Chapter Six

Emmaleigh

I can feel him watching me, his gaze burning into my back as I stare out at the forest. I take in the colors and smells, enjoying being outside and close to nature for the first time in years. I had forgotten how blue the sky was and how wonderful the sunshine felt on my skin. So much has changed in these past years but so much has remained the same.

My entire life I had been raised to believe in the Goddess, fate, and the mate that would be chosen for me, for us. Before I was abducted, I had been living with the belief that my fated mate was just around the next corner, waiting for me to find them.

But then my world, my psyche, and my body were shattered. I don’t know if there is enough of me left to give a part of myself to another person. Maybe I am too broken to find my happily ever after, even if I continue to hope I’m not. There are things that take so much from you it leaves more than just a scar, it leaves a gaping hole in its wake.

Turning, I face him, my gaze connecting with his.

“What is your name?” I ask softly even though Peyton already told me. I just need something to say.

“Nico.”

“I’m sorry this happened to you.”

He frowns, blinking his eyes. “What do you mean?”

“I’m sorry you ended up with an incomplete mate,” I say trying to remain brave even though it feels like I may pass out at any minute. “I would understand if you chose to refuse me.”

Nico stares at me in disbelief. “I would never do that,” he says, conviction coating his words. “I’m giving you time to heal and find your place in the pack before I come for what is mine.”

Shock courses through me. “You can’t mean that.” Is he nuts? If he refuses me he could find someone else and still live a happy life. I can’t offer him anything.

“Why not? I’ve been waiting for you most of my life. Why would I throw away that chance?”

“Because I’m broken!” I yell. The thoughts running through my mind finally vocalized. “I don’t trust anyone, I will have nightmares about what they did to me for the rest of my life, and my wolf has retreated so far into the blackness of my mind that I haven’t shifted in over three years.”

I’m screaming at him when he envelops me in his arms, pulling me against his chest. Sobs wrack my body as he holds me close. I don’t know when he covered the distance between us but I’m grateful. I love the feel of being in his arms and for a moment I accept the comfort he offers.

“Why would you want a broken mate?” I sob into the material of his t-shirt.

“You’re not broken,” he says tipping my chin up so he can look at my face. “You’re a survivor and from what I’ve heard from Rose, you helped them survive too.”

“I don’t want to be responsible for holding you back,” I whisper.

“Unless you are going to refuse me it doesn’t matter,” he says firmly. “I’ve made up my mind and nothing you do or say is going to change it. You’re my mate.”

Leaning my forehead against his chest I breathe him in. Pine trees and rain, my favorite scents. I want to stay snuggled against him forever but I know I can’t. Not yet.

If I can get my animal to return, if I can shift, I would feel better about taking Nico as my mate. At least then I wouldn’t feel as deficient as I do now. I have no idea how I am going to bring her out of the dark but I know it’s the most important thing I will ever do.

****

Nico

Emmaleigh pulls out of my hold and steps back. “I may never be the mate you need,” she says sadly, wiping a tear from her cheek. “But I want to try.”

“Honestly, that is more than what I expected.”

“Meaning?”

“I was terrified you would refuse me,” I explain. “I know from what Rose shared of her own ordeal that you have been through things no one will ever understand. My greatest fear is that you would be too afraid of men to ever accept me.”

“Men don’t scare me, close-minded people, human and shifter, scare me.”

I nod, understanding what she means. The Hunters have decided we are the enemy without taking the time to learn anything about us. They simply wish to eradicate us because we are different and because they don’t understand us. Because of that, innocent people are going to end up hurt on both sides of this war.

“Have you eaten?” I ask, trying to think of any possible way to keep her close.

“Peyton keeps bringing me mountains of food,” she says with a smile. “I never finish anything.”

Silence envelops us. I can’t tear my gaze from her as she stares into the forest.

“I wish I could run,” she says softly.

“What about a walk?” I ask. “Let’s give you and your wolf the time you both need to heal. Perhaps just being in the forest every day around nature will coax her out of hiding.”

I know it’s a shot in the dark and we should rather consult the pack elder, Xavia, but if this gives me the chance to spend some time with my mate, I will grab it with both hands.

Emmaleigh studies me for long moments and I worry that she will say no, that she might not feel comfortable being alone with me.

“I don’t think it will work but I would like to give it a try,” she says softly, looking shy for the first time today.

Holding out my hand, I wait patiently for my mate to place not just her hand in mine but her trust in me. Once she does, I walk us slowly around the house and through the compound.

The sun is setting and all around us family and friends gather to share a meal. Laughter comes from behind us as children play on the grass, kicking a ball and just enjoying their youth.

“Do you think Thomas looks at the other children and wishes he had a childhood like theirs?” Emmaleigh asks. “Do you think he resents them?”

“Honestly? I think you can’t miss what you never had,” I say. “I never knew that a pack could be like family before I came to the Katus. Now I couldn’t imagine anything different.”

“You didn’t grow up here?” she asks in surprise.

“No.” I shake my head. “I’ve only been here for a couple of years.

“So we are both living better lives now?” A serene smile crosses her lips and I barely hold back the urge to kiss her.

“So much better,” I say with a soft smile as I watch the sunlight bounce off her hair.

I lead us through the forest to the waterfall. I want her to see its beauty and just enjoy the peace around us. It may even calm her wolf and make her feel safe enough to make an appearance.