Page 43 of The Alpha's Reclaimed Mate

Lucas grinned. “Better save your appetite, then.”

Everyone was eager to say goodbye to me, promising to see me or talk to me later before Scott and I set off back to Lucas’ home. We made easy conversation on the way, lulling me into a sense of comfort and security after a nice day with the Silent Shadows Pack.

“You seem to have a flair for decorating,” said Scott.

“Yeah. I was pretty heavily involved in the planning for my mating ceremony.”

“With Oswald?”

I gulped. “Yeah…”

“I bet it looked beautiful,” said Scott. “That asshole probably didn’t even appreciate it.”

A strange satisfaction flickered in me, but I didn’t say anything.

“Lucas usually takes charge of events on his own,” Scott continued. “But I saw the way he looked at you while you two were working on the balloon arches. He admires you, I think.”

My heart raced. “Really?”

“You bring a lot to the table! He likes that you’re willing to get involved.”

“I want to be involved,” I said. “Being productive and helpful… it feels like that’s my purpose.”

“Almost like you were always meant to be an Alpha Female,” joked Scott.

The notion nearly made me smile if not for the imminent sadness that struck me after. But he was right. I felt like I’d always been destined to serve my pack in that way, as their Alpha Female. I lived my entire life believing it. When it was ripped away from me, I didn’t know what to do with myself. Being useful to the Silent Shadows Pack reminded me of how it felt to do what I was destined to do.

When we arrived at Lucas’ house, Scott unlocked the door and didn’t follow me inside. “I have to patrol the borders now, but Lucas should be home soon.”

“Okay. Thanks for walking with me.”

Scott smiled. “Any time, Aria. See you!”

After he left, I spent the next hour reflecting on the day like I was walking through a dream. I showered, thinking over and over again about every interaction I had, searching for some subliminal nastiness I hadn’t detected before, trying to burst the happiness I’d made for myself to prove that I was just being foolish. I didn’t want to trick myself into thinking everything was perfect here, knowing I would inevitably fuck things up. But no matter how hard I tried to find the flaws in the Silent Shadows Pack, I couldn’t think of a single unpleasant experience. The day was perfect.

Then Lucas’ voice came drifting in through the open window of his bedroom. I was drying my hair with a towel when I heard him talking to someone. Anxiety pulled me toward the window, where I peeked out and saw him standing with Esther, holding a plastic bag in one hand and a small bouquet of flowers in the other.

“Of course, I think she’ll like it,” said Esther. “I’m just saying you need to temper your expectations.”

“But she’s showing clear signs of recovery,” argued Lucas.

“Yes, but even if she recovers physically, there’s a chance Aria will never be the same… emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. Wolf shifters who’ve been abused by their pack to the degree that she was often die, especially those as young as her. It causes such immense emotional damage that the grief can’t be overcome. She’ll live with the memories of her pack’s abuse forever, and… she may take drastic measures to relieve that pain. Even if she doesn’t, she might be miserable for the rest of her life.”

Lucas growled. “Haven’t I made it clear I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help her?”

“That may be so, but depression is a wound on the heart that not everyone can heal from. Not everyone’s heart is strong enough.”

“Hers is. I know it.”

Esther sighed, folding her arms. Her gaze traveled up to the window. I gasped and hid myself against the wall, my mind scrambling to comprehend what I was hearing.

“You said that only she can make the changes to heal herself fully. What if I can convince her to join our pack?”

“It would be a start. Replacing her memories of her abusive pack with memories of kinder, more loving packmates…”

“Then I’ll convince her after the meeting,” decided Lucas.

There was a pause, then Esther’s voice softened. “I hope you can.”

---