Apprehended By My Mate novel Chapter 25

When the water becomes cold he wraps me in a towel and puts me in one of his shirts. My body is too tired and weak to fight back as he places me in bed kissing my forehead before joining. He pulls me towards his body placing his hands on my stomach.

"I am so glad that I found you Clare. You are my life, the light in my life. I cannot wait until my son is growing inside, until we become the family that I always wanted." He kisses my head gently rubbing his hands over my stomach.

"I love you Clare don't ever forget that." He whispers as I fall asleep. It is times like this when I am confessed his soft gentle side that I fell in love with. As much as it makes me sick there is a part in me that despite everything he has done to me still loves Derek.

I have stopped screaming and I am on the floor wrapped around Ivy who is trying her best to comfort me. The warrior is standing his distance and I am sure he could smell my fear as he tried to reach out towards me.

"It's ok Clare." Ivy whispers. I don't know what I say or do when the flashback arrive but from the look on the women's faces I knew that I must have said something bad because Ivy keeps repeating that he will not hurt me.

I feel drained like I always do once I have calmed down. Ivy is still holding me as my sobbing and shaking stops.

"I am sorry I ruined the lunch." I say and I hear Ivy sigh behind me.

"It's ok Clare, Anna was out of line. She docent know the circumstance's that made you leave but I know you had a good reason." Karen smiles and I notice that Anna is not with us anymore. We all sit back on the blanket in silence before Lucy clears her throat.

"I don't want to bring up bad memories but was Derek your old mate?" Karen smacks Lucy and apologies for her.

"It's ok. Umm, yeah he was." I rub my old mark that I burned away.

"Did he ever hurt you?"

"Momma." I picked her up before putting her back down to go a play with Liam.

"How was it?" Conner asked as he placed a kiss on my cheek. I made me freeze turning my blood cold and I think Conner noticed and pulled away mumbling that he was sorry. I surprised myself when I reached out and cupped my hand over his cheek. His head shot up and he was looking at me with wide eyes and my hand stayed on my cheek.

I felt myself blush as his eyes bore into my eyes making me feel naked and opened. My hand stayed on his cheek and I felt my body heat up with the skin to skin contact. He went to go and touch my face and I flinched back dropping my arm. I don't know what possessed me to touch him but I did and I felt safe.

"Come sit down." I follow Conner and take a seat next to Ivy who is watching Josh and Conner throw a football around.

"Uncle Conner come join." Josh waves over and frowns when he see me sitting next to his mother and Conner. Conner waves back and looks at me.