Reclaiming Her Heart

Chapter 18 - Making the First Move

Song Inspo: "Let Down (Cover)" by Mack Loren

Jadea

I don't know how much time passed.

Honestly, it didn't matter.

As I came down from the high of re-uniting with my pack, I became aware of the other two wolves connected with my original pack mates.

Adam wasn't feeling upset by my lack of attention. He understood how important this was and knew I would come around to him. He was just happy reveling in the joy and happiness we were all exuding. He wasn't technically being left out. He was still connected with them, and indirectly, connected with me.

However, Chance was feeling hurt.

While I didn't remember him, I learned about him through the others.

He had been sired by Hans and a different female mate. We weren't blood siblings, though I viewed him as my brother. He had suffered at Hans's diabolical hands, much like I did, and survived. He hadn't been corrupted. His heart and mind yearning for real connection. A real family. Somewhere he could be safe and loved for who he was. He reminded me so much of myself when I had been an outcast with no one but myself to rely on.

And he found all he ever wanted and needed with our pack.

After brushing my original pack's minds, allowing them to see what I was going to do, I stood. They parted for me so I could walk over to Chance. He glanced at me nervously before sitting down, his head bowing. He hadn't meant to make me feel bad. Kneeling before him, I scratched behind his ear, right where he liked. His tongue lolled out the side of his mouth, leaning into my touch, his gaze clashing with mine, happiness and hope glimmering in their depths. "I may not remember you, or how you came to be in our pack," I started gently, "Through them, I have learned who you are. I know you were destined to be a part of our family. I could never abandon you," I soothed his worries. "I will accept your oath if you wish to give it."

Chance did with no hesitation. He shifted as well and embraced me. "I thought I lost you," he whispered. "You were the only one willing to take a chance on me after I had done some pretty terrible things. You were the only one who thought I wasn't a lost cause. I thought I knew loss and emptiness before you... But after. After you..."

I shushed him, seeing exactly how he felt and what he meant there in his mind. I pulled him further into my embrace as the others surrounded us. Lending their strength and support to him. Letting him know he wasn't alone in how he felt.

Once Chance calmed down, I turned my sights to Adam.

He had patiently waited his turn.

I stood up from the middle of my pack and faced him. They all rose with me, surrounding me, staying connected with me as the war within my chest waged on.

What did I do?

Like the others, Adam had shifted into his mortal form and wore a pair of basketball shorts from the porch bin.

We weren't embarrassed by our nakedness. Modesty wasn't a thing with shifters. It was more a comfort thing, and showing respect to others who were uncomfortable with such a lack of modesty. At most werewolf dwellings, a basket or bin of clothes was left near the front door, as a show of good will.

Standing before Adam, my gaze drank in the sight of him. Within the proud set of his shoulders, and the way he stood tall and regal, he exuded a commanding presence. Something I rather admired. He stood an inch taller than me. His muscles were toned and defined. Something I felt he earned through hard work after he was turned. Several tattoos adorned his chest and arms. His red hair tousled, his beard an inch thick and cut smartly. Angry red marks stained his skin where I'd attacked him earlier. His stormy blue eyes softened on me as I studied him. He was older, maybe by twenty years or so. But, age didn't matter in the immortal world.

My heart skipped a beat or two as I continued to stare at him in awe. Within those eyes of his, I felt myself drowning. He felt more like home than any physical place ever had. Which wasn't something I'd ever experienced before.

Adam shifted, drawing me out of my daze. Our pack was spread out, surrounding us so they could watch on as both of their beloved alphas came together once again.

Within his hands he held the long lavender house-dress I'd hung on the banister of the porch.

"May I approach you, Jadea?" he asked in a strong, quiet voice. I was taken aback by his question. Most mates would not have shown such consideration, even in such situations as this. It showed me he wasn't going to force me into anything. He wouldn't just take because I was his.

Slowly, I nodded my consent. Gracefully, he approached and then helped me into the dress, pulling it down my body. His knuckles brushing parts of my skin, sending butterflies curling through my chest. A small gasp left my chest at the unexpected touch.

I understood why he did this, and it warmed my heart in ways I wasn't used to. I had a feeling this was something he often did: melt my heart. This was more for my comfort, seeing as I didn't remember him and didn't have that full, mate's connection with him. He understood he had to regain my trust.

"May I please hold you?" His voice was thick with unshed tears, and an iron-clad resolve. I knew it was taking everything in him to take this slow. So as not to scare me or force me into something I wasn't comfortable giving.

I paused.

Yes, he was my mate.

I didn't remember him or our story.

Was I uncomfortable? A little. Though, that was on me. My own personal demons made it hard to trust a love like this.

Did that mean I should not show Adam the same love and attention I had given the others? No. He was part of my pack, even if I didn't remember him.

One thing Lucien had been adamant about when training me, was always seeing to my pack's needs before my own. It didn't matter how I felt. If I was injured worse. If I was struggling emotionally or mentally. Their needs were always taken care of before mine. That was an alpha's burden to carry.

Adam needed to touch me, to feel me, to ensure I was really here. Touch was something a healthy pack needed. Wolves were social animals and needed that connection. It was an intimacy not everyone knew or understood.

I hadn't denied any of the others my presence within their minds or my physical touch.

I wouldn't deny him either.

He was a part of my pack, irregardless of status or what I could or couldn't remember.

I surprised him when I made the first move, praying he understood the significance of it.

I stepped into him, wrapping my arms around his waist and pulling him into me. My cheek resting in the crook of his shoulder. His warmth seeping into every crevice of my being, and burrowing far beneath my skin. His scent filled my lungs, the smell of him addicting. I heard his strong heartbeat. Felt his initial shock before his arms banded around me. I felt their strength. Felt both him and his wolf sigh in relief and fall into our mental and physical embrace. He kept his emotions mild, knowing I had weathered the storm with the others and was exhausted from it all. Though I could feel the storm brewing within him. While it wasn't anything he couldn't handle, it was something he didn't have to bear on his own.