Winterlust (COMPLETE)

Recovery

Elder Barry Davis

She is positively magnificent. Incredible. Elder Davis takes his blanket and wraps it around Violet. He pulls her close to him on the floor, cradling her. “Here, take small sips or you’ll choke”, he says softly as he places a bottle of water to Violet’s lips. Violet sips the water and sputters. “Beta Owen, link the pack doctor. She’s going to need fluids intravenously”, he prompts Owen.

Travis is in the cell next to them with Vanessa. Fascinatingly, Violet still has Vanessa’s mouth clamped shut. As tired and weak as she is, she is still in control. Magnificent. Davis continues to feed Violet small sips of water while Travis issues a silver lashing to Vanessa.

When Travis finishes with Vanessa, he races into Violet’s cell. “She completed her training superbly, Alpha”, Davis beams. Travis scoops a limp Violet into his arms and cradles her, his eyes are brimming with tears. “How long has it been?”, Violet croaks. “Thirty two hours, Peanut”, Travis whispers as he kisses her forehead.

Owen clears his throat, “Elder Davis? How did you know about Vanessa?” Davis smiles and tips his head. “Beta Janie asked PJ to pass me a note. She saw the training opportunity and pounced. Very wise decision”. Owen is astounded, it’s written all over his face. “Doctor Mitchell will meet us at the hospital in ten minutes”, Owen says as he shakes his head.

Violet

Violet struggles to stay conscious. Being in Travis’s arms never felt so good. She can feel his racing heartbeat and his breath on her face. She imagines that Travis feels calm. Slowly, his heart rate returns to normal. Travis carries her out to a waiting SUV, and Violet realizes that the sun is beginning to rise on a new day.

At the pack hospital, Doctor Mitchell and two nurses greet them at the front door. Travis thunders inside and places Violet gently down on the first bed he sees. They’re ready for Violet and begin to connect her IV fluids and check her vital signs as they wheel her into a room.

Blackness.

In her dreams, there is a battle going on all around her yet Violet is still. “Looking for me, Princess?”, the evil voice asks her. “I’m stronger than you”, Violet replies, “You are not in control, but I am”. “Soon you will see just how strong I am”, the voice laughs.

Violet’s eyes fly open and she searches the room frantically. Where am I? What day is it? Where’s Travis? Somewhere far away, Violet hears a beeping that is getting faster and faster. “Violet! You’re awake! Doc! Doc, she’s awake!”, Travis yells. Immediately he is at her side, holding her hand. “It’s alright, Peanut. You’re safe.” Travis kisses the top of her hand and Violet can hear her mother. “Sweetheart, it’s me. I’m here, darling”

Doctor Mitchell runs into the room and shoos Travis and Evelyn away from her. He’s leaning so closely overtop of her, shining a light in her eyes and checking some machines that are close by. “She’s good, her vitals are good. Let’s get some water into her”, he calls to the nurse.

“You look like hell”, Violet whispers to Travis. “He has hardly left your side in two days”, Evelyn tells her. TWO DAYS?! Violet tries to sit up in her bed, but Doctor Mitchell gently presses her shoulders back into the bed. “Not yet, Miss Morrison”, he says soothingly.

“But my father is coming”, Violet protests. “According to you we have at least one more day”, Evelyn says softly. The smiling nurse hands Violet a bottle of water, and she takes it eagerly. “Thank you”, she whispers.

“Violet, Elder Davis is positively overjoyed with how well your training went. He’s so pleased”, Evelyn says, grinning. “Easy for him to say”, Violet mutters in between sips of water. “Let’s get you some soup”, the doctor announces before leaving the room.

Travis eases himself onto the bed alongside Violet, wrapping her tightly in his arms. Violet feels warm and wonderful, and she exhales a blissful sigh. “When can she come home?”, Evelyn asks the nurse. “We will keep her for observation for about an hour after she eats”, the nurse replies. Evelyn’s eyes light up, “Just in time for her birthday!”, she exclaims. Violet looks at the clock and sees that it’s 11pm. “Where the heck is that soup?”, she asks and the whole room breaks out in laughter.

Travis

Travis can’t stop admiring his beautiful mate. Holding hands, he leads her out to the SUV waiting to take them to the packhouse. She’s officially eighteen. Travis leans over and kisses her cheek, “Happy birthday, beautiful”, he murmurs before opening her car door for her. Violet blushes and climbs in. Evelyn reaches from the back seat and pats Violet’s shoulder, “Happy birthday, sweetheart”. “Thanks mom”.

On the short drive to the packhouse, they update Violet on the last few days. Today will be Peter’s first day back at warrior training, and Janie and Phil are back from sorting out the gym and the motel. Elder Davis stuck around so he can celebrate Violet’s birthday, if she’ll allow it. Vanessa is still in the prison and has yet to make a sound. Violet lets out a giggle at that last part. She’s so f*cking cute, I can’t wait to have her. Travis feels his d**k get hard. F*ck.

At the packhouse, Travis scoops Violet up into his arms bridal style and carries her to the elevator. Her cheeks go bright red, and Travis knows she’s feeling bashful. They say their goodbyes to Evelyn on the third floor, and ride in silence to the fourth.

“Travis, I can walk”, Violet protests as he fumbles for his key to her suite. Travis ignores her and swipes in. “Coffee?”, he asks her as he sets her down gently in one of the lounge chairs. “Please, I’m not ready for bed yet”, she laughs. “I’ll run you a hot bath”, Travis tells her. He sets about making the coffee and then heads into the bathroom to draw her a bubble bath.

Violet wanders over to her closet and finds a cozy pair of pyjamas, pink fluffy pants with a pink and white baseball style long sleeved shirt. “Coffee’s ready”, Travis calls as he sets down their cups.

Violet takes a seat with him and he studies her face. “Would you like to talk about training?”, he asks her softly. He can tell she’s thinking hard about her answer before she speaks. “I’d like that”, she finally smiles. Travis sits back in his chair, crossing an ankle over his knee, ready to listen.

“I learned how to lock Ellie up in a box when emotions begin to run too high”, Violet starts. “Elder Davis stressed me to my breaking point, not giving me water or comfort. The chains burned me and my skin was blistering making it hard for me to concentrate over the pain. He used you, and he used Vanessa to get to my most raw emotions”, she continues. Travis’s heart lurches in his chest. “Don’t”, she says softly, “He did what was necessary, and I am stronger for it. I’d be honoured if he were to attend my party tonight”.

Travis folds his hands and nods, struggling to stay silent. “One of the things I can now control is linking to another Cold Wolf”, she says, biting her lip. Travis eyes go wide and he lurches forward in his chair, “Your father?” “Yes. He spoke to me and I told him I’m not afraid. I saw his army coming, there are about two hundred rogues on foot. We already have them outnumbered”.

“I’ll double the patrols the night of your party”, Travis says anxiously. “That’s not necessary. I will feel it when he’s close”, Violet assures him, “and I now know how to protect the pups”. Travis slumps back in his chair. “But who will protect you?”, he asks with his voice barely a whisper. “I’ve seen it. We will be alright”, she answers him, taking his hand in hers. “My brave and strong Luna”, he says as he kisses the top of her hand, “let’s get you in to that bath”.

Violet

Travis leads her to the bathroom and tests the water while she begins to undress. Slowly, Violet eases into the steaming hot bubble bath with a sigh. Travis takes the loofah and applies a dollop of soap. He gently scrubs her back and her arms while Violet is leaned forward. When he’s finished he tugs on her shoulders to let her know to lean back and she does, sinking into the water until it’s right up to her chin. “I’m just going to check in on Ellie”, she smiles at him. Travis nods and leaves the room.

Violet: “Ellie?”

Ellie: “I’m here”

Violet: “How are you, are you alright?”

Ellie: “I’m just fine. You did a wonderful job with our training”

Violet: “Thank you. I’m sorry I have to lock you away sometimes.”

Ellie: “It’s alright. Like I told you before, you have to choose the parts of our powers to harness and what to suppress. I respond to your emotions.”

Violet: “Okay. As long as you’re alright.”

Ellie: “I am. Now go get that man of ours”