36. Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Five

Ava's paws pounded into the earth, bitter winter wind whistling through her slate-grey coat. After four individual hour-long sessions of ‘de-icing', as Remmus put it, he'd shooed her away.

The process of Luna's mental healing was akin to watching grass grow. Both patient and therapist essentially disappeared into their psychic space, playing a game of mental telephone while they sat inexplicably still for the duration of Luna's ‘visit'.

It'd begun a week ago, and now that they'd just returned to the den, Ava could utilize her pack's frozen territory to run off her anxiety. Remmus' coercions were deeply entrenched within his mind, and while it wasn't an outright painful process, it was uncomfortable for him.

On the plus side, it was working.

With each consecutive session, Remmus had commented that he felt lighter, freer, that the coercion that encased his mind was gradually melting away. The compulsion to punish himself over the mating bond had been the first thing they'd worked on—and now he was nearly free of it.

Ava jogged into the den and instantly went in search of her mate, the beast salivating for his presence as she usually did. He was languidly sitting atop a picnic bench, entertaining two pups who were now enthralled in a magic trick.

She watched him delight the children with the mysterious disappearing coin and earn several enthusiastic grins before they bounded away. He told her the other day that Kane, a vampire elder he knew well, had given him a few tips on mating a wolf. Ensuring the den pups loved him was number three on the list. She still blushed remembering the top two.

Remmus turned to her with a mischievous smirk. Squatting, he grasped her scruff dramatically and shout-whispered, "Scooby-Doo, where were you? I was so worried!"

Nipping him for his insolence, Ava shifted to two legs and planted a kiss on his tempting lips before pivoting to greet the two alphas now walking their way.

"Alpha."

"Alpha Squared, delta Remmus at your service."

Performing a theatrical bow, Ava's mate flourished a hand as if pulling off his top hat. "What can I do for you, alphas?"

Humor shined in Riaz' eyes as he jerked a thumb at Aidan. "I'm glad you're not a surly old fossil like this one."

No sooner had the words gotten out of his mouth than Aidan's arm had wrapped around Riaz's neck. Placing the male in a choke hold, Aidan chuckled deeply despite the other alpha's struggles.

"I wanted to convey my apologies for breaking your face on one of our more recent encounters, Remmus."

"Well, my face does have a tendency to incite violence," Remmus replied, chipper. "Besides, we wouldn't make a family without a few broken bones between us."

Aidan growled, "Anyone ever breaks your bones, I'll break theirs."

"Well, on that happy note," Riaz finally succeeded in breaking free from Aidan's hold and turned a grin at Remmus. "You're mated to my beta, Remmus, and even though you're sadly lacking a wolf, I'll accept you into the pack."

"Shall I grow a tail to appease your animal?"

Ava pinched his arm. "Let's wait until your transfiguration is working again, baby. Wouldn't want you accidentally becoming a prey animal instead."

Then Ava would really have to chase him.

Though it'd been slow going, Remmus had been working with Kaien and Luna to restore his use of transfiguration and refocus his technopathic gifts. The healers had given him a tedious set of exercises, which had gradually been reestablishing his former abilities.

Not that Ava would've minded. She loved him regardless of what he was able to hack into or wore on his skin, but he was far more comfortable projecting the lie for now, and she couldn't fault him for it.

"We also are overdue for an Accords meeting," Aidan explained, crossing his massive arms over his broad chest. "Nina and I spoke; we'd like you both there."

"Can't have the party without the guest of honor."

"Besides," Riaz' grin grew comically large. "We need a ride."

"I'd be overjoyed to function as your personal taxi, your greatness."

And two hours later, Remmus made good on his promise. As soon as they'd landed in Nina's home in Lexington, he slid a possessive hand around Ava's waist.

As Ava glanced around the foyer, she sighted with one of the few female alphas in the world. "Nova!"

Eager to catch up with her old friend, she embraced her and began chatting as though they'd never been apart. The last time Ava had seen her, it'd been at her mating party several years ago. Nova's mate, Kane, was here as a delegate, and was speaking with a handful of other immortals.

Before she knew it, Kaien appeared to sweep them all into a conference room. That was when the Raeth sovereign Isaiah teleported in with a host of delegates at his side, including his mate, Rukia.

The water Elemental was pregnant.