Chapter 11 - Sacrifices
1202 Words
Luca
"She's awake."
I'm jolted from my studies to see Alex leaned against the doorway of my office with his arms crossed his chest.
"And..." I hold my breath. She has been out of it for three days! Three damn days. I have been a wreck. Lou, the pack doctor, told me that she was in perfect health. He was sure that her wolf was just keeping her out to heal her fully. I tried my best to keep that hope, but the longer she was out - the quicker that hope was fading.
"Talia said she was fine. Mom mind-linked her and told her Mia was a little freaked out, but otherwise was good."
The tension in my shoulders releases a little. I don't think I could take another night pacing around my room doing everything in my power not to run to her and hold her hand until I saw those beautiful eyes of hers again.
Now to get her connected to the pack. Once my father completes the ceremony in a little bit, it will be one last thing I have to worry about. It is the last thing that needs to happen so I can keep her here and safe with me. As long as no one knows who she is to me, she will be just fine. Just another pack member that I will be doing my Alpha duty to protect. I go to open my mouth but am cut off by Alex.
"Mom is going to get her ready and fed and then Talia will bring her by for the ritual."
"Thanks man. I was just about to ask you that."
"Just doing my Beta duties." he bows before flopping down on the couch. "Do you really think it is a good idea to have her so close to you? I mean.... are you going to be able to keep a handle on Titus?"
I told Alex the whole story the morning after we dropped Mia off at his house. He was shocked to say the least. He had known it was always my intention, if we ever crossed paths, to leave her where she was. It isn't uncommon for people never to meet their mates. So? It isn't like she would find it strange. Eventually she would have found someone without a mate as well. My heart twists at the thought. I really didn't think about that part when bringing her here. But what other choice did I have? I saw the way the Alpha treated her. I also didn't miss the sneers in her direction when she stopped on the stairs before Titus took her away. She wasn't safe there. No matter how much I have to endure not being able to hold her and make her mine, or even watch her with another...it is worth as long as no harm comes to her.
I push the papers away from me and rub massage the bridge of my nose. "It will be difficult, but it was necessary."
"Why don't you just tell her who you are? Break the spell." he shrugs.
"And lose her like I did my mother? Turn into the same shell of a man as my father? Why would I choose that path?"
"Just because it happened once, doesn't mean it will happen again. I honestly don't get it. Moon Goddess paired you together for a reason."
"Ha! That's hilarious coming from you! Answer me this, if the mate thing is so important, why haven't you saved yourself for your future mate?" I quirk an eyebrow in his direction.
He hangs his head and holds his hands up in surrender. "I may be having fun now, but there is no way I would turn my nose up when it came to my mate."
I listen to his words but know he will never understand it. While Beta is a high ranking in our pack, no one would think to come after him or his family for power. There would be no reason. To take over the pack, you must make the fight him to the death. Taking his mate would make him vulnerable and there would be a better chance of defeating him in his heartbroken state.
"Let's say I even wanted to let her know...the price is too great. I agreed to Agatha's terms knowing it would keep me from ever second guessing myself."
He sits up and I have his full attention. "Are you ever going to tell me what it is? You looked like you had seen a ghost when we left that day."
I shake my head. I made Alex wait outside the day I dealt with Agatha. I needed him there for protection and he was fully aware of what I had intentions of doing. I just didn't feel it was necessary for him to know the terms.
"Fine," he huffs, " but you know at some point ol' Morris is going to expect you to have a mate or take non-fated mate so the pack has a Luna. That is a trip I don't look forward to."
Once a Alpha takes over, he has one year to find his mate. If he doesn't find one, he must take a mate-less female as his Luna. In order to make sure his true mate isn't out there; he must go visit every pack before committing to another. I have no issue with this. I know I run no risk of finding my mate and I have someone in mind when I need to take a Luna. She is a friend and knows that it would be in name only.
Before I can say anything else, my father links me. "Please come to my office. We have visitors."
I stiffen at his words. I know it has to be Talia and Mia. But I'm not supposed to be part of this. I'm not the Alpha. Yes, she may be part of our pack, but I was supposed to only watch her from afar. Titus understands, but that doesn't mean I will always be able to hold him back. "I will be down shortly."
"My dad is asking for me to come down for the ritual. Would you mind coming with?" I ask Alex.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world. I haven't even seen her yet. Might as well meet my new housemate."
I close my laptop and head for the door. "You need to behave yourself," I warn Titus.
"I will do my best. But I can feel her wolf. It drives me crazy not to be near her."
"I understand. I feel the same near her," I sigh.
"Come on, man! Pick up the pace." Alex hollers from in front of me.
"Settle down. You act like she is your mate," I scoff.
"Well, I know that she is available and no mate..." he says winking at me and picking up his pace.
A deep growl rumbles from my chest.
Alex lets out a barking laugh. "Chill man! I'm just giving you a hard time."
"I won't promise not to hurt him." Titus grumbles to me.
"I'm not going to make you." I chuckle back at him.
- Writer
