Apprehended By My Mate novel Chapter 44

"Oh course Clare, we love that little girl." I smile and look up at Conner.

"I want to spend the morning with Conner so if you could have her until Lunch?" She nods her head before standing up next to Richard.

"That is fine, we better get going but enjoy your morning." They both wave goodbye before leaving the room. I go to move out of Conner's arms but he hold me tighter to himself.

"Stay Clare." I smile to myself.

"I need the bathroom." He lets go of me and I stand up looking down at myself. I frown when I notice I am wearing just my underwear and bra. I can feel Conner watching me and I don't know how he isn't disgusted by my marked skin because I am. I don't say anything as I walk to the joining bathroom. I finish up in the bathroom and decided to take a good look at myself. I wonder what Conner see in me?

All I see is a thin body covered in nothing but scars and bone. I left my fingers trail across my stomach tracing the bite marks that brand my side forever embedded into my skin. I can see that I have put on weight but not enough to call myself healthy. The slight knock at the door reminds me that Conner is waiting for me.

I open it up and he comes inside with a frown on his beautiful face. I was so lost in his face that I didn't see him reach out to me causing me to flinch from his touch.

"Sorry." He whispers when he realises that I wasn't paying attention to his actions. I watch as he moves his hand out towards me and placing it ever so carefully on my shoulder like I am glass and am going to break.

"Are you ok Clare?" I look at his face closely and notice the light circles under his eyes and the line across his forehead from stress and worry. I lift my hand and slowly caress his forehead soothing out the worry lines that are present.

"I am good." I smile running my thumb along his strong, defined jaw. I lean in, slowly and place my lips against his forehead then cheek. His stubble rubs against my lip causing them to tingle. I pull away to see Conner has closed his eyes with a content look on his face.

"What was that for?" His eyes are still closed which slowly open with each word he speaks. I shrug my shoulders as I feel blood rush to my face tinging them a deep pink. Conner chuckles and pulls me into his chest. I tense for a second before my body starts to relax. I still find it amazing how relaxed Conner makes me feel, how safe I feel.

"Clare, look and listen to me." I feel rough hands on my face pulling me close. I can feel Conner's hot breath breathing onto my face as he shakes my head trying to get me back. Derek's voice is sickening as it crackles with nothing but the truth.

"Clare, he is not there, come back to me." I feel myself being pushed as cold water hits my back shocking my system. I blink slowly as Derek's voice fades away like the water running off my body.

I feel the tap being shut off as I stand still not knowing what to do. Each time I hear his voice I feel myself slipping into insanity as he leads me with a tight leash around my mind. I am surrounded by the warmth of a human being that is slowly loosening the leash that is held by Derek.

I don't say anything to Conner as he wraps a towel around me and takes care of me. He pauses for a second and I know he is mind linking someone within the pack. He doesn't say anything and neither do I as we make our way back to bed.

I hadn't been feeling well for a while now. Every morning I am sick and it didn't help that Derek wasn't always home. After being sick for the third time this morning I walked out of the bathroom to see Derek leaning against the opposite wall. He was decked out in jeans and a tight grey shirt showing his bulging muscles.