Chapter 16| To Fix What Isn't Broken

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Since Amina appeared in my life, there had been too many first times. Right now, I was experiencing what it was like to be at a loss of words.

I was somewhere between shocked and skeptical, but angry? No, even Maverick was calm. Too calm.

I'm sorry, Alpha. I had not anticipated Cirini's true aim. I thought holding off on the intel was the best move. You needed to focus on him, and telling you would only di-

"Malachai?" My eyes snapped to her, severing the mind link between me and Balfore.

"What the hell just happened, how the hell is any of this real?"

I didn't answer, I just kept staring at her, my mate, and the former fiancee of the leader of the brotherhood. What were the odds? Is this what it's like to experience karma?

Selene. Fuck you, and fuck you again. I would never tire of saying those words, the Goddess had fucked with me one time too many.

I didn't ask for another mate.  Until I met Amina, I was fine. I was getting by the best that I could in her absence.

When Elaine was murdered, everyone thought that I would crumble. Doubt crept in like the opportunist that it was and leaders of packs and covens alike followed suite.

In truth, I thought I would lose myself, and for a moment I did, I was ready to go to the moon, but I had found purpose in her death.

The Brotherhood had taken too much from me beginning with my mother and ending with the light of my life.

Before I joined her, I was determined to end those who wronged her, and by extension, me.

Elaine wouldn't die in vain, of that I was certain.  The annihilation of the Brotherhood of Knight became my sole purpose.

It was the one true way to honor my mate, by ending the people responsible for her demise.

One greedy leader after the other came to claim their stake in what was mine, thinking I'd be too weak. Too broken by grief to fight back. I proved them wrong. Every time.

This pack proved them wrong; from the ashes of my late mate's death, Shadowfang emerged stronger than it had ever been.

I missed Elaine, I always would, but I had finally reached a place where I could carry on without her. The pain was bearable, but I didn't need a replacement.

"Will you answer me, or will you keep staring?"

She crossed the little patch of earth that separated us and grabbed my hands, willing me to return to the here and now.

Her delicate fingers glided across my cold callous ones, settling themselves firmly in between mine.

I absorbed the warmth she emitted, letting it course it's way through me, slowly dissolving the shards of shock that froze my system.

Softly, she cupped my face with her other hand, "Where are you?" she whispered as she searched my eyes.

I could get used to this, truth is I already have, I shook the thoughts out of my head, no, I didn't ask for this.

"I need to go."

"G-go? Where?"

I had to tear my gaze away from her because all that reflected back was the worry and pain I'd brought her.

If I kept looking, I would lose to the urge to soothe her pain, and I couldn't do that.

Balfour, you will take her back to the packhouse, and await further instruction. She'll need to be protected, I want the best around her at all times. She sleeps in my room until I get back. Ensure there is no way for her to escape, I don't put it past her to try.

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