Mated by Marriage

Chapter 8

Melissa's POV

Chase didn't show up for training this morning, not that I can blame him. After last night, I wouldn't blame him if he never talked to me again. Unfortunately, Chase's absence from training provides Tia the perfect opportunity to train me one on one. Which I'm positive is going to be a nightmare.

"Well, Chase isn't answering his phone, so I'm going to assume he's not coming today. That's his loss. More time for us to work on surfacing your wolf!"

Tia's enthusiasm is overwhelming. She jumps in the air like a cheerleader, squealing in excitement. I resist the urge to run, instead plastering a smile on my face as best I can. Tia and I run through a series of basic exercises, including breathing techniques, before she leads me to the center of the courtyard. She gestures to the ground, urging me to look down. As I do, I notice a perfectly moon-shaped rock embedded in the grass. It's encrusted with moonstone and selenite gems. Between the gems is an intricately woven lunar pattern. It's hard to detect in the sunlight, but even still, it's clear that the pattern is lightly glowing.

"What is this? It’s beautiful!"

Tia smiles triumphantly.

"One of our pack's gifted families made this for our second Alpha. They called it a howling stone. It's infused with their family’s special ability, lunar markings. It holds a small fraction of the moon’s power and can both strengthen and call forward your wolf. Alpha's in our pack are gifted a lunar mark during their Alpha ceremony, but this is something everyone can use."

I study the stone, bending down to drag my fingers across its glittering surface. Despite the warmth of the sun, the stone is cool to the touch and almost feels as if it has its own pulse.

"Here, sit down."

Tia gestures again.

"Here? On top of it?"

Tia giggles carelessly.

"Yes, on top of it! I'm going to sit across from you. Come on."

I reluctantly lower myself to the ground, sitting on top of the rock with my legs crossed. Tia plops down in front of me, pulling her blonde locks into a low bun as she does.

"Okay, here's what's going to happen. You're going to close your eyes and count to 15. Breathe deeply, try to match the rhythm of the howling stone as you do. After 15 seconds have passed, I want you to look inward, at your wolf, and tell me what you see."

I sigh and roll my neck instinctively, before catching myself and fixing my posture.

"Fine, whatever you say."

I close my eyes and allow my body to relax. I feel the pulse of the stone beneath me, steady and soothing. When my body has fully acclimated to the rhythm, I count to 15 in my mind, breathing slowly as I do. As I reach 15, I attempt to plunge myself inward, searching for my wolf. At first, I see nothing, only darkness. But all at once, my vision starts to brighten and I can make out the vague shape of a wolf curled in a ball, sleeping soundly. She looks frail and tiny. Her red and white fur pulses with her breathing, she whimpers softly, tossing faintly in her sleep. Suddenly, she jolts awake, whipping her head to face me. Her eyes are white and glowing, piercing into me. She rises to her feet, stalking towards me until it feels as if our faces are practically touching. I'm frozen, mesmerized by her presence, by my own power. She bares her teeth, growling briefly, before lunging towards me and disappearing into the darkness again. My eyes snap open again, bringing Tia's concerned face into view.

"Are you okay? I felt your wolf's presence, it was overwhelmingly powerful."

I nod, wiping a bit of sweat from my forehead.

"Yeah, she was there. She kind of jumped at me and then disappeared again though."

Tia looks on thoughtfully for a moment before responding.

"The doctor said that might happen. She likely resents you for suppressing her for so long and doesn't really trust you. You'll have to keep reaching out. You need to rebuild the relationship between you two before you'll be able to shift again."

I stretch my legs out and lean back, looking towards the sky.

"She looked so weak. I feel terrible. Is there anything I can do to help her?"

Tia frowns.

"Only you can answer that question. You know her better than anyone else. I would just try to give her what she wants, for now. If something stirs her or gets her attention, let her explore it. It might help."

"Right. That makes sense. Thank you, Tia."

Tia sits quietly with me for a moment before rising to her feet and extending a hand to help me up.

"I think that's enough for today. Why don't you go get cleaned up and rest a while? We don't want you to overdo it."

I nod mindlessly, feeling a strange lack of emotion. I wander back toward the estate, picturing my wolf curled into itself, looking weak and frail. A chill runs down my spine, but I shake it off, trying to regain my composure.

*****

I stand in the shower for what seems like ages, just letting the scalding hot water pour over me. I've long since been finished actually cleaning myself, but the hot water provides a welcome distraction from the confusing array of emotions running through my body. Eventually, I tear myself away from the water, wrapping myself in several pre-warmed towels. Instead of getting dressed right away, I pace the room aimlessly. I make my way to the rear window, parting the curtains just enough to see out over the courtyard and the south lawn connecting to the woods. I crack the window for a small breeze.

I stare out blankly, searching for nothing and everything all the same, when I spot two specks moving toward the estate. They're moving quickly, and as they rapidly come into view I can make out the distinct figure of Chase and I man I don't recognize. I sniff the air coming off the breeze. The two men are coming from the direction of what I was told is the pack running path, and they look and smell distraught. I sniff the air again, I can distinguish Chase's wood and leathery scent which instantly brings goosebumps to my skin. I smell the pleasant earthy scent of the stranger jogging next to him, and a third scent that sends my wolf into a sudden panic. I can't place it at all, it's bitter and spicy, almost like the scent of fresh-cut grass, but it clearly belongs to someone who is not present. My wolf whines deeply in my chest, an anxious and pitiful expression. I clutch at myself and steady a hand against the window sill. I follow the breathing exercises Tia and I practiced earlier - forcing my wolf into submission. When I can tell she's calmed, I race into the closet throwing on a sweatsuit and darting out of my room. I opt to sprint down the grand staircase instead of taking the elevator and as I reach the bottom I collide forcefully with a warm, chiseled chest.

I know who it is before I look up. We’ve been in this position before, all too recently in fact. His arms circle around me, catching me in his embrace. I become acutely aware that I'm pressed to Chase's bare chest this time, but in this moment though, I feel no shame, just a desperate need for answers to questions I can barely seem to form. I don't pull away; instead, I pull him closer, sniffing his chest and arms. His scent is still there, strong and powerful as ever. The acrid scent I sensed earlier doesn't linger on him, though I can still smell it close by. I push Chase away, rounding on his unfamiliar companion, sniffing the air around him. Part of me desires to get closer and sniff him out thoroughly, but with Chase standing so close by, I find I physically can't.

Chase's poor companion seems utterly baffled and taken by surprise as I continue to sniff the air around him. I can tell the scent is strongest with him, as it's fully intermingled with his own. I point an accusatory finger in his direction.

"What is that awful stench? I could smell it all the way from my bedroom window. It’s driving my wolf insane."

The man stutters and stammers for a moment, looking to Chase for assistance. Chase takes a step forward, placing a firm but comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Melissa, this is Derrick. Derrick, Melissa. Derrick is Tia's highest-ranking warrior, and he is no threat to you."

I eye Chase suspiciously. His voice is calm and steady, but his posture and expression reveal a new level of stoicism I have yet to see from him. Derrick suddenly speaks up, yanking me from my analysis.

"You could smell that from your bedroom? s**t, Chase, she might have a better nose than me. It's so small, I didn't catch it until we were a few feet away."

Chase nods curtly.

"I told you her wolf was strong."

I feel a frown slowly forming on my face.

"What the hell is going on? Why do I recognize that scent?"

Chase peers down at me for a few moments, giving away nothing with his expression.

"Derrick found a single hair from an enemy pack on our run. I imagine that's what you're smelling, though I have no idea why it would be familiar to you. We're on our way to a pack meeting right now; you should come too."

Under normal circumstances, I would refuse outright to participate in anything even remotely resembling pack politics. This feels different though, and the need for answers is actively outweighing my desire for privacy. I give in and nod, gesturing for the men to lead the way. As I follow them toward a set of large oak doors that I assume lead to a study of some sort, I pull my phone out to shoot a text to Mom, wondering if she'll be at the meeting as well. As I'm about to put my phone away, I spot a notification at the top of my calendar. A tiny red dot with a moon emoji next to it.

"Oh." I muse out loud.

"It's a blood moon tomorrow night."