Healing His Mate

”Honestly, I never really wanted it. My father thought I deserved it and I should be allowed the choice to choose it, but I wasn’t meant to be an alpha,” she smiles, ”My gift is to heal others. I care more about helping my pack than leading it. I’m too soft to be an alpha.”

”You’re a Luna,” I state.

”Exactly. When James and I met, I pushed him away. I was blaming myself for my friend’s death and fearful that other shifters would still want me for being gifted. I was afraid.”

”Are you still afraid?”

”Sometimes, but James taught me that fear isn’t something to be afraid of. Having my mate made me see that if you stop living because you’re afraid, the fear wins,” she smiles, ”And fear isn’t allowed to win.”

”I don’t want to be afraid anymore,” I confess.

”Then we beat the fear.”

”You say it like it’s so simple.”

”It’s not, but it’s worth the challenge.”

We sit in silence as Zea let’s me think over our conversation. I can see a group of pups playing near the pack house and their laughter echoes around the trees.

”What did the council say, to you becoming a Luna?” I ask, curious how they would allow it.

”Oh they were pissed,” Zea throws her head back laughing, ”They couldn’t stop me and James because we are fated mates and fated mates trumps every rule. The irony is they refused to allow me to become alpha because they thought I would be too powerful, but they never accounted for the fact that as a Luna, I am even stronger.”

”Stronger? How is a Luna stronger than alpha?”

”Aaliyah, we are the Luna, the heart of the pack. Every member of the pack is connected to the Luna on a spiritual level,” she says, ”As well as the Luna is the only member of the pack who the alpha will follow orders from.”

”And now I’m supposed to be the Luna. I breakdown at the mention of being in the same room as a doctor. I don’t think I’m strong enough.”

”You are. You went through hell and are still standing. You still have much healing left to do, but when you are ready, I will gladly pass the mantle to you.” Get faster updates on novelceo(.)com.

I feel a tug at my heart upon hearing her words, ”Thank you Zea. For everything.”

”It’s what family is for, so when you are ready to talk about the lab and what you saw during the sharing, I’m hear to listen. Aaron isn’t the only one who will help you be put back together.”

I feel the tears swell in my eyes as I choke back a sob.

Moving back to sit on a park bench, we let the conversation go. It means everything to me that she isn’t pushing to open up. She’s letting me digest her story and to let myself come to the conclusion that letting people in will help me heal.

I look back over to the kids playing. A little boy with dark chestnut hair is chasing after his friends, laughing and shouting. He has not a care in the world. No fears or anger. He is just happy.

That’s what I want. I don’t want to be trapped by fear. I just want to be happy. I want to be happy with Aaron.

My thoughts drift back to Aaron. I know he’s in the cells with the hunter now. I hate him being so close to that type of monster. I can feel a sense of anger washing over him.

I see a blur grab my sight as a tug pulls on my mind away from my body. My heart races as my vision comes into focus.

I’m not standing in the fields any longer.

I see the cement surrounding me and I can feel the silver bars at my back. Kneeling on the floor by my feet is the hunter. Blood covers him as I take in all of his wounds.

He whimpers out as I slam my fist down and into his face. I feel the crunch of his cheekbone under my knuckles.

I move to punch him again when I stop short. My fist hovers midair.

”Dude, you good?” Zach asks.

I shake my head at his confused look, then suddenly my sight is cut off. My eyes close, leaving my sight in darkness.

”Aaliyah,” my name leaves my lips. But when the whisper reaches my ears, I hear my mate’s voice.

Aaron, I answer him through our bond. I’m not sure if he can hear me when I’m in his head, but I feel my heart force his unspoken question. I am here.

You shouldn’t be here, angel. I don’t want you to see this.

I didn’t mean to, I tell him honestly, I’m sorry.

There is nothing to apologize for, but I need you to leave.

But-

No, Aaliyah. I will not let this violence touch you.

Aaron, I whimper, not wanting him around any either.

I know, he says, knowing my thoughts, We’ll talk about this later, angel. Please go.

Knowing I have to give this to him, I agree, Please be careful.