Haven't Seen The Light In A While

Chapter Twenty-Two

Author's note: I'm sorry if this chapter feels rushed or poorly written. I wanted to get a chapter out to you guys today! It gets spicy! 🌶️🌶️
___________________________
Vince

It's been nearly a month since my last conversation with Mel, which feels like quite a while now. Just this morning, I finally had an emotional chat with Rory. Rory hugged me and expressed that he was still upset with me for keeping it from him, but he was ready to be around me again. I felt relieved, but not wholly, as Mel was still avoiding me.

Unlike usual, I've kept my mind open, allowing Sam to hear my internal pity party about Mel. It wasn't intentional.

Odin told me that he talked to Mel, but he was so out of it that he couldn't get through to him. I could hear Mel's thoughts, knowing this was a lot for him to process.

Walking out of the kitchen, I stopped at the sight of Mel with Sam, smiling and holding onto his arm. He glanced my way, his face dropping as he saw me standing there.

I haven't tried speaking with him. I didn't want to push him into forgiving me. I sadly smiled at him as I stood in the doorway. He was preparing for his debut as the Luna of the pack. Their bond was complete, and the final step was to get married to make it official.

Sam turned to the side, allowing Mel and I to see each other. His body was on high alert, tense and unmoving.

"If there is anything I can do-" I began.

"I need more time." Mel interrupted me, turning on his heel and walking away.

What remained of my heart had crumbled. The inability to hold him and kiss him felt torturous. I closed my eyes and let out a heavy sigh. My walls went back up, shutting Sam off from my feelings and thoughts.

"V... Are you okay?" Sam asked, wrapping a hand around my bicep. My eyes shot open, annoyed by his question because, of course, I'm not okay.

"I'm fine. I'm going for a run."

I strode outside under the vast expanse of the morning sky, the cool breeze caressing my skin. With a rush of irritation, I began to strip away my clothes, letting each piece fall to the ground, uncaring about their scattered placement. The sunlight shone on the path ahead as I felt the familiar pull within me. My body transformed, bones reshaping and muscles shifting, as I surrendered to the wildness within. I turned into my wolf form, feeling the surge of power and agility coursing through me. I broke into a gallop, my paws pounding against the earth as I raced toward the dense embrace of the forest.

Melody

I wasn't sure I was ready to return to Vince's arms yet. I felt petrified—not of Vince himself, but of his father—and I was scared of what Vince was capable of. He carries his father's blood in his veins, and I couldn't help but wonder what he might do to me if he ever wanted or had the chance, just like his father did. It's troubling to think of my mate that way, and it physically hurts to have those thoughts about him; I feel a tightness in my chest.

He had never harmed me. He even saved me when his father kidnapped me and experienced my first shift. My mixed feelings about Vince made me rub my temples in annoyance.

I love Sam, Rory, and Odin. My bond with Vince also made me want to love him. Maybe I love him, but I can only picture Aremus whenever I see him. They have the same eyes, but Vince's are softer and filled with sadness, while Aremus's are dull and disturbed. I shuddered at the thought of Aremus.

Sighing, I fidgeted with the hem of my hoodie. Rory was busy this week, getting the houses ready for winter. November had come and gone, and now it was the first of December. The cold hadn't fully set in yet, and there was still no snow. Rory and I also hadn't completed our mating bond; he had been too preoccupied with his work.