Bully Me

Chapter Nineteen

Oakley Carson

Axton and his friends are in my house. And we're having a sleepover with them and Giana. My moms are out of town for the weekend. When Axton suggested it, they got excited and planned a getaway.

I'm not excited, but I don't hate it. I don't mind them being here. They've been pretty cool- minus the bullying in the past. They seem to be making it up, honestly.

We're sitting on my couch, Axton and I on the love seat, Jake and Giana are sitting on the floor and John and Adam are spread out on the couch.

We made a little blanket bed on the floor, so it's at least comfy. I settle into my mate, leaning back against him. We're sitting up, but I'm leaning back into him. His arm is draped over my chest.

"Just pick a movie dumbass," Jake complains, and John scrolls through all the movie options.

"It's so hard! What kind of movie do we want to watch? Spooky? Funny? Chick flicks?"

"Spooky" I say the same time Giana does. John huffs, but scrolls through the scary movie options. It takes him forever to decide on one, but he finally does. I pull my knees up, setting my feet on the couch as the movie begins.

Axton's fingers run against my stomach gently, as the movie plays. The touch is comforting, and it feels safe. I feel safe.

But then a sharp pain burns through my neck, reminding me of everything that's happened. I was marked, against my will, to a man who isn't my mate.

Tears sting my eyes, but I blink them away.

"What happened?" Axton's voice whispers in my ear, his breath hitting my skin.

"Nothing" I shake my head, and cuddle further into my mate.

I'm safe. Axton's here.

Ford is gone, he's out of the pack.

Axton's here.

"I've got you, baby" he murmurs in my ear, holding me close to his body. "Nothing will happen when I'm around" he kisses my temple, and I relax into his body.

I'm safe with him. He will keep me safe.

—

I must've fallen asleep at some point, because I woke up to Axton lifting me from the couch. My head is fuzzy for a few moments, and I blink away from sleep. As Ax carries me through the living room I see everyone is passed out.

John and Adam are actually cuddling. Giana has her back to Jake, but he has his front to her. There's some space between them though.

Cute.

Axton starts up the stairs, and I glance up at him. He's watching where he's going, and I'm watching him.

This close, his eyes are a vibrant blue, with swirls of green. They're beautiful. His hair hangs over his forehead.

His eyes flick down to me, and his usual smirk tugs at his lips. "Yeah, baby?" he asks, his back hitting my bedroom door.

He pushes it open, then kicks it shut once we're inside.

"I feel safe with you" I blurted, as he set me to my feet. "You're the only person i feel safe with, actually"

Axton stays a step away, but he nods. "I know"

"After everything we went through, I never thought I'd be able to trust you. I never thought I'd want to trust you. I wanted to try, but I didn't know if it was worth it. But then everything happened with Ford. And you just. You stayed. You held me. You let me cry, and snot up your clothes. You laid there in silence with me for hours. You let me be broken, but you were there picking up my pieces.