Chosen

Chapter Eleven

   I jerked upright, panting. The dream had felt so real. It had felt like I was back with Alpha Mark again. I drew my knees up and rested my head on them with a sigh. My neck was sore. The area was tender. I noticed I was alone again, in the room I had been placed for months now. I stood up and walked to the mirror. I moved my hair from my neck and tilted my head. The mark was beautiful. Intricately designed knots that symbolized the connection of my soul with Axels. I caressed the mark with my fingers and gasped when it throbbed. I was so focused on the mark that I hadn't heard my door open.
"Good. You're awake."
"Cat..."
"Yes. Your body accepted the mark. Good. Axel is downstairs, waiting for you. We have guests."
"How long was I asleep for?"
"A few days. It's normal. Your body has undergone a change. Let's get you dressed." 
"I can dress myself. I don't want to wear a dress today."
   Cat nodded and sat on my bed as I grabbed a pair of jeans and cotton shirt. I quickly wiggled into the jeans and shirt, brushing my hair. I kept it down, letting the curls frame my face. Cat looked at me proudly. I usually let her dress me and everything. She sighed and I knew me not wearing some sort of dress made her upset. I was just about to wall out the door when Axels mother walked in. She looked me over and smiled.
"Good. Axel was getting worried you weren't going to wake up. Let's go. Cat told you we had guests?"
"Yes."
"Good. You're meeting Alpha Titus and Luna Elena. They're old friends of our family and they wanted to meet Axels mate."
   I nodded and followed her from the room and down the hall. I felt like they were hiding something from me. Alice and Cat did that often. I sighed and stopped at the door. My heart began pounding and I took a deep breath. Meeting people would always be hard for me to do. Cat walked over and hugged me, reassuring me that I would be okay.
"Let's go in. You'll be fine. They're nice."
    I nodded and pushed the door open. Axel was deep in conversation with who I assumed was Alpha Titus. Cat walked to me and took my hand, giving me a reassuring squeeze. The woman sitting next to Titus, looked up at me and jumped to her feet suddenly. Her hand flew over her mouth as her eyes widened. Axel and Alpha Titus stopped talking. 
"What is it, love?"
    Titus asked Luna Elena. She looked at him and tears fell from her eyes.
"Titus... it's... it's Addy."
    Axel turned to me and motioned for me to come closer. I was confused. How did they know who I was? I walked to Axel and bit my lip, nervous. Alpha Titus looked at me and his eyes widened. I tried to hide in Axels arms, frightened.
"Little one.... you're safe."
     I nodded and buried my face in his chest, inhaling.
"Axel Black. That's my daughter your holding."
    My eyes snapped to Alpha Titus and I shook my head. My parents disowned me in rivermist. I was told they didn't want me. I was worthless and weak. Not even loved by my own parents.
"A-alpha M-Mark said that m-my p-parents abandoned me."
"No. Littlest Dove, we did not. You were taken as a child."
   My eyes widened at the familiar nickname and my mind was flooded with memories. My father pushing me on a swing, me giggling as my brother let me ride on his back like a horse. Mama letting me try to help make daddy's birthday cake.
"Mama..."
    I whispered and threw myself into her arms, sobbing. She hugged me and sank to her knees, crying with me.
"Why didn't you come for me?"
    I cried. Axel stood by watching, his expression guarded. He was letting me have this moment. I knew me being unconscious the last few days had been hard on him and he just needed to be close to me.
"We looked everywhere for you. Rivermist refused to let your father and brother in their territory. You're here now. That's all that matters. And you have a mate. A true mate. Your soul is bound to the King."
    I peeked at Axel who's jaw was clenched. I stood and walked to him, throwing my arms around his neck. He pulled me close and buried his nose in my hair, relaxing. I nuzzled Axels neck and he groaned.
"Little one... not now."
"But..."
    He shook his head and I sighed, stepping away from him. My eyes stung as the rejection hit deep. My father snarled at Axel and I darted from the room sobbing.
"You're an idiot boy. That girl is going into heat soon. She's confused and needs you. Not me. Not her mother. She needs you. You're her mate. Start fucking acting like it."
   I heard Axel growl at my father and stood outside the door, crying. Cat walked out and pulled me into her arms, hugging me close. She knew. I was so overwhelmed and confused. I clung to Cat, sobbing. Blake walked out of the dining hall and sighed.
"I know you're confused. Addy.... Axel is definitely hard to love. You're doing wonderful."
   Cat smiled at me softly and I swiped at my eyes. I stood up straight and walked back into the room. I wanted to get to know my birth parents.