Page 129 of My Forbidden Alpha

I have blocked it out. Most of the horrifying memories lielocked up at the back of my mind, only to return to haunt me at night.

Sometimes Mama would think I had gone to some training camp and I would never deny it, sticking to what Zidane had threatened me to say. I knew he would hurt Indigo if I told Mama. Mama would always check me for bruises, but I would be perfectly bruise free and it eased Mama’s mind.

That’s how, over time, she began believing that Zidane did not hate me as much as he did her and Indigo. And I know that’s the reason Mama shouts at me a lot more than Indigo, because she thinks Indigo suffered far more. Don’t get me wrong, she did get hurt many times, but I always protected her, often putting myself forward to take her punishment. The majority of the time, he would accept my offer. After all, he realised Indigo couldn’t heal like me.

And I don’t hold that against anyone. I made that choice. I will never say it to Indigo, but even now I will protect my little brat of a sister, no matter what. I will never let him hurt her again.

“Red?”

I swallow, as I dare not to look into those cerulean eyes. I’ve kept it a secret for so long. I don’t need to tell anyone now. I can’t tell him the truth.

“Talk to me, Kitten.”

“I was stronger,” I whisper, unsure what I’m trying to say. His heart rate changes and I glance up, seeing the calculating look in his eyes.

“When you were thirteen, remember when you fell from that tree and hurt your arm? You were in a cast for two weeks,” he begins. “Your quick healing was there before you shifted right. Your mother doesn’t know about your quick healing, does she?”

I nod. “Yeah, I healed, but I kept it a secret.”

“Why?”

“I just… I just didn’t want it to be used against me, so I just wanted to act normal when I knew it wasn’t normal. When I was little and used to fall, she’d say I have a guardian angel because I never got hurt badly.”

“Why would you think anyone would use it against you? You were just a child,” he pushes.

“Yeah, I know, but Zidane…” I trail off, my heart thundering as I realise I have walked directly into his trap. Our eyes meet. His eyes are glimmering cobalt blue.

He knows.

My heart thumps as I watch him trying to control his emotions, but he’s failing. I look away quickly, trying to calm my own emotions.

“He knew about your quick healing ability, didn’t he? And he used that to abuse you even more, correct?” he asks quietly, taking hold of my chin with his rough fingers. His hold is gentle yet firm, tilting my head up and forcing me to meet his eyes. “Answer me, Red.” His voice is almost a snarl, and I nod.

Denying him the truth that he already knows would only anger him further. He lets go of me as if touching me had just burned him.

I can see the rage in his eyes, and feel his Alpha aura roll off him in waves.

“He’s fucking dead,” he mutters as he stands up, striding to the door, about to pull it open when I stumble from the bed and run over to him, grabbing his arm.

“Elijah, no!” I yell, pulling him to face me with a burst of strength, my own aura rising. I stare into his blazing eyes, my own a steely silver. I know he’s pissed, but if he’s thinking to do something crazy, I need to stop him. “Please… don’t go. I need you.” My words end in a whisper as his eyes soften a little as he gazes into my eyes.

He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath, before he pulls meflush against him, one hand on my waist, the other cupping the back of my head as he presses my five-foot-two-inch frame completely into him.

“I’m never fucking leaving you. I promise, sweetheart. No matter what, I’m always going to have your back, I promise,” he murmurs.

I slowly wrap my arms around his waist, holding him tight and inhaling his intoxicating scent. Will he really be there for me?It’s hard to believe. After all, one day, he’ll find his mate, right?

I tighten my arms around him, a stray tear slipping out of my eyes. I’m causing him nothing but pain. If he is so worked up over a few small scratches, how will he even cope with knowing what I had been through? Because of that, I know I can never tell him the true extent of my father’s abuse.

Ever.

He kisses the top of my head. “Come on, you should still rest,” he whispers softly. I nod, rubbing my neck and wondering why it hasn’t healed. The entire area throbs and feels like it is burning, the heat spreading from my neck.

My neck.

I freeze, my heart thundering.

He had bitten me.

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