Tristan exploded out of his chair, growling and snarling as his wolf tried to surface. Mat and Daemon both grabbed him, Daemon speaking in a low voice to him, “Remember the oath, you can not act on this information. I know that is your and Ryder’s instinct, but you made an oath to her.”
It took a couple minutes but Tristan calmed down and regained full control, “I’m sorry. I’m ok now.”
I had lowered my shirt and resumed my seat on the table while he was working on his self control. I nodded at him, “I understand, the mate bond instills in us a huge drive to defend and sometimes retaliate. I am dumping a lot on all of you. I do not hold your reactions against you.”
“How long…?” Tristan asked, as if he needed to know but wasn’t sure he really wanted to know.
“I was sold to the pack when I was eight. I was always treated poorly, like the pack slave. I was 12 when I realized Alpha commands did not affect me. Around 13, when I got Aramyth, and my personality, mouth and temper started to really come through, was when the physical and mental abuse started. I was 14 the first time I was strung up in what they call The Hole and had whips and knives used for days on end. I was 15 the first time they used wolfsbane on me.”
I took a moment to gather my thoughts before continuing, “My last visit to The Hole was 2 weeks ago, because I bumped into Theo trying to escape the kitchen after I finished laying out breakfast. The pack slut took offense to me being in Theo’s bubble when I stood up. I let my mouth get the better of me, popped off at her, albeit with facts not insults, and took a beating from her. Andrew sent me to The Hole for two weeks for disrespecting ranking pack members and refusing to submit. They’ve been trying to break me for 5 years and if it weren’t for Mat and his parents, and Aramyth they very well might have succeeded with that last visit.”
“Andrew is a monster to order and condone this. No one should have to deal with what you have. That explains why you reacted like you did when he showed up earlier in the kitchen. That also explains his comments to Mat.” Tristan stated, he hesitated a moment before asking his next question, “And what does a Theo or Vincent situation mean?”
I drew in a sharp breath at Vincent’s name, but tried to mask my reaction. “You are my second chance mate. Theo was my original mate.”
Tristan growled, “Mine!”
“Reign it in, Mr. Growly. I rejected Theo without hesitation. Theo and his younger brother Dean have never been mean to me, but Theo never did anything to stop it either. I could not be true to myself and be with someone who did not protect their people, no matter the reason, no matter from what or who. A leader’s role is to protect their people. I did not expect to have a second chance mate, much less have him walk into the kitchen this morning. I panicked, you put everything I have worked for, worked towards, in jeopardy whether you mean to or not. It took a lot of coaxing from both Mat and Aramyth not to reject you on sight as well. I trust their judgment whole heartedly, without question. Faith and Jake’s as well.”
I paused for another moment letting everything thus far sink, and then I continued, “Mat was there when Theo found me through the mate bond. I had been avoiding everyone all day and Theo tracked me down on my way to Mat’s house for my birthday dinner. He put himself between Theo and me, much like he did between you and I earlier. That is a Theo situation. And before you get your boxers in a bunch and ask, Theo accepted my rejection, rejecting me as well. I had to use my true name for it to work, but he and his wolf, Fjord, have sworn to keep it secret.”
“And a Vincent situation?” Daemon asked so Tristan didn’t have to.
“That one… That one is a little tougher. As I mentioned, my last visit might have successfully broken me, not because of the weapons, or the wolfsbane, but because of Vincent. The Beta Ethan was down there ‘punishing’ me that day when Vincent showed up. I was too busy running my mouth to piss Ethan off that I didn’t notice his presence.”
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This time I had to stop so that I could get my emotions under control and clear the tears from my eyes at the memories, whispering the last bit of information, “Vincent stripped me of my innocence that day and gave me nightmares and anxiety in exchange. They did not succeed in breaking my spirit but they did leave me broken and defective.” Faith was rubbing her hand up and down my back in comfort and support at this point.
“I will kill him!” Tristan exclaimed, half growling.
“Get in line buddy. I called dibs on that the night I found out about it, when they finally released her 3 days later. She made it to our house before she passed out from it all, but only just.” Mat replied, a little growly himself now.
Tristan stood up and moved towards me, watching for my reactions as he did so. There wasn’t much of one from me as I was zoned out staring at the floor. He stopped in front of me and took my cheeks in his hands gently, waiting for me to acknowledge him. The tingles shooting across my skin were stronger each time he touched me and they drew my eyes to his.
He spoke softly as he looked at me with anger for what I had endured and awe that I had come out of it with such strength, “You are not broken, you are not defective. You are strong, and brave. Kind, and compassionate. I don’t know anyone who could endure what you have and not break. No one could do what you have and not have scars both emotional and physical. You are amazing and perfect. You are mine.”
“You… You still want me? Knowing everything? Knowing I’m tainted and will likely bring danger to the pack, you still want me?” Tears filled my eyes again.
He didn’t answer me, he just smashed his lips into mine, before easing back a little. I fumbled a little, kissing him back. I hadn’t ever kissed anyone before. I didn’t count Vincent’s since I had refused to return it. He pulled away, leaving my lips swollen and me a little out of breath, “I, Tristan Edward Willow, accept you, Faelyn De’Lune, as my mate and future Luna.”
I felt our bond intensify when he officially accepted me, “I have two conditions to this… I know I’m full of them, you’ll get over it. When we leave, Faith, Jake and Mat come with us.” I glanced at the three of them, “It’s not open for discussion, I’m not leaving you here.” I turned my attention back to Tristan, “And two… No one here can know who I am. It would put us all in danger if it got back to Silver Moon before I’m ready to deal with them. I’d prefer if no one here knew we were mates, but I know that will be hard to pull off. Maybe just try and save it for a grandiose moment? I’d love to watch their faces in shock and have it be a moment when they literally can do nothing about it.”
“I agree to both of these, though I will not force them to come with us, I will give them the option and support their choice,” I nodded and he smiled, “You are Alyce Lilly and all mine.”
I was crying a little at this point, tears rolling down my cheeks, he wiped them away with his thumbs. I took a deep breath, “I, Faelyn De’Lune accept you, Tristan Edward Willow, as my mate and future Alpha.'' The bond intensified again as I felt our mind-link form and snap into place. Aramyth was howling in my head which made me wince a little. The others broke out in cheer.