The Reedemed Alpha

PTSD

Vena

Her heart was beating so fast and hard it hurt. She knew she was in danger. But she couldn't see where the threat was coming from. Surrounding her were people. All the friendly faces she knew. They were smiling at her. But she couldn't smile back. The sense of dread hung heavy.

She was suddenly yanked and now stood before a great big door. The door was twice her height and three times her width.

Without warning the door yawned before her. Showing a bottomless darkness.

'Bad girl.' Victor's dark voice snarled close to her before she was flying down in the dark. Looking up she saw the door above her but it looked miles ahead of her. She scrambled to climb to it but it was getting smaller and smaller the closer she got.

She felt heavy cold chains snap on her limbs and drag her backwards. Making a loud clinking sounds when she moved to try and free herself.

'You are mine now, angel. All mine.' Frank's voice boomed behind her.

'NO! NO!'

'Vena! Vena! Wake up!'

She realized she was being shook gently by her shoulders.

Blinking her eyes open she saw Johnathan shaking her. His face etched with concern. A small lamp on the nightstand cast them both in a soft glow.

Breathing deep she gasped and laid back on the mattress, willing her heart rate to calm.

Johnathan scooted back and sat next to her head. Propped against the headboard. He was wearing nothing but a pair of jeans. His chiseled chest, muscled arms, and broad shoulders on perfect display. His sun bronzed skin gleaming in the soft light from the lamp.

'You are alright now. It was just a nightmare.'

A dry chuckle came from her.

'Yes. One I've lived through.'

'You have a classic case of PTSD. But I think you handle it better than some.'

'Thank you, Dr. Obvious. I suppose the cure is you holding me hostage.'

He sighed before getting up slowly.

'No. The cure, from what I understand, is talking. Try and stay calm. Create a good place in your mind to think about.'

'A happy place?' She asked wryly.

'Yes. In the meantime try to get some more sleep.'

'Wait…where are you sleeping?'

'On the couch. Why? Would you prefer I sleep with you, kitten?'

'No. I asked because I thought that's what you were doing, you freak. Waiting until I fall asleep then sneaking into bed next to me.'

He chuckled, which made her want to hit him.

'No kitten. I'll wait until you ask me to share your bed. Now, would you like some chamomile tea? It'll help you relax.'

'No.'

'Alright then. Pleasant dreams this time.' She watched in panic as he turned to click off the light.

'No!'

Jerking back he stared at her in surprise.

'What?'

'Please…don't turn it off?'

He smiled gently before removing his hand away.

'Okay.'

She laid back down but her eyes kept darting to the dark corners of the room. Suddenly Johnathan placed a chair next to her bed.

'What are you doing?'

'I'll sit with you until you fall asleep.'

'That won't be necessary.' She replied stiffly.

'Tough. I can't sleep until you do. So no worries. I'll keep watch.'

'I can't sleep knowing you're watching me. It's creepy.'

He pursed his lips before he brightened.

'How about I tell you a story?'

Rolling her eyes she flung her arms up in exasperation. 'Johnathan, I'm not a child.'

'Just close your eyes and listen to my voice. If by the time I'm finished and you're not asleep I'll go to sleep and leave you alone, okay?'

'Fine.'

'Alright.' His voice dropped to just above a whisper. 'Close your eyes and listen to my voice. As I talk, let your mind wonder. This story is about my home. The fae lands. Magical forests. Fairies glowing in them like tiny bright orbs of light. Like your fireflies that you have here but brighter and in all colors. Wood nymphs dancing and laughing in the distance to their music. Heard but rarely ever seen. My kind shifters, and other shifters running all around in the night through the trees.'

Her mind began to drift as his words painted the images in her head. His voice was acting like a tonic to her body's nerves.

'In this land there is a kingdom. Ruled by a king named James. Him and his brother were orphaned long ago during a war between witches and other fae creatures. The witches wanted to rule all and turn the other creatures into slaves for them to use up their power. Making the witches stronger. Centuries later James found his mate. In the human world of all places. The brother was skeptical at first. Thinking that a human was not fit to rule by his brother. Then the brother found out James's mate was half witch he was outraged. The same vile creatures who were responsible for their parents demise. So he hatched a plan. Bit by bit trying to separate the two. He tried bargaining with the woman to leave his brother willingly. But alas she chose not to. So another bargain was struck. To make James think his mate betrayed him then to have other witches to take her. The brother knew James would grow weak without his mate. But the brother was sure he could make James forget. In the meantime he would rule.'

His voice was coming in and out as her mind slowed even more.

'James didn't see the good his brother was trying to do. Just the bad actions. He sent his brother into the worst punishments. Later the brother was used as a sacrifice and later cast into the human world as penance until he found his mate. She would be his cure and the key to return.'

His voice now spoke softly into her ear.

'You my dear Vena have cured me. Now you must be my key.' She felt his lips brush her cheek as she sank into a calm sleep.