Chapter 6 - Scars

Hailey's P.O.V.

As I cry into Thor's fur, I feel him go from soft to hard. When I open my eyes, I realize I'm hugging Dante now. I don't let go; I hold him tighter.

"I won't ever leave you." He whispers against my ear.

"How can you say that? Nothing is guaranteed." I dry my tears and look up into his eyes.

"Do you remember when I said you're my mate?" I nod. "Werewolves have mates. Their mate is the one person they're meant to be with. You're my fated mate, which means the Moon Goddess, Selene, made us for each other."

I stare at him in disbelief. We're made for each other? When I feel something poking my belly, I look down and realize he's still naked. Dante looks down to and quickly grabs his boxers and puts them on. I guess both Thor's have been put back in their cages.

"I'm not a werewolf. How can I be your mate?" Dante pulls me over to the couch in front of the fireplace, sits down with me across his lap, and wraps his arms around me. Oh, I like this. I feel like I'm in a warm cocoon.

"We can mate with anyone. Humans, werewolves, other shifters, vampires, and even witches." What, just a minute.

"Are you telling me there are other shifters, vampires, and witches out there? Are you sure I'm not dreaming? Did I get hit in the head because this can't be real?" Dante smiles and nods.

"They're all real, and you're not dreaming. The sparks you feel when I touch you are from the mate bond. That's why you only feel them with me and no one else. We complete each other. You're my missing half, who I've been searching for." Yeah, this has to be love. Who wouldn't love to be spoken to like that? Shouldn't I be running away screaming rather than sitting on the lap of a werewolf? I guess this is less scary than what I experienced with my family or on the streets, so werewolf it is.

"I'm really your mate? Does that mean you can't hurt me?" I ask, looking down at my hands. It may be a silly question, but I don't want to be hurt anymore. Physically or emotionally.

"I will never hurt you, and I'll kill anyone who tries. Do you trust me?" Dante asks. I know he's asking this because he understands my reluctance to trust anyone. However, I do trust him. I trust him with my life and my heart.

"Yes." I run my fingers through his long brown hair. Is it possible for a man to be beautiful? That's the only way to describe Dante.

He smiles and leans forward to kiss me. It's more intense this time like we're hungry for each other. I feel his tongue poking my lips and open them to let him in. When our tongues meet, I feel like I'm going to explode. My body is trembling from all the emotions running through me. When we need air, he pulls back and puts his forehead against mine.

"Are you really okay with all this?" He asks before kissing me again.

"It's unbelievable, but yes, I'm okay with it. I bet it feels amazing to run as a wolf." I say, thinking of the wind blowing in my fur. I wish I could experience that.

"It does. I have something else to tell you. If you accept me as your mate, I will mark you, and you'll be a werewolf too." Once again, I'm speechless. I'll be a werewolf?

"What?" I whisper. He runs his finger on the sensitive skin between my neck and collarbone.

"I'll bite you right here. My canines will go deep to get into your bloodstream. It can take a couple of weeks for the whole transition to take place, but once it does, you'll be a werewolf." He kisses my forehead and then my lips. I'm still in shock. Not only am I the mate of a werewolf, but I can be one too. This is a lot to take in.

"Don't worry, you don't have to decide anything right now. In fact, if you don't want to be my mate, you can reject me." That snaps me from my trance. He sounds hurt.

"Why would I reject you?" I ask, lying my head on his shoulder.

"Some fated mates reject each other if they decide to have a chosen mate or if they're human, they may not want this life." He's speaking so quietly that I can barely hear him. I kiss his cheek and snuggle into him.

"I'm just trying to process everything, but I'm not going to reject you." He sighs in relief.

"Good. Now, how about we get some breakfast or brunch since it's now eleven?" Before he finishes speaking, the doorbell rings. I feel instant dread. Is it going to be that bitch Allison, again?

Dante puts me on my feet and quickly throws on a shirt and shorts. I want to go with him but don't want to be pushy. I'm only wearing a long T-shirt and his boxers, so I'm not really dressed appropriately for guests. He doesn't give me time to think as he takes my hand and pulls me out of the room. The doorbell goes off repeatedly. When he opens the door, I see three people. Two women and Ellis.

"It's about time." The younger of the two women says. I hide slightly behind Dante. She's beautiful with curly blonde hair and blue eyes. Is this another woman wanting to take Dante from me? She looks at me and smiles brightly. "You're so pretty."

"Leela, Natalie, this is my mate Hailey. Leela is Ellis's mom, and Natalie is his sister." Dante says, pulling me forward. I'm so embarrassed. My hair's a mess, and I'm in his clothes while they look like they just stepped out of a fashion magazine. Just when I'm about ready to cry, Natalie drops the bags I didn't realize she was carrying and hugs me.

"It's so nice to meet you. I hope you're hungry. I brought pastries and fruit." She says. I could get used to these hugs. I can't remember when the last time I ate was. My body is so used to going without food that I could go a couple of days without feeling hungry. When Natalie pulls away, she takes my hand and leads me to the kitchen.

"I couldn't believe it when Ellis said Dante met his mate last night. He told me you were small, so I brought you some clothes to try on. You'll look good in anything with your complexion and beautiful hair." I like Natalie mostly because she talks nonstop, so I don't have to. She has me sit in a chair at the kitchen table, and the others join us. Leela sits next to me and takes my hands. So I take it these people are all touchy-feely.

"It's so good to meet you, dear. I'm assuming Dante told you about us?" She asks me. I don't know how to answer that. Is she talking about them coming here or about being werewolves? Luckily, I don't need to answer her. Dante takes my other hand.

"Yes, we just got done talking before you showed up." Leela's blue eyes light up. Another thing they all have in common is those clear blue eyes. Am I in the twilight zone?

"Excellent. You're still here, so I guess that means he didn't scare you away." I giggle when I hear Thor growl lightly. Natalie places a plate in front of me filled with fruit and pastries. This can't all be for me. I don't typically eat this much in a day. My eyes widen as she gives everyone plates filled like mine. Natalie looks at me with concern as everyone else begins eating, but I haven't moved.

"Are you okay? You don't have any allergies or anything, do you?" She asks. I shake my head and look down.

"No. I'm just not used to this much food." It gets so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Are they thinking someone like me isn't good enough to be in their pack? I'm suddenly wrapped up in a sandwich made of me, Leela, and Natalie. Both of them are crying.

"Oh, honey, I'm so sorry. Ellis told us Dante met you last night and that you were human but nothing else." I fight back my tears as they stroke my head and hug me. I'm blown away by their kindness.

When they pull away, I begin eating. The fruit is so fresh and juicy that I want to savor the taste. When I bite into one of the pastries, it takes everything in me not to moan. The only time I've had anything like this is when I've found some stale ones someone has thrown away. I can only eat about half of what Natalie gave me, but I feel like I'm going to burst.

"Alright, now that we're all full, it's time for the clothes." Natalie claps her hands with excitement. I think she's about my age, but I can't quite tell. She grabs my hand and pulls me out of my chair. I look at Dante, and he winks and smiles at me. Leela and Natalie take me to what I'm assuming is a guest bedroom.

"Alright, first, I want you to go take a shower. I bought you everything you need." Natalie hands me a bag with body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and other things I can't identify. I look at it all in amazement. Leela leads me into the bathroom and turns the water on. They probably think I'm pathetic. I've barely spoken to them, but that's how I am until I warm up to people. I don't want to sound dumb, so I don't say anything. Leela sits on the toilet and looks at me. She has the same blonde hair as her daughter.

"Are you okay? I know this is probably overwhelming, but don't let it get to you. We're all here to help you with whatever you need." I stare at her, unsure what to say.

"Until yesterday, I was living on the streets. That's been my home for over three years. I'm not used to being around people that want to help me. I'm used to people that want to hurt me." I look down at my feet. Leela stands up and hugs me. Is that what mothers are supposed to do? I wouldn't know.

"Sweetheart, no one's going to hurt you anymore. Dante's a good man. I couldn't have asked for anyone better for you, even if you were my own daughter. I'm going to let you shower. I'll be out here with Natalie. I know she's loud and talks a lot, but she has a good heart." I smile up at Leela. Is everyone taller than me?

"I like that she talks so much. I usually don't know what to say, anyway." Leela giggles and then gives me another hug.

"You two will get along great, then. We'll be out here." After she leaves, I remove my clothes and get a washcloth off the rack. I step into the strong shower spray, and I want to cry. It feels so good. I grab the bag that I left right outside the shower and pull out the things I need. I don't take out the razor because Karina waxed my legs yesterday, so they're still nice and smooth.

I would like to stay in the shower all day, but I know they're waiting for me, so I get out after finishing everything. I wrap the towel around myself and hesitantly open the door. I look around in shock. How long was I in there? There are clothes everywhere.

"I know it's a lot, but I didn't know what you'd like," Natalie says, coming over and putting her arm around me. I can see the tags attached to the clothes. These are new? I've never had new clothes. Even when I was growing up, my parents only got me clothes from a thrift store when they had to.

"I'm not picky," I tell her nervously. She claps her hands excitedly. I take it that she gets excited a lot.

"Perfect. Then, let's get started. Here are some panties for you. Go ahead and put whatever ones you want on." I look where she points on top of the dresser. There are about twenty pairs of panties. There are lace, thongs, and satin of all different colors. I choose the pale green lace pair and slide them on under my towel.

"I don't think you'll need a bra right now, so we'll leave them here for later. Now, do you want pants, shorts, a skirt, or a dress?" Natalie takes me to the bed, where everything is laid out. I would typically go for the pants. Now that I'm not on the street and don't need to be completely covered, I decide to wear shorts.

"Shorts," I reply. Natalie picks up a pair of white denim shorts. She then goes over to the shirts, looks at me, and then back at the shirts. She chooses a bright pink crop top.

"Sit in the chair. I'm going to do your hair, and then you can get dressed." I do as she says, and she sprays something on my hair that smells fruity. She then blow-dries it. When she's done, Natalie straightens my hair, and I can't believe how shiny it is when I look in the mirror.

"Your hair is really gorgeous. Now go ahead and get dressed." I debate going into the bathroom to change, but I decide to stay in the bedroom. I drop the towel and put the shorts on, followed by the crop top. I feel exposed with some of my midsection showing. When I turn around, my smile falls. Leela and Natalie are looking at me in horror. I look down at my clothes. Did I forget something?

"I'm sorry. Did I do something wrong?" I ask them nervously. They both snap out of whatever put them in a trance.

"No. What happened to your back?" Leela asks. Her voice is shaky. I forgot about my back. That was so long ago, and it's one of the things that gives me night terrors.

"That's from a long time ago. When my mom set me on fire."