Welcome Home Mate
Chapter 41

ROXIE

It took all my willpower to keep Bex from taking over when she saw Blaze come through. I knew she wanted him, but I needed to know what Blaze had to say.

I never knew it was hard for them when they were around me; I thought Lex acted like a moron because he was still into other women. I never gave it a second thought throughout the whole thing, and when he called me stubborn, which sent Bex into a loud laugh, I knew he was right. I was acting stubborn, but I thought I was right in what I thought, but now I'm not too sure.

As soon as he didn't accept my rejection, the mate bond came back harder, and all I could think about was Lex taking me against this wall.

When Blaze mentioned the videos, my heart nearly gave out. I didn't know whether he was making a big joke about it, but Bex could feel his honesty, and she believed he was telling me the truth. Lex was thinking about me. I knew he never came to the house when he was with Naomi, but the others did when he was with my brother on nights out. Naomi only came that one night, and she would brag about being in his room in front of all the others.

Blaze mentioned my brother and that he had all those women with him. I nearly felt sick to my stomach. My brother was the worst one out of the two of them then. I felt so sorry for Sofia, and I wonder how the hell she has been coping. Did she forgive him? I looked at Blaze, but his eyes were closed.

"He is going back," said Bex with a whine. "I wanted to talk to him."

I felt sorry for her. "I'm sorry, Bex," I said. "Maybe we can sort something out."

Bex looked at me, but I could feel her sadness wash over her. I was hurting not only my mate but my wolf too.

"I need them to go slow, Bex," I blurt out to her. "I just need to make sure Lex is all about us and no one else."

Bex nodded but never said anything.

I will make it up to her.

I looked back, but I wasn't greeted by Blaze now; Lex was upfront and staring back at me.

His hand had been on my waist the entire time, calming me down, but not at the same time; it was sending something to my core that made my whole body want him more. Bex would often send me an image, but I had to shoot it down before it affected me more. I cleared my throat. "So, you think Blaze talking to me would make a difference," I said. Lex tensed at the statement, but I moved slightly, which made me look up at him and stare. "I agree we are mates," I said. "But we have to take it slow."

Lex's hands on my waist loosen but stay gently on my shorts. "That's all I want, Rox," he said softly with a slow grin pulling up the corners of his mouth. "I will go at your own pace, but I have one request."

I stared at him, wondering where the hell this was going.

Lex stared at me and moved one hand to my chin. He placed his finger on it and tilted my head for me to look him directly in the eyes. "I want to announce to the pack that you're my mate," he said, but I couldn't help but frown. Lex shook his head, "Please hear me out."

I didn't say anything to him, and he stared at me for a moment and then carried on. "I want to tell them you're my mate; I should have done it that day on the training ground. I should have claimed you as mine. The whole reason I never did was to give you time to adjust to knowing I was yours; I never meant for you to think or believe that I was still the same dumbass that made you leave."

His eyes searched mine, but he carried on. "I would never be like that," he said. "I stopped everything once Blaze started to calm down and even told Naomi about us. She accepted; well, I thought she did. I never wanted her, Rox. I was always keen on you, but you were too young for me, and being Jason's little sister never helped. I would never treat you like that, and I would make you my queen and Luna. I would never let anyone hurt you, or I would kill them."

I couldn't help my heart swell slightly at everything he said to me.

"He's telling the truth," Bex said softly. "He means everything he has been saying."

I sighed and stared at him. "I..." I said, but I stopped myself. I stared at him, but I knew I must forgive him; I wanted to. We all have pasts, but I was hurt. Yeah, I had a few relationships along the way, but it was just s*x twice with two men, and kissing Ana meant nothing to me.

"I want to forgive you," I muttered to him. "I want to."

I looked at him, searched his face, and sighed again. "I think telling the pack will be okay, but can we still take it slow?"

Lex smiled and nodded. "That's all I want," he said. "We will go at your pace, and you can tell me what you want from me. As for telling the pack, we will tell them when we both are there."

I nodded.

I looked over to the side, wondering what the time was. We had been in the changing rooms for ages, and I bet people were wondering where we were.

But before I could suggest anything, Lex spoke. "I want you to tell everyone as I want there to be no mistakes," he said, but I couldn't help but feel confused.

"He's on about the other alpha," blurted out Bex.

Oh crap! I forgot about him, but what has Alpha Trevor have to do with this?

"Alpha Trevor," I said, which made Lex look at me. He stared at me but didn't say anything. "I don't know what his deal is," I said. "When I saw him before the fight, he saw me with Alpha Gareth. I didn't get a good vibe from him. Something about him..." I mutter the last part, but Lex lets out a low growl, and his grip on my waist tightens. I looked up at him, and his eyes flashed between Blaze and his.

"Don't..." he stuttered out and closed his eyes.

"Touch him," said Bex as she came closer, feeling the tension in the air change. "It will help them calm down."

I did as she said and placed my hand on Lex's face. Lex leaned into my touch, opened his eyes, and stared down at me. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "Balze doesn't like what he insinuated earlier, and it's getting him riled up."

I nodded. "It's okay," I said, moving my hand back down, feeling slightly awkward. I stared at Lex. "Why are you here?" I asked, "I guess it wasn't just for me. I mean, it might be part of it, but I know my father would never have told Alpha Frank where I was unless there was a good reason."

Lex stares at me but sighs. "I needed to talk to Alpha Trevor about the rogue attacks," he said.

I frowned. "Why?" I asked.

"Alpha Trevor doesn't live too far from Alpha Dean and us," he said. "I wanted to ask him if he had any coming onto his territory, but he hasn't gotten back to either Alpha Dean or me."

I stared at him; that was odd.

"Why would he be like that?" I asked.

Lex shrugged, "I don't know, Rox," he said. "I'm more concerned about why he thought he would announce you as his mate when he clearly knows you are not." The last statement came out through clenched teeth, and I knew it pissed him off. But he does have a point; why would Alpha Trevor do something like that?

"Rox," he called out, pulling me from my thoughts. "Look, I know this is all weird and confusing, but could I walk you back to Keith's house," he asked. "I want to make sure that Alpha Trevor isn't going to try anything."

He had a point, Alpha Trevor had a goal this evening, and it backfired. I don't even know the man, but something about him made the hair on my neck stand up on end, and the shiver, whenever he came near me made it even worse.

I looked at Lex and nodded.

He smiled.

I frowned. "You can," I said but looked around the changing room. I needed a shower, as I smelled so bad from the fight.

"I need to shower," I said and looked back at him. "I can use the showers in the room, but could you wait outside while I have one? I'll be quick."

Lex looked at me, and I could see the disappointment on his face.

My head was about to explode between the fight and Blaze's talk. My head was whirling around with everything Blaze had said, but Alpha Trevor and some things weren't adding up. I needed space, but it wasn't from Lex as such. I looked at Lex, and he moved back, releasing my waist from his grasp. I have to admit that it felt weird without them being there.

I moved slightly but stopped in front of him and looked up. "You can stay in here," I said. "I won't be long." I knew I could dress in the bathroom.

Lex nodded.

I walked away and grabbed my gym bag with the change of clothes I had placed earlier. I walked toward the bathroom, but I could feel Lex's eyes on me the whole time till I closed the bathroom door behind me.

I leaned on it for support.

Our mate bond was affecting me. Everything in my core was ignited by the touch left, and I knew I had to control myself as I didn't want them to know how turned on I was.

I switched on the shower and stripped out of my clothes.

I walked into the shower and let the water wash over me, taking away the aches and the pain in my rib that was healing, which was thanks to Bex.

I knew I had to get out soon, but I needed to feel the warmth of the water and try not to be in my head.

The thought of Lex being outside excited me more. Bex was purring in my head as the water cascaded down, and I couldn't help but close my eyes for a few moments, taking it all in.