A Sense of Mate

Asha

    It took all of five minutes for us to walk to the Special's block or the Spec.  I say walk, Delta Ben's grip on my upper arm never loosened, so it was more of drag/push all the way to there.   My hip ached from hitting the wood floor, and I had one hand holding my now swollen cheek.   I'll concede that I needed the pull/push. 

    The Spec was smaller than I had imagined.  It was roughly about the size of two large houses joined side by side, with french doors and windows.  A chair swing hung down from either end of the porch, and it gave the place a rustic feel.

If it wasn't for the fact that an enforcer was sat on a chair guarding the front door, the building would have looked right at home on a farm somewhere in Kansas.  Even with the enforcer, it still looked out of place here in LoneBay.  

    The enforcer stood up as he saw us approach.  "Good morning Delta".

    Okay, where's the blob?  I was just starting to get used to having to squint my eyes, but with this guy there's nothing.  Crap have I lost my blob ability already? A small amount of panic creeps into my mind.

    "Morning Kyle, is Asha around?" Ben asked.

    "Last I saw her she was round back, by the pond".  I noticed Kyle, the enforcers gaze move from Ben's grip on my arm to the hand on my face.  "Do we have a new serv for the Spec?" he quizzed.

    Ben followed Kyle's look and laughed, releasing my arm.  "That isn't my handy work Kyle, and this Omega is our newest Special.  Well, according to the Doc she is anyway".

    "Oh, a new one to watch" Kyle smirked. 

    "Yep.  We need Asha to read her so we can figure out what she can do before she shifts tonight".

    "Like I said Delta, you should find Asha round the back."  Kyle took a step forward, inhaling deeply.  Ben emits a very low growl and re-grabs arm.  He takes the time to move my hair over my neck again.  What is it with him and my damn hair?

    This one movement encourages Kyle to take a step back.  "Does she have a name?" he asks, clearing his throat.

    "Her name is Sweetcheeks, but YOU will call her Jessa" Ben responded harshly.  "She is still an Omega, so keep in mind what that means Kyle" he added. 

    "Right. Yes, Delta" Kyle answers, straightening his back to stand a little taller, as I'm pushed once more to move.  This time to the back of the Spec.  I really wish someone would tell me what that means, so I can prepare for whatever torture I've got coming.

    I'm not prepared for what I see going through the gate.  An oriental garden.  Cherry blossom and Wysteria trees are lined along the fence line, in a purple, white and pink pattern.  Spaced out underneath them are green shrubs in various shades and shapes, interspersed with bonsai trees and carved stone lanterns.  The centrepiece of the garden is a large pond, with a small wooden bridge going across, connecting to light wooden paths, and surrounded by well-mown grass.   A small Japanese maple hung over the edge of the water to one side, while on the other a rock formation, with water cascading down it.  The sound of the water spilling over the rocks, and into the pond filled the air.  All other sounds seemed irrelevant there.

    "Good thing the tourists don't know about this place" I blurted out, forgetting about rule one.

      Ben didn't punish me for it though.  Instead, he led me slowly along one of the wooden paths.  Letting me take in my new surroundings.  I resisted the urge to stretch my hands out like a child, to let the shrubs and little shaped trees brush against my palms as we walked.  Honestly, the place was beautiful.  I guess the zen thing I'd read about in books really does works.

    We came to a stop,  and a few feet in front of us was the most beautiful shade of purple I had ever seen.  I couldn't quite make out what type of tree it was.  It wasn't until it said hello that I realised it wasn't a tree at all,  it was a person.  I staggered back a little, and Delta Ben's grip on my arm righted me before I could fall back over.

     Maybe my blob ability doesn't work on everyone? It would explain its absence around Kyle.  For the minute though it works on this person, if I could relax my eyes I would know who just spoke, but the colour is so vibrant, it's making my eyes ache.   

    "Don't worry young one, you'll be able to see me better in a moment.  Relax your eyes," a musical voice called out.

  My pulse quickened.  How could she know I couldn't see her?  Was it obvious I was squinting or something?  There's no point in whirling the questions round in my head if I wanted answers I was going to have to focus on the who, then I could focus on the how.

    I took a breath and tried to relax my eyes further, straining to look past the glow.  Slowly but surely, an incredibly beautiful woman, with long mousey-brown hair began to take shape.  The bright purple was still there, but it wasn't floating around her as I had seen with the Delta, and the Alpha.  This was radiating off her entire body.

    "There.  That's better" she soothed, and she reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

    "Um, Asha, what the hell was that about?" Ben quizzed.

    "Let's head inside Ben.  I'll answer everything then, but Jessa needs some extra time to adjust her focus.  Also, looking at the poor girl, she could use some fluids".  I licked my lips at the acknowledgement of their dryness.

    "How do you know her name, I haven't mentioned it yet?" Ben said sharply.

    "You're really asking ME that question Delta? She answered, raising one eyebrow and emphasising thee me bit.

    "Inside Ben".  With that, she turned and led the way back to the Spec.

    We followed Asha into a conservatory, and she gestured for us to sit.  Disappearing briefly, and then returning with a tray of cold drinks.  She picked one up and placed into my hands.  "Drink" she instructed me.  I did as I was told.

    "Can I have some answers now?" Ben pressed. 

    "Of course Delta," Asha said sweetly.  I continued to sip my drink, glancing over at Ben.  His facial expression was one of impatience as Asha held her finger up to indicate for him to wait for a moment.

    "How are your eyes now Jessa?  Is it focused or are you straining?" she asked me.

    "Hang on" Ben interrupted.  "What's wrong with her eyes?"  Asha didn't answer, she indicated for him to wait with her finger again.

    "My eyes are okay.  I can focus, but it's harder with you", I admitted, and she lowered her finger.  "How did you know?" I start to ask, but Ben shoots me a look to shut my mouth and open my ears.

    "Is she defective or something?" he jumps in.

    "Jessa here is an aura reader" Asha smiles.  I'm a what?

    "She's a what reader?" Ben shrugged.

    "She's an aura reader" Asha repeated.

    Ben scratched the back of his neck  "So what the hell is one of them when they're at home?" he asked confused.  Believe me, I'm just as confused.

    "How do I explain this to you both?  Um. Okay.  So every living being has an energy field of sorts.  This field or aura sits around our bodies like floating layers, and these layers are different colours".  She paused to take a breath.

     "Think of the colours as a different aspect to a persons' consciousness or, state of being.  So if a person is feeling tired, their energy field might be the colour brown, for example."

    Ben looks over at me, c*****g his head.  "So she can see energy fields?" he asks, still looking at me.

    "She can" Asha confirmed.  "Given time and training not only will she be able to see them properly, but she'll be able to read them as well".  Asha's statement gives me a sense of hope.  If I can control, and use my ability then the Alpha might not hurt me again.

    "You just said she can see them.  Now you're saying she can't.  Which is it?" the impatience returns.

    "No Ben, I said she'll be able to see them properly.  The girl has only just gotten her gift, she's been seeing coloured splodges instead of people all morning."  She took another breath before continuing.  "So that rule you gave her about not using her ability on higher ranks doesn't count right now".

    His eyes widened at the realisation that Asha knew about the rules, and his nostrils flared.   He turned to me again, "Did you see my aura?" He asked, accusingly.  I nod as I lowered my head.

    "Ben, don't" Asha warned him.

    "Keep your head up!  What do you see now?" he demands angrily, reaching across to squeeze my wrist.

    "I can't see anything around you" I answered timidly, my skin pinching under his grip.

    "You can knock that off in here Ben Morston." There was some authority in Asha's tone, and I wondered how it was possible she could use that with Ben being a Delta.  A question for another time.  The tone worked though and Ben let go of my wrist.

    "She won't be able to see your aura because mine is brighter than anything she will have seen today" there was a protective growl from Asha.

      "You can't expect her to have control over it when she has only had her ability for six or so hours."  She said composing herself.

  "Jessa, you didn't see an aura on Kyle our enforcer either did you?" I shook my head.  How does she do that?  "And I'm guessing you figured out about how to focus by accident as well" I nod.

     "Don't worry, it will get easier" she said as she stroked my cheek.

    Ben stood up and crossed his arms across his chest.  "So I can report to the Alpha that we have another sense ability?".

     Asha moved herself to sit next to me on the two-seater couch.  "Yes, you can tell him that.  But, that's not all Jessa can do," she stated.  This time it was me who c****d my head to the side.

    "What do you mean not all she can do Asha?"  Ben sat himself down again.

    "I'm saying our girl here has more than one gift.  I'm not sure what it is yet so I'll need to do a soul sense to find out what".

I call out mentally to Esti to ask her about it, but she's silent, and all these questions in my head are making it hurt.

   Asha turns to me, her voice soft. "Jessa", I promise to explain my abilities to you soon, but first I need to speak to your soul".  Her eyes are gentle as she talks to me.

    "Esti isn't talking at the moment" I blurt out and Asha laughs.

    "Your wolf has a beautiful name, I can understand why she's not talking at the moment, this is a lot to take in.   But, I need to talk to your soul.  It's somewhere deep inside of you.  It's a bit like the subconscious of your heart.  It holds hidden knowledge of both you and Esti".

    "Will it hurt?" I ask her.

    "No, young one it won't hurt.  Do you trust me?" I see the honesty in her eyes, and for the umpteenth time today, I nod in agreement.

     With that, she raises her hand and places it on my heart.  On my mark.  Gasping as her hand makes contact with it.  Her eyes lock onto mine, she knows its there.   I feel the skin underneath grow warm, and watch as Asha's eyes turn from green to silver.  I don't move a muscle, instead, I listen to Asha's hitched uneven breaths.  The purple aura vibrating around her.

    It takes no more than a few minutes before Asha's eyes change back, and she slowly lifts her hand away from my chest, bringing it up to cup my cheek.  "Oh, you are a special one" she whispers.

    "Well," Ben interrupts and Asha turns to look at him. "What else can she do?"

    "Jessa is also an empath."  Ben opens his mouth but Asha answers his question before he can ask it.  "She can sense others feelings and pain".  I don't like the sound of that! 

    "When she's trained that is," Asha was quick to add that.  "I will take it from here Delta, you can go and report back to the Alpha".

    "I need to get her settled in her room before I do anything, Asha, I have orders".  There was an edge to his voice again. 

    "Delta the girl is exhausted and needs some rest before her first shift tonight.  I will get her settled her in her new room, and put her into bed myself.  You do not need to do that" I noticed that Asha's own voice had an edge to it.  Protective and warning.

    "Fine" Ben growled.  He came to stand behind the couch and leaned over.  His lips an inch away from ears so I can hear his breath,  I freeze on instinct.  "I will see you tonight sweetcheeks, and remember to wear your hair down."  His command forcing me to swallow deeply.  With that, he turned and left, leaving a trail of echoing footsteps. 

    "Are you alright Jessa?" Asha asks, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. 

    "I'll be okay, I suppose I just need to get used to all of this" I answer, giving Asha a half-smile.

    "We have some work ahead of us, I need to get you prepared and protected.  But for now, young one, let's get you to bed.  A few hours of uninterrupted sleep is needed for tonight".  She had just added more question to my list, but on the sleep front, Asha would get no resistance.  I knew I was shattered.  She stood up and motioned for me to follow her. 

    We headed up a flight of stairs, walking along a long hallway and coming to a stop in front of a grey door at the end.  Asha opened it and I could see a largish room.  The walls were covered in a silver wallpaper, with a big window opening up one wall.  There were a few pieces of furniture in there, but I was pleased to see the ready-made kingsize bed, with a fluffy beige bedspread draped over it.

    "We'll send an enforcer to collect your clothes and your owls" she smiled.

    "How did you -" I started to ask.

    "I did promise to tell you about my abilities, but not now.  Now you need sleep".

     She walked over to a door and opened it.  "You have a shower and toiled in here for when you wake up.  Also, you'll find a white slip dress to wear to the shifting tonight in the closet" and she nodded towards a grey wardrobe in the corner of the room.

    "Get some rest, Jessa.  You are safe here, no-one will hurt you".  She smiled again and left me alone in the room.

  I walked over to the window, pausing for a few seconds when I saw my new view was of the oriental garden.  I know for certain that it was going to become my new favourite place to be.  Yawning I closed the curtains and walked over to the bed.

  I stripped down to my underwear.  There was a blue bruise the size of a handprint on my hip, but I was too tired to wallow in its ache.  It would heal by this time tomorrow.  Instead, I slid under the fluffy covers, my eyelids closing as my head sunk into the pillows.  I block out the questions swirling round in my head, sleep comes quickly, and I welcome it with open arms.