Earning Her Trust

Chapter 6

This is back in Avery's POV and takes place right after the last chapter.
I was super excited to see that I have a total of 85 reads!! It's not much but it's a start :)

Thanks to everyone for reading!
Xx Marie

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AVERY POV:

"I can only begin to imagine what you've been through, and it's killing me seeing you so upset. I don't-I don't know what to do to make you feel better or to make you happy, besides telling you that you're safe and I won't ever hurt you or force you into anything. You, Avery, are my mate and the future Luna of this pack. I promise you, you'll be taken care of from now on. I've been waiting for my mate for years and now I've finally found you I'm not letting go. Losing you would be the death of me. All I want is your safety, your happiness and one day, your love." He tells me softly

Derek has pulled me into him and wrapped his arms around me. I'm still crying, that I can't control, but I'm no longer sobbing. My body is as still as physically possible. Being in someone's arms is not a normal thing for me, not like this anyway. I don't understand why he is holding me. I'm so still because I'm nervous. Nervous he's doing it out of a sense of obligation over his mate. Nervous that he's making himself do this and he's waiting for me to calm down so he can let go of me and find someone more worthy of his touch.

But at the same time, having his muscular arms wrapped around my tiny frame is genuinely calming me. I feel safe, something that I don't feel normally. This thought hits me like a bucket of ice water. I don't usually feel safe and there are reasons for that.

I'm suddenly more aware of the position I'm in. By the feel of my cheek against his chest I can tell his body is much more toned than Alpha John. I mean, Alpha John is a fair bit older but clearly Derek didn't get his body by drinking himself stupid every week, but by working out and training instead. His arms which I found comfort in moments ago tighten slightly around me and I just know they are twice the size of my previous Alpha's and most likely hold twice the strength. By the way he has to hunch down over me to rest his cheek atop my head emphasises how much taller he is than me.

Bottom line is he's bigger, stronger and more powerful than my previous captor and has the ability to hurt me so much worse. I'm so deep in thought it takes me a moment to register what he just said to me.

Numerous things are jumping out at me and I don't know what to believe. Surely doctor Liz told him on her way out all about my injuries and he knows I'm not pure or innocent like an Alphas mate should be, like any mate should be. My desire to save myself for my mate was short lived and Alpha John took care of that quickly. He knows I am far from perfect and I'm damaged goods yet he hasn't rejected me, infact he wants me to actually be Luna. I would obviously not be a Luna who is allowed to make any kind of decisions, just be seen but not heard, much like my old Luna before she passed.

I'm struggling to work out his motives. Is he pretending to be so kind only to gain my trust and then use my body? I come to the conclusion that he's probably waiting for me to heal a bit before he takes me. I have a feeling a man so big and strong is well endowed and not capable of being gentle.

I practically stop breathing when I feel his soft lips press against my temple. Ava purrs in my mind and I wonder when she became so calm and relaxed.

'I can't help it, I just feel so safe and at peace when I'm in my mates arms'

'We shouldn't get too-'

She cuts me off, 'I know Avery, I know. It hurts knowing he will turn on us at any moment and it's only a matter of time before he gets tired of waiting to mate with us but can we please just enjoy what little bit of love and comfort we have now? And just savour the moment and at least pretend our life is different?'