The Alpha's Obsession

13: Hurt

**Authors Note: Wow, I'm not sure why this book has been blowing up recently but I appreciate everyone who's read and voted! I typed this up a long time ago and it'll probably have some errors but I wanted to get something out for you guys. Hope you enjoy!**

I froze.

I had been expecting it but it shocked me to my core. I knew somewhere in his mind that he had some kind twisted adaptation of me. He imagined me to be someone that I definitely was not.

Someone that I didn't want to be.

Ever.

I didn't see myself falling in love...at least not so easily. Vincent had told me that I liked to close myself up to everyone around me when I felt as though feelings were getting involved.

It wasn't intentional but it was a natural instinct now. I had been hurt badly in the past and my mind refused to allow someone else to do it to me again. Sometimes it was a blessing in disguise but sometimes it was a curse I longed to be free from. I had dodged some major bullets by being the way I am but I also wondered what if I had missed out on someone special. But was that really something that I was ready for? Did I really want to put myself out there again? Could I really open my heart up for everyone to see?

I knew for a fact that both my body and mind agreed wholeheartedly that Liam was not the one for me. They both knew exactly who they wanted. We just used him to get over him. I couldn't bear to speak his name but just the thought of him sent shocks to my core.

Liam and I had been back here in Palmyra for about a week or so. Not once had he tried to contact me in any way. I didn't see him when I went back to work at the cafe. He didn't show up to my house anymore. He didn't text or call. Nothing. I couldn't deny that I missed him terribly. It felt as if I had a constant ache buried deep inside my chest that wouldn't go away. But I had betrayed him in the worst way, knowing that he was watching over me in Miami. I knew that after I had saw him on the beach out on the balcony, that he had left. I didn't feel the overwhelming sense of protection that I always felt when he was near. Having that sense of protection suddenly taken away from me felt like someone had stolen my personal sunshine.

I needed to stop fooling myself. I wanted him back. The thought of being with a werewolf was scary, frightening even but I knew that Kyros was different from Vincent. At least that's what my body was telling me. He made me feel protected and safe, even when I shoved him away. There was something between us, probably having to do with the mates thing but even then, I still wanted him. I knew that I wasn't going to fall in love with him immediately but I wanted to take a risk. That risk would either make or break me but for some reason, I was willing to take that leap.

I just wanted to be happy again.

Finally admitting that to myself, almost felt like taking away a dark cloud that had been hovering over me. I hadn't been truly happy for years now. Not happy with myself and not happy with where my life was going. I had hoped that this move to a new and quiet city would do just that and I knew I didn't want to destroy that. Life dealt me a pair of cards that required me to work in order to win. And I was going to be damned if I lost this now.

I'm not sure how I could track him down but I was fueled with a sense of determination. I could only hope that he would find it in his heart to forgive me. I wanted to start fresh with him, forgetting all of the negatives of the past. I wanted to give him my heart and hope that he didn't crush it. I don't know if I could survive any more heartache in my life.

A movement in my face, startled me out of the ever relenting thoughts. Shit, I had forgotten that Liam had literally just confessed his fucking love for me. I was honestly lost for words. I opened my mouth open and shut before letting out a long sigh. He moved back a bit, his blue eyes searching mine for some kind of hint.