The Healer

Chapter 34

Tori POV

I was having a wonderful dream where Victor and I were sitting on the huge lawn in front of the packhouse watching the children running around playing tag, just like we used to do. He was staring at me with the most beautiful blue eyes and a loving smile on his face. I smiled back and he leaned over and kissed my lips. I heard voices coming from behind us and turned to see Tammy and Eric happily walking up to us. Tammy plopped herself down next to me and began tapping my nose. I shook my head, but she kept tapping it.

“Tori! Tori!” I heard her yelling as she giggled in my ear. I swatted at her hands, and she laughed.

“Tori! Open your eyes!” I snapped my eyes open to see Tammy sitting on the edge of my bed. Eric was standing in the doorway. “Wake up sleepy head! Time to make the donuts!” I covered my head with my pillow and groaned.

“Go away” I mumbled as she giggled again and tried to pull the pillow away.

“Come girl, you need to get up and get ready. We need to see the Alpha before we head to the hospital.” I froze for a moment. Almost forgetting that I had a meeting with Dr. MacDonald this morning.

“Oh sh*t! I almost forgot!” I jumped out of bed wearing only my underwear and tank top. I squealed when I saw Eric at the door.

“Sorry Tori! I’ll wait downstairs” He grinned at me before closing the door and walking away.

“Give me a minute, I’ll jump in the shower. Grab a set of scrubs from the closet for me, will ya?”

“Sure! What color do you want?” I thought about my mood today while I turned on the water and started to undress.

“Let’s go with a dark color. I want to look intimidating when I meet with Dr. MacDonald!”

“You? Intimidating! That’ll be the day. You’re about as intimidating as a box of kittens!” I scoffed at her description and stepped into the bathroom and took a quick shower. Once I was done, I wrapped myself in a fluffy towel and headed out to the room and got dressed. I braided my long hair and wrapped it into a bun. Finishing with light natural makeup and lip gloss.

I grabbed my work bag and left my room to go find Tammy for breakfast. I walked into the dining room and searched for my best friend. Finding her sitting at a table by the window, I turned in her direction and called to her as I approached.

“Hey girl! What’s for breakfast?” She spun around and gave me one of her special smiles.

“About time, you slowpoke! I sent Eric over to grab some food, he’ll be back in a minute. I did get your coffee for you.” She pushed over a mug of steaming coffee.

“Perfect!” I took a sip and she had it just to my liking. Just then, Eric returned with a tray of food.

“Morning Tori” He grinned as he laid out the plates for us.

“Morning Eric, how’s your day?” He sat next to Tammy and kissed her gently on the cheek.

“The best” He smiled at Tammy with love in his eyes. I rolled my eyes, but still smiled at their show of affection.

“You guys are too cute together.” I felt a ping in my heart, maybe slightly jealous of their feelings, but she’s my best friend or more like a sister to me. I am ecstatic that she found her mate and wish them only health and happiness. I hope I can have that kind of love someday.

I shake off my thoughts and we all start eating the breakfast before us. As I sat here eating, I watched as more and more pack members came in through the back door to grab some food and go find a place to eat. Everyone seems so happy and cheerful as they pass one another and greet each other. I take a sip of coffee and notice that Corinne has entered the dining room from the Alpha’s hallway. I smirk to myself as she seems a bit disheveled but covers it well and sits with her friends as he grabs a tray of food. A moment later, I noticed Victor walk in from the back door and look around. I see that he is just as disheveled, but I know he just came from training with the pups under fourteen. His eyes lands on me and he smiles big. He starts to walk over to me, when a couple of teenagers cut him off and start talking. He rubs his face and shakes his head a few times. He says something to them, and they walk away in a huff. He reaches the table and takes a seat next to me.

“Good morning, Tori” He leans in and kisses my cheek. I could feel the blush run down my face and onto my neck. He chuckles as he pulls away. “Beautiful” He whispers in my ear. I shake my head and giggle like a schoolgirl.

“Good morning, Beta” Eric and Tammy greet in unison. He gives me a wink before facing the other two.

“Good morning, Gamma’s” They nod at him and Victor waves it off. “It’s just us guys, no titles here, please.” Tammy sits straighter and giggles as she looks at me and nods.

“Sooo, are we ready for this meeting with the Alpha?” I asked, trying to change the subject. Tammy laughs, but nods in agreement.

“Yes. We have ten minutes and I suggest we not be late. I know he’s your father, but He’s in full Alpha mode today.” I c**k my head in confusion at Victor.

“What does that mean?” Eric and Tammy stifle a laugh but stay quiet.

“Uh..that means don’t be late.” I frown and shake my head with a ‘so what’ look on my face. Victor sighs heavily before answering.

“It means, don’t piss him off. Something has got him in a mood this morning and I have no idea what.” I give a look of understanding and nod. I shrug my shoulders and continue eating my waffles with blueberries and whip cream. I took a bite and some of the cream landed on the corners of my mouth. I finish chewing, I stick my tongue out to lick the sweet confection from my mouth. Once I finish, I wipe my mouth with the napkin then place it back on my lap. When I look up, everyone is staring at me with a strange look.

“What? Do I still have some on my face?” I wipe my mouth again.

“No, I think you got it all!” Tammy answered in between gasps of laughing. I looked at Eric and his face was beet red, and he was wiping his forehead. I look at Victor and he had a look of hunger and lust on his face.

“Umm…. Ok. Sorry” I couldn’t be more embarrassed than I was right now. I looked sheepishly at Victor, and he had a slight blush as well.

“Well, shall we?” He stood and held my chair for me as I stood with him. Eric and Tammy stood and headed towards the hall. Tammy snuck in next to me and whispered. Unfortunately, Victor and Eric heard every word.

“You go girl!” I stared at her in shock.

“What are you talking about?”

“You just had Victor almost c*m in his pants! Even Eric couldn’t look away!” She laughed and I felt mortified.

“Oh God, Tammy! I am so sorry! I had no idea what I was doing.” I covered my face as I saw Victor look over his shoulder with a grin and winked. I wanted to crawl in a hole and disappear.

“Oh, Tori sweetheart, it’s all good. I actually found it funny watching Eric trying to behave in front of me. I know he would never do anything, so it doesn’t bother me.” I peeked at her from under my hands. “If it was anyone else, I would’ve gutted them like a pig!” I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

We made our way to my father’s office door and stood quietly. For some reason, I was quite nervous. I never had a feeling of anger or hatred toward me. Everyone I’ve met so far has been friendly and welcoming. Even with Corinne and her posse, they don’t like me, and the feeling is mutual, but I don’t feel threatened by them.

I took a deep breath and released it slowly. Turning to look at Victor, he nodded and smiled, placing his hand on my back. I raised my hand and knocked twice. I waited for permission to enter.

“Come” I opened the door slowly and stepped inside. I see my father sitting at his desk with his hands laced on top. He looked up at me and his face softened, but he did not smile. I walked closer with Tammy by my side. Both of us bowed our heads and greeted him.

“Good morning, Alpha.” We kept our heads down. I heard the guys walk over next to the desk and father sighed.

“Raise your eyes.” Rick spoke with no emotion. I was very confused with his demeanor and tried not to take it personally. I don’t think I have disrespected him or his members. I was beginning to think maybe I was about to make a mistake by agreeing to help. I lifted my head with Tammy, and we stood quietly. He looked us over as if deciding whether he could trust us.

“Tori, you are to meet Dr. MacDonald this morning at 9:00?” He spoke low and even.

“Yes Alpha”

“Tammy, you will be with her during this meeting?” I heard Tammy take a breath.

“Yes Alpha” He nodded. Leaning back in his chair, he appeared to be thinking of something he didn’t like.

“Alpha? Do you not want me to meet with him?” I asked with an innocent tone. His eyes snapped up at me and they flashed black for a moment. I felt Tammy elbow me in the side. I looked at her and she mouthed for me to shush. My brow dropped and I jerked at her seriousness.

“What?” I asked to the room. Victor was shaking his head slowly and Eric looked like he had just seen a ghost. I sighed in exasperation and threw up my hands.

“We do not question our Alpha” Tammy whispered to me as she lowered her eyes and head to my level.

“He is not my Alpha” I retorted, and I thought everyone in the room was going to have a heart attack. I looked at each one of them and ended with my father. I raised an eyebrow at him, and I could swear I saw steam come from his ears.

“Victoria! What did you just say?” He growled low. He slowly paced around his desk and came before me. I looked right up into his eyes. Apparently, it is disrespectful to stare an Alpha in the eye and can be seen as a challenge.

“I do not have an Alpha” I answered bouncing on my feet. Behind me, I heard Tammy snigger and then cover her mouth. I tried not to grin, but it slipped anyway. Victor came to stand by the Alpha and stared at me with wide eyes. Glancing at Victor, I winked and turned back to my father.

“Tori?” He questioned. I held my handout with my palm up. Rick just looked at it then back to me. He turned to face Victor, who shrugged.

“What did I just say?” I brought up my other hand and flicked my finger so that my nail would grow to a claw. I noticed Eric and Victor become alert and watch me like a hawk. I frowned at them and shook my head in disappointment. I dragged my claw across my palm and held it towards my father. He looked at it for a moment then lifted his head with a sly grin.

“Do you accept?” I smiled big and bowed to him.

“My Alpha” I giggle a little. “Yes dad!” He chuckled and then sliced his own palm and grabbed my hand.

“Victoria, swear your loyalty to the Mystic Moon Pack and to your new Alpha” I nodded.

I, Victoria Barnes, swear my loyalty to the Mystic Moon pack and every member within. I swear my loyalty and my blood bond with my Alpha, Merrick Romanski.” Before I let go, I take a breath and say one last fealty. “I accept the blood bond given to me by our loving Moon Goddess to Alpha Merrick Romanski, my father by blood” I felt the connection to the pack and more importantly, my father. He looked at me with such love and sincerity. I smile at him and squeeze his hand tighter. I could feel my eyes burn, trying to keep the tears at bay.

“Tori?” He asked with hopeful eyes. I let go of his hand and bow deeply to him.

“My Alpha. My father” I smile as I lift my head and I see tears in Tammy’s eyes. My father was full of emotion he didn’t know how to show. I saw his eyes shift to black.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear you are finally a member of my pack. Victoria, my pup, I fully accept you as my daughter, my Alpha daughter.”

“Alpha Apache, I swear to you as well, my father by the Moon Goddess herself and my Alpha” He wraps his arms around me, and we hug warmly. I lean back and look at each other.

“So, now do we get to tell your pack that you have finally found your long-lost daughter?” I say, almost jokingly, but the answer was not what I was expecting.

“No.” I jumped back, and the smile fell from my face. I c****d my head, and I could feel more tears coming, but not ones of happiness. I saw him shake his head and return to his place behind his desk. Victor and Eric were looking at each other in shock, they had no idea what he was doing either.

“I have no intention of telling anyone.”

My jaw hit the floor.

What the hell!?