Chapter 32
Joseph
Anna sneered and resisted his hold.
“I won’t forgive you unless my wolf forgives you,” she hissed, her eyes misty but her expression hardened as she spoke to him.
He loosened his grip and allowed his hands to fall to his sides. He wasn’t sure why he was feeling so much pain and resistance in his chest.
“Unless Tina can give me back all that blood I donated,” her voice cracked slightly. “I don’t want to hear it.”
He stared down to his feet, feeling defeated. He wanted to explain his relationship with Tina. He thought a lot about Tina’s brother. When Joseph was around 10 years old, her brother saved his life. But by doing so, it cost him his own life. Joseph never stopped blaming himself for what happened to Tina’s brother. However, her brother made him promise that no matter what happens, he will take care of Tina as his own sister. He made Joseph promise to always protect her and keep her happy. It was his only request and Joseph had no intentions of breaking that promise.
He spent years caring for Tina like he was her older brother. But then Tina fell ill and because her blood type is so rare, getting a blood transfusion to save her life was off the table. Until he met Anna. He saved her and brought her to the hospital; he had no idea what her name was or who she was, but she was in trouble, and she needed medical attention.
Joseph stayed with her at the hospital for the evening because he wanted to make sure she was okay. While he was at the hospital, he learned that she’s a fast healer; her blood type is rare, and it has healing elements.
That’s when he had the idea of how to save Tina’s life.
“I’m sorry…” he finally said. “I can’t promise you your blood back. But if this is how you can release your hatred, then I will give you my blood.”
“Who cares about your blood?” She muttered. “You can’t even fulfill my request. What qualifications do you have to request my forgiveness?”
Anna’s tone was so cold that it plunged into Joseph’s chest like a sharp knife.
(Mariana)
“You’re sure you want to live in a house by yourself?” Peter asked, eyeing me carefully as I finished packing my last bag.
I smiled up at him and nodded.
“If I want to continue living a normal life and focusing on my work, then I need my own place,” I told him. “Father already approved it and got me a cute home. It’s not far from here.”
Peter folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the door; he continued watching as I’shoved the last of my belongings into my suitcase.
“His one condition was for me to bring my handmaiden, Laura, to live with me. Which is fine; I’ve always adored Laura,” I told him.
“I just worry about you, little sis,” Peter said sadly. “You’re the baby of the family and we care about you.”
“I’ll be okay,” I promised him. “It’s better than living in the Montroy pack.”
He couldn’t argue with that.
“Speaking of the Montroy pack,” Peter said, hesitantly. “You’ve been hanging out with Joseph a lot lately,” he said, lowering his tone.
I frowned.
“We’ve been working together,” I told him. “At the research center in his pack. Remember?”
Peter nodded.
“I just mean, I always see him around you. Outside of the research center,” Peter said slowly. “I just worry he’s trying to get you to return home to him. You are doing so well for yourself here and we’ve all been proud of you for finally leaving that no–good alpha wolf.”
I thought about how Joseph was asking me what it is he needs to do to get me to forgive him. the memory was upsetting for Alice; she was conflicted because being around our known mate calms her and soothes her anger and worries. She’s drawn in by his scent and always knows when he’s around. Oftentimes, she would find herself looking for him in crowded settings, even if she couldn’t smell him. But then the pain and the memories from the last 3 years would set in and it would draw her back. She was so confused and so broken; she couldn’t understand how our mate could do such a thing to us.
