Reclaiming Herself—Completed

Chapter Twenty-Six

Patrick.

The next three days were the slowest days of Patrick’s life. Every second crawled by more slowly than the last. Danielle hadn’t texted him, and Brenda had been extremely tight-lipped. Matthew had talked him out of checking on her several times already, and he barely slept on the off chance that she needed him. How long did a heat even last?

It was killing him to have her be so close to where he was but out of reach. Subconsciously, he realized that they only had a limited amount of time together. He was certain that she would leave the first chance she had, which killed him on the inside. And though he had promised not to bother her unless she wanted it, he was aching for even a glimpse of her figure.

“Your moping is making me depressed,” Matthew said with a heavy sigh.

Patrick looked up from the briefing that he had attempted to read five times already. He had honestly forgotten that Matthew was even in the room with him.

“You try having your mate all but say her rejection, and then we’ll see how you’re doing,” he quipped back irritably.

Matthew held up his hands in an easy defeat. “Okay, okay. My bad. You’re right.”

Patrick focused on the papers once more while asking, “Don’t you have anywhere else to be? How is it that my beta has all the time in the world to camp out in my office?”

“You take all the work for yourself and leave me with nothing to do. Besides, you’d be even more miserable without my company. So, really, you should be thanking me instead of chastising me.”

“Oh, really now?”

“Yeah.”

Patrick refrained from rolling his eyes. “Why are you here, again?”

“The trackers are back and have their report.”

“Great. What did they find?”

Matthew winced. “Not much, to be honest. They were able to track his movements through the forest, but it looked like he had a portal ready in case things went askew. There’s no telling where it took him, unfortunately. However, Caleb is monitoring everything electronic. If he spends or moves a single penny, we’ll have that information and can use it to find him.”

“That is disappointing news, indeed. It’s been days since we lost him. He’s smart enough to know we’ll be looking for him through those avenues.”

“Well, I took Caleb’s advice and offered his friends a hefty sum if they let us know that Richard has contacted them.”

“Alright. I guess that’s all we can do for now. We’re dead in the water until he slips up. Have you found anything on the bracelet Danielle gave me?”

Patrick noticed the mood shift immediately.

“You’re not going to like it.”

“I haven’t liked any of this.”

Matthew nodded. “Yeah, but you’re really going to hate this. According to Kori, it’s been cursed.”

“Cursed?”

“To remove mate bonds.”

Patrick felt his entire body go rigid with tension and anger. He hadn’t believed that he could hate Richard more than he already did, but this took him to the next level of loathing. That bastard had tried to destroy their mate bond, not to mention what it had done to her body physically. This was an entirely new level of evil.

“Is that all?” he growled out.

“Well, Kori only knew so much, but she said that she could tell that the curse was weakening Luna Danielle’s body to override the bond with you. Eventually, Luna Danielle would start to see Richard as her mate the longer that she spent with him. Only a higher-ranking witch could have cast such magic, which means that the list is small. Kori is personally handling the situation, so we should have answers soon.”

“Does Kori know how much it has already affected her? Is there irreparable damage?”

Matthew gave him a grim smile. “Only Luna Danielle knows the answer to that question. Kori would need to do some tests on her with your permission, of course.”

“With Danielle’s permission,” Patrick corrected. “It would mean staying here longer, and I don’t know if she’ll want to do that.”

His heart sank further into the depths of despair as he thought about how she wanted to leave him. Patrick had thought he’d known what depression looked like; however, he was reaching new lows.

“Will you at least eat something today? I’ve heard from the omega, Taylor, that you haven’t been touching any of the plates she’s been bringing you.”

“I’m fine.”

Matthew let the topic drop, understanding that Patrick wouldn't do anything he didn’t want to do. He wanted to help his alpha, but there was only one person who would be able to do that, and she was dead set on leaving.

A light knock on the door startled them both.

“Enter,” Patrick commanded.

Brenda opened the door and waltzed into the room. She bowed her head to Patrick before sitting next to Matthew and placing a gentle kiss on his cheek.

Patrick felt a pang of jealousy at their relationship, but quickly pushed it away. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m feeling alright. Some days are better than others,” she replied happily. “It’s all for a good reason, so I can’t complain too much.”

The day they had come back from the auction, Matthew and Brenda had found out that they were expecting a pup of their own. While he had been extremely happy for his friends, he was also saddened by the idea that it may never be for him.

“But what I wanted to tell you is that Luna Danielle said she’s recovered from the heat and wants to see you,” Brenda beamed at him.

Patrick couldn’t help but grin with giddiness. “She asked for me?”

“Yes, but keep your expectations in check. She had a bag packed with necessities when I left.”

He nodded. “I can go now, though?”

“Yes, Alpha. She’s ready to talk to you.”

Without wasting another second, Patrick abandoned his work and dashed out of his office. He let Aero take over once he made it outside and stripped, running all the way to the small cottage that held so many of his dearest memories. Once he was within walking distance, he shifted back and threw his clothes back on. He didn’t even hide the fact that he had run the entire distance as he excitedly knocked on the door. He was ready to face her, plead with her to stay. He would do anything to keep her with him. Whatever she demanded or asked would be hers in a heartbeat. All she needed to do was stay.

Caleb answered the door, frowning. “That was fast,” he mumbled as he moved to the side to let Patrick in.

As he entered the living room, he saw her sitting on the couch, feet tucked under her and hugging a pillow. She gave him a small smile, and it just about stopped him from breathing. She looked radiant in her red sweater and blue jeans.

“Hi,” he said, stupefied by her mesmerizing eyes.

“Won’t you have a seat? I’m sure there’s a lot we should talk about,” she said shyly.

Patrick nodded and sat in the chair adjacent to her. Caleb took the other seat on the couch, and though he was envious of his leg touching hers, he decided to let it go. Caleb had been the lynchpin in helping Danielle escape Richard. He had also been forward with Patrick about not having any romantic feelings for her. They were trauma bonded and nothing more. Patrick knew he had to trust in that, else he’d lose his mind.

“I–” she started.

“How have–” Patrick said at the same time.

Both chuckled nervously.

“You go,” she then said, as he offered, “What were you–”

There was a pause.

“Why don’t you start,” Patrick said, rubbing a hand through his hair.

Just seeing her was making him a puddle of emotions. She was breath-takingly beautiful, and she looked so much better and healthier than when he’d left her a few days ago. He was glad to see that she had been eating properly and resting well.

“Are you sure?” she asked, hesitant.

“Oh my Goddess!” Caleb exclaimed. “You two! Just talk. You’re blasted mates. Why is it so awkward in here? I should be weirded out by the s****l tension, not whatever this crap is.”

Danielle’s face flushed as she looked over at Caleb in shock. “Caleb!”

“Am I wrong? Should I leave?”

“No, but you can’t just say something like that,” she hissed at him.

“And why not? It’s the truth!”

Patrick laughed. A moment ago, he had been jealous of Caleb, and now it was apparent that he really was a brother to her. Both looked at him as he continued laughing.

“W-what’s so funny?” Danielle asked sheepishly.

“It’s just nice seeing you both interact,” he stated with a grin. “Please, tell me what you were going to say.”

The mood lifted, and she smiled more confidently at him.

“Well, alright then. I have thought about this since the moment you left, actually,” she began.

His heart stopped, waiting on every word she said.

“And, I think I’ve finally made up my mind,” Danielle continued. “Caleb has been trying to convince me to stay. He’s told me about all the wonderful things you’ve done for others, and for him, and in preparation for my arrival. It was a lot to take in. I’ve really struggled with knowing why you’d want me after everything I’ve gone through. I was going to tell you today that I was leaving. I even have my bag packed. But, ugh, I don’t know. I’m sorry. My thoughts are all over the place.”

“That’s okay. Take your time to sort it out. I’ve got all day for you.”

Danielle blushed but nodded, taking a moment to pull herself together. “I wanted to leave, even with everything Caleb has told me about this pack. I’ve been through a lot of hurt and pain. To be honest, the werewolf community in general terrifies me. My brain has been rewired with fear. But, for the first time in well over a year, I heard my wolf’s voice again. I felt like a part of me has been restored, and she told me about Aero.”

Patrick’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. Aero hadn’t said anything to him about her wolf.

“And even now, she’s pleading with me not to leave you and Aero. Before d**k, I was fierce. I was strong. I was someone that was confident and sure of herself. If I run now, that’s all I’d be doing: running. I don’t think I should run from my problems. I want to fight. I want to be the girl who challenged everyone to a sparring match because she didn’t believe she’d lose. I think that I want to give us a chance. So, if you’d allow it, I’d like to stay–”

“Absolutely,” Patrick was quick to answer, a huge smile plastered on his face.

“Under a trial period,” Danielle finished.

Doing his best to stuff down both his and Aero’s excitement, he nodded. “What do you envision?”

“I want a taste of what living here would be like. And, if I feel like I can settle here, then I will, but if not, then I’d like to reject you and move on with my life.”

Patrick swallowed his pride and hurt and replied, “If that’s what you want, then I’ll cherish every moment with you, and I’ll let you go if that’s your choice in the end.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course, my Luna.”