Her Mortal Mate

Chapter Seventy One: Lessons In Being Gifted

Adam

I knew becoming an immortal would come with its own set of obstacles and growing pains. I just never thought one of those complications would be wanting to attack Jadea.

Guilt and shame took hold, even though she wasn't upset. Jadea was very understanding, because she knew what the immortal world was like for those who chose to turn. She had encountered and seen other turnings before and knew the complications that came from them. Mortals who turned wolf hadn't grown up with their wolf, which in turn meant they didn't know how to control their wolf from turning to its basic needs, wants and desires.

Even knowing this, I still felt responsible and terrible for how I'd acted.

I felt like I should have been able to keep control over my wolf.

"Adam," Jadea's voice interrupted my thoughts. "I need you to take a few deep breaths for me, okay." She ordered. As I tried to follow her command, my mind and body had a mind of its own.

Deep down in the marrow of my bones, I felt her alpha authority. It clung onto her aura and demanded respect and obedience. It was something I hadn't really noticed as a mortal, though I'd noticed her authority. My inner wolf was also an alpha and wanted to challenge that dominance, even though I--myself--had no desire to challenge her wolf. I had no desire to take over her pack, because if I did challenge her and won, that's what would happen. However, the wolf in me wanted nothing more than to claim her.

"Adam," her stern voice ripped through my mind again. "Deep breath in and out," she commanded, no give this time.

My oxygen-deprived lungs filled with air and I forced myself to focus on my deep breathing techniques. Once I had calmed down, Jadea continued. "Your wolf wants to claim me, Adam, because I am your mate. Once we have initiated the bonding ritual, he won't be quite so overbearing."

"Bonding ritual?" I asked. Jadea hadn't ever talked about it before.

"Yes. It is what soul mate partners do to seal their bond. It binds the souls of the two individuals together for eternity. Sometimes lasting even after death. Our minds, hearts, souls and bodies basically become one. We are always connected to each other without the constant need to reinitiate the blood bond. It's like the immortal way of marriage. Just a little more... intense and nearly impossible to break once formed."

At the mention of the bond, I felt my wolf stirring once again and knew that was the issue at hand. "Is the bonding ritual a big production like the turning ceremony?"

"No, it is private. Only held between the two who are initiating it."

It was like a way of marriage... "Jadea, do you want to be bonded to me in such an everlasting way?" I asked hesitantly.

Her smile said it all. "Of course I do. However, we are not doing it now. When we bond, I don't want it to be rushed, and I would rather not have an audience."

Meaning, she didn't want others nearby. I understood that. I was just worried the longer we waited, the more overbearing my wolf would become. I didn't want to lose control over him again and if he would become easier to handle after we bonded, then I wanted to do that as quickly as possible so I wouldn't hurt her again.

"When you feel him trying to take over, you need to focus internally on him," she continued softly. "Don't focus on what he is focusing on, because if you do you will only fuel his determination more and he will push harder to overtake your will, mind and body. Focus inward and focus on calming him down. I know it is odd to think like this, but he is you. He is just a more primal, animalistic version.

"When he starts to become overbearing, revert to some of the techniques you have learned from Dr. Andrews about coping. Use some breathing techniques. The 5-4-3-2-1 method. Things like that will help," she finished.

Okay, I could do that. "But, what if it doesn't work?"

"I will help you find ways," she replied. "I was surprised today because I hadn't expected such a strong reaction after how last night went. I hadn't expected your wolf to react so strongly with mine. In most other cases, I wouldn't have been taken by surprise and would have diffused the situation before it got that far out of hand. I am your alpha, Adam. At least for the moment, I will take on that role so as to help you master yourself and your wolf. Once you have learned how to live with your wolf and you have settled into your new life, we will shift the dynamics a little."

"Shift the dynamics?"

"Yes. I would like to become co-alphas of the pack with you."

Before we could continue the conversation, there was a soft knock at the door. A moment later, Constance opened the door.

I thought she had been domineering before. Seeing her through a new set of eyes, I was taken aback by her overwhelming dominance. No wonder everyone bent to her will. There was a definite pull to her too. An alluring one. A dangerous one...

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but we are under a time constraint," she started.

Yes.

I had almost forgotten that I'd agreed to help her. Though, I wasn't sure how I could. I wasn't that strong of a visionary. After what happened with Valdis, I hadn't had a vision since. Possibly due to Dr. Andrews help in gaining control over myself and my emotions.

"That is if you are still willing to help?" she added, sensing my hesitation.

"It's n-not that I don't w-want to help," I started, my gaze not quite meeting hers. "It's th-that I don't k-know how helpful I can be. I'm not that strong of a visionary."

Her smile was soothing. "I don't need you to be strong or particularly talented," she stated. "All I need is for you to have the gift, which you do. I can do the rest."

I looked up at her in confusion, not quite understanding.

"I am a unique immortal, Adam. I am what is called a sorcerer because I have several gifts. One of them is known as a Controller gift. My blood family is known for their strong controller genes. Each generation, hell each individual who has the gift, wields it differently. For me, I am able to use and control others gifts as if they are mine. Though, only if they are within close proximity to me. And, even then, I am still limited. It is complicated, but I will be able to use your gift as if it were my own. In doing so, you might just learn the depths of your own gift and new ways in which to use it."

My gaze shifted to Jadea. She was my alpha, I felt like I should have her approval.

"It is your call, Adam. Even though I am your alpha, I will still allow you to make your own decisions. If I disagree with something, I will usually state my opinion but I will still allow you to decide what you want to do. Unless it is something that can kill or maim you or endanger the rest of the pack."

For some reason, the knot in my chest eased at this. I had been a little anxious about this aspect and how controlling she would be over my actions and decisions. "I would still like to help you," I told Constance.

She bowed her head in thanks. "If you will follow me please."

I stepped out of the room first, followed by Jadea. We made our way to the living room where Constance sat me down with my back against the wall. She sat directly across from me and instructed me on exactly how I needed to sit. "It is for your own benefit," she explained. "There have been a few instances where I have pushed someone too hard and they end up passing out. The wall will help keep you from injuring yourself if you do pass out."

The nerves came back. My gaze shifted to Jadea who was standing at the entrance into the kitchen talking with Garret. She must have felt my stare and unease because she shifted her focus to me, her conversation with her beta instantly on pause. "You will be okay with her," she stated. "Constance has some of the best immortals at her disposal, including a phenomenal healer who is on the premises in case if something does happen."

"Will you stay here with me?"

"I cannot. I have other pack matters to attend to this morning. Hopefully, by mid afternoon to early evening, we will be on our way to our home in Wyoming. Briar, Blade and Derrick will be here with you as well," she added. "They will let me know if something happens."

In her mind, I saw her intentions of offering Garret's sister a place in our pack. Plus, there were a few last minute things she needed to take care of before we left California.

"Hey," she called out softly in my mind. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Adam," Constance's called and I shifted my focus back to her. "I need you to relax and open up your mind," she stated.

I nodded and took several deep breaths and relaxed. I wasn't sure what she meant by opening up my mind, however she never indicated I was doing anything wrong.

Her unfamiliar presence slowly blossomed in my mind and I felt her further relaxing me until I was in almost a meditative state. Somehow, she regulated our breathing patterns and heart rates. And then she tapped into that subconscious part of my brain that held my visionary powers.

She wielded them as if she had always possessed the ability of vision. I felt her 'ask' a question and my mind was suddenly filled with images of Leviathan, an army and two prisoners. Once the vision was complete, she asked a slightly different question and a different vision played out. She continued to do this until she had several different scenarios of how the rescue of Celeste and Lance would go.

There had only been one time when I had been able to influence the direction of my vision, and I honestly thought it had something to do with a weird and complex glitch in the world. Somehow, I had connected with Valdis when he had been terrorizing the Central Valley area and I had used that coincidental connection to see his future actions in order to help Jadea save my daughter.

I hadn’t known I could use it to look into the future and see the outcome of different scenarios. It was interesting how Constance could guide my visions in certain directions by asking simple questions that changed maybe just one simple and initial aspect. I hoped I would be able to take what Constance had shown me and apply it to future endeavors.