Pierson's POV

I look him up and down sizing him up. He gives me a half smile in which I don't exchange for one of my own.

"You're all grown up Pierson and from what I've heard you're on your way to becoming a great Alpha," he voices in a pleasing tone.

I don't say anything. I know Elena wants to work on rebuilding a relationship with him, but every time I look at him I imagine what he must've done to her at her ripe age of fifteen.

It hurts to picture her curled in a ball avoiding a fist flying her way, or her lying in bed crying her eyes out, or worst of all her trying to nurse her wounds because this cruel person wouldn't allow her to see a real doctor.

But what hurts the most is that he reminds me that I wasn't there when she needed me. All that time I wanted to protect her from harm, but she was facing the real harm each day in her own household behind closed doors.

It also didn't help that I had broke her heart. If I would've known I would've done things differently, but I can't. I can't change the past no matter how bad I want to, but right now here in this time I have another chance to care for her, protect her, and most of all love her like she deserves.

"What brings you here?" I ask drawing all emotion out of my voice.

He stuffs his hands in his front pockets and looks down as if gaining the courage to let the words flow from his mouth.

"I want to help," he replies.

"No," comes my automatic response.

My answer doesn't seem to phase him. He most likely expected it. "Pierson, I know you and Elena are mates."

His revelation shocks me.

What? There's no way he knows that. Nobody knows but my family, Eleana, and Emerie. Unless, Elena told him and I highly doubt she ever did.

"I always knew," he continues. I stay quiet giving nothing away.

"I saw the way you two looked at each other that day you all came to my house. It was painfully obvious. You couldn't keep your eyes off her and Elena did everything in her power to not show how hurt she was by you and Rachel."

"What does this have to do with anything," I say through gritted teeth.

"I know you both are not mated and I also believe you two are trying to make things work now. Therefore, I know she must've told you about our rough past judging by the way you're acting towards me and I don't blame you," he says softly. My jaw tenses. Rough? Believe me it was more than that.

"But I'm trying my best to better my life. When I worked for the pack I was at my best and I want that for not only myself, but for Elena as well. She deserves the best from me at this point in her life. I also want to help you keep not only her safe, but this pack."

I pinch the bridge of my nose, a habit I have become aware of doing when I'm in a situation that stresses me out or angers me.

I know he helped us beat the rogues once and I'm sure his contribution would be more than helpful, but I can't shake the negative feeling he extrudes.

Before I can tell him no again he continues.

"Look, from what I've heard this pack is in great danger and I believe I can help with that. I also believe I deserve another shot. I lost so much in my life. I lost my wife, my daughter for a short period of time, and now I'm about to lose my best friend."

The last words tug at my heart and I swallow hard at the thought of my father dying.

"I can do this. Let me do this. Let me prove to the people I love that I can be a better man just like you're trying to prove to my daughter that you are trying to do that exact same thing."

Guilt settles itself deep in the pit of my stomach. "Doesn't everybody deserve a chance to change?" My stupid conscious questions.

Before I know it I'm agreeing to his request before I can even really consider if it's really worth it.

*****

After my talk with Joe I decided to seek Elena out and right now I feel like a stalker.

Standing here watching Elena smile and laugh with a patient as she guides him out to the exit I can't help but watch her every move.

Her eyes sparkle brightly and her grin is so wide I can see her perfect teeth from across the room.

Her soft laughter fills the atmosphere around me and my heart speeds up at the sound of it. I can hear that sound every day of my life and would die a happy man.

When they say their goodbyes she turns back around to walk back to her office.

I guess I should make my presence known now instead of bordering on being a creep.

I walk to her and when her eyes meet mine I offer her a charming smile.

"Hey."

She returns my smile shyly.

"Hi Pierson."

"I was wondering if you wanted to join me on a stroll around the house? If you're all finished up here of course."

"Yes, I am and I would love to."

She does her usual routine taking her lab coat off and everything else she has and throws it in her office before locking it up.

When done I grab her small hand and entwine my fingers with hers. She doesn't even second guess it and instead smiles up at me which causes me to take in a sharp intake of breath at the mere sight of it. She always has a way of removing the day's stress.

I guide her out the door and we start our relaxing walk around the vast perimeter of the house.

We talk about our day and I try to ease the subject of her father into our conversation.

"So, how have things been going with your Dad?" I ask.

One of her eyebrows peaks up in interest at my question.

"Uhh. It's going good. We try to have a sit down dinner once every two weeks. Trying to start off slow I guess," she says shrugging one shoulder as she does so.

"That's great. He came by my office today," I reply nonchalantly.

She stops walking and I look down at her small frame curiously. Her face is twisted in puzzlement.

"Why?"

I release a deep sigh. "He wanted to help with the pack and I told him yes," I reply casually.

"Oh," is all that comes from her mouth.

I explain our conversation to her and to my surprise she has no further input. It's strange considering her knowledge of how I feel about him. She begins to walk again, but I stop and grab her forearm to halt her. She turns around curiously.

"Are you ok with this cause' I'm trying to see how you feel about it, but I can't. If you don't like it I completely understand."

She shakes her head at me. "It's not that."

I cock an eyebrow at her. "No?"

Her blue eyes roam my face before they lock on my own. "Pierson I don't want you to feel guilty about our past and what happened between us anymore," she says.

My eyebrows furrow in response. That was the last thing I expected to hear her say.

"Elena I should feel guilty is the thing," I sigh.

She begins to speak, but I interrupt her softly.

"You were being abused at home and I could've done something about it, but I didn't. Who am I to say I'm better than your father if I allowed that." I turn away from her not being able to bear imagining her once again in those situations.

A soft hand lays on my cheek and turns me around slowly. I do everything to avoid those eyes that always seem to look deep into my soul and pull out all my hidden secrets.

"Look at me," she whispers.

At her voice my eyes automatically follow her sweet command. It scares me how much control she has over me because I know I would do anything if she just asks in a heartbeat.

"You didn't know what was happening Pierson," she says gently. "I know you and you know yourself. We both know if you had any indication what was happening you would of done anything to keep me safe. That was a long time ago and if things didn't happen the way they did I know in my heart I wouldn't be me. The real me, the person I am today. People face challenges in their life and that was a huge challenge I had to face on my own. I had to find the courage to get myself out of that toxic situation. To find a way out without relying on a knight in shining armor. You and my father didn't destroy me six years ago Pierson. You both actually helped strengthen me. I don't want this to be something you think is going to be held over your head for the rest of your life. You're only human," she says.

"Well actually human and werewolf, but you get what I mean," she laughs. I let out a deep chuckle.

"So, please just let this guilt go. It's not good for you and frankly I'm one of those that do believe everything does happen for a reason. Somehow I got to be a doctor and was led back here to fix my relationship with my father and you. I was able to hear why the things happened the way they did and most importantly I got another chance to try something with you. So, please let this guilt go. Those were my father's choices, not yours," she finishes.

I'm speechless.

I'm so incredibly head over heels for this amazing, beautiful women. She is definitely it for me. I nod my head, assuring her that I'll do my best to do as she says, before placing my hand over hers that is resting on my cheek and kiss the inside of her palm.

At my gesture she gifts me with her dazzling smile. I gravitate closer to her and lay my hands on her hips as she wraps her arms around my neck. I lower my head placing a slow, sweet kiss on her soft lips.

There is truly no other place I would rather be than by her side for what remains of the rest of my life. My heart swells with so much emotion that I can hardly breathe.

Before I know it four little words escape my mouth on their own.

"I love you Elena."

She freezes, her body stiffens, and her eyes grow twice in size.

Uh oh.

Was saying that too soon? My chest feels with panic.

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