"Who is Bexley?"

As soon as I asked the question, the air in the car changed. The girls in front snickered, trying desperately to hold in their laughter. Then there is Ares. Who looks like he's about to pop a blood vessel in his forehead. "Don't worry about it." He said as he turned back in his seat to face forward.

"Why not?" I asked.

"You used your two questions already pet." Ares said.

"I can't believe you call her that." Kee said.

"Is she your ex or something?" I asked ignoring Kee.

Ares sighed heavily. He looked down at me. I smiled up at him.

"You're not going to stop are you?" He asked.

I shook my head. "Not unless you gag me." I said.

"Don't think I won't." Ares said lowly.

His words sparked something in me, something that I don't quite understand.

"You wouldn't be the first." I said softly.

A look of pain flashed across Ares eyes for just a moment. That confused me. Why would he be in pain?

He doesn't want to hurt us. Honi said.

Then why would he gag me? I asked.

For fun. She said.

Fun? I asked.

"How can gagging me be fun?" I asked out loud.

Karla sputtered out laughter, choking on her water.

Ares raised a brow at me. "Who said it would be for fun?" He asked.

"Honi said you want to do it for fun." I said.

"Honi is your wolf?" Ares asked.

I nodded.

"Well, she is very smart, but that's not a converation I am having with my little sister in the car." Ares said as he turned his eyes from mine. "Thank the Goddess for that." Kee muttered making Karla laugh.

"So," I said looking at Ares. "Is Bexley your ex?" I asked.

Ares shook his head. "No, she is a friend of the family." He said.

"Bexley is one of my best friends. You'll love her." Kee said.

Ares growled. "She isn't to know about my mate." He stated.

Karla laughed. "Please, she'll replace out Ares."

"Yeah, but with any luck, it'll be a very long time from now." Ares said.

Karal turned in her seat to look at me.

"He's afraid that she will corrupt you that's all." She told me.

"Corrupt me? I'm already kind of corrupted. I've killed 37 people." I said.

Karla blinked at me for a few seconds.

"That's.. There are other.." She seems to be struggling for words.

"There are other ways to be corrupted Emilia." Ares said.

I turned to him.

"Like what kind of ways? Like I could be evil?" I asked.

Ares shook his head. "Bexley just has a thing for pushing peoples buttons. I don't need her influencing you more. You push me enough." He said. "Oh."

I guess that makes sense.

"You kept count?" Kee asked.

"Huh?" I asked back.

"You said you killed 37 people. You kept count?" She asked again.

I wrapped my arms around myself, and looked out the window.

"I felt like I had to." I said.

"You do understand that it was all self defense right?" Kee asked sternly.

I shrugged. "Does it matter? They're dead."

Ares wrapped his arms around my shoulders, and pulled me flush against him. I pushed off of him, trying to get a few inches of space. Ares just held me tighter. "You could give me some space ya know." I grumbled.

"You could keep your mouth shut, and just enjoy the comfort." Ares replied.

"Comfort?" I scoffed. "Your body is rock solid. Comfort my ass." I said.

Ares brought his lips down to my ear.

"Half of that was a lie. I wonder which part it could have been." He said lowly.

Damn, that fucking voice.

I snapped my head to Ares, ready to give him a piece of my mind. Only, Ares is a bit closer than I thought. He's only an inch or two from my face.

My eyes flickered from Ares eyes to his lips. He has nice lips. They're so full, and juicy looking.

Taste them.

Should I? I mean, I'm already so close. All I have to do is lean up, just a bit.

"Wow, is it hot in here, or what?" Kee asked ruining the moment.

Ares face turned into a scowl, and he turned away from me.

"Nice Kee. Thanks." He grumbled.

"No problem bro." She replied.

I looked out the window for a while as we drove. The moment we left the territory, I felt it. Then I peered out the window after that.

It's been so long since I've seen... well, anything. We passed a few towns, but mostly it's just open road. I still love it. Even being in this car, it feels freeing. "So," I opened my mouth after about an hour.

Ares sighed.

"You really knew my friends were going to want to come?" I asked Ares.

"No." He said. "My little sister told my mom, who called to tell me."

I furrowed my brow, and looked at Kee.

"You knew?" I asked.

I'm confused. Why wouldn't she just tell Ares herself since she's here? And how was she so sure it would be okay for them to come?

"Not me." Kee said.

"Our youngest sister. She's a Seer." Ares said.

"Uh, oh." I said. "I thought that Seer's didn't exist anymore?" I asked.

"So did we." Ares said.

"Ooookay." I said.

Karla laughed. "Don't worry. Mo will tell you when you meet her." She said.

"Okay." I mumbled.

Then I looked at my mate. He's so handsome. Espeically sitting there with his head back, and his eyes closed. Not talking.

"So, if you knew they were going to want to come, why didn't you just tell them to? Why did you pack their things behind our backs?" I asked.

"I needed to see how loyal they are first." He said.

I furrowed my brow. "Why would they have any loyalty to you? They don't even know you." I said.

"Not to me, to you." He said.

"Oh."

That wasn't what I was expecting.

Our mate cares about who is in our life. Honi said.

I guess he does. I replied.

"So, how many siblings do you have?" I asked Ares.

Ares sighed heavily again.

"I'm not going to stop talking. I have questions. You can answer them, or I can hold them all in until I replace Bexley, and then I can ask her." I said.

Ares snapped his eyes open to me, and I smiled at him. Karla and Kee snorted in the front seat. Ares ignored them as he glared at me.

"I have 11 siblings." He stated.

My eyes went wide.

"Holy f*****g shit. That's.. holy fuck. Is your mom okay?" I asked.

Karla snorted louder.

Ares gave me a bored look.

"Well, I certainly hope you don't want that many kids." I said with a shutter.

"I don't want kids." Ares stated.

"You don't?" I asked.

Ares shook his head.

Why does that make me feel weird? Do I want kids? I never really thought about it. I've been locked away for the last five years. I never thought I would make it out of there. Before that, my only thoughts were getting Noah and I out. I never thought about having my own life. I want pups. Honi said.

Well, our mate doesn't so. I said snarkily.

We can change his mind. She said.

I doubt that. I argued.

I bet we can. Honi argued back.

"What if I want kids?" I asked.

Ares looked at me.

"Do you?" He asked.

"Maybe." I said.

"How about we just get through what's going on right now?" Ares suggested.

That wasn't a no..

Told ya. Honi said.

"I'll introduce you to the terror twins, then we'll see how badly you want kids." Ares said.

"Who are the terror twins?" I asked.

"A couple of my nephews." Ares said.

"Oh, how many nephews, and nieces do you have?" I asked.

Ares seemed to think for a moment.

"26. For now." Kee answered for him.

"Wow.." I breathed out.

"Does that mean you aren't the oldest?" I asked Ares.

He shook his head.

"What one are you then?" I asked.

"I am the sixth, but I have twin. I was born first though." Ares said.

"Oh. That's cool I guess. How old are you?" I asked.

"24." He said.

"How long have you been in the BOC?"

"Six years."

"Wow, since you were 18. Cool."

Nothing.

"Is your twin identical?" I asked.

Ares nodded.

That means he's hot. Honi said.

I laughed at her.

"Is he as assholey as you?" I asked.

Karla snorted.

"Why don't you just relax for a bit Emilia." Ares said.

"But I just slept for three days. I haven't gotten to know you at all." I argued.

Ares blew out a breath.

"Fine. Ask away." He said.

"Hmmm, do you go on a lot of missions?"

"Yes."

"Are they all dangerous?"

"Mostly."

"Have you ever gotten badly hurt?"

Ares turned his eyes to me.

"Sometimes."

I frowned. I'm not sure I like the sound of that.

Our mate can't die. Honi reminded me.

"Have you killed people?" I asked.

"Yes."

"How many?" I asked.

"I don't know." Ares said before resting his head back again.

"More than me?" I asked.

"Much more." Ares said.

"Were they all bad?" I asked.

"Mostly."

I nodded.

"What's your favorite color?" I asked.

"I don't have one."

I scoffed. "How can you not have a favorite color?"

Ares shrugged.

"What's your wolf's name?" I asked.

"Rex."

Honi purred.

You're a wolf, not a cat. I said.

Not that she cares.

"What's it like being a Qui-brid?" I asked.

"Hard." Ares replied.

I rolled my eyes.

"I would imagine it would be easy to be so powerful." I said.

"Not when everyone is scared of you." Kee said.

I looked up at her. She's staring at the road in front of her. I wonder what that means though.

"Aren't you protectors though?" I asked.

"Drop it Emilia." Ares growled out.

I frowned.

"Fine. What's Geor-"

"Emilia enough. You can ask me questions later. Just be quiet for now." Ares bit out.

My face heated with embarrassment. I turned my head away from Ares. I scooched across the seat to look out the window. Ares didn't try to pull me back this time.

Honi, do you think our mate doesn't really want me? I asked.

Why would you think that? He saved us, and is taking us away. She said.

I asked him a lot of questions, he didn't ask me one back. Is that normal for mates? I asked.

I don't know. Honi said. Maybe he is just waiting until he has us alone. She suggested.

I nodded to her.

Maybe Honi is right. I still feel werid about it though. Almost like I'm disappointed, and sad that Ares didn't take an interest in my life. Here I was, asking him anything that came to mind, and he didn't seem interested in the slightest about me. Not that anything about me is interesting anyways.

I decided to keep quiet for the rest of the time. It's no different than every other day of my life. No one wanted me to talk before either. It's just been so long since I've had anyone to talk to.. Whatever, at least I'm out of that dungeon now.

*********************

We drove for a few hours. We past lots of towns. I loved looking out the window, and seeing all the people. It's been so long since I've seen anything other than those four dark walls.

Kee pulled over into a parking lot. She parked the car, and I looked at them all. Ares is asleep, snoring softly. The car stopping didn't wake him.

"We stopped here on our way in, and the food was really good. Let's go eat." Kee said.

I looked at her, then Ares again.

"Want to wake him?" She asked.

I hardened my face.

"Nope."

I flung the door open, and hopped out. Then I stretched my aching body as I looked around. Something about this place seems so familiar.

I followed Kee, and Karla to the front doors of the diner. They opened the door, setting off the familiar ding. That was when I realized it.

This place..

I walked in, and looked around. It's the diner where my mom met Dave. I looked down at the booth that I used to sit in, and color while Mom worked.

The sound of glass breaking had my head snapping to the side.

"Holy shit." The women breathed as she stared at me.

A broken coffee pot is on the floor in pieces, with coffee all over. I stared into the familiar eyes as the women stared back at me. Tears filled my eyes. "Mrs. Lisa?" I asked.

She looks the exact same. Maybe a bit older. Her hair is still dyed red. She still has the same kind eyes.

Mrs. Lisa walked up to me carefully. Tears filled her own eyes as she grabbed my face. She looked me over completely as the tears started to fall.

"It is you." She whispered. "I thought I would never see you again after that day."

I grabbed her wrists, and squeezed.

"I thought I would never see you again either." I said as my own tears fell.

"I never stopped thinking about you since that day.. I was so worried about you. With the way your mother dragged you out of here.." She trailed off.

"You two know each other?" Karla asked.

Mrs. Lisa turned to them. She let go of my face, and started wiping her eyes.

"Oh my, sorry about that. Why don't you all have a seat. I'm gonna be right over." Then she ushered us back to my favorite booth.

"Well, that was emotional." Karla said.

I smiled. "My mom used to work here. When I was real little. She didn't let me go to school, so I would come with her every day." I told them.

"Wow.." Karla said softly.

"This was where she met her mate. He came in here, I thought he was going to hurt her." I laughed at that part of the memory. "Then they drug me out of here while I was kicking, and screaming. Literally. I made a huge scene. They wouldn't let me say good bye to Mrs. Lisa, or even get my coloring book." I said as a single tear fell down my face.

Kee reached across the table to put her hand on mine. I looked up into her glowing green eyes. She, and Karla smiled at me.

"You can say good bye now." Kee said.

"And we can replace you a coloring book if you want." Karla added.

Kee gave her a blank look, but she just smiled at me.

I laughed, and wiped the tears from my eyes.

"Thank you." I said softly.

"So, where is your mom now?" Karla asked.

"She died giving birth to Noah." I told them.

"You don't seem too broken up about it." Karla said.

Kee elbowed her under the table, but I saw.

I only shrugged in response. Honestly, I didn't have the time to grieve my mothers death. I was too busy taking care of the child she left behind. I'm not even sure how I would have grieved. My mother had made it clear in the last months of her pregnancy that I was nothing but a burden to her.

She told me that she never wanted me.

Why should I care that she died?

Honi whined in my head, but I ignored her.

Just then a strawberry milkshake was set down in front of me. I beamed, and looked up at Mrs. Lisa's smiling face.

"You remembered." I said happily.

"Of course I remembered. You only drank one every single day." Mrs. Lisa said.

I pulled the milkshake closer to me, and did a little happy dance while I drank it.

"Soooo good. Even better than I remember. I don't think I've even had a milkshake since the last time I was here." I said.

"Your momma cut ya off huh?" Mrs. Lisa asked.

"You have no idea." I mumbled.

"How is your momma?" She asked.

I looked down at the table.

"She died about 11 years ago." I said.

"Uh.. H-how?" Mrs. Lisa asked stunned.

"She died giving birth to my little brother." I said.

How many times will I have to say this? How many people are going to ask me once we get to where we're going? I don't want to talk about it anymore.

"Oh honey, I am so sorry to hear that." Mrs. Lisa said.

"It's alright." I said with a shrug.

"So, you have a brother now? Did your momma settle down with that man that took ya'll away all those years ago?" She asked.

I nodded. "His name was Dave." I said.

I looked up into Mrs. Lisa's tired eyes.

"You didn't really know them back then did you?" She asked.

"Mom told you I was just too young to remember." I said.

Mrs. Lisa shook her head.

"You've never been a good liar kid." She said.

I frowned.

Our mate says the same thing. Honi said.

Yeah, yeah. I said.

"Well, he and my mother were made for each other. It didn't matter if I knew him or not." I said.

Mrs. Lisa placed her hand on my cheek.

"Oh ladybug, I wish I coulda just kept ya here that day." She said.

I frowned. Why would she say that? I know that I made quite the scene leaving that day, but.. I was six, why would Mrs. Lisa feel that way?

"Uhm, thank you. I wish I could have stayed with you too Mrs, Lisa." I said.

Mrs. Lisa let go of my face, and waved her hand in the air.

"Pshh, enough of that Mrs. Lisa crap. You are a grown woman now, just call me Lisa." She said.

I smiled. "Alright, Lisa."

"Well, what can I get for y'all?"

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