Chapter 10: The Truth

Michael’s POV

My mind had been spinning. Before Havana, the choice had been easy -- be a good Alpha. I was falling in love with a human. If that weren’t bad enough, she wasn't my fiancée. What the hell had I gotten myself into? The better question was how do I get myself out? Only one person could help me get the answers I needed -- my mother. Reaching into my jacket pocket, I pulled out the set of keys from earlier.

Before long I was pulling up in front of the white-picket-fence house. Growing up I remembered my mom always gushing about houses like these. It was her dream home. Now her dream was a reality. The door opened and she greeted me with a smile. How did she maintain that smile after everything she’d been through?

"Two visits in one week, what makes this week so special? Did you bring Havana?" She asked looking past me into the car.

Her face fell slightly at the emptiness of Havana. It was nice knowing that my mother liked her. I always feared that my mother wouldn't approve of anyone. That any woman I met whether it be by force or fate wouldn't meet her standards. I had that fear with everyone, except for Havana. With her, I instantly knew the two would connect.

"What's wrong? Is everything okay?”

My silence was all she needed. Her worried expression replaced her joyous one as she grabbed my hand and guided me into the house. There was so much I had to say, but where would I start? Should I lead with Havana being hospitalized by a lycan? Was Jane's ultimatum meant to be the conversation starter? Or should I tell my mom that my feelings for Havana are what made Jane's ultimatum so difficult? I felt my body being pushed gently onto the ocean blue couch. I felt my mother's cool hands press against mine.

"Talk to me, son. Whatever it is, talk to me."

Her words were smooth like silk and soft like spring. She had this calming effect on me, my muscles relaxing and collapsing into a sense of security. I could feel the anxiety of my decision fading and my brain forming the words I wanted and needed to say.

"I love her mom. There's no doubt that I would risk everything for her, but I can't. I have to marry Jane and if I don't let Havana go then I let the pack down. Mom, I'm so angry that I feel so helpless. I can't save everyone without sacrificing myself. Does that make me selfish? I want my pack strong and Havana safe by side. Do I want too much?”

The words left my mouth quickly, there was no stopping them now. Normally with my parents, I could control my level of honesty, but now my heart was unleashing everything that weighed it down over the years.

"I know humans and wolves are frowned upon, but I don't care. The only thing I want is her, but I'm scared. I don't want to become like dad. I don't want a love like yours."

The truth was out, and there was no more hiding it. Watching my parents fight, and my mother take hit after hit I vowed to be different. I wanted a happy life but most importantly I wanted no violence. The look on my mother's face was blank. I had no idea what she was thinking or feeling. As if hearing my thoughts, her face softened.

"You don’t have a selfish bone in your body, baby. What your father and I had was complicated. He didn't know how to treat me and I didn't know how I was supposed to be treated. Don't let our mistakes control how you choose to live your life. Love is many things and comes in many forms, but it does not come around every day. Your father and I weren't perfect, but I still haven't found anyone I loved more. Except for you. Follow your heart and the rest will fall into place."

She released my hands and held my face softly. Her thumbs ran across my cheeks. I knew she wanted me to go to Havana and tell her how I felt, but that was easier said than done. I still had the alliance to consider. Without the combined resources both of our packs were like sitting ducks. Not to mention I couldn’t guarantee Havana would leave Kaden for me.

"What about the pack? All those people are relying on me to protect them."

"When did marriage become the only option? I recall your father making many alliances while being married to me."

My mother was right -- there was another way to get the alliance. There was always another way. Marriage seemed easy and logical at the time. Both Jane and I were single, a marriage made sense but it didn’t have to be that. Without the alliance, both packs would die out. Regardless of Jane's wish, her father would be a fool to reject us because she wasn’t getting her way.

"Thank you," I said.

"Go tell Havana how you feel. She might surprise you and feel the same way."

There was no need to explain further what both me and my mother understood. The only thing she wanted me to do was to secure my future with Havana. All I could do was hope she felt even a fraction of what I did. Without any words, I stood and kissed her cheek. Now was time for the hard part. I got in the car and a message from Claire appeared on my phone. She's awake, it read.

Arriving at the hospital, my stomach twisted with excitement and anxiety. There was no turning back now, my mother knew about it and would pester me for the rest of my existence. Walking inside I went straight for the desk asking for Janice.

"Janice Young, room 112," the nurse said.

Room 112. All I had to do was go there and let my heart take the lead. This was supposed to be the easy part. Standing outside her room door, I watched as she and Claire laughed. Seeing her here broke my heart. She didn't deserve this. No one did.

I knocked on the window, getting Claire's attention. She stood and came to the door, her smile replacing all previous traces of tears.

"She's all yours. I'm going to see what they have in the cafeteria," she says loud enough for Havana to hear.

Placing a hand on my shoulder, I feel all her fear fade. All she needed was Havana to wake up. She needed to hear her laugh again and see her cheeks turn rosy red with embarrassment. Claire removed her hand and left me standing in the doorway.

I suck in a breath as I saw Havana's face. Her left arm was wrapped in a sling. The white band was around her head indicating a head injury. The anger boiled inside me as I continued starring at her. How could anyone do this to her? She pushed stray pieces of hair from her face revealing the purple bruise around her left eye. Kaden was going to pay.

"I see you two have met. Sorry, it was under these circumstances." Havana smiles softly, patting an empty spot on her bed.

Why was she apologizing? She hadn't done this to herself. It was that a**hole Kaden's fault and he was going to pay for putting his hands on her. I sat down on her bed before speaking.

"This isn't your fault, it's his."

Her head shook violently at the thought of blaming him for his actions. It was like Claire had said, Havana didn't want to hear anything bad about him. Why was she still defending him?

"It was an accident. He was arguing with his family and I pushed him to react. I always push him," she mutters.

It was like watching my mother all over again. I hated that she blamed herself, that she took all the responsibility and he carried none. It was those same words my mother had spoken that started my resentment toward my father.

"An accident? Like the night I came over to hold you? Havana, what he's doing to you is wrong."

"He loves me. He's the only one who loves me."

How had she convinced herself that this was love? Love is meant to protect, not hurt you or send you to a hospital. If he loved her, he would have never hurt her. If he loved her, he would've been here instead of me. If he loved her, Claire would've called him and not me. She had to know that what he was doing wasn't love.

"He doesn't love you, Havana. I love you. I think about you every day. You’re who I want to see first thing in the morning and the last person I see at night. I would risk everything for you, and I would never hurt you."

The words flowed from my mouth. Instead of waiting for her response, I leaned closer to her. Her face was stunned, stuck in shock. I grabbed her face gently in my hands staring into her eyes.

I needed an answer that what I was to do next was okay with her. Her blue eyes lowered to my lips -- there was my answer.

Pressing my lips against her, I didn't know what to expect. I had never felt anything like this before. Our lips moved in sync, neither dominating the other, but dancing together. It was as if we were two puzzle pieces finally reunited. There was hunger in both of us, but delicacy remained the controller.

This was where I belonged.