Chapter 22

"Mariah what the hell happened to Alina!" James voice echoed in the hallway. He looked furious, I knew he hated seeing Alina crying or even upset.

He barged at me, not that I felt any fear; I knew he would never hurt me.

I just couldn't help but feel so comfortable around James, it should actually be Adam who I shouldn't fear, but no it is James.

But for some reason I felt so guilty. I know I hadn't done anything wrong, actually i did something right. I hadn't let my mate let go anywhere near Alina. He may have come in contact with her but I took guard straight away.

I practically do feel like it's my fault. I should have taken Alina to my photo shoot, or made it clear to Taren not to go anywhere near Adams pack or territory. Even though he wasn't really in Adams territory, Adam being the pathetic idiot he is believes it is. He just feels as if though he owns the whole of Miami. Which he does not! I find it funny how immature he can become. Alina is more mature than a 19 year old alpha. I pity him.

Speaking of the shoot, more fear was striking in me, as people who I had seen or are from my pack were actually visiting the site that my shoot was at. Even though I ignored all the wolf whistles and attention I received I felt so disgusting. I hate them! I don't get how they can be so pathetic. Just because I'm hot and rich, doesn't mean they have the right to act like they care. If I was still that 'ugly' girl or loser, they wouldn't even glance at me never mind stare. To be honest they would spit on my face and talk about how much I'm an ungrateful wolf or I'm not worthy of living.

Who would have thought money and my lifestyle could change people's views.

"Nothing James." I said sighing.

"Why the hell did Taren come in with bruises on his face?" he growled, still keeping his glare firmly on me. I felt like the criminal at the moment. His hazel eyes darting at me and his threatening tone wasn't helping much.

"How am I supposed to know James" he stayed quiet. He stared at me blankly, then sighing to himself. "Exactly! I wasn't even their" I lied.

I hate lying but it needed to be done. I didn't want him to really worry. I knew he would go ballistic if he heard about the events. And believe me no one wants to see a nasty James. I think that is because no one has seen him in that state of mind or mood before. Thats why we fear the unseen.

"Go to your daughter now "he said through clenched teeth ordering me. I nodded, but I could sense the anger and annoyance in the air. I wasn't too sure why he was annoyed. As I walked pass him he grabbed my hands in his palms. "I don't want to see you get hurt, you wanted to come here and you got it." he said with concern but I could tell his tone was bitter. "Just make sure Alina is safe" he hissed.

He threw my hand from his palm. I felt so hurt. Lots of emotions were getting to me, I felt kind of betrayed.

Then I gasped, I knew he was thinking. He's thinking I am a terrible mother, allowing my angel getting hurt. He held onto my hands once more in his, this time I ripped my hands from his. He grimaced at my actions and his angry expression turned tender, and I could see in his eyes the hurt he felt. "You know I will protect her in any cost. And how dare you question my parenting? I'm still young!" I exclaimed.

He flinched from my tone "I didn't mean it like that. I just hate seeing you get hurt. Since your mate is near us it's harder for me to keep my cool, knowing that sick bastard still walks on this surface of the earth"

I gulped hard, I never thought of it that way. I knew he wasn't still settled with things but he did try. I felt selfish, if only my thinking was more like James it would be easier for me.

"James I hate him to, but you need to trust me on this"

I didn't want to lie to him, because I didn't know what to do really. I don't think I still know. I think he has the right to be concerned. Alina has met her father, I know he deserves to know, but I didn't want him to get angry. Cause a war between our packs.

"I know you do boo boo. Reckon I can kick his ass?" James questioned. I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.

"Of course you can" I rolled my eyes. Even though Adam is fearless and ruthless, James on the other hand, is intelligent and knows every way to escape death.

He may not be a fighter but never underestimate his strength or his wolf.

"Oh Mariah, sort Taren out. He looks in pretty bad shape. Whoever has done this to him is sick bastard. He was causing no harm. I think I should go talk to their alpha" James said shaking his head. I knew how much he hated violence.

"No James!" I quickly shot back at him. If he went to talk to the alpha he would come face to face with my mate and I don't think I want that.

"What?" he asked in confusion.

"Forget it" I said dismissing him. He looked slightly shocked raising an eyebrow at me.

"No. He had almost killed one of my pack members. He deserves everything. He could have killed Alina to" he growled.

The protective side of him was coming out now. I knew how much Alina's safety meant to him and the fact that Alina was there must have angered him more. I just don't get how Adam found Taren. Taren wasn't even in their territory, but I guess Adams being the jerk he is, thought he owns most of Miami.

Taren walked in smiling at me. I felt so bad for him; I'm being pretty selfish right now. He is the victim here and I'm acting like one.

His face was scraped but it was healing pretty well. I knew anyone receiving one of Adams vicious punches can't heal fast. This is because Adam uses most of his wolf strength on the person so it's like fighting in a battle with another wolf. It's sad that Adam could be that mean and ruthless.

I looked up at Taren frowning at his black eye. I walked up to Taren brushing my thumb tenderly across his gashes and bruised eyes. Taren smiled back at me, but he still shook his head.

I let him go and stood beside James who now had his arms crossed over his chest.

"Taren who hurt you?" Taren shook his head. I could see James getting frustrated bedside me. I knew how much his pack members meant to him, even if they get hurt in the slightest his alpha comes out. I couldn't take the guilt anymore. I knew that Taren was protecting me, but I love Taren and I wanted him to be safe at all cost. So in my conformation I nodded my head. "I will ask you one more item. Who hurt you?" James growls echoed.

"It was Adam Teel "I shut my eyes tightly, hearing his name bounce off someone else's tongue. But Taren's bitter tone made me more aware the hatred people had for Adam. I felt sad that no one really liked my mate.

Then I looked back up to James he was just looking at Taren blankly. Almost gasping for air, he looked at me. I knew at that moment he knows my mate. He knows Alina's father. He knows my rapist.

He shook his head, viciously, opening his mouth then shutting it again. He still held so much shock. Why be in such shock? Adam is known for his ruthless attacks. Why is James trying so hard to not believe a word?

Then I saw tears in the corner of James eyes. "Okay." Is all James said before walking away.

Taren and I both stood their shocked. Why wasn't our alpha taking drastic measures?

Taren and I stood their shifting awkwardly, looking back and forth. I knew he wanted to get something off his chest, and I was willing to hear it. If that even meant being shouted at or even made a fool, I would take all that in.

"You know you should tell him that he's your mate. Alpha deserves to know" Taren whispered.

I shook my head. "Taren you can't let him know about the incident"

"Look Mercedes I love you but your mates a psychopath" Taren spat. I felt a pang of hurt and anger. Just him calling my mate that made me so angry.

"No he isn't!" I snapped. His eyes grew wide shaking his head in disappointment. "I'm sorry Taren, he's still my mate" I sighed

I don't still get why did fate ever pair me up with Adam. My decisions in life will always be so hard. I will always get so defensive when someone speaks about my mate in such a manner. Even though I don't want to, it's a natural instinct.

"You do know your daughter's father is the strongest alpha in the world. He's the world's ruthless man ever to live. You know he's dangerous. I'm not saying this because i feel sorry for you; I'm telling you as your friend, that i don't want you let him getting any way near Alina or yourself. Who knows what he can do. Speaking of alpha you have to let him know, he has the right. You can't just leave him in the dark, he deserves to know. I know you like him and i can't help but witness he likes you back" i couldn't still take any of this in. Taren has always been so kind and truthful, his words were always right, which seems to annoy me right now. He was right though. I hate Taren when he does this!

Then something made me bubble with happiness. When Taren mentioned that James may like me back, I gasped and looked at Taren. He held a cute smirk on his face nodding his head. Wow! Taren isn't as stupid as people think he is. I should give him great credit, finding out my feelings for James.

"You're right. But tell me one thing did Alina you know..." I trailed off as fear was striking in me. Alina was his daughter the answer would be scary if he told me Alina felt a bond with him. She felt safe with Adam. I didn't want to know Alina finally found out who her real father is. I didn't want her to get too comfortable with Adam; he may do something which could break Alina's heart. And i wouldn't want to see that, and then I would know I failed as a mother. I need protect my pup's heart.

"Yes she cooled him down. Do you know how much i swore at the guy and he never even hurt me, he was too busy with Alina. I know now he knows about her he will come and find her. You have to tell alpha, you need to protect yourself." I nodded in response.

I will always have respect for Taren, even though he's a lady's man and pretty face, but he is really intelligent.

....................

I stood near the door fidgeting with my fingers. I had to think of a good way to tell him, without him getting all protective and angry.

As I was about to knock, he opened his room door, holding Alina in his arm. She looked so cute fiddling with his stubble. A soft giggle seemed to be the response.

"Papa" I giggled at the sweet baby voice coming from Alina's mouth. Wait! What? She talked. And her first words were papa. She just called James papa!

I looked up to see James who had the exact same expression as me, shock and happiness. "Papa papa!" She exclaimed making me and James laugh. She was at least not swearing.

She took a hold of James nose in her tiny little grip, attempting to pull it off. "PAPA!" She screamed with excitement.

Then she turned towards me extending her little arms. As she took a hold of one of my fingers she brought it close to her, pinning it to her chest. Her other hands reached towards James hands that were running through his hair. As she took his finger in her palm, she brought his hands towards mine. She loosened her grip guiding my hands to James. "Mama, papa" she said with excitement.

What shocked me more is when James intervened his hands into mines. He held onto Alina bringing what i call now 'our' daughter closer to him, so now her hair was skimming across his cheeks. He brought me closer to him so now there was no gap between us. He wrapped his arms around my waist that was near my bottom. I smiled at how gentle he is even though he's being such a pervert.

"My family" he whispered chuckling, as his chest vibrated. My arms wrapped around his waist.

He is right we are a family.