Mine to Protect Chapter 118: PICKING UP THE PIECES

*Hazel*

“I don’t think I will…” I start, stuttering, wanting to tell him that I don’t think I will ever be their Luna again, but he cuts me off playfully.

“Hey, don’t sweat it, I said maybe, no pressure there. The only thing you need to focus on now is getting better. You need to start eating, get out in the sunlight, you look like a white skeleton, kind of creepy.”

I roll my eyes at him, not bothering to comment.

“Actually, I was thinking that I could move back to my parents’ house, this way, at least, I won’t burden you economically. I have some savings; they are enough to support me for a while. I also need to pay you back for the hotel expenses.”

“I don’t think going back there is a good idea; they are probably watching it, waiting for you to step into their trap. The hotel is safer, I have checked you in under Alice’s name, so they won’t know you are here. And you don’t need to worry about the money, that’s not an issue.”

His words make sense, but I still feel like I am too much of a burden for him.

Damon must have seen my reluctance, because he immediately adds.

“Look, Hazel, take things slowly, one step at a time. You are not a burden, I am happy to help, and when you are better, we’ll think of a more long-term solution, ok?”

I nod my head yes, knowing that if I try to say something my voice will crack, and I will start crying. This time though, they won’t be tears of sorrow, but tears of gratitude, because I am really blessed for having someone like Damon around, to take care of me when I am at my lowest.

Damon stays for another while, we eat lunch together, while he tells me some gossip about the pack and some developments on their search of the people who participated to the auction. Although for me, those all seem like events happened in another lifetime, so distant, like they have little to do with me.

When he leaves, he tells me that Alice will come to see me soon, because she is incredibly worried about me, and that I should expect a call from Rose too.

It warms my heart that they are still worrying for me, when I’ve left like that, when I am the one who hurt their Alpha. The realization that I am not alone, that I have people around me who care for me, makes me feel stronger, makes me want to get better soon, because I don’t want them to keep worrying for me.

I need to get my life back on track, and I hope that Derek can get back to his feet soon too. He deserves to live a good life without hate, pain and danger, essentially, without me.

…

*Two months later.*

It’s two months since I have rejected my fated mate, and although I thought I would never get over that kind of heartbreak, time really heals all wounds, and even if I am not completely healed yet, I am feeling better than I have in a long time.

I have started working again as an interior designer, but this time I am working freelance, it would be too dangerous to apply for a stable job in a company, it would easily give my position away, and I don’t want to put a whole office in danger.

I am honestly not even sure that they are still searching for me. Even Damon said that there have not been anymore strange disappearances and no sighting of mutants or hidden laboratories.

Maybe they have set the project aside, and no one is looking for the white wolf anymore. It would be too good to be true, so I better stop kidding myself, better play it safe and keep a low profile.

I have sold my parents’ house. It was not safe anymore, and I don’t think I could have brought myself to stay there after what happened. The image of my father’s body sprawled on the entrance floor is still fresh in my mind, like it happened yesterday. It makes me want to hunt those bastards down and kill them all, instead of keep hiding like a coward; but the truth is, that even I am not strong enough to take them all down by myself, I would just offer myself to them on a silver plate.

I would have tried if Derek were still with me, with the support of his pack and warriors, but we haven’t talked or seen each other since, and I am in no position to ask anything from him.

I still think a lot about him, every and each day, especially at night, when my mind is not occupied with work. Often, I kill myself with work just to keep my mind busy and chase the thought of him away.

I don’t watch the TV and the news for the same reason; being the Alpha of the biggest pack in the country, now that he has taken on also Emma’s pack, he’s always on the news, gossips about his love life run wild, and I can’t stomach any of that.

Just by seeing his face on video my heart aches badly, and my wolf goes insane, craving for the mate that we have lost. I need to keep my distance from all of that, before I am strong enough to handle it.

All things considered; life isn’t bad now. Luckily jobs are flowing in easily, thanks to the design competition Derek advertised for his compound project. My design received a lot of praise and approval, and different companies have tried to contact me with proposals since then.

Damon and Derek’s dad also have passed me a lot of important contacts. I know, I can’t believe that Derek’s dad is being so kind to me, even after what happen with his son. He even told me that I could stay at one of their villas, but of course I refused, I cannot take advantage of his kindness, especially now that we are not related anymore.

Cindy came to see me, and stayed with me for three days, before her Luna ceremony. She was hoping that I would go with her to Moonlight Walkers’ pack, that I would attend the ceremony, and then move to their pack permanently. She tried to convince me many times, but I can’t do that to her. Things between me and Lukas are still very awkward, and the last thing they need is my presence between them when they are just starting their new life together. So, I politely declined the offer but assured her that I will visit them soon enough, when I’ll have the time. She was seriously disappointed, but she didn’t push me further.

Today I am finally leaving this hotel and moving to my brand-new apartment. It is in the city center, so I can move easily even without a car. I fell in love with it the first moment I saw it, and I have spent the last month decorating it and furnishing it to my liking. The apartment is small, because I could not afford anything bigger, but it is cozy, and I am proud to say that the result is outstanding; I can’t wait to move into my own gorgeous place.

Every Tuesday and Thursday evening I teach ballet lessons to children around 5-6 years old; I don’t get paid much, I do it mainly because it relaxes me. The kids are just the cutest! Their innocence and happiness have helped me heal faster, and I get to use the dance room for free for my personal training.

So, all in all, everything is going ok, and I hope things will stay this way.