Broken Mate

Chapter Two

Alexander Williams

Three Months Ago

Broken

Unwanted

Lonely

Sad

Pathetic.

The words drag me down, into the darkness in my brain. Swallowing me whole, it feels like when you're drowning, and all you want is oxygen to fill your lungs. But it doesn't. Water does, and darkness surrounds you so quickly you don't know what to do.

That's what it feels like in my head right now.

I've been lying in my bed for the last 19 hours. I haven't gotten up to use the bathroom, or eat. Dad's checked on me every hour, even through the night.

It's okay Xan, we're here.

You can get through this Xan. We love you.

Please babe, talk to me

Honey, it's okay. Not everyone finds their mate right away

Xan.. Come on, you gotta eat something.

Dad's broken voice sinks into my empty stomach making nausea crept up my throat. He is my other half, my life line. Breaking him, breaks me. But here I am, not being able to talk when that's all he asks. Begs. I can't force the words up my throat.

It's starting again, and the trigger this time is easy to locate.

My mating ceremony.

I don't have a mate. Not now anyways. Not yet. Because I'm not wanted.

By anyone

The voice in my head that sounds a lot like mine whispers. My door creaks open, but i dont turn towards it. I can tell by the sweet smell who it is.

"Xan" dad's voice is soft, and he comes and sits on the bed with me. His fingers lace with my own, and my heart aches. "Can I lay with you?" he asks.

Please but the words cant get out of my fucking throat. "I'm going too, if you don't want me too, squeeze my hand?'' His voice is soft, gentle. Warming. I don't squeeze, and he climbs in bed beside me.

He keeps our fingers laced, stroking my hand with his thumb. "They're worried about you baby. We all are. It's been 20 hours"

I know dad, I know.

"You'll never guess what Willow and Ethen did to Bran" I can hear the smile in his voice. "They almost gave him a heart attack. They wouldn't stop fighting, and so E cut Will's hair. Your brother was so mad"

Hearing about my niece and nephew sends warmth through my body. It settles the nausea from roaring up my throat. I squeeze dads fingers.

I'm listening dad

"So naturally, Will cut a chunk out of E's hair. Noah was so upset. So I told them about the time you cut Bran's hair in his sleep. Made them laugh" Dad keeps his voice light, it can't be louder than a whisper.

"It grew back" the words finally pushed through my throat, breaking through the barrier that's been blocked for the last 20 hours.

"It did, after Pops made you guys sit on the couch and hold hands for an hour" dad's voice cracks, and i know why.

Because that drowning feeling doesn't just pull me to the bottom. It pulls him too. No matter how hard I try to stop pulling dad down with me, he grabs on tighter.