The Monster Within - Book 1

Chapter 35

I stare at Apollo in silence. His breathing is heavy and the anger he holds, evident by the stern expression he wears on his face.

'How did you find me?' I say in a small voice, barely louder then a whisper.

'Cassandra, who is that?' Paul asks, raising his voice, reminding me he's still here.

Apollo's eyes shoot back to Paul, giving him a cold, aggressive look as the blacks of his eyes grow.

'Leave.' Apollo snarls at him.

'What? No. Who are you?' Paul asks annoyed.

'This is... Apollo.' I say, stepping to the side of the door allowing him to walk in, not wishing to give all my neighbours front row seats to my personal drama.

Apollo walks into my flat, stopping once he's standing between me and Paul.

'Apollo, this is Paul.' I say to fill the awkward silence as I close the front door.

'The boyfriend.' Paul adds, trying his best to look as intimidating as Apollo, but failing miserably.

'Ex.' I correct.

'But we're getting back together.'

'No... We're not.'

'I'm sorry, how do you know Cassie?' Paul asks Apollo.

Apollo doesn't respond to Pauls question. His towering form just stands there as he snarls in Paul's direction.

'So I'm to take it that this is the guy you've been fucking?... Or at least one of them?' Paul laughs.

In the blink of an eye Apollo lunges for him, pinning Paul up again the wall by his throat.

'Why are you still here?' Apollo growls at him. 'You're nothing to Cassandra. She's mine. Unless you want to watch me fuck her? Is that what you want?'

Paul shakes his head under Apollos hold.

'Then get the fuck out.' Apollo tells him as he gives Paul a shove towards the door, releasing him.

Paul staggers out of his grasp, stopping right in front of me.

'Cassandra? Please, you can't be serious? Him?'

'Goodbye, Paul.'

Paul walks out the door, turning back one more time, like he's hoping I'll change my mind. As his eyes lock onto mine in a silent please, Apollo reaches for the door, slamming it shut.

'Really?' I say to him.

He just shrugs his shoulder as he turns to walk into the living room, taking a seat on the sofa. I follow him, taking a seat on the arm on the opposite side.

'What are you doing here?'

'Why do you think?' He asks, staring at me. 'You can't just leave Cassandra. You're carrying my child.'

'Wow. Straight to the only reason you're here.'

Not for me, but for the thing that I'm carrying. He might as well of just slapped me around the face.

'What is happening? Please help me understand. Why did you leave?' Apollo asks with anger and confusion in his voice.

I don't look at him. I just stare forward. I can't look at him. My heartbeats so fast it feels like it's about to beat out of my chest. I need to get this over and done with. Just rip it off like a band aid.

'This just... It's not going to work. Archer told me everything.' I blurt out.

'What? What did Archer tell you?'

'I'm not interested in being cheated on or whatever. I've already been through that with Paul. I just can't do it again. Not with you.'

'Who's cheating?' He asks confused.

'You!' I shout at him, forcing myself to look at him as a tear rolls down my face.

Apollo springs from the sofa and throws himself to the floor in front of me, kneeling at my feet. He grabs hold onto my legs, clinging on to them like his life depends on it.

'Cassandra, I would never... I don't know what Archer told you but you're mine and I... I am yours. Please believe me.'

'I don't know if I can Apollo. This is all just too hard and confusing. I don't know what to do.'

'Come home with me?'

'I don't think I can.'

'You have to'

'Why? Because I'm having your child? It's not good enough Apollo.' I shout, burying my face in my hands so he can't see me cry.

'No Cas. I... I love you.'

'What?' I ask, looking back up to his eyes.

'I love you.' He repeats, brushing the tears away from my face.

His touch was so soft, so comforting. Everything about him felt right, but I was just so confused.

'But... But Archer said...'

Apollo lets out a large, heavy breath.

'Archer is angry with me. He has been for a very long time. He sees how happy you make me. I guess he wanted to drive a wedge between us.'

'I don't understand. What could you have possibly have done to make him hate you like this? To make him hate me?'

'This isn't about you Cassandra. This is all my fault.' He starts, pausing for a moment before carrying on. 'After my family was murdered in that fire I didn't cope very well. We were so young... It was just Archer and I. He needed me and I left him all alone. As Alpha I have the same ability as you, to be able to transform whenever I want. I was so angry when it all happened that I changed in the wolf. I stayed like that for years, never seeing anyone, isolated in my own world of pain. Archer was left with no one. I only returned to my human form after I saw you for the first time. I didn't know who you were at first, but then when I saw you again in the hospital I knew right away. I knew I had to get to know you. Archer is angry with me because I returned for you.'

I sit and absorb everything Apollo has just told me. I had no idea he had suffered for this long after what happened with his family. My heart bleeds for him. It also allows me to see Archer in a different light. I still don't like the way he's handled any of this, but I can see what motivates him now. Anger and resentment. Anger to Apollo for abandoning him and resentment to me, for being the one reason Apollo returned.

'I'll speak to Archer if you choose to come back. I'll let him know this can not carry on and it will not stand. He can not act this why with you. Not with my mate. Please... Come home with me?' Apollo begs.

'On one condition.' I say with a small smile on my face.

'Anything...'

'Say it again...'

Apollo looks at me confused for a split second before understanding what I want.

'I love you.'

'Again.'

'I love you.' He repeats as I pull his heavy body towards me, pressing my lips to his with his intoxicating aroma invading my very being.

He pushes me back onto the sofa, climbing on top of my body. He pushes my legs apart with his knees before fucking me on the sofa, temporarily satisfying my unquenchable cravings for him. Making me realise I will never be able to give this man up. Just as he will never be able to give me up.