Alpha Loren novel Chapter 216

Leo refused to leave.

When I first woke up, it was clear I'd had some memory loss because the longer I sat in that hospital bed, the more traumatic images began to flood back in and the more grateful I was to have him right next to me.

"Andrea forced me to watch Alessio be murdered," I whispered after at least an hour of silence. "And he ordered it because I refused to apologise for being disrespectful to Luciano and he wanted to teach me a lesson. His throat was slit and I don't think I'll ever get that image out of my mind. I close my eyes and it's there. And the worst part is it was my fault. I couldn't bring myself to submit and as a result, there are two kids out there without a Dad. Can you imagine the guilt I face for that?"

"You can not hold yourself accountable," Leo said firmly. "The only person responsible for Alessio's death is Andrea Martinez. He wants you to feel guilty to torture you psychologically. Don't let him get t you."

I shook my head as I began to cry.

"All he wanted me to do was say one simple sorry to Luciano and I wouldn't do it," I replied. "Why didn't I do it?"

"There is no point dwelling on it," Leo said. "Nothing can be changed."

"Out of all the things he did, that was by far the worst. The pain of all the times he hit, raped and beat me amounted together doesn't even come close to it."

By this point, the tears were streaming.

"Alessio's family are receiving all the support they need," I reassured. "And he is respected as a good, loyal soldier willing to sacrifice himself for his Luna and his pack. There were hundreds at his funeral."

"But he's still dead."

Leo nodded and squeezed my hand. He clearly didn't know how else to comfort me.

"Come here," I said moving aside in the bed. "I'm cold and I miss your cuddles."

"Are you sure, Ella?" he asked. "I don't want to cross the line. Not with everything you've been through."

I nodded, "It's okay."

He smiled and climbed into the bed next to me. His arm wrapped around me and I rested my head on his chest.

"You're freezing," he said pulling me in tighter. 

"I want to sleep. You'll stay, won't you?" I asked.

"Of course," he replied.

"Promise me I won't wake up and you'll be gone," I added looking up into his eyes.

"I promise."

I nodded and laid my head back down. 

It was ages before I could actually sleep. With so many thoughts and memories, it's hard for your mind to slip into rest.

The Doctor had prescribed me some sleeping pills but I wasn't allowed to take them until my strength had improved. So I just lay there until my dreadful thoughts became dreadful nightmares.

I was running through the jungle, the branches and vines slashing my skin, making me bleed all over my body. My hands and clothes were red with it but I just kept looking back. There was nobody there. Nobody behind me, nobody in sight, nobody to be heard. But still, I ran on, fighting through the dense jungle until I reached a clearing.

The sky was blue and the warm sun seemed to soothe me. For a brief moment, everything seemed okay. So I lay down and let myself breathe as I watched the fluffy clouds pass over.

But then a black shadow leapt out of the trees. It bounded up to me and I tried to scramble away but it was too late. It had me and-

"Ella," I heard Leo's voice say. "Ella, wake up."

I opened my eyes and sat sharp upright.

"Are you okay?" he asked. "Your heart rate went crazy for a second."

His eyes were wide and concerned. I swallowed and nodded. 

"I was having a nightmare. They're relentless, Leo. Every time I try to sleep."

He brought me into a hug, "It won't be like this forever. Remember that. What seems relentless won't be."

I clutched his shirt in my fingers and nodded again.

The next day, Leo left for an hour or two to do the school run and see our kids and when he returned he had an armful of paint cans.