Red

Chapter 12: Forgiveness?

Time passed and my eyes had begun to close when I heard voices in my apartment. "Red? Red?!" Alec? "Where is she? Find her! She's hurt!" He commanded several pairs of feet.

Not knowing the exact number? I must be tired. "She's has to be in that room." One man commented near my door.

They began to pound on my door. "Red! RED!?" Alec screamed.

My head. I pulled it to my knees and groaned. "Red!" I could practically hear the relief in Alec's voice.

He began to fight the door knob. "Red open this door!" He demanded.

"Alec?" I murmured and all the noise stopped. "If a mate, the person supposed to love you unconditionally, can't accept who you are, what else is there to live for?" I latter supposed that sounded suicidal and was the cause of his next out burst.

He began to pound the door. "Red! Red there is everything to live for! Open the god damned door!"

With the rest of my strength I removed the beams. Before I could back up the door was thrown open and knocked me off my feet.

"Red!" Alec cried. Crouching beside me as I tried to stand up.

I pushed his hands away. "Will you people stop beating me up with my own house?" I demanded, only partially joking.

Carefully I stood and Alec held my elbow for support. "Red you look, really good actually." He commented and I laughed dryly.

"Yeah, comes with practice." He scowled but I didn't care.

He lead me out and sat me on my couch. "Where are you hurt?" I didn't have the energy to argue.

I pointed to the wet patch of hair. "My head went into the computer and I broke a few ribs on the desk, but I patched it all up myself." His eyes glowed gold and he fought his wolf.

Alec's jaw clenched and his hands formed fists at his side. "Alpha or not, best friend or not, I can't forgive this. To his own mate even." I put a hand on Alec's and his fists unclenched.

"Alec. He didn't mean t-"

This time he cut me off. "That doesn't matter this time Red! You can't let him keep beating you up like this!" He roared, pacing in front of the couch.

"Keep?" One man demanded. They began to huff as well. "Why is he hurting her?"

"Unforgivable." Another man muttered and they agreed.

Then I stood. "That is enough." They all whipped around to look at me. "If I can forgive him, so can you." Alec tried to argue that I couldn't possibly, but I cut him off. "He is still your Alpha. Jake dragged him out so he doesn't know the extent of the damage and he won't. I'm still going to give him hell about why he did it, but you didn't see the look of absolute horror on his face when his wolf relinquished." The men nodded but Alec was still upset.

He offered an arm which I took. "I hate to suggest this, but maybe you should stay with Alpha Jackson until you are partially recovered." They didn't like the idea but I knew it was serious if he suggested it.

My head shook slightly. "No. If you took me there in this state, especially when Ryder caused it, you would never see me again." They whimpered at the thought. I held onto Alec's arm tighter as I grabbed my phone and bag. "Can you just take me home?"

Alec sighed, nodding all the same. He lead me out to the car. "The whole pack knows we have a Luna now. Ryder's return was kind of an informal announcement." I groaned. That was just freaking perfect.

Sure enough, as we neared the pack house the car was swarmed. I don't want to get out.

Alec got out first, coming around the car and telling them to back up. He opened my door and offered me a hand.

I stepped out and they surged forward. Hearing a shriek I looked up to see Natalie and a blonde clearly enraged.

Several women smiled at me and began making comments amongst themselves.

The front door slammed open and I looked up at Ryder. His hair was messed up and not in a stylish way, his sharp eyes were wide and he looked like he'd had a long sleepless night to top it off.

Our eyes connected and he rushed over, faster than humanly possible. Ryder reached for me but Alec snarled at him. The pack froze in shock, watching their Beta growl at their Alpha for touching their Luna. Talk about mass confusion.

I looked over at Alec. "It's fine." I reminded him gently. Reluctantly he let go, but did not take half a step away.

Ryder pulled me to him gentler than he ever had and I felt a tear roll down my cheek, but it wasn't my tear. "I'm so sorry Red." He whispered.

Instead of responding I wrapped my arms around his torso and hugged him tight. After a moment we let go. He looked up at the overcast skies and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Let's all get inside before someone gets sick." I had a strong feeling he was referring to me, but brushed it aside.

Inside Ryder waisted no time in scooping me up bridal style and taking me to the fifth floor.

He set me down carefully on the bed before falling to his knees. "Red I-" his voice shook and I slid off the bed.

My arms wrapped around his head and his around my waist until he calmed down, I just held him tight. "Ryder, as long as you know it was wrong, I will always forgive you." I promised, pulling his head up to mine.

Lowering my lips I felt soft sparks and gave him a slow, passionate kiss.

Breaking apart Ryder brushed back my hair. "I don't deserve you." He mumbled and I frowned.

"If you only knew Ryder, it's me who doesn't deserve you." Wrapping my arms around his neck I leaned down, resting on his chest.

"Ryder let's watch a movie or something. Just us. No more of this damn drama." Chuckling he nodded, helping me stand.

I sat on the couch and he put in a movie when my stomach made an appearance. Smiling he kissed my forehead. "I'll make us something to eat." Mmmm. He's pretty sweet when he wants to be.

A few minutes in Ryder walked over with two bowls. He handed me one and I smiled. Soup.

He handed me the second and carefully lifted me up, placing me back in his lap and taking one soup bowl.

Leaning on my right side, I cringed shifting a bit and pretending not to see Ryder's look of remorse when I did so.

The guys called to check in later on and we went to bed soon after that.

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A/N

O.o So Anyone else feel like Alec's allegiance is changing? Hmm. Red forgave him. I personally would have cussed him out first but what the hey, she has a heart and I don't. Hope you guys liked it!