Heart Of The Storm

Chapter 12- The Calm

Smut Warning ⚠️

I actually enjoyed myself that night.

After eating our lunch and watching them play a round of the game, I picked it up pretty quickly. I managed to even win a couple of rounds myself, as well as Erica, who proudly boasted about us girls kicking the guys butts again.

But the biggest surprise was when Brooklyn and Ryan showed up, at Apollo's invitation for me.

It was amazing to see them again, and spend a good portion of the afternoon talking to them. She was ecstatic when she saw the mark on my shoulder, the blue phoenix bright against my skin. We spent most of the night talking, and about an hour of it was her teaching me how to use the smart phone Apollo gifted me, adding her number so we could talk whenever we wanted.

A lot has happened in the week since that night as well.

For one, Apollo had his official ceremony for becoming Gamma. I had thought he already had it, but he had postponed it so I could be part of it, and officially recognized as his mate and equal as Gamma Female. It was a relatively small and short ceremony, most the time spent eating and socializing with the pack afterwards, and of course Brook and Ryan were there. It was pretty nice, and once I got a little exhausted from all the excitement, my mate took me home.

Which is the second thing that's happened. Apollo's-no, our home was finished and we were moved in.

Well, more of his things than mine, I still don't have a lot of personal possessions to my name, a fact that he is thoroughly attempting to change. He's been getting me to do a lot of online shopping for clothes and shoes, taking great effort to remember all of my sizes and color preferences. We also went through a list of any bathroom supplies, like shampoo, body wash and lotions I preferred, and even bought a ton of bubble bath 'bombs' when he found out I hadn't had many as kid, and said that you were never too old to have a bubble bath.

Do not get me started on the books, I've lost count of how many he's gotten me. Most of which I started reading at the pack house and didn't finish before the move, others I read when I was still with my parents. Some are based on the books I wanted to read, others are based on the ones I've been reading...honestly I've lost track.

Anyway, we've also been looking at furniture and decor for the house as well, since outside the basic necessities, like kitchen appliances, a washer and dryer, a functional bathroom, and beds to sleep in, it didn't really have anything else. We've picked out a lot online, going with a more cabin like appearance. Lots of natural wood, neutral tones, and simple furniture. The dining room table is one of my personal favorites, it being made of a piece of raw edge wood with matching benches.

It feels cozy, warm...and safe. Something that I'm still struggling to wrap my head around. It's been a long time since I've felt safe...and as disconcerting as it is, it also feels really good.

The nightmares are still happening, unfortunately, but they are starting to get a little better. Waking up to Apollo comforting me and talking to me when I feel like it helps. I've also been talking to Justin more, and though our experiences are vastly different, he understands what I'm going through, and having him talk me through some the shit I'm dealing with helps too. He gets it, and doesn't judge. We've briefly discussed me going to a therapist like he does, but I'm not there yet. Maybe in a little while, but not now.

Pulling myself from my thoughts, I look down to see the ball of fur curled up in my lap, smiling at the giant cat that can barely fit.

Nimbus, as I've started calling him, was a surprise from Apollo. He figured that a pet would help me with my turbulent emotions and stress, so he brought me down to an animal shelter to see if there was a new friend I could click with. I had made it through half the shelters dogs and cats when I found the giant Maine Coon, so big he barely fit in the cage they put him in.