The Healer

Chapter 27

Tori POV

Wow! I can’t believe I have a wolf! I knew I’ve had one since I was thirteen, but a wolf I will actually shift into! I’ve always been jealous over those in the pack that could shift into a wolf. I remember some of the warriors shifting into their majestic wolves so I could run with them on their back. I can only imagine the freedom one has running so fast and agile through the forest and feeling the wind rush through their fur. I’ve always wanted to be a part of that. Now I hopefully can. I just have to learn how to contact my wolf and get her to talk to me. I wonder if she likes me, even just a little bit. Oh my God, what if she hates me! What if I’m too ugly, or not smart enough! What if I’m not strong enough for her. Oh, I’m going to be such a disappointment to her, when all I’ve ever wanted was to have a wolf I could spoil and talk to and run free with. I wonder when it will happen. Do I have to do anything or say something to get her to shift? Who can I talk to about this, I mean I can always talk to Tammy about it, but she is pure human and has no idea about a wolf or a second consciousness. I can always call my dad. He’s been there for me through every negative, misstep, and downfall I’ve had. Even if he doesn’t have all the answers, he’s a great listener. I grab myself a water bottle and go sit on the couch. I pull out my phone and see two missed texts. One from Tammy and one from Victor. I’ll check them in a minute, I want to call my dad and see how his doctor’s appointment went the other day.

I hit the speed dial for my dad, a picture of the sun. I hit call and wait while I hear it ring. I grow anxious when I hit the fifth ring and he’s not answering. I let it continue to ring until after the tenth ring it goes to voicemail. I hear his voice asking to leave a message and he’ll call me back as soon as he can.

“Hi dad! Just checking in. How was your doctor’s appointment the other day? Hope it went well. If you need anything, let me know. I have so much to tell you! I also need to borrow your ear for a bit. Okay, call me when you can, I’ll be at the hospital tomorrow until three thirty. Love you, Bye!” I sit there staring at my cell phone, wondering where he could be. Maybe he’s in the shower or in another room and didn’t hear it ring. I hope he’s alright. I’ll call again tomorrow morning if I don’t hear from him tonight.

I checked my texts and read the one from Tammy.

‘Hey sweetie! How was the barbecue? I'm so sorry I couldn’t make it. I took a shift. Did you meet everyone? Were they nice to you? If not, let me know, and I’ll have to kick some ass! Talk soon. Love you’

I smile to myself and shake my head. What in the world would I do without her! I’ll see her tomorrow at work anyway. I sent her a short message saying it was good and I’ll see her tomorrow at work. I checked my other message, and it’s from Victor asking me if I’m okay. If I need to talk to call him. He was thinking about me on his patrols. I was more important than some patrol evaluations. My heart warmed at his words, and I couldn’t deny my feelings. I’ve never felt this way about anybody, and it scares me a little, but at the same time I’m kind of giddy about it. He seems to feel the same way about me. I send a text back telling him how sweet he is and thank you. To be careful and I will talk with him tomorrow. Before I hit send, I gather my courage and take a selfie of me blowing him a kiss and then one with me smiling. I hit send before I chicken out. Chuckling to myself, I head upstairs to my bedroom and grab some clothes, and go in the bathroom to take a bath. I close the bathroom door behind me and lock it. I’ve seen all those horror movies, I’m all alone and in the bath so I lock my door and keep my phone handy. Just as I step into the hot bath full of lavender oils, I hear my phone ping telling me I have a text. I slowly descend into the soothing bathwater and make myself comfortable. I grab my phone and read the message. ‘What a great picture. Now, I have something to look at during my boring patrol. Got any more pix I can have? Send me one of whatever you are doing right now.’ A second later, he sends another message. “Please”

Should I? It wouldn’t be too bold, would it? A hell, I’m doing it. I stretch my arm out and take a selfie of me in the bathtub. Luckily, the bubbles cover me but leaves the rest to his imagination.

‘You asked’ I type up and send along with the picture. I put the phone down and settled back into my tub of bubbles. Humming a slow tune to myself, I close my eyes and think about all that has happened to me over the past couple of days. My heart flutters a little when I think about Victor and what he said that time we were kissing in the forest. He asked me to be his mate. I know he lost his first mate and was hoping for a second chance. Would he take me as a chosen instead of waiting? Do I have a mate out there somewhere? I am really starting to grow deep feelings for him and wonder if I should wait for my mate, if he’s out there, or do I choose Victor. What if Victor’s my mate? It’s a stretch, but I can only dream. My next thought was of the meeting with Dr. MacDonald in the morning. Even though I will agree to his offer, I do have some conditions of my own before I accept. Of course, Tammy will be with me and her mate, Eric will come as our bodyguard. Hopefully, the Alpha will accept my terms, realizing it is only for my own protection in a foreign pack.

As my lids become heavy and my mind is drowsy, I hear a ping on my phone. I roll my head over and see a message. Smiling to myself, I think about letting him wonder for a moment before I take my hand out of the water and dry it off. I grab the phone and swipe up to the message.

‘Damn! There is no way I’m gonna be able to run now! All I can think about now is you lying in the bathtub, naked and covered only in bubbles….’ Maybe I went too far. I don’t want to make it difficult for him to concentrate when he’s supposed to be protecting the borders. Well, he asked, I gave, not my fault. I giggled to myself and sent him an emoji of a pair of red lips and a shooting heart.

About forty-five minutes later, I drain the tub and turn on the shower to rinse off. When I step out to dry off, I hear a small sound from downstairs. I continue to dry off while listening for any more noise in case I imagined it. I pull my bathrobe on and cautiously step out of the bathroom. Peering down the hallway to the stairs, I hear another noise and then a whisper. My eyes go wide, and my heart races painfully in my chest. I quietly step back into my room and run to the bathroom to get my phone. I unlock it and swipe down to Victor’s messages. I quickly type out a message and hit send.

‘I think someone is in my house’ I hold the phone like a lifeline and close the door. I put my ear up to the door and try to listen for the noise to come up the stairs. I feel my phone vibrate in my hand and look down.

‘Are you safe? Lock yourself in a room and don’t open the door. I’m coming!’ I lock the bathroom door and put the vanity chair lodged under the doorknob. Suddenly, I hear faint footsteps on the stairs, and I hold my breath, but I can hear my heart pound in my ears. I back away from the door and accidentally bump into the sink where the hairdryer was lying. It went bounding to the floor as it hit with a crash, the footsteps come faster up the stairs and into the bedroom. With tears in my eyes, I freeze and pray that Victor gets here soon. I hear the bedroom door crash open and the steps pounding towards the bathroom. They stop right outside my door, and I’m breathing so fast I’m about to hyperventilate and pass out. Suddenly, they begin banging on the door so hard it rattles in the frame and threatens to give way. My mind is turning to mush, I can’t think of what to do. I look around the room for a weapon to defend myself. Finding nothing of use, I rip the towel rack off the wall and stand ready just feet away from the loud banging. It gets louder and harder as I hear small cracks in the wood. Any minute now, that door is going to bust open, and I’ll be face to face with my attacker.

“Who are you! What do you want?” I grip the towel rack tighter and stare at the door. Finally, it gives way and comes crashing down to the floor. I jump back a few feet as I watch it fall, and on the others side, I see a tall, burly man standing there in shorts and no shirt. His head is down so that his long black hair covers most of his face. “What do you want?” I try to say confidently, but it comes out more breathy.

“You” Was all he said, and with that, he lunged at me and tried to grab my arms. I was quicker than him and jumped out of the way. I hit the wall hard and look back to see him gather himself, and his eyes flash red as an evil smile crosses his face. He lunges again, but this time, I was able to get in a strike across his face. A tremendous growl reverberated through the bathroom. I crawl back into the bedroom and make it to my feet. I watch him as he slowly turns around and faces me.

‘You shouldn’t have done that” He says calmly as he stalks towards me with his hands out, ready to grab me or defend himself. I can see his determined walk as he nears me. He grabs the rack and whips it out of my hands. Before I realized, he had slapped me across the face, sending me to the floor. I wince in pain as I hold my stinging cheek with my hand. “Be a good girl, and stop fighting me.” I listen to his words, and they sound vaguely familiar. I stare at his face, trying to recognize him, but I get nothing. He lunges again, and this time takes hold of my neck. I claw and scratch at him, but he won’t let go. I start to see spots everywhere, and my mind goes into a fog, and everything is blurry. Just before the black consumes me, I see his face.

“What the hell are you doing here?!” I shut my eyes. All the fight in me has left. I hear someone else calling my name and steps come running to my room.

“Tori!” I feel a hard hit to the side of my head, and I go completely out, consumed by the darkness.