My Trauma Mate

Chapter 3

BLAKE 

 Can I act like I am any more of an i***t?! I’ve been waiting for her since I was little, hearing my mother and father tell my brother and sister and me their love story. It definitely was one for the books. Almost like a fairy tale the way my mother put it.  

Here she is, in the passenger seat of my truck. I never imagined it would be like this. I didn’t think it would be with a girl who was a presumed murderer. Matter of fact, my parents never spoke to me about her situation aside from the need-to-know details that no one took her after she became an orphan. I’ve always wondered what exactly happened that day. I’m going to ask my father later. Right now, I have to show her my now second favorite thing in the world.  

Pulling up to the old iron gates, I grabbed her hand, shooting the most pleasurable sparks through my body, giving me a sense of peace. Looking over at her, I can tell she feels them too and her body visibly relaxes a little.

“We’re here. Would you like to walk with me?” Goddess, I hope she does. I want to hold her hand and watch her face as she gets to see this part of me.  

Maybe she’ll believe that I’m ready to work for this mate bond with her. Gazing up at me, I could see wonder in her eyes and she nodded her head slightly. There's that cheesy grin I can’t wipe off my face again, I’m probably freaking her out. 

Opening her door, I can feel her reluctance, probably because this is all new and scary to her, but I hope to win her trust. I help her out by grabbing her hand. Once her feet hit the ground, I shut the door and locked the truck. I drop her hand long enough to push the iron gates that are covered in vines open, revealing the large meadow and cottage that I have had in my family for years. It's not so much a cottage as it is a three-story house. The house is on 100 acres of land that’s been vacant for a while. Trees surround the land, giving it a pleasant escape kind of feel. For me, this place has given me a place to finally breathe. I’ve been able to find myself here.  

Kiera hasn’t pulled her hand out of mine and I really hope she doesn’t. I watched her reaction as we walked through the gates and toward the house. Her eyes are full of wonder and she’s actually smiling!

“Is this yours?” Kiera asked. She sounds amazed. 

“Umm... yea it is. It’s been in my family for a long time. My parents don’t use it much anymore, since the Alpha and Luna have to be in the pack house. They do vacation out here periodically when they can get away. It is close enough that they can get back in an emergency but far enough away to get a break.” Kiera lets go of my hand as she walks into the yard.  

We don’t send mowers to do the yard because it’s just a grand area where wildflowers grow. Kiera is surrounded by pink, purple and blue flowers up to her waist. We can see her close her eyes, tilt her head back and breathe deep. She looks so serene, at peace. She starts laughing and twirling. Has she ever been this happy before?

“I want to keep her here. She feels free here.” Dean comments softly in my head. 

“My friend, are you in love? Do I sense you swooning?” I replied back to him and Dean grumbled a little.

“You can’t tell me you don’t feel it. Her energy’s different than it was back at school. She’s not hiding.” He’s right. Watching Kiera, I’m reminded that she was so deep within herself earlier. Seeing her like this now, no one would have guessed. I want her like this all the time. I want her to feel this joy every day for the rest of her life.

“Can I go inside?” Kiera asked with that dazzling smile on her face that made it impossible to say no. I’ll never be able to tell her no, I can tell. 

“Yea, Babe. I want to show you around. This will be yours too if you let me.” I held out my hand and was answered with a shower of happy sparks through our connection. 

KIERA  

I haven’t felt this free in a long time. Have I ever felt like this?

The flowers here are up to my waist and they smell so pretty! They remind me of the bouquets of flowers my grandpa would bring me on Valentine's Day. He died right before Leslie emerged, but he was like my best friend. I never told him about anything that was happening at home because I didn’t want his view of me to change like everyone else's had.

“If you don’t mate with him, I’ll never speak to you again! You'll be all on your own girl!” She giggles like a school girl  

“Coming from a person who doesn’t trust anyone around us?” 

“Blake and his wolf have made you smile more then you have in years. I trust him. I can feel his adoration all the way over here!” 

Laughter flows out of my mouth from Leslie. I could sense that she was in ecstasy. It’s difficult for me to bring her the happiness she deserves like this. She has loved and supported me all these years when no one else did and I owe her everything. Leslie has saved my life more than I can ever describe.  

After twirling amidst the flowers until we were both terribly dizzy and nauseous, I made my way back to Blake. He seemed to be watching us very intently. As I got closer, I realized he and his wolf were communicating.  Once I got to him, his smile mirrored mine.  

“Can I go inside?” I asked Blake. The house is three stories tall and has a wraparound porch, porch swing and all! It’s every girl's dream house! 

“Yea Babe. I want to show you around. This will be yours too if you let me.” Blake tells us as he holds his hand out to me. 

“See I told you. He’s smitten.” Leslie says in that ‘I told you so’ voice.

“He called me babe...” I felt a slight hesitation, about to let fear creep back in. 

“Nope. We aren’t doing that!” Leslie took control of me and almost slapped Blake's hand because of how fast she put our hand in his. The mate bonds' connection was so strong already that it shot sparks straight to my heart, giving me butterflies.