Mine, Forever Mine

Chapter 18: After

*2 Weeks Later*

2 weeks since our marriage. 2 weeks since our ceremony. 2 weeks after his death.

I still couldn't handle it. The three simple sentences echoed in my head for the past two weeks. Kyle had died due to blood loss. Ace had given me his condolences, but Kane told them to leave. I had broken down completely and Kane had to keep me from attacking Nick. Echo had gone psycho and wanted Nick dead. She has stopped talking to me, and I've been feeling it badly lately. After losing Kyle, I haven't been the same. I've withdrawn from everyone, even Kaye, who I always went to for support. Elle and Bren had taken to feeding and caring for Ghost and Zan. I haven't moved into the home Kane had given me, and stayed in my room all day. I only went downstairs once everyone was asleep to get food and water. There were nights Echo would let me shift and I would howl the whole night in mourning.

Liam too was in a bad state. There were times he would join me at night and we would talk. Or when we would run as wolves and let our howls ring. When we would talk, I could see the pain in his eyes and it hurt me more. I couldn't take it anymore and many times, Liam was the one to find me crying on the floor in my bathroom.

But now, I had to finally face the pack. I had to be there for them. We all suffered the loss of our head Enforcer, and I lost my mate and husband. A mate and husband not even of a day.
I clean myself up and change out of the sweats I've worn for the past two days. I shower, and put on my favorite jeans and tee shirt. I slip on my black and white Sk8- Hi slim Vans. I take a deep breath and walk down the stairs. When I'm halfway down, everyone turns to look at me. Kaye gets up and comes to me. I expect her to yell at me or something in that nature but she just hugs me. I close my eyes and lay my head on her shoulder. Kane pulls me gently from her and looks at me. "Are you okay?" He asks, and I nod. He hugs me close, and I feel the tears welling up behind my eyes. I blink rapidly and he wipes away a stray tear. I turn my head away, closing my eyes. I move to my knees when I hear Ghost's tags. He rubs his head on my hand and I pet him. Zan runs after and falls short. I scratch his head, and Ghost pushes in. I pet them and get up. I sit on the couch and stare pointlessly at the TV. I hear someone sit beside me, but I make no movements. "Alexa..." I hear Liam say, but I remain staring at the TV. "We need to plan this out." Kane calls. I turn slowly, "Plan what out exactly?" "How to keep Nickolas away. He's been coming daily, asking to see you." Kane replies, and I stand up. I grab onto the arm of the couch for support but manage to stay upright. "Next time he comes, let him in." I say, rubbing my head. Kane stares at me, "Are you sure? I don't want to have to tell Ace why I'm taking his brother's body to him." I raise an eyebrow, "I won't kill him. I'll just give him an offer he can't resist." My eyes twinkle wickedly and Kane swallows. "Girls, can you help me out?" I ask, standing unsteadily. Kaye quickly grabs my arm and helps me up the stairs. Briar and Elle walk behind, making sure I don't fall back. They help me into my room and Kaye eases me onto my bed. Elle closes the door and puts music on. "What's the plan?" Briar asks. My eyes twinkle and I smile, "I plan on faking that I'll be with him and agree to anything he asks. Once I get what I want, I'll ruin him." Kaye's eyes widen but Briar smiles back. Elle looks up from her phone, "Alexa, remember Ryder?" She asks, and I laugh. "Hell yeah. The jackass that hurt Kyle and Liam. What about him?" I ask. "Well Jaz, my old friend, told me that he's finally going to be King. And that's he changed. A lot." She says, handing me the phone. "He has." I say, noticing his new tattoos. I hand her back the phone, "I still hate him." I say, and they all look at me. "It's true. He hurt them. For no reason. And has the thing to bring his dad to my house and disrespect my brother. It doesn't work that way." I say, my anger sparking up. I calm down and look at them. "Let's get you ready." Briar says, already going to my closet. Elle plugs in the curler and Kaye leaves. She returns with her makeup box and places it on my desk. "Here." Briar says, throwing me the only little tight black dress I owned. I look at it then at her, "It will get him to cooperate." I nod, but look at her skeptically. She grabs the knee high black heeled boots I own and puts them on the bed. She grabs the lace tights I have and places them beside the boots. "Go put it on." She says, pushing me into the bathroom. She shuts the door after me and I slowly take off my clothes. I switch my bra for a strapless black one and slip on the dress. I open the bathroom door, "A little help?" I ask. Briar zips it up and looks at me. "Straight up." She says, pushing my shoulders and back straight. "Put on the tights please." She says, turning away. I quickly put each one on and then the boots. I stand straight and look at her, "Better?" I ask, and she nods. "Hair and make-up now." She says, pushing me into my seat. As Elle and Kaye work on both, I look at my left hand. I still kept the wedding ring and on the night of my wedding, I had slipped Kyle's off when he shifted back. I now wore it on my finger. Briar notices and sighs, "Lex, take them off." She says and I glare at her. "Never." I say, holding my hand to my body. "Take. Them. Off." She growls, and Echo perks up. I growl loudly, and Briar's eyes widen. "That did the trick." She says, and high fives Kaye and Elle. I look at them, "We were trying to figure out if Echo was still there." Briar says, blushing. I nod, "Don't challenge me like that. Ever." I say, and she nods.