The Healer

Chapter 30

Tori POV

“I’m sorry, Victor, but you can not mark her.”

I drop down on the couch and just let the tears fall. I sit there wondering what I have done to make the Gods that Be angry with me. Did I do something wrong? Have I wronged someone in a past life?

“I just can’t. What have I done wrong?” I lied down on the couch and hid my face in a pillow as I cried my eyes out. A moment later, I felt warm hands pick me up and set me on their lap as they wrapped their loving arms around me and squeezed me tight, pushing my face into their chest.

“It’s okay baby” Victor held me close and tight. “What are you saying, Alpha?” I could hear his gruff voice rumble through his chest as he twisted slightly to face the Alpha.

“I’m sorry, Victor. I didn’t mean to upset either of you, but it would not be a good idea to mark each other before she went to the Hidden Valley Pack.” I lift my head and look at my father.

“Why not? Wouldn’t that be better, we can communicate with each other, right?” I look between Victor and my dad. Victor absent-mindedly stroked my hair as we waited for Rick to answer.

“I’m sorry guys, I don’t mean to upset you, but we need to think rationally about this. Believe me, I’m happy for you, and I can’t wait for you two to become mates, officially, but…” He stops and walks over to sit next to us on the couch. “If he marks you before you go, and you leave, he can’t go. Alpha Colton would never let him stay on his territory no matter what. Being a Beta, I need him here. You would have to be apart until you are done with your healing and come home.” I stare at Rick, waiting for the answer.

“Umm, am I missing something?” Victor tensed a little and then answered me while looking at Rick.

“Once mates are marked, they can’t be apart for more than a few hours.”

“What? Why?” I asked nervously.

“A wolf needs his mate. He can’t bear to be away from her for a long time. Since their souls are bound and tied by the grace of the Goddess, to be broken would mean possibly turning feral and then death.” I gasped at such a thought.

“I had no idea.” I whispered as I thought about what that would’ve done to Victor. I can’t say that I’d be happy leaving him either. “Victor…” I reached up and caressed his cheek. “I could never do that to you. You are too important to me.” I placed my forehead on his. “I want your mark more than anything, but I won’t do that to you. I will wait until I return to take your mark.” He blinks at me and gives a small smile. He places his own hand behind my neck and pulls me closer.

“It will be living in hell, but I will wait until you return to mark you.” He places a soft kiss upon my lips and sighs. I smiled at him and wrapped my arms around him.

“I think it’s time for you to get some sleep. You have to get up early for your meeting. I want to see you and Tammy in my office before you leave for the hospital.” Rick stated as he stood and headed for the door.

“Yes Alpha” Victor and I said together as we stared into each other’s eyes. He smiles as we hear Rick sigh heavily and grumble as he opens the door. I stand up from Victor’s lap and grab his hand, and head for the door. Rick holds the door as we leave and locks it behind him.

We entered the kitchen, and Victor went to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. Rick stands before me and puts his arms around me, embracing me in a wonderful bear hug.

“I hope you stay safe, and you and Tammy watch out for each other. I know you will heal the young Alpha, but stay alert and be careful. Alpha Colton is a good Alpha. True and Fair, but you both will be guests, strangers to them. Do your job and come home.” He holds me and stares at me with absolute seriousness. “I am going to have a hard enough time keeping Victor in line during your absence. He loves you very much.” I smile and nod.

“I know. We will be safe. If anything goes wrong, I will call you.”

“Good. I can’t have anything happen to you while you are there.” He squeezes me to him as he kisses the top of my head.

“Alpha” We both turn to see Corinne standing in the doorway. Her eyes reach me and give me a fake, sweet smile. “Beta” She throws a seductive wink to him as she turns to me.

“And whatever you are.” I roll my eyes but don’t bite back. I hear Victor growl behind me.

“Corinne, what are you doing here?” Victor asks as he closes the fridge door and walks over to the counter.

“I heard voices down here and came to check it out.” She answered, shrugging. She walks closer to the alpha and smiles. “Is there anything you need?” Batting her eyes at Rick. He looks down at her and huffs.

“Go back to your room, Corinne. I will talk to you later.” He eyes Corinne with promise. She giggles and steps to leave the kitchen but turns back and throws me an arrogant grin.

“Have a good night, everyone.” Again, she gives me an evil look but bows to Rick and Victor. She squeezes Victor’s arm as she exits, and I hear her footsteps up the stairs. I watch her leave and then spin on Victor. Giving him a questioning eye, he had his bottle halfway to his mouth but stops when he sees me staring at him.

“What?” A look of confusion with slight fear spread across his face. I shake my head in a WTF attitude. He looks to Rick, who puts his hands up and shakes his head.

“You are on your own, man; I’m going to bed” Rick gives me a kiss on the forehead and walks out of the room. I turn my head back to Victor and cross my arms over my chest, and raise an eyebrow at him.

“What?” I huff and drop my arms. Storming out of the room, I stomped up the stairs, tears burning my eyes. I find my room and throw open the door. I step inside, and before I can close the door, I feel the whoosh of air as he grabs me and slams the door closed behind us. Next thing I know, I’m being pushed up against the door, and a pair of strong hands hold me tight.

“Let go of me, Victor!” I struggle to get out of his hold before the tears fall.

“No Tori. Not until you tell me what’s wrong!” I pull on his arms, and I am so frustrated I cry out in anger. He is doing his best to hold me still without hurting me. Finally, I stop and slump to the floor. I can’t fight anymore. I feel so stupid. There is no reason for me to be acting like this. He has shown me nothing but love and honesty. Why am I being like this? All because of her. She makes me so angry I want to pull my hair out! Or hers!

“It’s her! Always her!” I let it go and started bawling all my frustrations out.

“What?” He knelt down and wiped my tears away. A look of concern and confusion showed.

“Did you sleep with her? Do you have feelings for her? Is she better than me?” I couldn’t look him in the eye in case he said yes. My eyes were closed as I sobbed my feelings out. I felt his touch across my face and down to my arms. I choked out a sob and took a deep breath. He was quiet, and it scared me. One hand took hold of my chin and lifted it.

“Baby, open your eyes.” He brushed my hair away from my face and wiped my tears again. Hesitantly, I opened my eyes but refused to look at him. “Baby, look at me” I looked up into his beautiful blue eyes and saw nothing but sadness. Why is he sad? Is he sad because he does care for her? Oh my God, he slept with her? What am I going to do now! I don’t think I….

“I can see the wheels turning, but they’re going the wrong way. Tori, baby, listen to me…” I took a shaky breath and waited for the painful answer. “…I have not slept with her, nor do I want to. I will never look upon her with eyes meant only for you.” It took a minute for it to sink into my grief-stricken mind. “Only you…are the love of my life. She means nothing to me. It is only you I seek love and acceptance from. I have waited too long for you to throw it all away on that.” A sob escapes my lips, and he takes me in his arms and hugs me. No words, nothing but comfortable silence as I balance myself. I just needed the warmth and love from him right now. All I know is that I need him. I can not let anything get between us, and I hope he feels the same.

“Victor...”

“Yes, baby?” He pulls back to see my face.

“Please, I need to know.” I couldn’t finish my sentence. I couldn’t say it out loud. I have fallen so hard for this man; I am not going to fight it anymore. He loves me, and I am not letting that go.

“I will tell you anything. I am not sure where I went wrong, but I’m new to this. I can only show you how much I want you, and I am willing to do anything to have you love me too.”

“Is there anyone else? Do I have to worry about Corinne?”

I brave the answer and look up into his eyes. I see him frown and a look down at me, his eyes blazing love and concern. His hand brushes my hair from my face, and he places a small kiss on my forehead.

“You do not have to worry about Corinne.” He smiles at me and cups my face to kiss me again. His lips meet mine, and we dance softly and slowly. He pulls back and sighs. His arms wrap me up, and he holds me tight. I smiled to myself and relaxed until I had a disturbing thought. I do not have to worry about Corinne, but….

Is there someone else?