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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.

His gaze drops. "You were supposed to protect her."

"You act like I was the one who threw the drink on her," I snapped. "She could for once stand up for herself."

I felt guilty and that's why I was so fucking angry because I knew my brother was right. I should've stopped Masha and I should've protected Winter. She was mine to protect and I failed her.

The guilt of seeing her saddened face, the flush in her cheeks when everyone around laughed.....

I was an asshole and I had to make it up to her. Apologize even though I believe she'd never want to hear it or accept it.

Ashton gritted his teeth and pulls out his phone. My eyes snap to the screen as I watch him text her, asking about her whereabouts. With the smell of alcohol, cigarettes, and body odor, it would be hard to get to Winter.

Especially since she was drenched in alcohol, her scent would be off. However for me, her scent was still strong and sweet, luring me in like a siren.

I could've told him where she was, where her heartbeat drums in my ears. But selfishly, I wanted to comfort her myself. It was getting harder and harder to control my beast and it didn't help that the moon was in full swing tonight. 

When she gives him directions I step in his way. He looks up and glares. I stand my ground. "Let me go to her instead."

Ashton gives me a dirty look, his lips curling back. "So you can make her feel like shit?"

Ashton doesn't know I've found my mate. He doesn't know his best friend is mine to slip in and claim.

I shook my head. "I'm serious this time Ash, I want to apologize and make it up to her. She deserves an apology from me."

She deserves more actually, she deserves my tongue down her throat, between her legs....

Fuck, it was hard to control those urges during the full moon. I clench my hands into fists at my sides. Going to her now could be worse but she did deserve an apology.

I'd be able to control myself....right?

Ashton doesn't look convinced but I press him. "Look, I caused this okay? And I already feel like shit. It's mine to fix. Let me fix it, please."

Ashton's eyes narrowed sharply, warning me that if I mess up further he'd take me to the grave and bury me. " I swear to the Moon Goddess Axel, if you hurt her any more-

I shook my head. "I won't."

Ashton stares at me for a couple more seconds before caving in and nodding. "Fine."

"Don't tell her I'm coming up though," I scratched my chin. "She'd never want to open up or speak to me if she knows it's me that will be behind the door and not you."

I hated that they were close, hated that she would want him there instead of me. Fuck. Hell, I hated that I couldn't claim her as mine like I wanted to.

Ashton looks unsure but nods. "Hurry go to her before weirdos get there before you do."

I didn't need to be told twice, I took the stairs two at once, her scent beckoning me closer. My wolf grows restless, tingles racing under my skin as I get near.

I can control myself. I can do it.

Just comfort her, apologize and be on my way. It's easy, it's simple.

But it's not.

Not when she opens the door without looking. Not when with my supernatural vision I can see her perfect perked tits hugged by that lace bra. Not when she hadn't noticed it wasn't Ashton but me.

Not when I close the door behind me and watch her begin to pace the floor. Not when she turns around and runs into my arms, crying as her soft body presses against me.

And I lose it.

That little string of control? I fucking lose it.