Chapter 217

Winter's pov

I stared at the floor, which was not much I could see since it was so dark in here. My inky long hair that normally brushes against my tailbone curtains around my face as if it were an armor to protect me.

Their laughter still mocked in my ears causing me to grit my teeth and press my fingernails into my skin until it hurt.

I shouldn't let them get to me. Ashton always told me to keep my head up and never show them my weaknesses.

My lower lip wobbles.

The shirt clung to me and the stench of the alcohol that had been in the cup made my stomach turn. I smell like I had fallen into a pool of alcohol.

What a bitch. Of course Axel would attract that kind of girl.

I let out a shaky breath.

He had done nothing. Didn't pull her back. Didn't tell her to stop approaching me.

I clenched my eyes shut, my jaw clenching as the scene comes back into my head like a dirty stain I couldn't get rid of.

Why did it hurt more that he did not stop her?

I mean I should've expected it. Axel was never one to care about me as much as Ashton did. In fact he thought I was a burden, a girl he tolerated because his brother was best friends with her.

I was nothing to him but a charity case.

I let out another sigh, my heart squeezing just as a ping lights up my phone. It was a message from Ashton, asking about my whereabouts. I wonder if he knows what had happened.

I quickly typed where I was and told him to knock three times on the door so I'd know it was actually him. Even though Axel's voice was deeper sometimes it was still a bit hard to differentiate between the two.

Ashton: I'll be there in a sec, stay put

Axel's pov

I lean against the railing, staring upstairs as I contemplate whether to go to her or not. I don't think she'd be happy to see me and honestly, I wouldn't blame her.

Gritting my teeth, I run a hand through my hair. Dammit Winter. Why did you have to come here? Why do you have to taunt me and my wolf with your presence?

Why do you always have to rattle me so?

What a dumb question when I knew exactly why her mere presence had me always on edge.

My wolf stirred in my head, pacing up a storm that our mate was upset. Ashton should've left her home, especially since tonight was the full moon. My wolf was restless to mate her, to claim her.

But we both knew we couldn't. Not with her being fully human. She wasn't like my mom, who was the daughter of pure werewolves. Winter was fully human.

There was a chance Winter's human body wouldn't be able to handle the mark of our beast, reject it until the body stops fighting and gives up on living. Humans and werewolves are not supposed to mate.

If I tie the invisible thread between us, I'd be putting her life at risk and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I got selfish enough to risk it. I would rather her hate my guts than risk losing her.

'The fuck did you do Axel?' Ashton hissed through our mind-link. I winced. Well fuck, now he's going to tear me a new one for making his little pipsqueak sad.

His....

My wolf stirred at the thought. She was MINE. I buried the anger because I knew that Ashton only had good intentions towards her.

'Wasn't me,' I replied dryly. 'Masha took things too far,'

I look to the left as I sense my brother storming my way. In seconds, his long quick strides brought him before me, his shoulders tensed as though he was barely keeping himself from punching me.

"I told you to look after her," he hisses, his eyes flashing, jaw tight as his body trembles with tension. I stared at him hard. 'Calm the fuck down, your eyes are showing,' I warned him when I caught the flicker of red bleeding into his irises.