Lycan - The Human Mate (fr/eng)

Josh bonus POV 1

My breathing stop.

Nat's standing far ahead, facing the horizon. I don't need to see her face to know it's her. Nothing could compare to how the wind flutters her long black hair. Nobody else stand like she does : with her arms slightly aparts and her torso open to the skies, as if inviting the goddess to pick her up to the stars. The breeze carries her sweet vanilla scent that could always relax me even in the worst situation. It's her.

I try to call her out, but my voice is gone. I try to run, but my legs are cimented to the ground. I hold out my hands, but she's too far away. Nat is so far mist starts to clouds her from my sight. Her low soothing voice echoes.

Josh, pourquoi m'as-tu abandonnée?

The saddness in her voice cripples my heart. I pull on my legs to free them from the ground, but to no avail. I bend down to punch whatever's holding them and freeze. It's claws and fangs. Father's. Mother's. Mac's. Tristan's. Maddox's. The pack's. I'm not bleeding. It doesn't even hurt even if they're all tightly squeezing my legs. Even little Sophie is gripping my tight with all her might with her small hands. Her big blue eyes are drowning in tears and terror.

You'd leave us?

My inside twirls and knots. I can't answer that. How could I? They need me. We've just lost half of our pack in this damned war. How could I take one more from them? My strength deserts my arms. I look back to where Nat stood.

She's gone.

Perhaps she took a part —if not all— of my soul with her. Emptiness washes over me and I fall back. Shadow ease my fall and support my back. His warmth soflty vibrates through me. His melancholy is the relfect of mine, but he puts it aside for now and presses his forehead on mine.

The pack needs us. It's time to wake up.

We open our eyes slowly. We sit up and rub our eyes. Our hands grab the medallion over our heart. We breathe slowly, in and out. Then Shadow breathes in, while I breathe out. Then I breathe in, and I breathe out. I slowly anchor myself back.

I reach for my glass of water once I'm settled. I look around as I gulp. Not a single thing has moved in the motel room and there isn't a single new scent. No intrusions. Good.

I go through my stuff to find the good button shirt I brought. It's a political meeting after all.

I bet he won't even make the effort, Shadow sneers.

True. Doesn't mean we can though.

Shadow sights, and so do I. Ellon's never been the kind to make an effort in presentation. All the while I've known him, I hardly ever heard him even be polite. He's never minded his manners, but he'd certainly always notice other's mishap. It'd always be greatly irritating.

I head to the motel's cafeteria once I'm done dressing up. It doesn't take me long to spot Sabrina, nor for her to spot me. The cafeteria is close to empty since it isn't vacation time for most people. Plus, my sister is a tall and blonde sparkling young woman. A blind person could find her. She waves at me. I nod to her as I walk to the buffet. I let my nose guide me to the freshest food and serve myself a full plate. We'll probably head home as soon as the deal is signed, so better fill myself for the road.

Sabrina shyly glances at me as I join her table. She sips her coffee to occupy her mouth and hold back from talking. She knows better than that. I thank her with my eyes. She gulps more coffee. I can feel Shadow clawing the ground.

What's up with you? Is it the dream? I wonder.

Shadow impatiently turns on himself before howling. I wince. What's up with that? I mean, sure, he's as unsettled as I am by being in this damn province or to have to deal with Ellon, but that's weirder than usual.