Vince got to his office even earlier than usual even without sleep, hoping that his mate was ok. Unfortunately, he can't shake the feeling that something awful had indeed happened.

I'm pretty sure, V, and if he just as much as yelled at her, I can tell you, I won't rest until he…

"I know, Roth, but there was nothing we could do last night. Do you think I didn't want to stay with her? To even kill the guy? My calling the cops, would've made me feel better but I can't force my decisions on her! Not with how she reacted to my suggestion. I just hope…"

Suddenly, he heard a soft, shy knock on the door.

"Yes, come in," he said, trying to look busy, as he was pretty sure he knew who was knocking.

Her scent entered the room, announcing her presence before he even saw her. He kept his eyes on the computer, holding back his intense urge of running to her as soon as she opened the door.

"Uhhh… Good morning, sir."

Sir? That's a bad start… Yesterday, it was still V… Dude, I tell you, something's wrong, Roth howled, getting desperate.

Shut up, Roth. You're making me even more nervous. Please!

"Good morning, Elena. How was your night?" he said, finally looking up from his laptop.

"It was ok, but… I need to talk to you about something… I uhhh…"

It was evident that she was having trouble completing her phrases. Vince tried to avoid looking anxious, but when he finally took a good look at her…

She's her usual beautiful self, wearing a black skirt, white shirt, and a chic gray coat covered in black squares. Her hair looks different, though…

His Elena was now wearing her hair in a bun, but her bangs covered half of her face in a very unnatural way. V's thick eyebrows furrowed as he realized he hadn't seen her wear her hair like this before, not even in any of her corporate pics. His stomach twisted into a knot at the realization that was currently forming in his mind…

He got up from his chair and walked towards her. Siel was still nearer the doorway than his desk, as if she was making sure she had an easy escape route if she needed to run.

Run from what, Elena?

Vince was almost sure she gasped as she saw him coming closer. She even took a small step back, so he decided to pause in the middle of the room.

"Elena, why do I feel like you don't want me to get close to you?"

"Well, I… That's exactly what I need to talk to you about… it's regarding… Please, hear me out first?"

"I'll hear what you have to say if you tell me what happened to you."

"What do you mean? Nothing happened…" She lowered her head and took another unsteady step back.

"Elena, please… look at me. Just stay there."

"V, please… this is already hard for me to say…" They said those words both at the same time.

She froze.

He moved.

Vince took two long steps forward, in wolf speed, so she almost didn't notice when he was already standing right in front of her. Her gasp was more obvious now, and so was her sudden whimper of fear when he softly raised his hand to her face…

Carefully, as if trying to get close to a scared puppy that had been hurt by a former owner, his fingers softly touched her forehead and slid it to the side, parting her hair away from her face…

Exposing a huge blackish-blue bruise above her eyebrow.

Also, there was the telltale discoloring near and even around her eye. It was an angry purple above patches of dark pink and yellow…

Vince felt like he was choking on his own breath.

THAT SON OF A…

Roth… stop… look at her. Calm down. We can't do that to her. She went through enough already. Help me help her… by controlling yourself…

"I… I fell… and hurt myself… that was after you left. I told you I'm pretty lame when it comes to drinking," she explained breathlessly.

Riiight… you were almost completely sobered up by the time I brought you home, Elena. No, you're a pretty bad liar, my dearest mate. Something that I will add to the reasons why I'm so in love with you. But him… HOW DARE HE HURT YOU…

Noticing the shame and sadness in her eyes, he decided to not point out her efforts to hide the truth from him. Instead, he cupped her face again, like the day she came to confront him about the presents. He intently looked at her beautiful hazel eyes, missing the glitter of happiness he had seen in them the day before.

How is it possible that he could do this to you? If he can't treat you decently… if he already lost the motivation to make you happy… then why can't he just let you be?

His voice was soft and tender when he finally spoke, "Elena, I told you before, it's entirely up to you if you want to go out with me or not. And none of your personal decisions will affect your professional career here at Silvercrest. If you don't want me to treat you in any way other than an employee, I can do that, but those bruises… Like I told you before, I really care about you and hope you can trust me enough to tell me what really happened."

Not because I might already know, but because you want to tell me…

"V, really, you don't need to be so concerned. I'm alright… really…"

It must have been that almost imperceptible choked sob he heard between her strong, courageous words or that look of forced bravery he saw transform her face instantly. Whatever it was, his heart now broke, badly enough for him to just let himself go…

His strong hands left her face, and his muscular arms went around her in a loving and tender embrace. His chin instinctively nuzzled her hair as he brought her close to him. His torso and arms seemed made to keep her completely enclosed, safe from all possible harm in the word.

And she felt exactly that…

Siel suddenly felt overwhelmed with so many feelings and sensations. His scent, his warmth, his care…

It was too much for her to take, so she let herself finally break down.

Vince wasn't too surprised as he felt her start to tremble against him and sob. She had buried herself in his coat, her hands grabbing his shirt as if her life depended on it. He held her tighter as she moistened his clothes with her tears, her whimpers stabbing his mind and her wails shredding his emotions.

But he had to be strong for her, so he contained all his suffering and wrath as he comforted her from her own grief. It hurt like hell since this is the only thing, she wanted from him. No matter, he's willing to give it since it's the only thing he could offer her… For now.

* * *

The moment Siel's ride had already driven away, another car parked in front of her house. Jonah stepped out along with two other guys. He motioned them to hide at the side of the small bungalow as he knocked on the door.

Nella yelled from inside, "You have some nerve coming here after what you did to Siel!"

"I know. And I just wanted to apologize for what happened last night."

"She's not here."

"Not to her. To my kids. That was a really traumatizing thing I put them through. I want to make up for it."

The locks on the doors clicked, and Nella peeked from behind the safety of the front door chain lock, stretched to its fullest. "And how do you plan to do that?"

"By bringing them to their dentist, along with you, of course. She told me about it last night, so I'm giving you guys a ride and a visit to a kiddie place for ice cream after that."

"Siel left me her car keys. I can drive ourselves easily."

"Come on, Nella. You know it's gonna be hard for you to handle two kids at once while traveling. I can help. I'm still their father, and I really, REALLY do want to make things up to them."

Humph, he has a point. He's probably scared now because he's got competition. But I need to tell Siel first. Besides, he might make trouble if I don't let him see his kids at the very least.

The door closed momentarily as Jonah heard the chain lock being released. The door opened to a still stern-looking Nella, with her arms across her chest.

"Come on in, but I'm calling their mother first. Go ahead and take a peek at the kids while I make the call."

Jonah took a side glance at the silvery-white Christmas Tree in the corner with its treasure trove of gifts, then replied to Nella with an overly saccharine tone. "Thanks, Nella. You really are a great friend to my wife and nanny to my kids."

"She's your EX-wife, Jonah. Remember that, please," the babysitter dismissively said putting a heavy tone on her last two words; as she started searching for her phone among her belongings on the kitchen counter.

Jonah dropped the smile immediately after Nella turned around, Fuck you! Acting like the boss when you're just the help. I'll get back at you someday, you'll see.

Nella's frown deepened as soon as she walked away from Jonah, Someday, I'll be able to tell the authorities about everything that I know about you, you asshole. Just you wait and see…

* * *

"Thanks a lot, V. Do you mind if I sit down now so I can tell you… what you want to know?"

Now smiling, Vince tenderly looked at the most treasured person he had in his life and led her to the long couch just beside his door. He then walked over to his office's minibar and took out some linen that was used as hot towelettes. Him being a wolf and an Alpha, he knew a thing or two on how to heal bruises and wounds.

He brought out an ice pack from the mini-fridge beside the bar and wrapped it in the cloth he was carrying. Grabbing a bottle of water, he went back to his executive table and pulled a small bottle from a hidden drawer.

"You did say you're not allergic to food? How about to meds?" He asked the still miserable woman sitting on his leather lounge seat.

"Not really. But I am to assholes," she sighed, to which V responded with a sad smile.

"Let's put this pack on your bruise and keep it there for ten minutes. During that time, I will listen to whatever you wanna tell me. Deal?"

"Deal…"

Vince then took a seat beside her while handing her the bottle of water. He let her drink first before he carefully placed the now very cold towel over her bruises. He felt himself internally cringe as she winced.

How could that bastard hit the mother of his babies? growled the voice in his head.

I know, Roth. Stay calm for now. We'll find a way to fix this later. But first, we focus on her.

And so, they listened… even as her words and revelations tore through their hearts…