(Apologies for the late update and possible spelling mistakes. I've tried to write as fast as I could so a few may have slipped past me!

As always, I hope you enjoy! Please let me know what you think!xx)

Sixteen

After Killian's departure, Emma turned to the others, but a long silence followed for a while.

"Don't worry," Peter said. "My brother never breaks a promise."

She wasn't so sure about that. Killian looked really, really angry. What could she do? Emma turned to Blue, worried. What if he went to kill Neal? She needed him alive to talk! After staring for a while , she rolled her eyes, and took out her phone.

"Alright! I'll call Alec, but I can't guarantee the boss will listen, Emma."

Emma nodded, biting her lip anxiously. It was better than nothing. She hadn't met Alec yet, but seeing how mad Killian was just a moment ago, she doubted even Graham would be able to would be able to stop him if he really had gone to slaughter her ex partner. All she needed to do was talk to Neal, why did she have to worry about Killian slicing him up or something?

Blue exited the room to call her older brother, and Emma sat back against the pillows, exhausted by all the tension. Peter came and sat on the bed with her, pushing the tray forward so she could finish eating.

"Your ex is a real piece of shit."

"He wasn't always like that... when we first met he was so nice to me. His father was never keen on me and when he passed away, Neal changed completely."

"Do you have any idea why?"

Emma shuck her head, finishing her pasta while trying to think. Why, indeed? It was one of the biggest mysteries she was yet to solve. How did the death of his father have anything to do with her? It was like he hated her overnight.

"He said something about it being my fault he was an orphan."

"What does his parents death have anything to do with you?"

"I have no idea, his father committed suicide just months before he turned 18. He said his father didn't leave a note. I know the fact of loosing a family member kills a piece of you inside, losing your parents tears you apart. Knowing you're an orphan is mortifying. But I still don't understand what his death had to do with me. It's as if Neal was blaming me for his fathers suicide!"

"How on earth could that possibly be your fault?"

Emma sighed, not knowing the answer. She was there when Neal found his father, and it was one of the most horrifying things she'd ever seen. They both saw the same thing. So why did is seem like she was missing a piece of the puzzle? Why did Neal blame her?

Peter took a piece of her cake, frowning. He really looked a lot like Killian when he did that. The three brothers actually looked a lot alike, despite their different personalities. Graham was the only one with light hair, but his grey eyes were similar to Peters, and built about the same size as Killian. Peter was obviously younger, and of a lot smaller build, but he would probably catch up in the future. He noticed Emma observing him and frowned again.

"What? Is it because I took your cake?"

She laughed a bit and shuck her head. Peter could be so childish sometimes, despite only being a couple years younger than her.

"No, I was just thinking. You guys are really close."

Peter shrugged.

"We had to be. Our father was... He never gave a damn about us. He was obsessed with his alpha stuff, and never really cared about his family. The only one he ever cared about was his mate, our mum, but he changed a lot after suddenly becoming the alpha. He did nothing but work, and he didn't care for anything else anymore. And mum... Our mum was sick for as long as I can remember, but she loved us. She was the best."

Peter seemed so fond of his mother, it made Emma wonder what she looked like. Did they take after her? As for her, Emma didn't resemble her mother at all. Though she did love Emma, it felt like her parents always favoured her younger brother Oliver.

Peter took a new piece of cake and kept talking while eating.

"We took it hard when she died... But the worst was our father; he got even more violent. Her death really made him snap."

Emma frowned and sat closer to him. She knew that look in Peters eyes. She knew it all too well. Could it be?

"He beat you?" Emma asked softly. He nodded, avoiding her eyes.

"He beat anyone... Any reason was good. But Killian and Graham soon most the hits. They always protected me because I was the youngest, but that just made his even madder. Life with our father was hell. Killian stood up to him everyday, and even his beta couldn't stand him. He fought with everyone like some mad dog. He was always crazy about gaining more territory, killing vampires and even fighting other clans."

She didn't know that. Back when she was younger, the former Black Moon alpha was famous for being ruthless and extremely violent, but she never imagined he would abuse his own children. She remembered how people always respected him for chasing all of the vampires out of Storybrooke, years ago. She guessed none of them must have knew what kind of man he really was. No wonder Killian get so fierce and strong as he was, having to face that monster every day since they were young. Peter growled, turning his head to face her again.

"Honestly, Emma. If your ex is the same kind of bastard my father was..."

Peter sighed and shuck his head in disgust. She knew now. She thought she finally understood Killian's anger towards Neal. And with experiencing all of her hardships through their bond too... He couldn't have ignored that easily. Who would have thought their families would have been so similar?

Emma finished eating with Peters help. Apparently, him and Blue would be sleeping in the apartment that night. She wondered if Ruby was guarding Neal with Graham. It was a bit weird not seeing the big brown wolf following her everywhere. Emma realised how use to Ruby's presence she was.

Despite her exhaustion, she had an agitated sleep that night. Having nightmares about drowning again, Neal hitting her, a young black haired boy crying. Images of everything that had happened through the day kept coming, more vivid and intense. She suddenly woke in a cold sweat, trembling and feeling almost more tired than she was before going to sleep. She checked to clock on the bedside table, reading 5:05am, and the sky was still dark.

Emma knew she wouldn't be able to fall back to sleep. She use to have such nights back in the basement, so it was nothing new to her. Instead, she decided to get up and head to the bathroom, checking her injury while dressing up. Thank Moon Goddess it looked a lot better than the day before. She brushed her locks through and pulled on a jumper to extinguish the chill she felt. Fully awake, Emma headed to the kitchen as silently as possible.

However, she did not expect to find Killian there. His dark silhouette was standing still, facing the large window with a cup of what smelled like dark coffee in his hand. He had changed clothes and even shaved properly since she'd last saw him only a few hours ago. Upon seeing her entry, he frowned and walked up to her.

"Emma? Why are you up at this hour?"

"I could ask you the same thing. When did you come back?"

He let out a sigh, placing his cup down on the counter before pulling her into an embrace. God, it had only been a few hours but she had missed being in his arms... It seemed like his anger had disappeared, but the question was how?

"Half an hour ago. Don't worry, I didn't kill him. Alec called me on the way, convincing me not to. So I went to the company's office to work instead."

So he'd just gone to work? In the middle of the night? Emma hoped no one was around the office at that hour to be on the receiving end of his wrath. She needed to thank Blues older brother later for that. She wondered what kind of Beta he was, but obviously, he knew how to handle Killian fairly well.

"To work? You didn't sleep?" Emma asked.

"I did. About three hours. I have a private loft above my office."

Of course, he did... She didn't even want to think of how rich he must be. The less she knew, the better, for now at least. Killian placed his hand over her cheek, examining her despite the darkness. She must've looked tired, making her feel slightly embarrassed.

"How are you?"

"I'm okay. I just couldn't sleep."

All of a sudden, Killian lifted her up onto the counter top, facing him. He was still taller than her, making her have to look up at him still. Being so close to each other like that, with him between her legs, was kind of embarrassing, but he didn't seem to care. Instead, he kept his hands on Emma's waist, and landed a soft kiss on her forehead. Then, he retreated to look at her in the eye, with a serious expression.

"Are you worried? About facing Him."

She nodded, biting her lip anxiously. She had to admit, she was. It wasn't like they were going to be thrilled to see each other, and they were going to have to discuss some really, really painful memories.

"I hope I will get at least some of the answers I'm looking for. It kills me to be in the dark, not knowing why Neal resents me so much. Why he's hated me all these years. Why he hurt me. I just... I don't know how I can find the strength to face him after everything that's happened."

He gently brushed her hair, leaning in to softly kiss her neck. Emma shivered slightly, but his lips kept going, flying like butterflies from her neck to her jawline, to her cheek, before he finally took her lips for a sweet, long kiss. She responded to his actions immediately, and a small fire ignited inside. Whenever Killian touched her, it was like the most natural thing in the world. All of her anxiety went away, replaced only by the instinctive desire for her mate. Yet, she didn't want to let go of her human self, a bit shy and clumsy. Emma placed her hands around Killian's neck, looking to gather some self confidence she did not have. It was like he was passing his strength straight to her, and when their lips parted, she felt a lot better already. He stared deep into Emma's eyes before whispering to her.

"Emma, I will not let him do anything to you ever again. Don't worry. I swear, I won't let anyone touch you, hurt you, ever again."

She smiled at him, putting her hand on his cheek as he had done to her before.

I love this man.

Emma didn't know when she'd came to realise it, though she didn't really care. She just knew she did. The way he was so dangerous, yet so protective of those who matter to him. The way his shimmering deep blue eyes looked into her as though they were capturing her. His warmth, the way his skin felt against hers, and the way he kissed, so forceful yet so tender. It felt so dangerous, so wild, but so right. It was as if she was a different person, a version of herself that she was yet to reveal. Being with Killian was scary at times, but she still felt herself wanting more.

She leaned in to kiss him, blushing like crazy. It was thrilling, and she felt almost proud to be showing her feelings, too. Killian smiled softly, obviously pleased by her boldness. It was like they were in a trance.

"Oh please, can't you guy get a room?"

Emma jumped, surprised by Peters voice. Why couldn't anyone sleep til a normal hour in her apartment?

He looked at them with a disgusted face, with only a pair of shorts on and his hair all messed up. Killian sighed and retreated, though left his hands wrapped around her while watching his youngest brothers movements. Peter ignored them, and walked to the fridge with a grumpy expression, scratching at his bare stomach. He frowned after a while and turned back to Emma.

"Emma, you guys have nothing ready to eat in here? I'm starving!"

When she thought about it, she hadn't actually seen Peter have any dinner yesterday, aside from her cake she'd let him have. Emma wondered who would usually cook for him, considering he lived downstairs and looked clueless on how to make a meal with the contents in her fridge. Once again, Killian sighed and let her jump down off the counter top.

"I'll make you something if you can wait a bit?"

"Yes!"

He made a winning gesture with his fist, making Emma roll her eyes. She supposed she could make breakfast at 5:30am if everyone was up anyway. Blue was still sleeping, but Emma knew she would be up soon, knowing she was an early riser.

Turned out Emma was right. Within less than an hour, all four of them were sat around the island, eating breakfast while it was still completely black outside. Blue turned to Peter as Emma was serving out orange juice.

"What about school, kid?"

He rolled his eyes and was about to say something, but then his eyes crossed those of his brothers. In a split second, the two of them exchanged a look, though they didn't say anything. Peter sulked, though his attitude while answering Blues question completely changed.

"I... I'm going. After breakfast."

Emma couldn't help but smile. Apparently, Peter could be cheeky with others, but he wouldn't risk it in front of his older brother. She'd already noticed it before with Graham. Peter sighed, but Killian just quietly enjoyed his coffee. Now, Blue was smirking while Peter was frowning at his breakfast.

She sipped some of her tea, absorbed by the first rays of sunlight throwing orange and pink shades into the morning sky outside. She suddenly realised they were already into December. It had already been more than two months since she'd met Killian, his brothers and the siblings. Her life really had changed a lot within those weeks. So much, it was almost unbelievable. She still felt like she could wake up any moment, finding herself back in that basement and realising the last couple months were all just a dream.

"What are you thinking about?" Killian caught her day dreaming, making her blush slightly.

"Not much... When are we going?"

"It's up to you, princess!" She turned to see Graham had arrived, looking very proper as usual. He walked to them and helped himself to a cup of coffee. Judging from the large cup, he probably hadn't had much sleep either.

"What about Neal?" Emma asked.

She was almost prepared to see Graham arrive with Neal, followed by Ruby, but he came alone. When she thought about it, she didn't even see them catch Neal at all. She hoped he didn't fight or hurt anyone. Though if Ruby was the one to have caught him, Emma doubted he could have done anything bad to the huge wolf.

"It's okay. He's under tight surveillance and all ears for your questions."

Emma frowned, she didn't like the way he said that. He may have been smiling, but she still didn't really believe it, not with his choice of words. She turned to Killian, hoping he had respected his promise, but he ignored her glance and ate his breakfast with a blank expression. Emma places her cup in the sink and turned back to face Graham.

"Okay, lets go see him now, then."

Graham gave a nod, and within twenty minutes, the four of them were in the familiar white car she assumed belonged to Graham, since he was driving instead of Blue for once. Peter stayed in her apartment to finish his breakfast before heading off to school.

While in the car, she felt her anxiousness rise again. She turned to Killian, but he was staring down at his phone, with his spare hand holding hers. It looked like he was reading emails, probably working.

Emma tried to think about something else instead. As she looked at Graham in the mirror, Emma suddenly remembered the she wolf from the day before. She had mentioned him specifically, and even referred to him as "Gray". Aside from Peter, no one seemed to call him that.

As Emma was reminiscing about her, something did feel similar. No, smelt similar. It was her smell, Emma was sure of it. But just why could she smell it all over Graham's car?