Chapter 22
2203 Words
Monika POV
I’ve been working for years to make Pete start his own pack! It’s a shame he doesn’t even realize his own potential! Of course, it will never come to be if Christa doesn’t disappear. I decided I needed to see my witch friend Savannah who has helped me all this time. I’ve been feeling Pete pulling away from me so the magic is running out! I need to see Savannah see how much more time I have and if she can do anything to keep the mate bond going a little longer.
I get to her house hidden in the woods by magic; only certain people are allowed to see it. I ride up through a winding driveway surrounded by trees. As I come up on the cabin the definitions become clearer and clearer. The shrubbery around the house is brown and dead, the cabin is worn and unkept, hundreds of leaves are gathered on the roof, and the leaves are stopping up the gutters. The entrance door is a faded red. I slowly get out of my car, looking around my surroundings, and a chill rises in my spine. I walk up to the door and knock. At first, there is no answer, but then the door creaks open slowly on its own. It gives me the creeps really. I slowly step into the cabin,
“Hello… Savannah. Is anyone home?” I walk further into the home.
“Hey, I’ve been expecting you.” She says as she peeks her head out from the kitchen that is separated from the living area.
She is petite in size; she has beautiful dark skin, braids in her hair, and an accent when she speaks. She told me that she migrated here from Africa. She won't say where though. She says it's a place that has been kept secret for thousands of years and is hidden to keep her people safe. Her looks might be deceiving but she is extremely powerful.
“I suppose you already know why I’m here?”
“Of course! Unfortunately for you, time isn’t on your side.” She says as she goes back into the kitchen. I follow her in.
”How much more time do you think I have?”
”A couple of weeks, a month at the most.” She says as she stirs a type of liquid.
”Is there anything I can do to prolong the time?”
”No can do. Sorry, but it doesn't work that way.”
”Then what can I do? The mate bond magic is wearing off! If I don't do something soon then he's going to realize that I’m not his true mate.”
”I’m already ahead of you. I have the gift of foresight, remember?”
”How could I forget. You're the one who foresaw me becoming the most powerful Luna!”
”Yes, but that's only if you succeed in killing Christa.”
”So what’s supposed to help me get more time?”
”Not time, but this potion will extend the mate bond Pete feels with you.”
”Is that what you're making?”
”Mmhmm… all you have to do is add it to his drink of choice. It should buy you some more time to fulfill your destiny.”
”Hmmm… interesting.” I say as I take a sniff of the potion, ”Ugh, it stinks.” She laughs at the disgusted look on my face.
”Of Course it stinks. You don't even want to know what’s in it.” She cackles at that, and it sends chills running up and down my spine.”
**Eliza**
I hear a knock on the door and open it a crack to see who it is. As soon as I see his face I begin to feel nauseous.
”What are you doing here? You aren’t supposed to be here!” I whisper loudly to him.
”Oh, don’t be that way, snookums. Why don't you open the door and let me in?” I sigh and open the door all the way open.
”I thought we were supposed to wait to see each other after everything was in place?”
”Don’t worry. No one knows I’m here. I’ve brought you some good news.” He says as he kisses my neck where my future mark is going to be, sending chills down my spine. I try to pull away, but he pulls me back to him and takes a deep breath of my scent, and I can feel him shudder.
”Your scent is so addictive to me. I just can’t seem to stay away!” I secretly roll my eyes.
”What’s the good news?”
”I spoke to that Christa.” My body goes rigid.
”And, what happened?” He chuckles.
” Let's just say we came to an understanding.” He says as he kisses me down the chest.
”Why didn't you finish her as we talked about?”
”Now, now, snookums, she's in the hospital. How do you think it would look if she died all of a sudden and I walked out of her room? Eli would know better and then our plan wouldn't work.”
”So, how did you come to an ’understanding’?”
He chuckles deeply into my chest that I can feel the vibration, ”I just played on her insecurities as a human. I knew she would already be having doubts I just said them out loud for her to hear and reaffirm that her doubts are correct and that she isn’t fit to be his mate. That's all.”
”Did she cry?” I smirk.
”She tried to keep a strong straight face, but no doubt, she lost it after I walked out.” I let out a pleased giggle.
”Oh, you are so bad!”
”Anything for my snookums. Now, come here and give me my reward.”
**Christa**
I haven't seen Eli since I told him to leave. He's respected my wishes but Pete tells me that he’s only a shell of himself without me and that he needs me. It breaks my heart even more to hear that, but he has to understand that I’m doing this for him and the pack. They should have a Luna who is strong and is also a werewolf, and I just don't fit the bill. Pete has been coming to visit and help me gain my strength and I’ve been pushing myself hard to be able to walk again with physical therapy. It helps me keep my mind off of Eli. If I’m pushing myself hard, then I don't have time to think about him. I’ve cried so much already I’m pretty sure I’m all dried up. I keep asking him if Chase has woken up yet since I haven't been able to visit him, but no such luck. The longer time passes by without him waking up than, the less hope I have of him ever doing so. I miss Chase so much. He would always make me laugh whenever I was feeling down and encourage me to look on the bright side. He's always so positive. Just the thought of him puts a smile on my face. Today Pete is coming to visit and help with the physical therapy. I am really looking forward to it. I've been improving extremely fast since the accident. As I am watching the TV, lost in thought, I hear a knock on my door.
”Who is it?”
”Hey Lil nugget, it’s your favorite big brother!” He says with a joking smile on his face.
”Ugh, you know I hate when you call me that!”
”I know! That's why it's so fun to call you it!” He says snickering. I sigh and roll my eyes at him.
”How are you doing today?” I just shrug my shoulder.
”You know, same ole, same ole.” I say as I turn the TV off and focus all my attention on him.
”Are you ready to do some physical therapy today?”
”Absolutely, I need something to do. I’m going stir crazy just lying here! Therapy is the best part of my day!!” As I said that, there was a knock at the door.
”Come in!” The door opens, and the physical therapist walks in. ”You’re right on time!” My physical therapist is a beautiful girl. She is about my age, maybe a couple of years older. She looks like she's mixed with Native American Indian and something else I can’t quite put my fingers on, but she has a beautiful Olive skin tone with big brown eyes and long dark hair falling to her waist. She is about my height and has a figure many women would die for. As she walks in, she sees my brother Pete. She blushes and looks away, unable to meet his eyes. This is the first time they are meeting. Pete would always come when my other physical therapist Henry was here. I look at Pete, and he doesn't seem to take his eyes off of her. Hmmm weird.
”Uh, Hi Jenna, I don't think you’ve met my brother Pete yet.” Pete snaps out of his daze and clears his throat.
”Oh um hello, I’m Pete, Christa’s older brother.” He reaches over to shake her hand, and as they make contact, she quickly pulls her hand away as if she’s just been shocked. She nods her head vigorously.
”I-It’s nice to meet you too.” She says while looking down at her feet.
Well, this is a weird introduction. I look between the two of them. Both are just standing there. Jenna is looking anywhere but at my brother and Pete can’t pull his eyes away from her. I narrow my eyes at my brother.
”Well, I’m ready to get started; how about you?”
”Oh um, yes, of course.” Jenna says.
Jenna grabs the equipment I need as I sit up and pull my legs to the edge of the bed. I am able to sit up by myself. I’m so proud of how far I have come in such a short amount of time. Jenna puts the walker in front of me and helps pull me up to stand. She slowly pulls away from me as I steady myself.
”Ok, you’ve got it. Are you ok for me to let go completely?” I nod my head.
”Yes, I’m ready.” She lets go and I am standing completely on my own. I let out a sigh of relief. I look at Pete with a huge smile on my face, and he's smiling back at me just as big as mine.
”I’m doing it! I’m doing it, Pete!” I say excitedly. I start taking a step and start to lose my balance, and Pete quickly catches me and supports me.
”Are you ok?” Pete asks. I nod my head.
”My bad. I just got a little too excited.” My smile dims as I think about how much I would like to be sharing this moment with Eli, but I quickly shake the thought away and focus on the here and now. I slowly make my way to the other side of the room on my own. I do a couple of more trips back and forth with the help of my walker until my body is too tired to do anymore. Jenna helps me back into bed.
”I can’t believe you are already walking on your own!” Pete says, shocked at what he's just seen.
”Not on my own. I still need help with a walker, but hopefully, soon, I’ll be able to walk without it!”
”But still how is this even possible? One moment you're paralyzed and the next your up and walking?” Jenna puts her hand on my arms and smiles.
”Christa is our miracle girl here! The doctor says he thinks it's because of Eli’s blood she's been able to start walking again even after the poor prognosis. We’ve never seen anything like this!”
”Please don’t say anything to Eli. I don't want him to know yet.” He looks at me hesitantly and finally nods his head in agreement. Pete looks down to the floor like he wants to tell me something, but he's not sure if he should.
”Oh come out with it Pete.” He looks over at Jenna bashfully.
”Would you mind giving us a moment?” She nods and heads for the door.
”What is it, Pete?”
”Eli is setting up for his announcement of who the new Luna will be. It’ll be held in a couple of days.” I could feel the blood drain from my face.
”Oh, ” was all I could get out.
”Are you ok?” I just shake my head, willing myself not to cry.
”I’m sure Eliza will be really happy. She’ll be getting exactly what she wants.”
”Christa, she isn’t what he wants. He wants you! It's always been you!” I shake my head hard giving myself a small headache.
”I might be what he wants but I’m not what he needs. I’m not good for him Pete.”
”Why would you say that? You are everything to that man! I’ve seen the way he looks at you with adoration and so much love. If there were anyone I would want you to be with, it would be him! I know he’d give his life to protect you!”
”That’s what I’m afraid of.” I whisper to Pete. I can no longer control the tears in my eyes. Just when I thought they were all dried up, I managed to cry some more tears. He sits down on my bed next to me, kisses my forehead, and just lies next to me while I cry into his chest.
- Writer
