The Reclaimed Mate

Chapter 2

I had thrown myself into border patrol shifts doing more than 4 night shifts a week and the occasional double shift. It was a distraction and it helped me grow stronger and stronger.

The Beta of my pack, Austin, had agreed and encouraged me to take more patrol shifts ever since my past came hunting me.

He had been harder on me since I got myself together, nearly 2 years ago. He had been close friends with my late father and had promised to always look after me. My father was a pack warrior which was why Austin has been tougher on me lately again.

“Alesia?”

The sound of my name rolling angrily off Austin’s tongue had my attention from my thoughts to the direction of his voice.

His skinny tall figure was in front of me only a few feet away from me. Unimpressed by my lack of concentration during the pack’s meeting.

“To prove that you were listening, please repeat what I had just told the park”

Austin requested, his eyes never leaving mine.

His request had my face scrunch up in distaste and I simply stared straight back at him with my blank eyes hoping he would catch onto my answer. We both knew I hadn’t been listening and my focus was elsewhere.

“Please continue for the remainder of the meeting” Austin insisted.

In all disgust, I continued and in no time the meeting was over and I excused myself.

I filtered myself through the empty halls and decided to head straight for my bedroom, my head banging from stress.

Hearing my name being called in the opposite direction I stopped waiting for who it was to catch up with me.

“Away with the past again today huh?”

Austin teased as he approached, receiving an eye roll in reply.

He started filling me in on what was discussed while I was lost in my head. Feeling too tired to contribute much I stuck with listening to him talk.

Feeling someone’s eyes on me, I turned slightly to see Walter catching my eye-line. He smiled a slight teasing smile on his face. I shook my head at him, a slight smile stretching across my lips. Walter was my mate and of course my happiness.

He moved slightly, his position changing as he angled himself to face me. “ staring at me are you ?”

He teased smirking. I pursed my lips at him and smiled, I wasn’t unintentionally staring at him, I just couldn’t help but feel sad, I push him away when I’m going through things but he never gives up on me.

“Oh shut up” I replied, smiling at him.

“Yeah, I know Sia,” Walter said, only he gets to call me that, returning my smile before his face turns more serious and concerned.

“So I heard you come in late last night, did you do another double shift last night? Is everything okay with you, you’ve been caught up lately with border patrols and also busy avoiding me.”

“I did, I’ve just had a lot on my mind lately. You know what I’m like, I want to keep busy when my head is overloaded, I hate this time of the year it gets closer and closer.”

“Just promise me that you won’t overdo it, if you get tired, you need to learn when to take a break.”

I smiled at his words, he had taken on the role of bearing my emotions all of them, when they had died. The anger, the fury, and the sorrow as I buried myself in grief.

I rolled my eyes at his concern, a smile appearing on my face at the same time for his worry.

He had stayed with me, protected me, loved me, and never left my side, the type of love I never felt with Jake.

“we’re still going to the ball next weekend, right?” Austin asked, looking at Walter. “Yeah,” he replied.

“Why don’t you come to the Ball with us next weekend?” I know you haven’t got any patrol shifts as I checked this morning.” Austin said, looking at me.

I hummed lowly, suddenly feeling their eyes on me waiting eagerly for my response. “I’ll think about it”

Austin huffed but sent me a smile “Only you would have to think about attending the Ball. The most insane party of the year!”

Walter’s dimples were prominent as he beamed at me “You really don't have to attend the ball, especially now your past is playing a toll on you. I could plan something we could do together on the weekend.”

“As I said I’ll think about it” I excused myself. Austin grinned back at me one more time, making me shake my head in awe.

So when do you think you're going to shift?” I asked eagerly once the credits of the fourth movie were rolling. Gabriel was struggling to get the Dvd out and place Order of the Phoenix inside and Walter was looking into the distance while munching on some popcorn.

"I have no idea. Austin said that it might be early today and late tonight. My mom shifted at night, while Blaire shifted in the morning so we actually have no idea when I will be shifting. I hope he is here though"

"Oh I can't believe you will finally be able to meet your mate and then you guys can fall in love and have babies together and I can be their godmother and we'll all live in the same pack and then our children will grow up together. Walter, don't you think that will be so fun."

"What. Yeah" he mumbled with a mouth full of popcorn before he stared at the Tv screen, the fifth movie finally starting. Gabriel sat down beside me and eagerly snatched the popcorn from my hands.

"I wonder how your wolf will…” but before I could finish my sentence a scream escaped from his lips. All the eyes were turned to him as pain coursed through his body, My sea-green eyes watched as his vision got blurry. I saw his body shaking in pain.

"Walter, he's shifting. Take Gabriel out now."

Gabriel’s sobs filled my ears as he shook my body, but then his body was lifting from the couch and he was carried away.

Austin came bursting through the front door in a hurry. His eyes were wild and scared.

"Alesia?" Walter asks, his voice filled with concern. I didn't realise I was crying until he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close to him. I start crying uncontrollably letting it all out.

He traces his arms up and down my back while saying 'Gabriel’s gonna be ok'. After what seems like a while my sobbing calms down and now it's just sniffles.

I lean back to wipe my tears with the back of my hand. Walter cups my cheek with his hand. I met his beautiful brown eyes. He strokes his thumb against my cheek. "You ok?" He asks, a little bit worried by my sudden outburst.

I nod looking down and see his shirt damp from my tears. "I'm sorry" I say looking down at the ground. "About what?" He asks. "Your shirt, it's now wet." He lets out a small chuckle. "I'm pretty sure you're more important than my shirt." I let out a small laugh and once again met his eyes.