The Healer

Chapter 10

Tori POV

I hung up with Victor and paced around my living room with my stomach full of butterflies. I was scared, nervous, and excited. Whether because I’m going to see him again, or because I’m going to his pack to meet his Alpha. Oh my God, I’m going to meet the Alpha! Holy s**t, this is huge! I need to go get ready. I need to look my best and remember my manners.

“Wow, okay, calm down Tori. First, go shower and pick out something nice and respectful to wear. He’s just an Alpha. Like any other human being. Only, he’s not a human, he’s a wolf. The most powerful one in the pack. Chill girl! You’re gonna give yourself a stroke.”

I stopped my pacing and closed my eyes. Taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly through my mouth, I relaxed my mind enough to go get ready. I jumped in the shower and scrubbed myself with my lavender and birch water body soap. Rinsing my hair with the lavender and almond oil conditioner, I stepped out and dried myself with my fluffy towel.

I stood in front of the mirror and judged myself. Looking at my dull wavy hair landing just above my waist. My eyes looked depressed and tired. My body somewhat toned and tanned, a few scars from childhood adventures and a set of fairly large breasts that are firm and perky. Nothing too spectacular, but not terrible either.

I finished drying off and threw my towel in the hamper. Stepping out into the bedroom and pulling my underwear out from my dresser. Wearing a pair of dark green lace bikini underwear and a matching bra, I search my closet for a semi formal dress. Most of my dresses are summer casuals, but I know I have a nicer one here somewhere. Pushing my clothes back and forth on the rack, I reach the end and find the perfect one. It’s a pastel yellow short sleeve dress with lace around the hem and up the front along the buttons to the neckline. It had small black pearl buttons and a thin black belt around the waist. It came down to the knees and fit perfectly. Not too tight to show off too much but comfortable to move in and flowed nicely from the waist. I paired it with a pair of black stud earrings and my favorite necklace, apparently a gift from my father for me when I was born. It was a small bumble bee. With yellow and black diamonds on the back, and the tiny wings were made of netting material all set in a titanium base. He used to call me his little bumble bee. My mother had kept a few things from my father when we ran from the pack. She took a small wooden box with her but hid it from me all these years until my stepfather gave it to me after mom’s death. She didn’t want me to know about it, but Chase thought I should have it since it was a gift from my dad. He had heard the stories about pack life with the Alpha and what my mom had to go through; it was still her side of the story. He thought that I should still make up my own mind whether or not I wanted to find my father and get to know him or not. I told him that I did, but it would never change the way I feel about him. He was my father, although not by blood, he still raised me and loved me like his own and I would always love him as my real father.

I dried and curled my hair, pulling the sides back into a barrette and letting the back fall freely. After applying simple make up of eyeliner, simple blush, and nude lip gloss, I felt I was ready. Slipping into a leather pair of black flats, I grabbed my purse checking to make sure I have my wallet, keys and my phone before heading downstairs to wait for Victor.

With twenty minutes to spare, I wander the house nervously fixing pillows on the couch, putting magazines on the table and rearranging them several times and putting dishes in the dishwasher. It’s always nice to come home to a neat and orderly home. I checked on some of my plants in the kitchen window when I hear a knock at the door.

My heart begins racing and my breathing increased. I have no idea why I’m so worked up, it’s just Victor coming to take me back to his pack. I can’t believe I’m actually going back to the pack house. Back to that life again. The one mom tried so hard to keep me out of. Well, now it’s my choice to return and decide for myself whether I want to remain, or continue my human side of life. Right now, I choose to go back and see for myself how pack life is. I’m an adult now, a totally different perspective than a four-year-olds. I’ll give it a chance and go from there.

I peer through the small window on the front door and see a huge figure standing perfectly still waiting for entry. I turn the handle and pull the door open. I see Victor standing there staring at me. He’s dressed in dark jeans with a gray v neck collared shirt and his black leather jacket. His hair is combed neatly and hangs down his shoulders. His beard and mustache look in better shape than it did yesterday. I gather he took some time to be presentable before coming to get me. I smiled internally at that.

“Hello Beta Victor” I greeted shyly as he continued to stare. He was silent for a minute more before coming to his senses and responding.

“Hello Tori. You look very nice” He answered gruffly as if compliments were new to him. We continued to stare at each other before I drop my head and could feel the blush spreading across my face and neck. He coughed to clear his throat.

“Shall we? Alpha is waiting for your arrival” I looked up and saw him stepping to the side so I could close my door. I locked the deadbolt and dropped my keys in my purse. He offered his elbow to me, and I graciously accepted. He led me out to his truck and opened the passenger door for me. I clicked my seat belt in before he closed the door and ran back around to the driver’s side. He fastened his own seat belt and started the engine. Slowly backing out of the driveway and then headed off towards his pack. My nerves still pulsating within me, I’m sure he can hear my racing heartbeat. I tried to calm myself by watching the scenery pass by the window.

“You have nothing to be anxious about. The Alpha is looking forward to meeting you.” I turn to him with a confused look. “Tammy has …. spoken very highly about you. Told the Alpha all about you.”

That last sentence had me almost hyperventilating. I gaped wide-eyed at him as I clutched the armrest tightly. He knows what I am? Oh no, this is bad. He’s going to allow me on his territory and then throw me in the dungeons for being a rogue. Even though, technically I don’t have a wolf, but I do. He can’t possibly see me as a threat, can he? He won’t let me join the pack now, will he?” My thoughts were interrupted by a warm touch on my hand and a soft and gentle voice.

“Tori? Tori? Are you okay? I can see the wheels turning. You have nothing to be afraid of.” I swing my head to look at him.

“He knows about me? He knows I have a wolf. Technically, I do, but really don’t. Am I a rogue to him? Will he put me in the dungeons? Oh God, this was a mistake! How could I be so stupid! Beta Victor, please take me home!” I continue my ranting and heavy breathing, I start to get dizzy and see white clouds on the edge of my vision. I feel his warm touch gently squeeze my hand. I suddenly realize we are sitting still on the side of the road. Victor is staring at me with concern and slight confusion.

“Tori, he’s not putting you in the dungeon. He wants to meet you, talk to you. He won’t hurt you.” He places his hands on either side of my face and turns me towards him. “Trust me, nobody will ever hurt you” His bright blue eyes gaze into my own and all my worries are gone. My breathing calmed down and I feel a warm comfortable feeling wash over me. Is he doing that to me? Oh wow, it feels so nice! I get a feeling way deep down in my gut that I belong right here, with him. Somewhere in my mind I even hear…. Purring? What the hell was that? He rubs his thumbs across my cheeks a few times before removing his hands as if he was doing something wrong. I sit up straight and stare down at my hands in my lap.

“…. And it’s just Victor” he says quietly as he pulls back onto the road, and we continue our journey on to his pack. I nod absentmindedly and continued to stare at the scenery outside.

The remainder of the ride was silent, but not uncomfortable. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I get there. Do I have to pass some test before I joined? Will they accept humans in their pack?

“Tori?” I’m so lost in my internal ranting that I didn’t hear Victor calling my name until he reached over and grabbed my hand. “Tori? Are you okay?” I looked up to see his beautiful eyes staring back with concern.

“To be honest, I’m a little nervous.” I fidgeted in my seat. “Okay, I’m terrified. I have no idea what to expect. Will he care that I’m human? Will he let me join your pack?” I felt him rub my knuckles gently with his thumb

“I understand being a little nervous. Maybe we could talk a little, that might ease you a bit.”

“What do you want to talk about?” I asked quietly as he kept rubbing my hand.

“Whatever you want. How about you tell me about yourself” I thought to myself for a moment wondering what kinds of things to tell him.

“Well, I’m twenty-two, only child. My mother passed away two years ago, leaving my stepfather behind.” My smile faded, and my mood sombered,

“I’m really sorry to hear that. That must be difficult. Were you two close?” I unknowingly started rubbing his hand just as he was doing to mine. I shook my head.

“Not particularly, but we did have our moments. It was just the two of us, so things were hard, but we did okay. Then she met my stepfather, Chase. He’s a good guy. Loved my mother and me like I was his own. He was good to us, took care of us. When my mom got sick, he never left her side. Right up to the end when she finally passed in the hospital.” He gave my hand a gentle squeeze.

“What did she pass from?”

“Breast cancer. She fought it for over a year, but her body just gave up. It got too much for her.” I closed my eyes to keep the tears from flowing. A memory I try to keep hidden away for now. I shook it off and opened my eyes to see that we were now driving through a forest.

“Are we close?” Victor nodded his head as we looked around.

“Yes. We have to pass through a gate first, then we’ll head to the main house.”

“Okay. How many people are in your pack?”

“I believe we have around five thousand people. Give or take.” My eyes went wide as I gaped at him.

“Wow, that’s a lot of people! How do you handle them all?”

“They respect the Alpha. He’s fair and honest with them. Everybody has a job they do, and we all help take care of the elderly and children of the pack. Everyone follows the rules, so there are usually no problems.”

“What’s he like?” I glanced at Victor to see him take a deep breath and release it slowly.

“Like I said, he’s fair and honest.”

“Victor. What kind of a person is he? Does he have a mate or children?”

“Well, he used to have a mate. But not now.”

“What happened to her?”

“That’s his story to tell. Here we are” He pulled up through the gates and parked in the lot beside the main house. I looked out the window at the beautiful house in front of me.

“It’s beautiful!” Victor smiled as he got out and came around to open the door for me. He offered his hand, which I took and stepped out of the truck. “What a beautiful garden you have. The roses are lovely!” He smiled and nodded.

“Yes, the omegas take good care of the garden. We use the area for special occasions and cookouts.” He led me to the front door and walked inside.

The entrance was warm and welcoming. The floor was dark marble with wooden accents and polished brass. A huge flower bouquet on a table in the center with a stairway going up each side. A hallway off to the left and one to the right. Straight ahead, I saw what looked like a giant living room and a huge kitchen. As I stepped further into the house, I noticed a wall of windows with a view of the forest and a lake behind the house. A large flat screen TV on one wall with several plush couches and lounge chairs in the room. The far wall held an enormous fireplace with a granite mantle holding many framed photographs.

“Tori, can I get you anything?” I turned to see Victor watching me admire the room.

“No thank you, I’m fine.”

“Okay, the Alpha will be here shortly” I gave him a smile as I stood to look out the back window.

I saw several small children running around the yard playing chase. There were a couple of adults, assuming their babysitters, talking and laughing as they kept an eye on the children. Suddenly, a flash of a memory came to me. A familiar scene of me as a young child running in the same yard being chased by a boy. He was a little older than me, but he looked familiar. I saw him chase me until I fell, and he caught me. I looked up into the bright blue eyes of my friend. We were both laughing as we sat next to each other on the ground. A voice called to us as we turned to see my mother walking towards us, telling us it was time for lunch.

I blinked the memory away and slowly turned to see Victor staring back at me. It was the same blue eyes in my memory. The same blue eyes stared back at me with question and concern.

“Tori?” My mind was reeling trying to piece it all together. That memory of so long ago, when I was four years old, trying to tell me something.

“You….” I started breathing heavy as I realized who he was. Victor.I haven’t said that name since I last saw him. Even then, I only called him by his nickname. He was the blue eyes from my childhood. He was my friend from long ago. I looked around the room, and it all came rushing back. It all feels familiar to me. This was my home with my mother and my father. I started getting lightheaded. Oh my God! This is where I was born! This was my home. Victor was my friend. That means the Alpha…. Is….my….

“Tori” I heard a deep voice call my name from across the room. I slowly lifted my gaze to the sound, and I saw him. A tall, black-haired man standing there with a soft expression on his face. He didn’t try to move towards me but watched me intently. I saw no anger in his face. I saw concern, relief, and hesitancy about what to do.

My vision started going blurry, and white spots started to appear in my peripheral. My breathing became heavy, and I felt like I was going to pass out.

“Father?” I asked quietly before my eyes closed, and everything went dark.