The Healer

Chapter 29

Tori POV

“Mate” I crashed my lips to his. I grabbed a fistful of his hair and pulled him closer. I could feel his arms around my waist, pulling us together as close as he could. The idea of his eagerness excited me as my feelings for him were intensifying. His lips were firm and sensual and soft like cotton, and his hands were as gentle as if I were a priceless artifact. I could hear his soft moans escape breathlessly as he explored every inch of my mouth as if he couldn’t get enough of my taste.

It felt so right being here in his arms, his lips on mine like we belong to each other. I nipped at his bottom lip and then licked the sting away. My grip became stronger as I pulled his hair. My other hand dragged down his back with the urgency I needed to have him as mine.

“Tori” He whispered as we separated to catch our breath. He leaned his forehead against mine and stared into my eyes. I watched his baby blues brim with tenderness and passion. He started to speak several times, but nothing came out. His last emotion, fear, concerned me. Was he afraid of commitment? Of course not. He asked me to be his mate. What was he afraid of? It can’t be me, can it?

“Victor, what’s wrong?” I asked quietly as I brushed his hair with my fingers and looked lovingly into his eyes. His breathing was still slightly ragged, but he sighed and closed his eyes as he spoke.

“I’m afraid….of….” He started to shake his head, but I squeezed his shoulder gently in quiet support. “…Of…you” He dropped his head lower so I couldn’t see his face. My eyebrows shot up, and my mouth hit the floor.

“Of me? How could you be afraid of me? I won’t hurt you. There’s nothing I can do to you that…”He whipped his head up and searched my eyes. He looked like it was so obvious as to why.

“Don’t you see?” He runs his hand across my cheek and down my jaw. He lightly gripped my chin to look right at him. “You are the only thing on this planet that can hurt me. You are my kryptonite.” He quietly admitted before kissing my lips once more. My heart was racing so hard I’m sure he could hear it thumping. His hands cupped my face as he pulled back again.

“You are my everything. I have always loved you Tori” Tears were burning my eyes at his confession. I tried to blink them away. Both of us were reveling in the feeling of the pull. Our version of the mating pull. There may be no tingles like true mates, but we didn’t care. Our hearts were calling to one another, and that was our bond.

“I accept” I smiled at him and gently stroked his cheek. He brought his hand up and grabbed mine. Closing his eyes, he sighed slowly. A smile slowly formed on his face, and he opened them again.

“Mate. My beautiful mate.” He lowered himself to my lips and kissed me again. Before it could get any deeper, we heard a small cough behind us. We pulled apart and turned to look where it came from. Apparently, we both had forgotten that Rick was still in the room. Victor stood up straight with a serious look on his face.

“Alpha” Rick stood, smiling with satisfaction, and walked across the room to stand before Victor. I was still clutching his hand, giving him support. Rick looked between me and Victor before he lunged at Victor and wrapped his arms around the shocked Beta.

“I am honored to have you as my daughter’s mate!” Rick pulled back to give him a big smile and a strong clap on the shoulder. Victor released a huge breath and nodded. He looked down at me and smiled. He squeezed my hand and wrapped an arm around me as we all enjoyed the moment. Tears were flowing from my eyes, and I chuckled.

“Thank you, dad.” I grabbed him and wrapped an arm around him. I couldn’t stop my tears. I was so happy right now. Rick returned the hug and then shot Victor a look of amusement.

“Were you worried? I saw that look on your face.” I saw Victor wince a little before lifting his eyes to Rick sheepishly.

“For a minute there, I thought it was Apache coming to me.” Rick raised his brows at him.

“Apache is here. He is elated that his pup will be with you. Although, he did think that you should’ve asked our permission first.” Rick gave a stern look. Victor’s smile faded, and his eyes went wide.

“My apologies, Apache, it was sort of an in the moment kind of thing. I..I..” Rick let out a chuckle.

“Beta! I don’t think I’ve ever heard you stutter before!” Rick and I chuckled as Victor took a breath and shook his head. “Come on, I’m bringing you back to the Packhouse. I don’t feel you are safe here.”

I nodded and went back to my closet and grabbed a duffle. I pulled some scrubs off the hangers and grabbed some clothes from the dresser. In the bathroom, I collected my hygiene products and returned to the bedroom.

“Victor?” I put the bag down and sat on the bed. He turned to face me patiently, waiting for me to continue. “Did…you…catch him?” My eyes pleaded with him to tell me the answer I wanted to hear.

His head dipped, and a small frown formed on his mouth.

“I’m sorry, Tori. No. They didn’t get him. They are still tracking him, though. Did you recognize anything about him?” I didn’t know who he was, but there was a scent on him that was vaguely familiar.

“No. He carried a familiar scent, but I can’t place it.” I looked around the room for anything I may have forgotten and stood up to grab my bag. Before I could swing it over my shoulder, Victor took it from me and slung over his.

“Ready?” He challenged with a smile. Shaking my head, I agreed and followed him out of the room. Rick had already gone downstairs to check the windows and back door to make sure they were secure. I turned on one light in the living room and grabbed my work bag and stethoscope.

“I’m good” Victor grabbed my keys and locked the front door after we left. Seeing as Victor and Rick ran here in wolf form, we piled into my car, and Victor drove us back to the packhouse.

Once we arrived, the guards at the gate bowed as we entered. Each one of them studied me as we went past.

“Dad?” I saw a smile cross his face at my new title for him. It did feel different to say, but I kind of enjoyed it.

“Yes sweetheart?”

“Why are you keeping me a secret? Are you not happy with…?” I honestly wanted to know and not be sarcastic or vicious. I saw Victor glance quickly at his Alpha before turning back to the road. He turned slightly in his seat to look back at me with a sigh.

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence.” He looked at me with such determination and a hint of guilt. “Nothing more could make me happier than to have you here with me! You have grown into a beautiful young lady; I couldn’t have asked for more!” I tried to keep the tear that threatened to fall, but slowly, it crept down my cheek and down to my shirt collar. I looked down and shut my eyes. I don’t know why I’m so emotional about this. Maybe I just don’t believe that he’s here and has completely accepted me yet. Is he truly proud of me? Is he truly happy to have found me? I’m just not a hundred percent sure yet.

I nod my head and sit back in the seat, watching the darkness go by the car window. My mind wonders to my meeting tomorrow with Dr. MacDonald and going to the Hidden Valley Pack. A thought crossed my mind. Will Victor go with me? Him being a Beta, I don’t think he can be away from the pack for that long. I have no idea how long I will be gone. Can we be apart for that long? Will he really wait for me? We are not fated mates, so it could be possible that he finds his second chance mate while I’m gone. It’s even possible that I find my mate. But I have already decided to reject them to stay with Victor. I hope he feels the same. Although it’s only been a few days, it feels like we’ve always been together. I’m just worried about what will happen when I go to Hidden Valley. My heart aches for the memories we haven’t made yet. The time together we haven’t had yet.

My tears roll down my cheeks as I stare out the window. I’m so lost in my thoughts that I don’t realize we have arrived at the pack, and Rick has been calling my name.

“Tori? Tori, are you okay?” I shake my fog and turn to look at two pairs of concerned eyes staring at me.

“What?” I ask lowly, trying to hide the emotion in my voice.

“Are you okay? I’ve been calling you.”

“I’m fine.” I open the door and step out, but not before I see the c****d head of Victor as he threw a knowing look at Rick. I roll my eyes as I head for the front door.

“I’d like to speak with you two in my office before you head off to bed.” I nod and follow Victor down the hallway towards Rick’s office. One inside, I take a seat in front of his desk as Victor stands behind me.

“Tori? What’s on your mind? You seem upset since we left your house.” Rick asks as he takes his seat behind the desk.

“I’m fine” He shakes his head, obviously not believing me.

“Tori..” He says again more seriously this time. “I can see your mind working, and it doesn’t look good. What is worrying you?” I sigh and glance over my shoulder at Victor. He flinches and then decides to sit in the chair next to me. A look of worry and sadness crosses his face, and a ping of guilt hits me.

“I am going to be staying at Hidden Valley Pack for an unknown amount of time. I just accepted my mate's status, and I’m going to bet that he can’t come with me. What will happen while we’re apart?” I look directly into Rick’s eyes as I say my words, holding back the sadness from my voice and the tears in my eyes.

“You will do your job, heal him to the best of your ability, and then you will come home.” Victor scrunches his face in confusion.

“I have no idea how long I’ll be gone.” Rick stares at me for a moment and then takes a long breath and nods as he releases it.

“I see. Tori, honey, you have nothing to worry about.”

“What are you worried about?” Victor asks as he faces me. I drop my head and shake my head. I rub my hands down my face and stand up, and walk to the bay window behind the Alpha’s desk. Wrapping my arms around myself, I just stare out into nothing. I lose myself in my reflection. I can hear Victor asking Rick what this is about. He doesn’t even realize it. I hear Rick speaking, and suddenly I hear the chair flip and land on the floor.

“What!!” Victor screeches, and I hear heavy footsteps come towards me. “Tori” He says as he reaches me. His hands take hold of my upper arms, and he pulls me to his chest. Wrapping me up in his embrace, he leans his head down to my ear and whispers.

“I will do no such thing! I asked you to be my mate, and I meant it! It is a sacred bond that I will not break! I love you, Tori, and no one else. I will be here waiting for your return so we can start our life together. Our family together.” He says the last part so low I almost missed it. My breath hitches, and the tears fall. He squeezes me hard, then turns me to face him. His hands cup my face and make me look up at him.

“I love you” I search his eyes for any deception. Seeing none, I nod briefly, and he nods back. His lips come down on mine, and he gives all his love and heart in that one kiss. I couldn’t deny his feelings. I respond back with just as much love and desire. When we pull away, he leans his forehead on mine and sighs.

“You are mine, and I am yours. Nothing will change that. I will mark you, and everyone will know that you are mine.” I smile big until I hear my father’s voice and my body goes cold.

“You can not mark her, Victor” We both spin around and face Rick.

“What?” We say in unison.

“I’m sorry, but you can not mark her” And the tears begin again.