Derrick's pov
It has been nearly three days and Ayden still hasn't opened his eyes. I called Dr Douglas, but he said it was normal, his body was just conserving it's energy and he would be awake any day now. Even though I didn't think that was a good enough answer, I knew Dr Douglas would never do anything to harm a member of our pack. I stretched my hands over my head, letting my back pop and my bones shift and settle (sitting in a chair for three days without moving is murder on the body) when a soft sound caused me to freeze and look down, my eyes instantly drawn to Ayden's. He quickly looked away from me when he noticed my gaze and I felt a sharp pain in my chest, as if a hand was squeezing my heart. We set in silence for several long minutes before Ayden spoke, his words barely a whisper.
"I_________________."
I moved closer, instantly concerned by the weakness in Ayden's voice.
"What is it Ayden?"
"I want to go back to my room."
"I'm afraid you're too weak to do that. You need to be where I can keep an eye on you."
"And you couldn't put me somewhere else?"
"What do you____________?"
"You just had to put me in your room in your bed, didn't you?"
"Ayden."
"You just had to torture me even more, didn't you? Do I mean anything to you at all?"
"What are you talking about? Of course you_______________."
"And my feelings, they matter to you?"
"Where is all of this coming from?"
"I want you to reject me. I don't want to be your mate anymore."
"Ayden, you_____________________."
"I thought if I could handle waiting for you . . . if I could bear whatever suffering you put me through I would finally prove myself worthy of being your mate, but I would rather go through the pain of rejection than to suffer like this. Please just let me go."
"No."
"I knew it . . .I knew you were nothing but a selfish, self centered, unfeeling son of a__________________."
My loud roar of fury cut off Ayden's angry words as my blood pounded in my ears and my vision went red. Ayden's weak cry of pain and a strange metallic taste in my mouth vaguely registered as my sudden burst of anger faded away. It took me several more minutes to realise what I had done. I shook my head in denial, but the proof was right in front of me . . . Ayden lay unconscious and the two puncture wounds on his neck revealed my claim on him.
"Ayden . . . Ayden, I'm sorry! Please wake up!"
As if hearing my words, Ayden slowly struggled back to consciousness, though his eyes were still glazed with pain and confusion.
"You bit me? Why?"
"It . . . It was your own fault! If you hadn't provoked me I wouldn't have lost control and____________________!"
"Are you claiming me as your mate?"
"I told you I wouldn't do that until________________!"
"What do you want from me?! You keep me trapped here and force me to listen to you having sex with girl after girl . . . force me to cook for them and refuse to let me touch my own family and friends . . . why won't you let me go!"
Stumbling to his feet, Ayden struggled to make it to the door, but I quickly reached out, wrapping a large hand around his wrist and pulled him to a stop.
"You're not going anywhere."
"I want to go to my room."
"No, you're staying here."
"When are you going to stop hurting me Derrick?"
I froze at the misery in his voice, turning him to face me.
"What about how much you're hurting me?! You don't understand anything do you?"
"I understand that you hate me . . . you must hate me or you wouldn't be ________."
"I love you Ayden! I love you so much it's driving me crazy, but none of that matters because we can't be together."
"Y-You never intended to mate with me, did you?"
"No."
"I hate you ."
Finding unexpected strength, Ayden jerked himself out of my grip, backing away until his back hit the wall before he slid to the floor. I stood up walking towards him warily.
"Ayden."
"Please just . . . please just stay away from me."
"I'm sorry."
Just as the tears started to fall from his eyes, I made my way out of the room, shutting the door behind me.
'No, Ayden you don't hate me yet, but once I find out what I have decided to do, you'll never want to see me again."
Ignoring my wolf's plea for me to change my mind, I left the pack house in search of Tara, my plan already in place.
(The next day)
I made my way downstairs with Tara by my side, surprised to see breakfast sitting on the table, Ayden standing nearby; his head lowered respectfully.
"Good morning Alpha."
"Ayden, what are you doing down here? Shouldn't you be resting?"
"I'm fine."
I nodded my head, but didn't reply as Ayden left the room coming back with two cups of coffee which he quickly sat on the table before turning to leave.
"Before you go, there's something I want to discuss with you Ayden."
"Alright."
Ayden kept his head lowered, refusing to look me in the eyes as he stood waiting for me to speak.
"Sit down Ayden."
Going still for several seconds, Ayden finally pulled out a chair and carefully lowered himself down, his hands clenched into fists.
"After our conversation yesterday, I decided that you were right, I need to settle down with a mate . . . and I decided to make Tara my Luna."
"Congratulations, Alpha . . . Luna . . . does everyone else know yet?"
I studied Ayden silently, trying to decipher what he was feeling, but his tone gave nothing away and I could feel myself growing angry.
"Is that all you have to say?"
"What do you want me to say Alpha? Do you want me to fight for you or something?"
I glared at him without replying and he shook his head, standing and making his way out of the room.
Growling I pushed my seat back, rushing after him.
"I didn't give you permission to leave!"
Ayden sighed wearily, finally looking at me.
"Did you need something else?"
"Stop it Ayden! I know you're hurt, stop pretending that you're fine!"
"And what if I'm not pretending? What if I decided I'm over you?"
I suddenly smirked, remembering what happened the night before.
"It doesn't matter, does it Ayden? As long as you bear my mark, you belong to me."
"N-No."
"And since you aren't going to be my mate . . . I'm going to make you my slave."
