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“Have you had any trouble with Maya because of what she’s been through?” I asked.
“Do you have all day?” he asked sarcastically, getting mad as he thought of it. I raised an eyebrow, staying silent, allowing him time to continue. He finally blew out a breath and looked directly at me .
“Maya is sweet, kind and a little kinky.” He smiled while he thought of his little mate. “She is perfect to me.” His eyes darkened as he continued. “But there’s been a few things that have come up as we get to know each other. I can’t sneak up on her. The first time I tried to surprise her by wrapping my arms around her from behind while she was looking for something to wear, she practically jumped to the ceiling in fright and then cried for thirty minutes. The second time it happened, she finally told me that she almost got raped in a pantry by one of the warriors that had gotten drunk. If Celeste hadn’t found her and knocked the guy out with a frying pan…” His voice shook with anger.
“She refuses to be near me when I drink beer, so I’ve switched to scotch. She said she associates the smell with the warriors of that piece of shit pack and doesn’t want to remember what they would do to the girls. She has night terrors at least once a week...” he trailed off, looking through me. Then he smiled. “But then I also found out she’s been asking every omega’s pups if they’ve had enough supper. She only uses the credit card I got her to buy toys and books for them. She is always kind to the staff, helping them gather things up. She scolds me for leaving the towel on the floor for them to pick up.” He finally looked at me clearly. “She’s a hell of a woman, and I know it will take time for her to overcome all the years of suffering, but my grams taught me that when a woman needs time, nothing good will come from trying to rush it, so that’s all I can do. Let her take her time.”
“Well, now who’s fallen hard?” I teased. Then more seriously, I added, “But perhaps you’re right. I can’t do anything but give her time. Hopefully, I don’t fuck it up enough to get shut out entirely.”
“Celeste loves you. Just be next to her, and eventually, she will let you in. I would prepare, though. She had it worse than Maya. The way she and Ruby tell it, Celeste was everyone’s shield against the entire pack. When she does let you in, be prepared to want to tear apart every one of those cocksuckers, but you can’t. It won’t be about you, brother. Celeste will need you to control your shit and hold her. I’ve broken my fair share of punching bags trying to calm Dash after Maya shares something that happened to her.”
“Thanks for sharing. It makes it easier to know someone else understands what’s happening to our mates,” I said sincerely.
“If you ever tell Maya I told you about all this shit, I will absolutely deny it and poison your drink,” Danny joked, getting up to leave, but he turned at the door. “These women are warriors in every sense of the word. How did we get so fucking lucky to end up with them?”
“Beats me, man.”
I finished some paperwork, and then mind linked the cook to have a picnic basket ready tomorrow. I was going to take Celeste to a picnic by the river.
Wooing mate is always a good idea. Maybe Kara and I can also go for a run?Atlas suggested as we wrapped up another day alone.
I woke up in the middle of the night, and found the bed was empty. I looked at my phone and noted that it was only four in the morning, so I got up and searched for my mate, following her scent out the door to the old training building. I found her standing in the middle of the floor, facing something to our right.
“Celeste?” I asked as I approached. She didn’t respond, and something felt off.
“Baby, are you okay? It’s very early,” I said calmly and came around to the front of her. I stopped a few feet from her and swore under my breath as I took her in. Her eyes were on fire, focused on something off into the distance ahead of her. I followed her direction, but there was nothing there. I continued to approach her slowly. I was getting close when she winced as if someone had slapped her, and her face turned to the side. She looked back at the empty space and raised a hand.
“I will kill you,” she said, eerily calm. She raised her second hand, and fire flowed from her fingers, hitting the wall, singeing the entire concrete wall. From where I was, I could feel the heat of the fire flowing from her, though it wasn’t painful. “You will know the pain you have caused,” she threatened the invisible thing in front of her. The fire flowing from her hands slowly crept up her arms toward her shoulders. I was afraid the fire would consume her.
She was sleepwalking, I realized, and looking at this place, it was clear that it wasn’t the first time she’d done this. Although she told me she still couldn’t call up her power while training, she didn't seem to have a problem calling it forth while asleep.
I gently brushed my hand against her cheek, allowing the sparks to soothe the rage I felt through the bond. She shivered, and the fire receded and ceased flowing. Her eyes became clear and focused. Her full attention now on me.
“Markus?” she asked before she fainted. I managed to catch her before she hit the ground and I carried her back to our bed, immediately texting Dr. West.
Markus: Celeste seems to be sleepwalking. Can we do anything to help her get a restful sleep?
He mind-linked me right away instead of answering.
’We can get her some sleeping aids, Alpha. How long has this been happening?’
’I’m not sure. I only noticed it today, but I’ve noticed she’s been tired for about a week now. Perhaps this is why?’
’Possibly. Would you like to bring her to get checked out later today?’
’Thank you, Doc. I’ll make sure we are there at ten.’
’See you then, Alpha.’
I lay in bed and caressed her arm, watching her sigh and curl deeper into my arms. I puffed out a deep breath, remembering what Danny said. All I could do was be here until she was able to let me in. This wasn’t about me. This is about her being able to talk about what happened to her. I inhaled her scent and listened to her heartbeat. Slowly, I went back to sleep, hugging her closer.
“Tuli, are you awake?” I asked Celeste when I felt her breathing change a few hours later.
“Mhmm,” she murmured, not opening her eyes
“We have an appointment with Dr. West this morning, then I’m taking you on a picnic,” I informed her. She smiled but then frowned when my words registered.
“Why are we seeing Dr. West?”
