Reclaiming Herself—Completed

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Danielle.

She gazed up at him, curious. Caleb and Brenda had both told her quite a bit about him, since she had wanted to know what type of person she’d been mated to. According to both of them, and everyone else in the pack, he was incredible and kind. He fiercely protected the ones he loved and would gladly lay his life down for his pack. Danielle couldn’t help but notice the differences between him and Richard. They were polar opposites. Richard ruled his pack with an iron fist and with fear. Patrick, on the other hand, was gentle and caring. And after his words to her about accepting her with all her flaws, fears, and trauma, she saw just how right everyone had been. She needed to give him a chance, give the mate bond a chance.

He met her eyes with so much love that she had to look away. Danielle wasn’t used to such actions, let alone being truly cared for.

“Anything for you, Dani,” he said.

She tugged her hand away and awkwardly looked at the training grounds. Most of the warriors had already departed, and the others were a respectful distance away. She wasn’t sure what to do next nor how to act. She’d reached out to him rashly, not thinking about what would happen after, and now, she was at a loss.

“Uhh,” she stalled.

“Let’s clean ourselves up and then share a meal together. I do have some work to get done, but I don’t think it’ll take too long,” he said, saving her from embarrassment.

She nodded and followed him back to the pack house, where they went into their separate rooms to shower and change. Once done, she went down to the kitchen, where Taylor served her a hearty breakfast of eggs, avocado toast, and bacon as she waited for Patrick to join her.

“Are you adjusting well?” Taylor asked, filling the silence.

“Um, yes. I think so,” Danielle replied after swallowing her mouthful of egg.

The omega smiled at her and leaned against the counter. Danielle had chosen to sit up at the bar-like island.

“That’s great. I know that it’s a lot to get used to at first,” Taylor continued.

Danielle grinned. “Yes, I mean, everyone is nice and all, but…”

“But, they come on a little strong. I know,” Taylor finished for her with a laugh. “My first week here almost made me regret choosing to stay. They were killing me with kindness. I just wasn’t used to it, and I knew they meant well, but it really was a lot to handle. People who haven’t experienced severe trauma aren’t aware that even being too nice can make others uncomfortable.”

“You…aren’t from the pack originally?” Danielle asked, trying to be sensitive.

Taylor shook her head. “No, Alpha Patrick and his guys saved me and most of my pack a little while back. I was a slave and already had a buyer and everything. And then, one night, they showed up out of nowhere, whisked us away, and asked if we wanted to be a part of a pack that would never turn their backs on us or treat us like we were property. Obviously, I wanted that over becoming a rogue, but coming out of such a hard environment to one that was so cheerful and warm and welcoming was still a shock.”

“Oh, I didn’t know. I’m so sorry you had to endure that,” Danielle said, taken aback by her honesty.

“It’s okay now,” she chuckled. “I’d rather not have gone through everything that I did, but since I did, all I can do is learn and grow from it and help others get through their own trauma. So, if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here, Luna.”

Tears sprang into Danielle’s eyes. “Thank you. Though, to be completely honest, I don’t even know where to begin with it all. I…”

Taylor placed her hand over Danielle’s. “There’s no need to push yourself to talk about it or rush the healing journey. I don’t know your story, but I heard you came from Alpha Richard Degrano’s pack, and,” she paused for a moment, taking a deep breath and letting it out. “That monster deserves to rot in hell. We heard terrible things about it and were secretly happy to not be in his pack. I just want you to know that we’ll surround you and hold you up when you need support. I know that Alpha Patrick is worried for you and wants to do whatever he can to help, even if it means not being the one beside you on your journey.”

The tears spilled out of her eyes and down her cheeks as she listened to Taylor’s words. There was so much to unpack, and she felt a slew of different emotions bubbling up inside of her. There was so much she wanted to say. But her voice felt silenced. There was so much kept inside of her that wanted to burst out. She wanted to unburden herself, and yet, she was shackled by the guilt. It consumed her.

“Oh hey! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to make you cry,” Taylor said gently, running around the counter to embrace her in a hug, which only caused Danielle to cry harder.

Danielle cried for her powerlessness. She cried for herself. She cried for the people she couldn’t save. She cried, and let it out in a way she hadn’t been able to before. She let her tears roll down her cheeks and soak into Taylor’s shirt. She let herself feel more than just pain and guilt and shame. She cried for the woman that had been taken away from her by Richard. She cried to get her back. Danielle let Taylor soothe her with her humming and rub her back, like a mother would do for a child. She let Taylor be the anchor she’d always wanted to be for others and was comforted in the fact that she had done her best. Finally, once the tears ceased to flow, she slowly pulled away, her eyes puffy and red. Talyor met her with a warm smile.

“Now,” she began. “Before you start apologizing, I want you to know that you’ll be an amazing Luna for all of us. And, I also want you to know that being vulnerable in front of people isn’t a weakness. It makes you incredibly relatable and approachable. It’s okay to lean on others for support in order to help support them in return.”

Danielle was overwhelmed by the omega’s wisdom and understanding nature. She had known exactly how to speak to her as well as what to do that would help her begin healing.

“Maybe you should be the luna instead,” Danielle laughed, wiping her eyes.

Taylor’s cheeks grew red. “Oh no, Luna. Not me.”

“You knew exactly what to do and what I needed. You were there when I needed you. Isn’t that what Lunas do?”

“Well, sure, that’s probably part of it. But, I think our Luna should inspire people and compliment our Alpha. That’s you, without a doubt, and I look forward to serving with you and for you, Luna Danielle,” Taylor beamed at her.

Shaking her head, Danielle chuckled. “If you say so. Thank you, Taylor. For everything.”

“Of course, Luna.”

Danielle finished her meal as Taylor left to begin cleaning up from breakfast. Patrick still hadn’t shown up, which she thought was odd. So, once she ate her fill, she wandered off through the house in search of him. Danielle headed to his office after knocking on his bedroom door and not getting a response.

Hearing voices inside, she bit her bottom lip in uncertainty. She didn’t want to be caught eavesdropping, but she didn’t want to interrupt anything important either. Taking a deep breath in to steady her nerves, she decided to be courageous and knock on the door. The voices instantly stopped, causing panic to flare up inside of her. Perhaps knocking had been a mistake. As she turned to leave, the door opened.

“Oh, Luna!” Matthew’s cheerful voice called from behind her. “Please don’t leave!”

She turned sheepishly, and saw Matthew beckoning her inside. Against her better judgment, she decided to follow him into Patrick’s office.

“In fact, this is perfect. There’s someone you should probably talk to,” Matthew continued as he closed the door behind them.

Inside the office were several people. Patrick was behind his desk, and Caleb was sitting with his head in his hands on the couch. Standing in the middle was a woman that struck fear into her heart. Her eyes widened, and Danielle wanted to bolt. Right as she took a step backwards to flee, she felt Matthew’s hands clasp onto both of her shoulders. She felt trapped, and her heart began to beat wildly.

“Matt! Release her!” Patrick bellowed, instantly picking on her frenzied state.

Once free of Matthew’s grasp, she looked at everyone as everyone stared at her.

“Wh–what is she doing here?” she barely managed to whisper.

Frowning, Patrack stood and came around the desk and stood in front of her. He gently took her hand and kissed the back of it.

“It’s going to be okay. She came here as a friend,” he said.

“She’s no friend. She’s the one who cursed the bracelet! She’s the witch, who–who…” she shrieked, her eyes never leaving the woman’s

“I know,” Patrick said quietly, gaining her attention.

“You, you know? How? Why?”

“She wants to apologize and aid us in bringing Alpha Richard to justice.”

“But,” Danielle objected, suddenly feeling a searing pain in her head.

She pressed her left palm into her temple, trying to ease the pain.

“Don’t try to recall those memories,” the woman warned.

“Get away from me!” Danielle yelled out, feeling like she was once again on the verge of crying. “Don’t come near me, Maria! Don’t, don’t touch me!”

Patrick hugged Danielle tightly, turning his head to glare at Maria. “What the hell is going on? You said you wanted to help! What did you do to her?”

Maria sighed, a sorrowful look in her eyes. “If she’s willing to listen, I’ll tell you everything I know.”