Alpha Ian's The One and Only

Chapter 13

Ian's P.O.V.

The next day

"The human and the shifter are kept at off-site 1, Alpha. We have kept the shifter sedated for now. Slade wants to run some tests on the shifter, said it will give us an idea of their genetic makeup," Markson said. "The human is not talking much. Ace has taken up on interrogating him and will be meeting us soon at the Office..."

I zoned him out because my thoughts were on my brown-eyed angel. Standing outside her house, I can see her through her bedroom window pacing around and talking on the phone. The children were at the school, and five of our men, including Creed and Bane, are with them. Yesterday's attack shook everyone up, so after explaining to Liam and Claire about the potential threat the Scythe could be, they agreed to the bodyguards, albeit reluctantly. At least they weren't angry with me, unlike their mother. I knew my words had hurt her, and I regretted them as soon as I said them, but I was scared, and that fear manifested itself as anger. I am afraid of losing her.

She has been ignoring me since yesterday. I thought she was worried for Bri. From the moment I met Bri, her mind has been like an open book, always filled with random thoughts. After the attack, Ace and I tried to read her mind, and it was like a blank slate. Luckily, by dinner, she was almost back to her normal self, so all was good with her and between Natasha and me. Or so I thought. As Ace had so amusingly pointed out before leaving, I was 'in the doghouse'. She had locked her room last night. I could have picked the lock, but I hesitated. So I camped in the living room.

I cannot take this silent treatment any longer. She is still on the phone. Without taking my eyes off her, I left Markson and made my way to the house.

"Later, Markson," I said.

"Sure, Alpha," he replied, and I could hear the smile in his voice. Everyone seems to enjoy my predicament.

I was standing outside her door within seconds. She is concluding her call, so I waited. Quietly, I opened the door as soon as she disconnected the call. She turned to look, but instead of saying anything, she returned to the papers spread on her bed. Closing the door behind me, I stood there, breathing in her scent, and taking in her sight. She is dressed in pale blue fluffy synthetic fur pyjamas and a matching top, making her look adorably innocent. But I know that this female, my mate, is a lioness. She will fight for her family and her loved ones. I can only hope she counts me as both.

I moved to stand behind her, close but not touching her. She is so small, that her head barely reaches my chest. So fragile. I gently took the paper she was now crumbling from her hand and placed it on her bed. "Talk to me."

"I don't want to talk." There's no point in small talk, so I jumped in.

"I am sorry, Natasha. I shouldn't have said what I said yesterday. There are very few things I regret in life, and yesterday what I said, I regret it."

"Then why did you?"

"Will you turn around?" I want her to look at me. I need her to look at me. "Please."

She turned slowly and looked into my eyes. It felt like a weight had been lifted from my chest when her eyes met mine. "You don't use those words often, do you?"

"Never." I take in every inch of her angelic face. "Only you deserve my sorries if I do or say anything to hurt you. Only to you, I will plead; for your forgiveness, your attention, your love, your affection, your care, your gentleness. Only you, love."

She smiled softly. Fuck, everything about her is soft. Do I deserve her? Maybe not. I have done things in my life that even Lucifer will hesitate to do. But I am going to let her go because of that? Hell no.