Listen to me 123
In Chapter 123 of “Listen to me 123,” Sloane reflects on her intense warrior training with Benedict, who impressively keeps pace with her despite the challenges. This determination reveals his character and commitment to her, contrasting with her past feelings of isolation and reluctance to engage in relationships. After sending him off to shower, Sloane encounters her Aunt Samara, who expresses her deep affection for Sloane and her desire to understand the evolving relationship between Sloane and Benedict. Samara’s concern stems from Sloane’s history of emotional restraint and her previous aversion to the idea of mating.
During their heartfelt conversation, Sloane opens up about her feelings for Benedict, acknowledging the unexpected nature of their bond. She shares how he has consistently treated her with kindness and respect, unlike the bullies at school. Aunt Samara reassures Sloane of her worth, emphasizing the importance of her identity and strength as a potential female Alpha. Samara encourages Sloane not to sacrifice her dreams for anyone, including Benedict, and to recognize her extraordinary capabilities, which have often been overshadowed by self-doubt.
As their discussion unfolds, Sloane finds solace in her aunt’s unwavering support and love. Samara’s fierce protectiveness and insistence on Sloane’s worth resonate deeply with her, challenging Sloane’s internalized negativity. They share a moment of connection that strengthens their bond, with Sloane realizing the importance of external validation in recognizing her self-worth. Samara’s encouragement culminates in a light-hearted exchange, urging Sloane to go back to Benedict and protect him from potential distractions.
Ultimately, the chapter highlights Sloane’s journey of self-discovery and the significance of familial love in overcoming personal insecurities. The supportive dialogue between Sloane and Aunt Samara serves as a catalyst for Sloane to embrace her identity and the budding relationship with Benedict, setting the stage for her to assert herself as a powerful individual in her own right. As Sloane prepares to return to Benedict, she acknowledges the importance of listening to her heart, marking a pivotal moment in her character development.
**TITLE: Listen to me 123**
**Chapter 123**
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Sloane
Uncle Roman is absolutely right. It’s a well-known fact that most wolves, even those who hold the title of Alpha, struggle to keep pace with my relentless warrior training for a full two hours. Yet, Benedict managed to do just that. I don’t care how many bruises he bears on his body; he didn’t back down. That determination speaks volumes about his character and the reason he refuses to give up on me. Benedict Winslow is not the type to quit—about anything.
After I sent him off to enjoy a shower with my honey, milk, and vanilla-scented body wash—definitely not the floral scent I had teased him with earlier—I unexpectedly ran into my Aunt Samara.
“Come talk to me,” she said, her arm looping through mine with a firmness that left no room for refusal.
She guided me to her room, gently closing the door behind us before leading me to a cozy couch. Once we were settled, she turned to face me, her expression serious yet warm.
“Sweetheart, I want to start by saying that I have always loved you as if you were my own daughter. I know we are close in age, and I had hoped that at some point, you might see me as an older sister. But you’ve always kept your feelings very close to your chest. I’ve longed to break down those barriers, but your Uncle Roman insisted that I let you decide how much of us you wanted in your life. Since he has a better grasp on relationships than I do, I chose to respect his wishes. However, I need to know that you’re okay with what’s developing between you and Alpha Benedict. I don’t care about the nature of your intimacy; it all seems so sudden to me. Given that you’ve never been involved with anyone before and how vocal you’ve been about never wanting to mate, I just want to ensure that you’re alright. I want to ensure that you have no lingering questions and that you aren’t feeling pressured to do anything you’re not ready for. I meant what I said to him this morning. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you cry. I’ve witnessed the aftermath of your tears, but you’re not one to shed them in public. I respect that, but I will not allow anyone to hurt you. I guess… I just want to know that you’re okay and that you’re in agreement with whatever is happening between you and Alpha Benedict.”
A smile crept across my face as I looked at my aunt. “I love you too, Aunt Samara,” I replied, wanting her to understand just how much she and Uncle Roman mean to me—not just for what they’ve done for me, Slade, and Aria, but because they are genuinely wonderful people.
“I honestly don’t know how I feel about all of this. Like you mentioned, I never anticipated finding my mate, and if I did, I expected that he would be just as willing to reject me as I was to reject him. But Benedict isn’t like that. He’s had countless opportunities to hurt me, to belittle me, or to embarrass me—after all, he’s Benedict Winslow, for goddess’s sake. But he hasn’t. If anything, he’s supported me, protected me, and most importantly, he’s looked out for Slade. Aisling doesn’t even know if we’re mates yet; she doesn’t feel the bond. But even before he turned eighteen, Benedict was never once unkind to me. He never uttered a hurtful word to me or to Slade. Somehow, he’s always been there when things went awry, quietly observing and ensuring that nothing spiraled out of control. So while it may seem abrupt to you, I can see that this has been building for a long time.”
“So, you respect him?” she inquired, her brow raised.
“It’s hard not to, Aunt Samara. He’s the complete opposite of the bullies at school…”
She growled low in her throat. “And that nonsense better have stopped.”
“It did. Principal Rogers has made it abundantly clear that bullying will not be tolerated. I’m not sure what that entails, but Benedict is… well, he’s Benedict. He’s kind. He doesn’t feel intimidated by me. I mean, you saw him on the sparring field today,” I said, frowning slightly, unsure if she had been there.
“I did. He was impressive. Not as impressive as you,” she said with a grin, “but impressive in his own right.”
My gaze fell to the floor. “He doesn’t care that I’m not a white wolf,” I whispered, my heart heavy with the weight of that reality.
Her fingers gently lifted my chin, compelling me to meet her gaze. “Sweetheart, NO ONE except you cares that you’re not a white wolf.”
She shook her head, her eyes filled with conviction as she watched me. “Even without the white wolf lineage, you possess an extraordinary Alpha heritage. You and Aisling are two of the strongest fighters I’ve ever encountered in my life. You are destined to be the first female Alpha in history, Sloane. Do you comprehend how monumental that is? You are paving the way for other females to rise as Alphas within their packs. And you’re right—the fact that Alpha Benedict isn’t intimidated by you is remarkable. But I don’t want you to sacrifice that strength simply because you’ve fallen in love. I don’t want you to relinquish your identity even if you are mated to Alpha Benedict. You deserve to be an Alpha. You deserve to carve out your own name and to be the incredible woman that you are, Sloane. Just…” She paused, her expression softening as she closed her eyes briefly. “Just don’t underestimate yourself. You have never felt worthy of everything you’ve accomplished. And you are the only one who IS worthy of all the wonderful things that are coming your way in life.” She sighed, glancing down before locking eyes with me once more.
“If Alpha Benedict is indeed your mate, and you are more than deserving of a man with an Alpha lineage as rich as ours, then don’t sacrifice your life or your dreams for him. Make him compromise. Find a way to be together without relinquishing all that you’ve fought so hard to achieve, Sloane. You deserve that. You’ve worked tirelessly for those things—harder than anyone I’ve ever known, including me. I love you so much, sweetheart. It pains me that you can’t see the incredible woman that everyone else sees in you.”
“Not everyone,” I murmured softly.
“Sloane Hartwell, you are not a foolish woman. So please explain to me why the foolish voices in this world echo louder in your mind than those of us who know how extraordinary you truly are!” she growled, a fierce protectiveness shining in her eyes.
I couldn’t help but smile. “Do you remember that movie Scarlet loves, Pretty Woman?” I asked, my mind drifting to a familiar scene.
“Yeah?” she replied, a frown creasing her brow.
“There’s a line in that film that has always resonated with me. Julia Roberts and Richard Gere are in bed, and she reveals how she ended up as a prostitute. She says, ‘the bad stuff is easier to believe.’ I’ve always felt that way. I don’t know why, but it’s true.”
She cupped my face in her hands, her eyes blazing with intensity. “Then I will tell you a hundred times, a thousand times, a million times how wonderful you are, Sloane, until all those other voices are silenced and only the good remains. You are one of the most beautiful souls I’ve had the privilege to know. It breaks my heart that you believe you are suffering for Althea’s sins. You are not your mother, and one day, you must realize that. If Benedict is as good as you say, then I’m grateful he’s in your life. You need someone outside our family to help you recognize how incredible you are because despite all we’ve told you, you refuse to believe us.”
I held her gaze, and then leaned forward, wrapping my arms around her in a tight hug. I had never felt particularly close to my aunt; it always seemed like she maintained a distance, and now I understood why—Uncle Roman had encouraged her to give me space.
As her arms enveloped me, I could feel every ounce of her love and fierce determination to show me my worth.
“I love you so much, Sloane.”
“I love you too, Aunt Samara.”
When she finally released me from the embrace, she pressed her forehead against mine, a gesture filled with warmth and understanding.
“You should go save your mate. It sounds like the she-wolves in our pack are taking advantage of your absence,” she said, a teasing glint in her eyes.
I growled, cutting it off abruptly, shocked at the thought that Aisling would do such a thing. But Aunt Samara smiled knowingly. “Perhaps this is the beginning of the mate bond after all. If it’s not, your uncle and I will always be here for you. And if it is… we will also be here for you,” she assured me.
“Thanks, Aunt Samara.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. I love you. Now go rescue that poor Alpha before the she-wolves in this pack overwhelm him,” she laughed, her voice lightening the mood.
As I walked to the door of her room, I paused and turned back. “Maybe you should stop listening to Uncle Roman and start listening to your own heart, Aunt Samara.”
Her eyes burned into mine with fierce determination. “I will if you will, Sloane.”
I nodded, realizing that my ‘heart’ was Aisling, and that Aisling loved me far more than I loved myself.
“Always,” she said, making me smile as I headed downstairs to save Benedict from his adoring fans.
In this pivotal chapter, Sloane embarks on a journey of self-discovery, spurred by the unwavering support of her Aunt Samara. The conversation between them serves as a turning point, where Sloane begins to confront her self-doubt and the misconceptions she holds about her worth. Samara’s fierce declaration of Sloane’s strength and potential as a future Alpha resonates deeply, challenging Sloane to reconsider the narratives she has internalized. The love and encouragement from her aunt ignite a spark within Sloane, pushing her to embrace her identity and the relationship with Benedict, who has consistently treated her with kindness and respect. This moment of vulnerability and honesty lays the groundwork for Sloane to reclaim her narrative, acknowledging that her past does not define her future.
As Sloane prepares to return to Benedict, she carries with her the newfound understanding that love does not require sacrificing her dreams or identity. Instead, it can be a source of strength and empowerment. The chapter concludes with a sense of hope and determination, as Sloane resolves to not only protect her bond with Benedict but also to honor her own journey toward becoming the first female Alpha. The promise made between her and Aunt Samara to listen to their hearts signifies a commitment to authenticity, paving the way for Sloane to navigate her path with confidence. With this emotional arc reaching a crescendo, Sloane steps into her role not just as a mate but as a formidable leader, ready to face the challenges ahead with newfound clarity and purpose.
In the next chapter, readers can expect an emotional rollercoaster as Sloane confronts the complexities of her burgeoning relationship with Benedict. Armed with her aunt’s empowering words, Sloane will delve deeper into her feelings, navigating the delicate balance between her identity as a fierce warrior and the vulnerability that comes with love. As she heads downstairs, the stakes will rise, and the dynamics within the pack will shift, revealing not only the challenges of being mated to an Alpha but also the societal expectations that come with it. Will Sloane find the strength to assert her individuality in this new relationship, or will the pressures of her pack threaten to overshadow her newfound love?
Moreover, the chapter promises to introduce new tensions as Aisling and other she-wolves vie for Benedict’s attention, testing Sloane’s insecurities and resolve. As Sloane steps into the spotlight, she will be faced with choices that could redefine her destiny. Will she stand her ground and prove that love doesn’t have to compromise her dreams of becoming the first female Alpha, or will she succumb to the doubts that have haunted her for so long? With Aunt Samara’s words echoing in her mind, Sloane’s journey toward self-acceptance and empowerment is just beginning, and the path ahead is fraught with both peril and promise. Get ready for a chapter that promises to be as heart-pounding as it is transformative!
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.