I am indeed a piece of trash.

The moment she uttered those words, her body crumbled. She fell into my arms and instantly broke down into uncontrollable tears.

My arms unconsciously wrapped itself around her small frame as I carried her on my lap. I had long since moved us to sit by the edge of the pool the moment she began her story.

Her frail form shook beneath my arms and the sound of her broken sobs did nothing but intensify the rage inside of me.

Emotions battled within me. I was enraged at the thought of that filthy mongrel and what he did to her. How could someone inflict so much pain on an innocent person and that too on family?

I wanted so badly to crush his skull with my bare hands and especially cut off those hands he used to inflict scars on her body. I would then burn the hands to crisp right in front of him and use the ash to mark my path on his pathetic body.

I wanted to rip his insides, slowly, piece by piece while I watch the life drain out of his eyes. Deep down I knew it would never be enough to satisfy my hunger, but that did not take away the need for me to inflict pain on the coward.

At the same time, I also wanted to comfort Tara and shield her from the pains of her past. I was at loss. I did not know how to console my crying female, at the same time vent my anger and frustrations out.

The battle between the two played out in my mind, driving me crazy in the process. Until a heart-rending whimper broke out of her and immediately, all thoughts were pushed to the back of my mind except the need to comfort her.

''Everything will be okay, my Rose, please do not cry. I cannot stand the sight of your tears for it breaks my heart,'' I pleaded with her in a soft tone with the hope that she would stop crying.

My words did not have the desired effect. Instead, it seemed like my words triggered something within her because instantly, she buried her face into my neck and cried harder.

I began to have a full blown panic when her tears did not cease. What could I do to make her pain stop? How can I console her without saying a word to offend her more?

The frustration I felt at the moment threatened to burst out of me. My breath came out in a short, hurried pace as my body started to become hot, a sign that I was quickly losing control of my anger. The helplessness I felt made me want to punch something or rather someone.

White-hot anger lit up like wildfire and spread through my veins. It was like a raging inferno had been awoken within me, filling my mind with carnal intent.

Bloodlust.

The only thing that kept me from exploding was the sweet female within my arms, my Rose.

I adjusted her position on my lap until she straddled both sides of my hip. Her head was hung down, refusing to meet my gaze, loud wails now reduced to soft sniffles and gentle hiccups.

I raised her chin softly with the pad of my thumbs, urging her to meet my gaze. She hesitantly raised her head up and what I saw beneath those grey depths caused my heart to lurch painfully.

Growing doubt.

Absolute defeat.

Helpless fear.

Burning pain, so much pain and an unmistakable glint of regret.

The last flash of emotion raised questions in my mind. Did she regret telling me about her past?

I would not have her doubt herself.

''I cannot begin to understand how much pain and suffering you have been through. The fact that you are here, right in front of me, still smiling and standing strong despite the darkness of your past is a true proof of your bravery and strength,''

Grey eyes looked at me with confusion and a glimmer of hesitancy. A strange feeling grew in me as my heart warmed with nothing but complete and utter adoration for this female.

''I do not know the full details of your past and the horrors you must have faced alone, but what I do know is that I am proud of the female I see now,'' I wiped off the lone tear that dribbled down her flushed cheek. ''Yes, she is not perfect. Her body may be forever scarred, her mind may be heavy with distrust and anger at the world and her soul may never recover from the blight of her past, but, my Rose,''

I stared deep into those beautiful eyes. ''That is what I am here for and I believe that is why you were sent to me. To heal your body, mind and soul.''

The moment I uttered those words, her face broke into the most breathtaking smiles and I found myself trying to breathe. I returned her smile with one of mine as tears of happiness dribbled down her cheeks.

At the sight of her smile, I felt the muscles in my body relax. The rage and bloodlust still burned steadily, ready to destroy anything in the way, but now kept at bay patiently waiting for the right moment to attack.

''You really mean that? Every word you said, was it true? Is that how you think of me?'' She asked. Her voice still shaky with doubt.

I nodded my head and brushed back little hairs from her forehead. ''I mean every word I said. You mean a lot to me and nothing you say will change the way I think of you,''

Any remnants of doubt, fear and regret vanished from her face. In place was unbridled happiness and adoration. She looked like an angel smiling at me from above.

A musical sound released from her throat while her body shook strangely. I was confused at her behavior, thinking her to be unwell, until I realized that it was the sound of joy the females in my Clàn make whenever in the presence of their lifemates.

A pleased rumble grew in my chest as I fought off the urge to beat at my chest with pride. Pride at being able to make my Rose make that sound.

I want to always hear that sound.

She cupped my cheek and lovingly gazed down at me. ''You have no idea how much your words mean to me. Thank you, Red.''

I burrowed into her palm and placed a kiss at the centre. My eyes drifted to her lips which were suddenly looking irresistible. I raised my eyes to stare into hers, only to find her also looking at my lips as if in a trance.

A low stirring rumbled in my abdomen the more I continued to stare at her lips without shame.

I could not pull my gaze away even if I wanted to. How could I when her lips looked so soft, and plump and inviting?

I tried to ignore the strong, heady tension between us but it was difficult. The pull between us made it all the more hard to resist. Finally, when I could not fight it anymore, I buried my hands in her soft, dark curls and pulled her in for a kiss.

As expected, the kiss was like nothing I have ever felt. Slow and gentle yet filled with raw passion.

Our lips molded perfectly with one another as pleasurable sparks took over my body. I could not think. My mind was consumed with the feel and taste of her and her alone, yet it was not enough.

A content purr rumbled in her chest as she tilted her head sideways and ran her hands over my chest. A involuntary shiver rushed through my body at her touch and the little minx smiled against my lips.

I could never get used to the feeling of peace and the way my heart felt light whenever we were together.

I savored the taste of her one last time, brushing my tongue against her bottom lip, before I reluctantly pulled away.

''Thank you for telling me, my Rose,'' I placed a quick kiss to her nose to which she responded with a familiar musical sound that warmed my insides.

Our path will be long and hard, filled with obstacles and hurdles but as long as we were together, as long as she was by my side, everything was going to be okay.