The Voice of the Dead

Following the call

*Lea POV*

I hit the road the next morning again, my face still holding a huge smile from yesterday's events.

Verne and Arthur accepted each other and, after thanking me profusely and exchanging contacts, they went on their merry way to mark each other and consume their bond.

I'm a sucker for this kind of love stories to be honest. I don't know if it's a byproduct of being raised around the one who gives mates in the first place, or I'm just sappy and romantic by nature.

But this is just giving me even more reasons to keep on going. Not only for my mate, but for finding more people to help.

I called my parents in the morning and left Montreal, passing the border with the States. Last night I took a good look at the map and I felt the pull as I was looking through northern states, Montana especially. I planned my trip and started the journey. After almost 14 hours of driving, I was happy to arrive in Chicago, with a plan of spending at least a few days here. I checked into another 5 star hotel in the middle of the city, knowing very well, my parents won't approve anything less.

After spending so many hours in the car, I was happy to rest in a very nice, comfy bed.

I felt the pull getting stronger with each hour of driving, and by now it got really intense, bringing me both happiness and anxiety. I know that grandma wouldn't pair me with someone not worthy in her eyes, but she can't control everything. There is still a chance that my mate would reject me.

If that happens, I can still go back to my parents pack, find myself a nice chosen mate and still be happy.

I sighed deeply.

Who am I kidding?

I want my mate to accept me, to love me the way I am, to support my need to help people.

It was late, almost midnight, but I felt like I needed to talk with someone.

I sighed and dialed mom's number.

-"Hi Lea, is everything okay?" She picked up after two signals at most.

-"I am, I just… need to talk. I didn't interrupt anything, did I?" I asked shyly, causing mom to giggle.

-"No sweetheart. Your father is overseeing the night training with young ones."

-"Oh, right, it's this time of the month. I miss the night practice, I loved helping the young pups." I smiled, suddenly feeling homesick.

-"And I'm sure they miss their favorite warden. But that's not why you called. What happened?"

-"I feel like I'm moving in the ridge direction, I feel the pull getting slightly stronger, but…"

-"But with that came an anxiety of getting rejected?" Mom finished for me and I sighed.

-"How do you know?"

-"Because I felt that too. Since I was awoken, I felt the need to find my mate. But before I found Alex, I feared that he may not want to get involved with the mess I was carrying with me. Not everyone would stay with me after learning that gods are after me. I was scared, terrified even, that I found my mate just to get rejected. And I'm saying this as a Moon Goddess's daughter. I knew that my mom would pair me with a soul that matches mine perfectly, but in the end, we all have a free will of accepting the bond. Alex is everything I dreamed of and more. And even though he was put under extreme pressure of facing gods, he never, not even once regretted getting me as his mate. Your mate has the same free will we all have, but if he is truly meant for you, nothing would scare him off."

I sat on my bed in silence, thinking of what mom told me.

-"I believe in him accepting me, I do. But what if he doesn't? What am I supposed to do then?" I asked quietly.

Mom chuckled softly.

-"If he rejects the bond, then f**k him."

I giggled, not often I hear my mom cursing.

-"There it is, I love hearing you laugh. Lea, my baby, sometimes the first pairing is meant to fail."

I raised my eyebrows.

-"What do you mean?"

-"However crazy this may seem to you, I never questioned my mother's ways. Sometimes she pairs a soul with someone that is not a perfect match, so she could bring the true soulmates together. Sometimes you have to get rejected to meet your true destiny. If it happens to you, that simply means that there is someone better for you out there." Mom said with a soft chuckle. "In the end, The Moon Goddess rarely makes mistakes. Even something that seems like one, often is just how things are supposed to go."

-"That… strangely makes sense." I sighed.

-"Did it calm you a little, though?"

-"It did. Thank you, mom. I feel like the anticipation got stronger and anxiety became weaker." I giggled and mom followed.

-"One day, after you find your mate, you will remember this feeling as thrilling, being on the verge of meeting your destined one. Trust me, I sure do."

-"Thank you, mom. I love you so much." I smiled at the phone, yawning.

-"And I love you too . Go to sleep my little Lea, tomorrow go and explore the world and when you are ready, move on, chasing your destiny."

***

Three days later, I left Chicago. Much calmer and excited for the future. I found a few people there that I helped, relaying the messages from the dead. That left me feeling proud of myself, worthy and needed.

I kept thinking if I should go back to my birth pack, show them who I am now, who I became after they tossed me away and left me to die, but I don't think that's a good idea. I, deep down, feel like I need this validation but on the other hand, I should be above this. That life is long gone, the girl who they falsely accused is dead. I'm no longer Camilea, I'm Lea, Lea Bartram, a daughter of the strongest Alpha ever alive and a Goddess of Sorcery. I may not be their child by blood, but they are my true parents.

My last name alone opens any door for me to be honest, but I'm not planning on abusing that. I want to be perceived by my own actions, not just by my name.

After almost 16 hours of driving, stopping only for gas and a quick snack, I passed the Montana state border and reached Miles City, where I was able to find a hotel to stay in.

My heart was telling me I'm close but not yet where I meant to, but my body declined any more cooperation and demanded sleep.

With my eyes basically closing by itself, I took out a small bag that I prepared earlier, containing some change of clothes and toiletries and checked in.

I walked into the room, kicked my shoes off and threw myself on the bed, almost falling asleep during the descent.

Before sleep came, I felt a shiver on my body and heard a voice, singing softly somewhere.

I sighed heavily, knowing that I can ignore the spirit, block their voice and just go to bed and come back to it in the morning.

I groaned and sat back up, looking around. Like hell can I ignore it.

The singing was distant, not coming from my own room, but somewhere close.

Without putting my shoes on, I took my card key and left my room, searching for the source of the singing.

I put my ear on the doors next to mine and heard a very faint, muffled sobbing. It almost felt like the singing spirit was trying to console the crying person.

I took a deep breath and knocked on the doors.