Beautifully Broken

Chapter 8: The Reveal

**Victoria's View

I awoke to the bright light filtering in through the window on the wall to the left of the bed as the suns rays hit me right across the eyes.

I rolled over to avoid it and reached out for Kali.

My eyes snapped open. She wasn't in the bed. Panicked, I jumped out of bed and flung open the door like mad woman.

"Kali!" I yelled.

I hurriedly walked towards the living room. No Kali.

I heard noise coming from the kitchen.

I walked into the kitchen to see Colt by the stove and Kali sitting on the bench stuffing her face with pancakes.

Colt turned to face me as I bombarded into the kitchen with a frightened look on my face.

"It's ok Victoria. She woke up and said she was hungry so we just let you sleep while I made breakfast. We didn't mean to scare you." He said apologetically.

Relief washed over me.

Get a grip on yourself. We're far away from Damon and he has no idea where we are. I mentally scolded myself.

"You want some?" Colt handed me a plate with a few pancakes and slid the syrup over to me.

"Sure. Thank you." I kissed Kali on her head. "Good morning sweetheart."

"Morning mommy." Her mouth full of food.

"Don't talk with you mouth full love."

"Yes ma'am." Her mouth still full of food.

I gave her a really? look.

Colt laughed at our exchange. He sat beside me and dug into his pile of pancakes.

He was done before I could eat my two.

Wolves. I rolled my eyes. They could eat so much and not gain a pound.

Being so close to him it made me nervous.

His right arm kept brushing up again mine but he seemed to pay no mind as my mind was screaming indecent thoughts. Get a grip Victoria. I scolded myself. 

We finished and I took our plates to the sink. I started doing the dishes and he came up beside me.

"I'll rinse if you wash." He winked at me.

My face reddened. "Only fair since you cooked."

"I could get used to a helper."

I didn't know what to say to that so we fell into silence. The silence was broken by Emma coming into the kitchen. She grabbed a mug and made herself a cup of coffee.

"Good morning everyone."

"Morning" We all said in unison.

She sat next to Kali. "Would you like to help me plant some flowers?"

She shook her head yes. Emma turned to Colt and I. "What are you guys doing today?"

"Uhm, well I was planning on getting going. We need to keep moving."

Colt snapped his head towards me. "Leave?"

"Yes. My situation is a little urgent."

"You can't leave." Colt said urgently.

I looked at him like he was crazy.

"What he means dear is that you two should stay. You're both far enough away from Damon." Emma spoke up.

I was taken aback.

How'd she know? Did I ever tell her?

Seeing my obvious shock she patted the seat next to her and continued talking.

"We need to have a talk dear. Kali, why don't you go play with those toys in the other room?"

Kali bounded out of the room to go play. I sat down on the bench next to her waiting for her to go on.

"We know that you are a halfbreed and you know what we are. I know that your ex is Damon from the Woodlands pack. We also know how ruthless and what a prick he can be."

"Grandma!" Colt scolded.

"Don't scold me pup. It's the truth. No nice way of putting it. Anyway, I had no idea that that tyrant was also a woman beater. He should never lay a hand on you." Emma continued.

"You both are welcome to stay here for as long as needed and you'll be safe here." She paused for a moment before continuing. "There's something else too."

I just looked at her. Waiting for the shoe to drop and she glanced at Colt.

"You're also my mate." Colt chimed in.

I deadpanned. How can someone find another mate so quickly after leaving their first? It hasn't been unheard of for someone to find a second chance mate but finding them so soon? I didn't know what to think.

I couldn't deny that I was attracted to him and felt drawn to him. I had been around wolves long enough to know how things went but as I was only half wolf I wasn't sure of everything. 

You see, my mother is human and my father is a wolf. I'm technically a hybrid but I never shifted when I turned 13 so I'm more human than anything.

I don't have the healing, speed, or hearing.  I'm just a plain human unfortunately. I wish the wolf gene would've been dominate. I would've given anything to be able to turn and defend myself against Damon.

When I didn't respond he came and kneeled in front of me. He reached for my hand and I pulled away. He looked hurt.

"I won't harm you Victoria. Nor Kali. I'm not Damon."

My brain was going a 100 miles per hour. I couldn't wrap my head around it.

I just left Damon and his pack not even 24 hours ago and here I am sitting in the kitchen of my second mate.

I wasn't ready for this! I didn't know what to do so I remained silent.

Emma being the grandmother she is took control again.

"Victoria, we're not pushing you to do anything you don't want to. We know you've been through a lot so just please stay and think about our offer."

I finally found words. "Thank you. I think I need some space."

"Take as much as you need. We'll be here. You can leave Kali and go clear your head. I'll watch after the Angel." She gave me a reassuring smile.

"Thank you." Was all I said as I walked out the house to take a walk to clear my head.

If only I could talk to Tate, my parents or grandparents but I had cut all ties to the pack and couldn't go back. I couldn't risk it.

I would get ahold of them when the time was right. Somehow.

I found a path that lead to the lake out behind the house. I decided to go there since water seemed to calm me and it was my best thinking place.

I reached the sandy shore and took my shoes off. I sat on a washed up log and placed my feet in the cold water.

The icy bite snapped me awake and once acclimated, I began to sort through my thoughts.

What in the world am I going to do now?