Chapter 7: Mazie

7

MAZIE

" M azie girl, you realize I can smell you out there? You don't need to hide."

I rested my head against his office door, hating that I'd been caught. Ever since we had officially mated, I'd felt nervous that maybe he would realize I wasn't everything he wanted in a mate. Self-doubt was eating me alive. It had affected my training and was slowly driving me insane.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop," I blurted out quickly as I opened the door.

I first noticed that his eyes were glued to his computer instead of looking at me entering.

"Is everything okay?" I commented lamely.

He nodded. "Yeah, come and look at this."

I went to where he was sitting and waited for him to lift me onto his lap. I snuggled against him and then looked at the screen to see what had captured his attention.

A reporter was speaking to a woman who looked very familiar. "That's my therapist, Dr. Baker!"

Ajax leaned forward and turned up the sound.

"... a twenty-seven-year-old woman from the B District has been missing for nearly three weeks. The missing person is named Mazie Green, a patient of Dr. Roberta Baker, who was willing to interview us. Doctor, when was the last time you spoke with Miss Green?"

I watched in horror as the reporter passed the mic to my therapist.

"Mazie came to her regularly scheduled appointment on the seventeenth. When she didn't return the following week, I immediately became concerned and contacted the police."

"In the press conference held by the chief of police, it was mentioned that your patient has agoraphobia, a condition that often causes the individual to be afraid of leaving their home. Is this why you contacted the police?"

"I cannot discuss my patient's care with the media. However, in the eight years I've known Mazie, she's always attended her therapy appointments. I hope and pray that she's okay."

"Thank you, Dr. Baker,"the reporter said, returning the microphone. "If anyone has any information about-"His words were cut off when Ajax stopped the news story. But there was a picture of me from one of my YouTube videos on the screen. I had about three pounds of makeup and was grinning like I was on top of the world. But the truth was that now, looking back at myself, I could see what I maybe hadn't allowed myself to see before.

My eyes had a sadness that no amount of smiling could entirely dispel. My eyes weren't focused on anything specific, almost as if I was worried someone would look into them and see the truth—that I was hiding behind the clothes, makeup, and fancy lashes. It wasn't that I thought those things were unnecessary. It's just that I thought nobody could ever like me without them. But Ajax had never seen me that way until now.

"I suppose it's time to face your real life, baby girl,"he said gently.I would never tell you what to do, but I won't lie. I want you to stay here with me, with our pack."

I nodded, knowing that he was right. Our time together was like a fairytale. The problem with fairytales is that they always have an ending.

He continued, "Now that the roads are cleared, we should tell the world you are safe. It's going to be difficult to navigate. We can't let the public know about our pack."

I smiled as if to agree, but my bottom lip quivered.

"Mazie, I can see you're upset. Let's talk about it."

But I didn't know what to say. I was mortified that the reporter had released such personal information about myself. I felt guilty for worrying Dr. Baker, yet I was furious that she'd done the interview.

I scrambled off of Ajax's lap. "I'm not upset. I need to take care of something downstairs. I'll be back in just a moment."

Before Ajax could stop me, I raced from the room and darted down the stairs into the kitchen. It had been the first place Ajax had awakened my sexual desire. Only I felt about as desirable as a chewed piece of gum.

I heard and smelled some people coming to the backdoor. Strangers weren't my thing. But I could handle it. I took a deep breath and practiced the calming technique I'd learned in therapy.

"Mazie,"Kyle's greeting was followed by the entrance of six women. "I'd like to introduce you to more of the pack."

Focusing on keeping my shit together, I nodded politely.

"Of course, you already know Eva,"he motioned to my friend, who waved cheerily. "This is her mom, Carol."

I turned to shake Carol's hand, but she enveloped me in a hug I hadn't expected.

Rather than making me feel scared or anxious, her calming presence helped to quiet my racing heart.

"I'm a hugger,"Carol said rosily. I could see that Eva was a lot like her mom.

"Now, where were we?"Kyle asked, turning back to the woman. "This is Hope and Faith. Their momma was a big believer in the bible."

Hope, a beautiful black woman about my age, gave me a friendly wave. Faith, just as lovely but far curvier, stared at me like I had an extra horn growing out of my head. I felt up there just to be safe. I didn't.

Hope elbowed her sister. "You're being creepy, Faith. Cut it out!"

"Do you know who this is?"Faith giggled excitedly .

"The alpha's mate?"Hope replied with a quizzical expression.

"Not that,"Faith brushed aside. "Her!"She pointed her finger right at me.

A woman with long braids and a killer body snorted and bumped Faith with her hip. "Enough, Stripes, Hope's right. You are scaring her."

"Janica,"she whispered urgently, "you don't get it. This is Mazie Green, THE Mazie Green. Plus-size model, Instagram sensation, YouTube superstar. She's like super famous! About a million TikTok's are talking about your disappearance right now, Mazie."

I felt my face heat while my stomach dropped to somewhere around my knees. "Yeah, I just found out about that."

Faith frowned. "Yikes, I suppose you can't tell everybody what happened. Can you? What are you going to do?"

I had no fucking idea.

Janica's brow furrowed. "What brought you out here?"

I hardly knew how to respond. The roaring in my ears was increasing, and I felt like I might throw up. This was why I didn't do people. I felt overwhelmed and like the world was moving too fast.

Eva stepped forward and placed a hand on my arm. "Enough questions for now."

There was one final older woman who had yet to introduce herself. To me, she appeared to be somewhere between eighty and a hundred. She was thin and frail, with her eyes closed.

"Nanny Kae,"Hope said sweetly to the older woman. "This is the alpha's new mate."

"I know damn well who she is,"Nanny Kae snapped. While her body seemed fragile, her voice was as sharp and clear as a bell. "I ought to know. I summoned her."

I choked on thin air. "I beg your pardon?"

"You've been lost a long time, child. I'd almost given up hope of ever finding you again."

"Me?"I asked hesitantly, pointing to my chest. "I wasn't lost."

She nodded. "Of course you were. Only you didn't know it."

"Nanny Kae,"Kyle admonished. "What are you talking about? "

"Bah!"Nanny Kae waved her frayed hanky toward Kyle. "We don't need any men folk around. You can run along now."

Seeing this little slip of a woman treating the pack's healer like a small child was shocking. But rather than demand his due, Kyle shrugged and turned to me. "Just give me a holler if you need anything. The ladies will have plenty to discuss until I finish with the alpha."

I wasn't sure if I wanted him to leave me alone with these women. However, I didn't have much choice as he walked away. With Eva at my side, I turned back to the group.

"Now then,"Carol motioned for everyone to sit around the massive pack table. "Let's have some coffee and get to know each other better."

As Mazie sat amongst the women of the pack, sipping on a cup of coffee that Carol had graciously prepared, her mind raced with conflicting emotions. She knew she had to face the reality of her situation and let the world know she was safe. Ajax had been right - it was time to confront her past and embrace her present with the pack.

After some time, Kyle returned to the kitchen with Ajax by his side. The room fell silent as all eyes turned to the alpha and his mate. Mazie could feel the weight of everyone's gaze on her, but she squared her shoulders and met Ajax's steady gaze.

"Everyone,"Ajax began, his deep voice commanding attention,"Thank you all for your concern and support. We all know that Mazie is safe with us, but the outside world needs that assurance. I need to talk to Mazie about what steps we can take."

Kyle and the other women remained in the kitchen as I followed Ajax back into his office.

"I think the best thing to do is approach the authorities to tell them you are okay,"he said gently .

"Do I have to leave?"the words were ripped out of somewhere deep inside me. I suddenly felt like that little girl being moved from one foster home into another.

"No, we can go together,"he suggested, and then, seeing my face, he relented, "Or we could try an online call with the police detectives."

Gratitude and warmth flooded through me. "Let's do that."

It took a few phone calls before Ajax and I were on the screen alongside the local police and my therapist, Dr. Baker. I had hoped to assure her and the authorities at the same time. I took a deep breath and said, "I want to assure everyone that I am safe and in good hands. I apologize for any worry or confusion my absence may have caused."

"Just to be clear,"the officer confirmed, "you are not being held against your will? You appear to be of sound mind and body…"

However, before he could finish, Dr. Baker interrupted. "Mazie,"her voice was calm and composed, "I'm relieved you are physically unharmed. However, I must express my concerns regarding your emotional well-being and decision-making capabilities."

What?

"I don't understand,"I said hesitantly. I had a close relationship with Dr. Baker and had seen her for years. But now, it seemed that my therapist was questioning my ability to determine my safety.

The officer looked from Dr. Baker back to Ajax and me. I couldn't get a read on him. Ajax placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, his presence a source of comfort amidst the storm of emotions brewing in me.

"Dr. Baker. Mazie is an adult. There has never been a question of her mental stability. It's more concerning why you try to make her appear like she does."

Dr. Baker's expression remained unreadable as she continued,"I appreciate your assurance, sir. I have treated Ms. Green's struggles with depression and anxiety for years. She may not have the clarity to make sound decisions for herself now. Perhaps if she underwent an evaluation? "

The officer's eyes narrowed. "We cannot force an evaluation unless there is cause the individual intends to harm."

"I wouldn't hurt anyone—ever," I interjected.

Dr. Baker's nostrils flared. "I only want to do what is best for my patient."

"If that is all, officer?"Ajax added, shutting down whatever nonsense Dr. Baker hoped to add.

"Yes, that's everything. You may not want to disappear again, Ms. Green. I'm glad no harm was done."

I felt a flush of embarrassment at his words. I hadn't meant to worry anybody. Honestly, I hadn't thought anybody would notice I wasn't around. I also felt a mix of anger and frustration bubbling within her. How could Dr. Baker question my agency and autonomy in this way?

"Very well,"Dr. Baker's gaze seemed to spear me through the computer screen. "I will expect you at your next weekly appointment."

"Respectfully, Dr. Baker,"Ajax snapped. "I think you've had more than your fair share of using Mazie's name and subsequent fame to bolster your career."

I hadn't even thought of that. No wonder Dr. Baker was all over the news. It cut that the one person from my old life wasn't worried about me. They were cashing in on their ten seconds of fame. Tears filled my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

"Dr. Baker, I appreciate your past care but no longer need your services. Your concerns are noted, but I would like to officially inform you that any additional interviews or comments on me or my name will result in litigation."

I felt Ajax's gaze snap to my profile, but I refused to look away from the woman with whom I'dshared my darkest secrets and deepest fears. The tension was palpable as we faced off with one another.

The officer broke the silence by telling me, "Should you need any assistance with that, feel free to reach out."

Dr. Baker's inhalation of outrage was audible, and I couldn't help but feel a weight being lifted from my shoulders. The call ended shortly after, and silence descended. As happy as I had just been for finally standing up for myself. Embarrassment flooded me as I worried about what Ajax would think.

"Mazie, look at me,"he commanded.

I would've ignored him if it hadn't been his alpha voice. However, my umbra knew who her alpha was. I looked up through my curls, unshed tears still lingering in my eyes.

"I am so fucking proud of you,"he whispered before crushing his lips against mine.

My heart pounded as his lips pressed against mine, sweet coffee and the earthy scent of his skin filling my senses. My eyes fluttered shut, leaning into the kiss that told me more than words could. His hands cupped my face, holding me close and secure. It seemed as if time slowed as I molded my body against his, feeling the warmth of his lips and the reassurance of his strong arms around me. When he pulled back, he smiled softly, running a thumb across my cheek to wipe away the remaining tears before speaking.

"I am so proud of you,"he repeated, voice low and rumbling. "You stood up for yourself when you didn't have to."

Despite the situation, I felt a sense of gratitude for Ajax's support and admiration. He understood what it meant for me to face someone who had used my story for their gain. It was almost as if he saw into my soul; he knew how hard it was for me to speak up and stand up for myself in front of a room full of strangers - especially when one of them was someone I trusted. The echoing applause from the kitchen was faint but encouraging, as everyone seemed to enjoy the moment between us.

"Thank you,"I whispered back simply,wrapping my arms around his neck. I pulled him close, allowing his stubble's roughness against my cheek to feel familiar yet different now that we were mates. It sent shivers down my spine at how right it all felt. "I was scared they wouldn't believe me,"I admitted, resting my forehead on his chest.

"They should have known better,"he said firmly, leaning down to nuzzle my hairline. "You're safe here, with us."