35. Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Four

Luna met with them the following day. Due to the general sentiment about Remmus' perceived vulnerability, the healer agreed their sessions should happen on Blaede clan territory, so long as her sovereign was able to attend. Nero was good friends with both Nina and Zeke, and it wasn't an outrageous request.

Vibrant red hair was Luna's defining feature, and in all the years Remmus had known her, she hadn't once altered the color. Unlike him, she'd never used transfiguration to alter her appearance.

Remmus reached out to take the healer's arm in a warrior's welcome. "Luna, it's good to see you again."

"I'm glad to see you looking a bit livelier," she greeted before looking over the assembled muscle behind him.

Kaien had adamantly refused to leave while there'd be rooting around in Remmus' mind, and Ava couldn't stand the thought of him being in pain. Zeke and Nina had also stayed, but the couple was chatting animatedly with Nero.

Aidan and Riaz hadn't wanted to leave their new pack member alone to ‘face the wolves', as they laughingly described it. Watching their grim expressions now, it was as if they'd rather bite their own tails off than leave Remmus in his moment of vulnerability. Once pack, always pack.

Smirking, he turned his attention back to Luna. If this was the new game, he could play it well. A bit of panache, a whine or two, he'd have them all eating out of his ‘vulnerable' hands.

"How you wanna do this, great all-powerful Oz?" He quipped to Luna. "Shall I simply curl into the fetal position now, or refrain until after I start drooling on the floor?"

While Ava and the other wolves bristled, Luna either took no offense or didn't notice. "I'm creation, my faithful Dorothy, not destruction. Even if I wanted to, it'd go against my nature as a healer to harm. Besides, I'd much rather keep the carpets clean."

"As long as I don't have to wear sparkly shoes."

Launching into a high-level overview of what'd take place, Remmus listened raptly. Ava's fingers snaked through his, claiming him before her alphas and his. And for once, it was nice to have someone on his side, willing to fight for him.

As he looked around the room, Remmus realized the need to amend his statement.

There were plenty of people willing to fight for him, and most had shown up today. There would have been even more if Nina had let them, but she'd known he wouldn't want the audience.

Unease heaved in his gut. He couldn't contemplate what would happen once Luna began working on him. His mother's mental influence always made him feel like he was drowning, and he wasn't looking forward to feeling that again—or being changed on a fundamental level again.

He couldn't expect Ava to love him though all these transitions. His psychic signature had already changed with the addition of his new gift—and everything else that'd happened—and this new development might finally tip the scales against him.

His breathing quickened and his heart drummed. The kickback after mating had been significantly less painful than he was expecting, but it still remained, ever-present. He couldn't help but wonder if he was making a mistake. If this ruined every good thing he had in his life, was it worth it? Maybe a little blood every once in a while was an acceptable price to pay over losing his mate.

"Hey."

Remmus barely heard the word amid the ruckus in his head.

"Hey."

More forceful this time, but it didn't break through his toxic thoughts. Each thread of insanity threatened to send his mind spiraling.

"Remmus!"

Jerking his chin up to locate the source of the shout, he discovered Ava's hands had planted on his cheeks, her beautiful oceanic blue eyes locked on his.

"You're okay." The words were softer now, only for him. "If you don't want to do this, we don't have to. If you want to go back to our house and leave this behind, we can. I'll follow your lead, Remmus, what you want, because I don't give a hoot about anyone else here."

Her expression softened. "But if you do want to continue, if you want to try this, just know I'll be here. I'll always be here. You're it for me, baby. You're my forever. No matter what happens."

Pure, unbiased love coursed through their bond. His mate was vying for sainthood, and she didn't even know it.

Offering her a watery smile, Remmus tenderly grabbed her fingers in his. "I'm okay." He pressed a reverent kiss into her palm. "Just nervous. Let's try this."