Caught in the crossfire

7

"Mommy, what's a mate? I keep hearing people talk about it." Asked the little girl as she bounded in to sit on her mother's lap.

"Well, Sweetheart," lilted Mrs. Lowe, "that's what your father and I are to each other."

"Oh, so like husband and wife?"

"Not exactly... but similar. You see you don't have to be married to be mates. But if you ever do find a mate then that is definitely the one that you should marry! You'll never find anyone else who could even compare..." she said wistfully. "You see Kay, a mate is a special person that is made just for you! They may not always be quite what you think you want," she continued with a tender glance at her husband, "but they're exactly what you need." She smiled.

As one image faded in Kay's mind another memory took it's place. Kay was outside now, still a little girl, sitting cris-cross and plucking grass.

"If mates are so great, why are Hannah and Jace always quarreling? Aren't mates supposed to love each other unconditionally or something?" her little voice sounded in annoyance.

"Oh they'll learn to love each other eventually Sweetheart." chuckled her Father. "You see the mate bond doesn't force or even guarantee real love Dear. It creates an extremely strong attraction, yes. And it drives one to feel a strong need and desire for the other and their well-being. But that alone isn't love, it's merely the begging. Love develops over time and must be cultivated like the flowers in your mother's garden. The attraction of the bond is just what helps you find your one.

The bond, it's... an invisible force," he continued thoughtfully, "that connects two fated individuals, tying them together before they're even born, to draw them to the one who is made specially, just for them. Their soul mate. Their perfect match. Once a shifter has found their mate then the next step is the mark. Once the male marks his female then the bond is strengthened and permanently set. You can't reject the bond after that so there's no going back after that, not that you'd want to if it's your true mate of course. At this point the two mates will not only feel a new, stronger pull towards each other in a uh... physical way, but they will begin to be able to sense the other as well. They will feel what the other is feeling, sense if their mate is hurt or in danger. They will even be able to hear each other's thoughts. It is a wonderful and unique experience. It's sacred among shifters. Only when you are fully marked and mated though will you experience the true and full rapture of the mate bond. It's indescribable and it is truly beyond compare.

And Kay, Dear, don't you ever let anyone mark you unless you intend to marry. Once marked, whether it's your true mate or not, it will drive you to complete the mating. You must be fully ready and willing so don't let anyone try to pressure or force you into something you're not. Understand?"

"Yes sir." She replied.

"Good. You are so very special and you are worth so much more than to be treated like that. Don't ever forget it. I love you baby girl."

A steady beeping roused Kay from her dreams. She ached all over. Slowly, she opened her weary eye lids. Thick crusties coated her lashes making them stick.

"Oh, you're awake." Came a gentle voice from her left. Squinting against the light Kay turned her head to see a nurse. She was on the short side for a shifter, middle aged, and motherly. "Here, let me help you" she offered as Kay attempted to sit up in the hospital bed, a small groan escaping her lips.

"How are you feeling?" the nurse asked as she began to check Kay's vitals.

"Honestly? Like I've been run over by a train then drug across a rocky mountainside." Kay replied.

"Oh dear. I'll let the Doc know you're up and go get you some pain meds alright dear"

"Wait..." Kay pleaded, "where am I? How long...?"

"You're in the Silver Fang Pack's infirmary and you've been out for three days."  The nurse replied. "You are one lucky girl though, you know, the Alpha has hardly left your side. It's not every girl who gets a guy like that watching over her," she gushed, "and I've never seen the him so concerned for anyone before."

"Three days?!" exclaimed Kay.

"Hmm, oh yes, that's what I just said dear, three days. Now-"

Their conversation was cut off abruptly by the loud click of the door latch. A ragged looking Alpha made his way inside appearing as though he hadn't slept in weeks.

"You're awake" he stated, his eyes landing on Kay.

"She just now woke, Alpha," the nurse bowed her head respectfully, "I'll go get the Dr. so he can do a thorough check up. Then," she turned her attention to Kay with a smile, "I'll get you some pain meds and find you something to eat. Alright dear?"

"Thank you" Kay whispered to the nurse as she left the room, avoiding eye contact with the Alpha who's own eyes stayed fixed on her.

Closing the gap between them Alaric came to stand by her bed. "How are you feeling?" He asked softly.

Silence.

"Sweetheart, look at me." He begged.

"Kay." She stated flatly. "My name is Kay Marie Lowe. If you're going to reject me may as well do it now. No point dragging things out."

"Baby-" he started.

"I'm not your baby" she cut him off. Finally turning to look at him she fixed him with a hard stare. "And I'm not your Mate. Remember?" He winced. "I do not deserve to be treated the way you've done and I will not subject myself to that either. I do not have to put up with it."

"I know." He murmured. Reaching out he went to take Kay's hand gently in his own but she jerked away. "Kay, I..."

Not waiting for him to finish she threw the blankets off her and swung her legs off the side of the bed away from him. Pausing only a moment for her head to stop spinning she made to get up.

"Where are going?" He demanded worriedly.

"Bathroom." Automatically he came around with a hand outstretched to help her "I can manage on my own." she said coldly.

Making her way to a side door she could only presume to be a bathroom she went in and locked the door behind her. For a moment that felt like an eternity she waited with her back pressed to the door. When finally she heard his footsteps leaving and a door slam shut she slid to the floor and cried. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. All her life she had dreamed of having a mate despite being human. She had grown up surrounded by them and seeing how they loved and cared for each other... craving the kind of connection they shared and somewhat envious of the fact that as a human she would likely never have it. Human mates where extremely rare. Almost unheard of. She could hardly believe it when she had discovered that she was one of those lucky few. But he didn't want her. He had even tried to kill her! And seeing him for the first time after that brought forward emotions she hadn't even realized she felt... Why? Why was she never wanted by those who should have loved her most?

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Hey! So I really didn't want to start another section off with something to the effect of "she awake (again) in an unfamiliar place..." I mean, we've already had that twice and the story is just getting started. I also thought, you know what, there's a possibility that for someone reading this this is their first time reading about shifters and mates so it's prob best I explain at least a bit towards the front of the book. (Whew, that was a long sentence lol). Anywho, thoughts? Questions? Let me know what you think :)