Chapter 101
Ayla
on
Call it instinct. I don’t know. It shouldn’t make sense that Aramana suggested to look for odorless poison. She has been out of her prison only a short time, but her leadership instinct must be bred into her. Of course they are. She is a white wolf, ancient and powerful. My excuse? I have been out of my prison longer than she has, but yet I feel helpless and afraid. That deep, throbbing fear must have been what I reacted on. I don’t know how, but I exploded. Well, again. I open my eyes to see a shocked Cyrus banging or what could only be called a blue shield of some kind. It came from me, and I don’t have time to think about it. All I have time to do is be with my mate and hold his hand while I watch his features for any sort of reaction. Any sort of sign that he is improving or declining. He can’t leave me. I realize in this moment that the world outside of this shield doesn’t matter. The only important thing to me is inside of it. I look from Thane to Cyrus. He is repeatedly smacking the shield. His face changes from awe stuck to fear, then to anger. I couldn’t lower it if I tried. I don’t know how and I am not asking right now. Aramana will help me.
After a short time Cyrus leaves. He probably feels defeated with the weight of all of this on his shoulders, a poisoned alpha and an ancient, fates gifted shield surrounding us that he can’t get through. I kiss Thane’s forehead and rest my head on his chest. I am exhausted from life. I listen to his heart; I listen to his breathing. I close my eyes and use my imagination to dream of a better life. I allow myself to feel what I want and see what I want. I am baking in the kitchen, talking with the ladies and sharing secrets with Monica. I see myself waving at shifters that I walk by without fear. I am training with Cyrus. Kicking, hitting, shifting. I can smell the forest. I can feel the wind through my fur as I run and hunt. After a long day working, Thane comes in the door of our house. Maybe a cabin by a lake. Rustic and homey. He walks through the front door, and I run to him, jumping in his arms and throwing my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist as he holds me in the air, spinning me. I look down at him and get lost in his eyes. Thane flashes him dimples and I grab his hair and crash down on his lips as he walks into the house. I smell our scents mingle. I feel our bond and it is strong. It pulls us together and we spend the whole night tangled in the sheets.
I look up at Thane and smile while I can feel tears flowing. I realize that I want this bond. I want us. Screw Della and screw anyone else that tries to get in the way. We are fated for a reason. The mate bond is sacred, older than time and we are destined for each other. Do
1/2
Chapter 101
I allow myself to hope? Do I say when Thane pulls through instead of if Thane pulls through? I flip the washcloth over on his forehead and push his black hair out of the way. I put my head on his chest again and think. I know nothing about healing or poisons or even enemies of this pack so I can’t help him in that regard, but I can stay by his side and be with him. I sit up and grab a hold of Thane’s hand again and stare. I stare at him like he holds the answers I need and then Aramana speaks the words Use the bond. How can I use the bond? I ask franticly and she states one word Tug.