more important things to do than baby sit so this is as far as I go."

The elevator door opened and he gestured for me to go inside.

So I did. I wasn't going to ask him to stay with me when I knew he hated me.

"You're going to the 10th floor. When you get there turn left and you should enter a dinning room Mary the maid will be there so you won't be alone."

He pushed the button and turned around to leave.

"Thank you." I whispered but he didn't even turn to look at me. I guess I deserve that.

So I waited. I watched as I passed every floor and got nervous because I was getting closer and closer to the 10th floor.

Finally, I was here.

The door's opened and I stepped out. Left. He said to go left.

I turned left and walked down the hall that had a lot of pictures on the wall of old guys. I'm guessing passed Alpha's.

I heard talking and my heart started to beat fast. I'm guessing they heard me too because they stopped talking.

I stopped walking because I was really second guessing this.

Where was Jackson? He really didn't think this was important enough to come and join me?

I took a couple of breaths and forced myself into the dinning room. When I entered I was them.

And memories of when I was a kid came flooding back into my head. Braxton.. He looked so much older... more ... Mature.

I remembered how we would eat strawberries together all the time. And how we would race to see who was the fastest.

Next to him was a mad a little bit older but I knew it was my father. He had tears in his eyes as he stood up.

"I.... I cant believe it. When they called and told us about you I figured they had to be mistaken. But I knew I could never pass up a chance like this... A chance to see my baby girl again.."

My throat began to tighten and I ran. But not to the elevator. I ran into the arms of my father.

He was taller than me but he was so gentle. And he still smelled the same.

I could feel him kissing my head as I hugged him with all I had.

"I will never let you go.... ever again." I started to cry as I heard those words leave his mouth.

I let go of my father looked at my brother.

He got up from the couch and started to walk towards me. He didn't have a smile on his face and he didn't look to happy but it surprised me when he engulfed me in a big hug.

"I never stopped looking. I knew you were still out there. I'm so sorry Bella."

I heard his voice cracked and I just hugged him. We hugged as I cried into his shirt.

"I know. Eva told me." He tensed at her name and he let go.

"What did you just say?" He asked kind of confused.

"The same man who took Eva was the same man who took me and killed mom."

He looked kind of taken back but it was dad who spoke.

"Is it true? Is she really dead?" He asked.

I looked towards Braxton wondering if he really wanted to hear the answer.

"I'm so sorry. I tried to save her.... but she saved me instead." I choked back a sob as I covered my mouth with my hand as my father hugged me again.

"There was nothing you could have done. There was nothing any of us could have done. But how did you escape?" My father asked.

"I-it's a l-l-long story." I said in between tears.

"We will talk about it in the car. Come on it is time to go home." He smiled down at me and I finally was happy. I get to go home.

"We should thank Alpha Jackson. It is only right that..."

"Oh my god..." I said as I interrupted my brother.

"What is it?" My father asked.

"Alpha Jackson.... He's my mate."

They both looked taken back and It was silent for a minute.

"Then we will discuss the details with him. Don't worry honey we will figure something out." My father said as he smiled at me.

I saw the maid.... Mary?

"Uhh Excuse me? Where can I find Alpha Jackson?"

"Down the hall to your right sweaty." She smiled at me and I thanked her.

"I'll go get him." I said. I walked down the hall hopping this wasn't going to start another fight between us.

I came across a door that was slightly open and I could hear voices on the inside. His and another girl but it wasn't his mother.... Vanessa?

"But baby you said you would spend the weekend with me. I don't understand why you have to leave." She sounded upset.

"I know I just have some business to take care of that's all." I peeked inside and I saw that he had kissed her forehead as he held her hands.

"Promise you'll come back soon? I hate being away from you." She looked up at him with sad eyes.

"I promise. This shouldn't take long okay?" He kissed her on the lips and my heart sank.

Does... does his heart belong to another?

"I love you."

"And I love you too Vanessa."

"I can't wait till the wedding."

With each word my heart broke a little more. How could he do this to me?

They started to kiss and I knew this was it. He didn't want a mate.

He didn't want me. He wanted her. He wanted Vanessa.

I covered my mouth as I tried not to let them hear me cry. I went to walk away but the floor squeaked and they both looked at me.

The hurt expression on Jackson's face told me he knew I heard everything.

"Arabella I can..."

But I didn't bother listening I turned around and ran back to the dinning room. My brother and father were talking but stopped when they saw how I returned.

Immediately they were on high alert.

"Arabella? Whats the matter?"

But all I could do was shake my head.

"ARABELLA!!! WAIT!!!" I heard Jackson scream but I hid behind my father who stood protectively in front of me.

Seconds  later Jackson entered the room and saw that I was crying and standing behind my father.

"Please... Arabella let me explain...."

But I just kept on crying.

"What did you do to my daughter?"

"With all due respect that is mine and Arabella's business." He tried to come closer but I clutched onto my father's jacket and my father growled at Jackson.

Warning him to stay back.

"This is MY territory and that is MY mate. You will show me some respect."

"Not when it comes to my daughter." Jackson tried to come closer but Braxton grabbed him by the shirt and threw him across the room.

A part of me was scared and worried that Jackson had gotten hurt but the other art of me thought he deserved it.

"Stay back." Braxton said.

Jacob came running into the room and automatically started to fume.

"What the hell is going on here?!" He screamed he went and helped Jackson up and I was glad to see that he was okay.

"Stay out of it Beta."

"Bite me Braxton."

Jacob said as he looked over Jackson.

"I Did. And you almost died. Remember or should I remind you again... pup?" Eva was right... Braxton could be scary when he wanted to be.

"ENOUGH!" My father yelled.

"Arabella what happened?"

My father turned around and looked at me and smiled. It made me feel safe to know I had them here.

"Jackson stood by myself when he first found out I was his mate. He told me he cared about me. He told me he would never hurt me and that he will always protect me. But earlier he called me a rogue when he was talking to his mother. And I went to go get him so you could all talk but.... He... He is with someone else. I stood there and listened as they both said their I love you's and how he told her he had business to take care of. Business, He referred to his mate as business. His heart belongs to another... He's getting married. " My father looked mad and turned around at Jackson.

"We are internally grateful that you found my daughter but we will be leaving. " He grabbed his brief case and nodded at Braxton to.

"You cannot take her! That is my mate!" Jackson tried to come towards me but Jacob stopped him.

"Let it go man. It's not worth it." But Jackson growled pushed Jacob out of the way.

"If you take her you are starting a war and this time I will fight!" Jackson screamed.

"Fighting you is a battle, not a war. My pack is 6x bigger than your pack. My warriors are stronger than ten of your men combined. If you want my sister than you come get her but I will not apologize for the lives you are willing to spare just to lose. Until you have proven yourself worthy I don't want to see you on my territory and If I do... I will kill you." Braxton didn't bother to turn around. He began to walk as I followed and my father followed behind me.

"Bella? Please don't do this.... Let me explain first. Please..."

"Honey? What's wrong?" Vanessa came out of the hall and looked around the room and at Jackson.

"Oh God, are you okay? What happened?!" She ran towards him.

"Bella talk to me!"

"Jackson I am talking to you! What happened?" She looked worriedly at him but then turn towards me.

"Who is that girl? Jackson? Jackson! I'm talking to you."

But he just ignored her.

She grabbed him by the face and kissed him. I looked away and started to walk again.

"Can you stop!? I'm in the middle of business go back to your room!" He yelled at her and she stormed off.

"Bella don't do this.... I'm begging you."

I stopped and turned around.

"Our business is over now. This is over. WE are over." I whispered the last part.

"I'm going home." I wiped the tears as we took the elevator down to the first floor. My brother was already in the limo waiting.

Right when I go into the car Jackson came running out of the house.

He watched as I drove away.

"We're going home Bella." Izzy said.

But I couldn't bother to be happy. I was a total mess.

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