Elena's POV

I feel like I weigh a thousand pounds and my head keeps bumping like there's a DJ dropping his latest mix in a busy club in there.

I groan out in pain. I hate being sick.

Lying in bed with the blankets pulled up to my chin with a large wad of tissues lying next to me covered in snot, classy I know, is not the way I want to be spending my day.

I texted Noah that I wasn't coming in today and he sweetly replied by asking if I wanted him to come up here and do what he does best, that being a doctor.

Of course, I told him I too was a doctor and that I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself.

Though, I lied. When I'm sick I turn into a big baby. I can't function properly and the last thing I want to do is take care of myself. I just don't want him to worry about me when he already has so much on his plate.

I also don't want him to care for me when I've been awful to him. I've been doing everything in my power to distance myself from him until I can get my situation figured out.

I can't lead him on when I'm not even sure what I want. I'm just a confused blob right now. Ughhhh.

Why am I thinking about this now when I don't even feel well?

I sneeze and a hacking cough follows straight after. I groan out loud again. This is the worse.

As I'm throwing a pity party inside my head a knock sounds at my bedroom door.

"Leave me alone," I call rudely to whoever is awaiting on the other side.

Apparently, they don't know what 'leave me alone' means because my door opens and two shimmering green eyes peek through.

Pierson. I know those eyes from anywhere.

"Hey, I could hear something dying in here from my room, so I came to see what was up," he says seriously. Although, I can see his eyes shining alight with humor.

"Go away." I throw a pillow in his direction, but to my dismay it falls ten feet away from him due to my lack of strength at the moment.

He chuckles at my pitiful attempt to knock him down. He picks it up and as he walks towards my bed he gives me the perfect show and I can't help, but check him out. His dark jeans are sticking to his firm thighs and his dark hair is perfectly styled. His tight grey shirt clings to his muscular body teasing the onlooker of the chiseled body that lies underneath. Does he always look like he's freaking walking the runway?

My bed dips in next to where he decided to take his place.

He lifts his arm and places a warm hand on my forehead. Even now in my current state I can feel the tingling sensations shoot throughout my body.

His eyebrows furrow.

"My god Elena. You're burning up," he says worryingly.

I remove his hand. "I'll be fine. I'll heal in no time," I say convincingly.

If it's the flu like I think it is, because it's been spreading like crazy, it should go away in half the time it does for humans, so no big deal.

"You look awful. I'm going to get Noah." He stands and I grab his forearm halting his determined steps.

"Please don't. I'll be okay. Really."

He studies me for a moment. I give him my most pleading expresssion.

"I'm really fine. I am a doctor myself, in case you forgot," I try again.

"I know, but it doesn't look like your doing such a great job at it, so if you don't want Noah I'm going to take care of you instead. I have to keep an eye on you in case you get worse." He says it in a way that there is no room for any arguments or objections. Stupid alpha, bossing me around like he's the boss of me.

"I'm going to go run down and at least ask Noah what would be best for you. Have you ate anything today?"

I shake my head sheepishly and his jaw tenses in return. It's already three in the afternoon.

"I'll bring you some soup and crackers. Just get some rest until I come back."

I nod my head and Pierson walks out of the room pleased with my response.

I close my eyes, but to my dismay I am awakened to what feels like a few seconds later by a cool pad being placed over my forehead.

I open my heavy eyelids and am met with Pierson's handsome face once again.

"I made you some chicken noodle soup and I got you some medicine. I also found some of these gel pads. It says it's for kids, but I'm pretty sure they'll work," he says smiling at the end.

I give him a grateful look and my heart swells at his sweet gesture.

"Thank you, but you really didn't have to go through the trouble."

"Of course I did. Now take these pills and eat your soup," he demands.

He really is bossy, you know. He hands me two small white tablets and sets a metal tray containing a small bowl of soup, crackers, jello, and a glass of water on top of me.

I take the pills and then grab the spoon and dip it into the soup before bringing it up to my mouth and sipping it. My empty stomach cries out happily.

As Pierson sits there and watches me I realize what I must look like right now. Probably not the best. I'm in mismatched pajamas, my nose is probably red and my hair is in knots.

"How did that talk with your Dad go? I meant to ask you, but I was gone all week." He springs on me.

I swallow up another bite before deciding on how much I should tell him.

I choose to tell him everything, leaving out a few things here and there that I feel are too personal to discuss.

After I explain to him the decision that I reached he doesn't say anything.

He looks down to my soup. I can tell he wants to, but he doesn't.

"What is it Pierson?"

He looks up, but his face is blank. "Nothing," he says montone.

"Just say it. I can tell you want to say something," I tell him firmly.

He let's out a deep breath before running his hand through his hair.

"I don't want you to get mad at me, but I do worry. I know he's the only family you have, but I don't want you to get burned by him again. Please just be careful."

I can understand where he's coming from. I don't want to get burned again either. Not by my father and certainly not by him again.

"I know. I'm a smart girl. I didn't just fall into your arms now did I?" I say jokingly.

He doesn't smile or laugh at my comment. His mouth instead settles into a thin line. My smile falters.

"I hurt you bad didn't I?" He whispers.

Whoa. Where did that come from?

"Pierson..."

"I never meant to. I was just so naive and scared. I was weak and I felt that I couldn't protect you. I did it because I cared. I cared so much that I had to give you up for your safety and for your dream."

My heart flutters. "I know."

He looks intently into my eyes trying to see if he can find any slight indication that my words are not true. When he doesn't he gives me a half smile.

"That's not the case anymore Elena. I would do anything for you. I can't give you up. Not again."

At that statement, I'm at a total loss for words. Instead of replying, I look down to my hands and fidget with the blanket. Pierson releases a deep sigh.

"Do you want to watch a movie or something?" He asks changing the subject and I'm thankful.

"Yes please."

"What would you like to see?"

"Anything with Zac Efron will do," I answer simply.

He rolls his eyes at me, but puts on Baywatch anyway before settling into the spot next to me again.

"You know if you wanted to watch handsome muscular guys, you could just look at me," he says casually.

Now it's my turn to roll my eyes. Although, he does look better than anybody I've ever seen, but I would never admit that to him.

"You are too cocky sometimes."

"I am not," he says incredulously. I laugh at his comment and he grins. I'm grateful for the change in mood.

We watch the film in silence and soon I fall into a deep sleep in the middle of the film.

When I wake a long muscular arm is squeezing me tight into a hard body.

My eyes shoot open and my heart rate increases immensly when I remember who's with me.

I turn to my side and come face to face with Pierson's relaxed one. He's asleep.

Instead of trying to get out of his embrace I take the chance to admire his chiseled features.

His long dark lashes fan across his cheeks. The pink tint to his cheeks making him look almost boyish, and his soft lips are slightly ajar releasing small breaths of air.

In this state he looks so different, so relaxed. He always looks like he's carrying a hundred burdens, but like this it seems that they all fade away and he can just be at peace. Even if it's just for a little while.

My fingers, having a mind of their own, reach for the lone strand of hair covering his forehead. I swipe the soft piece away gently. At my action, Pierson's eyes open.

I quickly move my hand away, but he takes ahold of it. I freeze. His eyes stare into mine.

He looks down to my lips and licks his own and I can't help but follow his tongue's movement.

I glance back up to see him already looking at me with his heated stare. His fingers that were holding my hand come up and move a loose strand of hair behind my ear before coming to rest on my cheek. His thumb strokes it gently.

His touch making my already heated body even hotter.

He leans in slowly, teasingly, but stops only a breaths away. I try to close the gap, but he doesn't allow it.

"Tell me what you want Elena," comes his smooth husky voice. I visibly shudder.

I lean in closer, but he moves slightly back keeping the distance between us.

"Tell me," he demands. I groan internally. My mind is hazy and my hormones are going crazy. I can't tell him. I won't.

Noticing my conflicted emotions, Pierson backs away further and my hands automatically move to the back of his neck keeping him in place in a panic.

"Please." My cheeks flame up at my pathetic whimper.

"Please what?" He continues his tortuous assault on me. He leans in and kisses the side of my lips every so slightly and the simple act is my undoing.

"Kiss me," I whisper before pulling his lips to meet mine for the second time ever.

We feverently move our lips and pull at each other trying to get as close as we can.

Pierson deepens the kiss and moves to hover over me and I push my hands through his soft hair and he groans.

His hands slip to the hem of my shirt and his fingers make contact with my exposed flesh kneading it.

But before anything goes too far the door opens.

My eyes shoot open and I look over to see who has caught us in our sensational act.

My eyes make contact with the unwelcome visitor and instantly my heart drops to my stomach.

Noah.

I quickly shove Pierson off of me and in an instant I'm up and out of the bed. Pierson follows my actions and soon he is standing next to me. I pull my shirt down where it had ridden up by Pierson's hands.

My face covers in complete and utter guilt when I catch a glimpse of Noah's hurt expression. I steal a quick glance at Pierson and see he has the decency to have a neutral expression on.

Nobody moves or says anything. We are all frozen to the spot.

The air is so thick with tension that if feels like I'm literally suffocating.

Soon Noah's expression hardens considerably.

"So, this is why you've been avoiding me day in and day out, because you've been hoeing around with Pierson behind my back," he spits.

I wince at his words. Ouch. That hurt.

Next to me Pierson tenses up and when I look up at his face it's deadly.

"Noah, it's not even like that," I try.

"Like what? Like you're sleeping around," he roars.

I've never seen him so angry before. His teeth are gritted and his veins are protruding out of his neck. His body is completely rigid and it looks like it's screaming out in pain to be relaxed.

"Watch yourself Noah," comes Pierson's growl.

He scoffs. "How about you watch yourself Pierson. You both are just a couple of jokes."

At that Pierson steps towards Noah. His breath is heavy and his chest is pushed out. His eyes are a dark green almost black. His wolf is making it's way to the surface. His demeanor screams, I am the alpha and nobody talks to me like that.

Noah's color drains from his face and he lowers his head in respect, but it only lasts a second before he stands tall daring Pierson to touch him.

Oh no.

I place my hand on Pierson's hard chest and push him back softly.

"Pierson, calm down. It's ok. He has the right to feel this way," I say in the gentlest tone possible.

He doesn't look my way. It's like I'm not even there and all he sees is red.

Noah takes a step forward and Pierson follows suit. My chest fills with panic.

"I am your Alpha," comes Pierson's thunderous roar. "You will respect me."

The walls shake and warning bells seem to go off in Noah's head because he steps back and lowers his head once again.

On the other hand, Pierson still looks murderous. I need to do something quick.

I step in front of him and place both my hands on his chest willing him to look at me.

"Pierson. Please, stop. Don't hurt him. Look at me," I call.

"Pierson, please," I beg.

His fiery eyes shoot to mine. "Please," I whisper.

He grits his teeth and stares into my eyes before nodding reluctantly. He takes a step back and tries to calm his labored breathing. I sigh a breath of relief. That could've been bad.

I look back to Noah and see the anger lying beneath his now calm facade.

He turns around and pushes my bedroom door open fiercely and leaves.

Guilt and sadness overcomes me at his departure. He's one of my best friends. I just need to talk to him and explain things. He doesn't know about my past with Pierson. He doesn't even know we're mates.

I walk towards the door but a warm hand grabs my upper arm.

I turn around. "Let him cool off," he says.

I shake my head. "I can't. I just need to explain things."

"He's angry and upset right now. Just give him some time," he reasons.

I look back to the floor contemplating his words. He's right. If I talk to him right now we wouldn't get anywhere. We probably would say more hurtful things to each other.

I need to be alone. After asking Pierson for some space he reluctantly leaves telling me to call him if I need anything.

In the vicinity of my room my thoughts start to suffocate me.

I can't lose Noah.

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Sorry it took me awhile to post this chapter. I know a lot of you kept asking for an update I just couldn't find the time to write. I hope you understand. I also want to thank all of you for supporting this book. It really does mean a lot to me. ❤

Also, I'm might go see Avengers this weekend. I hope it's good. So, in honor of that enjoy these gifs.