Hero

8

"And this is where I used to play when I was little." Devon said, motioning to the lake.

We were walking hand-in-hand along the dock where I met his mom. Once he woke up we spent the day roaming around his territory and telling stories. I ended up actually telling him my whole life story.

"This is where I met your mom." I whispered, sitting on the dock, letting my feet dangle into the water.

Devon sighed and sat next to me, rubbing his arm against mine. His eyes became a little glassy and his voice was rough, "I don't understand how a mate could do that to their soulmate. She was so heartless."

I grabbed his hand, "Sometimes people who have had a rough life or something bad happened in their life makes them become a person they don't even recognize," I gripped his hand tighter, "Has anything bad happened to your mom?"

He sighed deeply an laid his head on my shoulder, "Her first born died in delivery. She would've been my older sister. They never really figured out why she died so suddenly."

"But didn't your moms heart kind of fill back up when you were born?" I asked curiously.

"She always wanted a daughter." he mumbled.

"Well...sometimes hearts can't be fixed. And when they can't be fixed it changes people."

"I've given her 20 years to recover!" He said abruptly, taking his head off my shoulder.

"It's not that easy," I said gripping his arm, "I would know."

Devon's head lowered and he wrapped his arms around me, curling his fingers into a fist around my shirt.

"One day your mom will know that you're everything she ever wanted. Just prove her, okay?"

"Okay," he mumbled, "As long as your with me to calm me down."

I laughed, "I definitely will."

Devon smiled brightly, but it began to fade into a weak smile. Before I could ask him a question he beat me to it, "Have you been having anymore nightmares? Of Zach?"

I sucked in a breath, "Yes. This morning actually-"

"So that's why you were awake?" Devon asked standing to his feet, outstretching his hand to me.

I grabbed it and stood, "Yes. I'm sorry I woke you from hitting you." I blushed.

He chuckled, "It's fine. If I would've known you awoke from a nightmare I would of stayed awake." He confessed, rubbing the back of his neck.

We started walking hand-in-hand back to the pack house, "It was cute." I laughed aloud.

Devon began to laugh as well, "I can't believe I actually fell asleep from you-"

"It's nice to see you two are getting comfortable." A cold voice said ahead of us.

Devon shoved me behind him and lifted his head towards the voice. I felt him relax a little when he saw the person, "Mother. What do I owe the pleasure of seeing you today?" He asked a little to harshly.

"Quit hiding behind your mate, my dear. I don't bite." Mindy said, ignoring her son.

I gripped the back of Devon's shirt and peeked behind his muscular arm. I pushed the hair away from my eyes and stood a little taller.

"She sure is a beauty," Mindy said, examining me, "The first time we met I didn't get a good look at her."

"She is. From what I heard you weren't too nice to her when you two met." Devon spoke, shifting on his feet to cover me up more.

"She said that. How strange, I thought our greeting was splendid." She said with sarcasm.

"What do you want, mom?" Devon asked impatiently.

"Just meeting my son and his mate. When are you planning on showing her to the pack?"

"I kinda already did-"

"But, not the proper way." Mindy interrupted.

"No, not the proper way," Devon confessed. He turned to look at me over his shoulder, "I will soon though."

Our eyes met and we held our stare, silently telling each other something. I squeezed his hand and motioned to his mother who was staring at us intently.

"I would love to meet the pack anytime. Whenever they're ready." I politely said to her.

"Very nice," She said to herself,"I shall be on my way then. See you soon."

She walked back towards the pack house and slid the sliding door closed.

"Well that was fantastic." Devon mumbled.

I laughed nervously, "Come on, show me your tree house." Maybe him telling me some fun childhood stories it'll get his mind off his mom.

Devon looked down at me and stroked my cheek, "Very well. It's deep in the woods though, so tell me if your feet hurt."

I nodded and grabbed his hand, taking it off my cheek and gesturing for him to lead the way.

He sighed and reluctantly began taking me to his childhood tree house. I followed in suit and began jumping on the rocks that lined the shore of the lake.

Devon laughed at me and held my hand, steadying me, "Careful, love."