Page 95 of Seeking Hades' Ember

Chapter 45

Ember

My father talked for a few hours longer about changes in the pack, and my eyes started to feel heavy. The past few days had been both emotionally as well as physically draining. The thought of shifting now seemed daunting, and I wasn't sure if I would survive even though Hades thought otherwise.

The pills had done wonders, much better than the terrible pokes and prods of an IV twice a day. My bones felt more substantial, and my skin felt more of armor than weak, pliable paper. Dad had hooked up the boat to the dock and grabbed my hand again as we walked away from the lake. Not one fish worthy of taking back home to mom, but that was understandable. We didn't fish for long, and our thoughts didn't go into hunting fish, more of getting to know each other again and dad’s intruding questions about how I survived all these years.

I didn't have the thoughts of my family to reel me back to go home. I had wondered if I had the memories of my family if I would have tried harder to go fight my way back, and the answer was yes. I would have fought tooth and nail to get back, and knowing I was a Wolf would have made me fight. The magic was just too strong, and the burden of feeling alone and no one wanting me weighed too heavy. What mind trickery there was and the pain of being alone could do to someone. What about these girls that really did not have anyone? No family? Just plucked from the streets and never to be seen again? Not on my watch, I'd figure something, so this wouldn't be an everyday thing anymore.

Dad took me up to the packhouse, it looked the same after all these years, yet the vines on the northern side of the house had taken root and climbed up the lattice mom had installed. Mom always had a green thumb, and the territory had grown in beautiful plant life filled for all seasons of the year.

"We have a new pack doctor; she's human," Dad mentioned as he opened the front doors of the packhouse. "Her name is Tamera; please don't be startled by her appearance." Before I was able to ask why, a woman in a long white coat stepped out. Her face was thin, and her hands trembled as she opened the door to let us in. Her eyes were sunken, and she looked like she had lost a good amount of weight. One significant scar tore into the side of her neck that had recently healed.

"Good afternoon, Alpha. Is this Alpha Ember?" Tamera looked me up and down and gave a wide smile. The extra collagen that should have covered her beautiful face gave her wrinkles and a sullen look as she beckoned us in.

"Her mate rejected her after marking her," dad mind-linked me. "It took a toll on her being rejected like that, but at least she didn't change to a werewolf; otherwise, she would not be here with us." My heart felt pain that Tamera was still in. Nothing but sorrow and regret radiated off her body.

"Tamera came here about two months ago; she came from a pack in Colorado." Tamera nodded as I sat up on the examining table. "My mother was mated to a Werewolf after she had me." Tamera started taking out syringes to poke my skin to take blood. "I was mated to the Alpha, but when I refused the idea of becoming a Werewolf, he thought it would be best to reject me." Her sad tone didn't go unnoticed as my father gripped the table. "It was for the best. He needed someone strong. I just was too afraid to go through the change at the time."

I touched her hand, and she calmed. "He should have waited," I whispered. Tamera smiled as she wrapped a tourniquet around my arm. "What's done is done," she whispered as she drew the blood from my arm.

"Now I can do what I really enjoy, and that is practicing medicine on supernaturals. I wouldn't have been able to do that as Luna." The regret in her voice filled the room. This wasn't her first choice, but once you have entered a supernatural world, it is hard to leave. To forget what you saw to protect those you loved. Tamera couldn't even stay in the same pack as her mother because her ex-mate was there.

The guilt of not changing was ruining her, and her aura had become weak. I could feel her soul fading through my empath abilities, and the worry I sent to my dad only confirmed that she didn't have long left to live.

"He hasn't found his second chance mate, but my best friend is helping out. She'll be good for him. Keep him in line." She laughed. "Now, have you had any symptoms?

For the next half hour, we talked about my fangs, claws, and even Elea being more and more present in my head. I could feel Blaze in the distance now; he stayed in the woods nearby. Blaze said too many Wolf spirits wanted his help to break through their own barriers too soon for the adolescent children. It was best he stayed behind and watched from the shadows.

"You are ready, little Alpha." Tamera smiled as she patted my arm. "Any hour you could start. Stay by the family since they will be the closest to you. I heard your mate is around; you should stay near him too." Tanya's breath hitched as she said the word mate.

Vulcan walked into the room before I jumped off the table, and his eyes landed on me. "There you are, Ember. Hades has been getting worried." Vulcan closed the door. He had stripped himself of his human form; the rest of the pack must realize that three gods were on the premises. Tamara cleaned up and put the vials of blood in their respected testing tubes and threw away syringes when Vulcan glanced over at the frail human.

"Hello," Vulcan almost stuttered as he held out his hand. "I'm Vulcan; you must be the pack doctor?" Tamera nodded as she put her hand out to him to shake. As they touched, Vulcan's face fell, but he stepped closer to her. His eyes never left her hands until she finally turned around, and their eyes met.

"I've been partly in charge of her medical care; if you would like to go over what we have been giving her, I'd be happy to speak with you about it." I had already told Tamera what I had been given, but the way her eyes looked Vulcan up and down let me know to keep my mouth shut. She was assessing him, but her head shook as she finally looked away.

"Ember gave me good detail. Thank you for offering, though.” Vulcan slumped his shoulders, and my dad and I slipped out of the room. On the outside of the room, I couldn't help but listen. I had to use my new hearing.

"Well, maybe we could have dinner together. I don't know anyone around here, and it would be great to talk to a fellow person that has an interest in supernatural medicine." Tamera tutted as she put the last tray on the table.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea. I'm not the sociable type, really." Peeking in, I saw Vulcan grab her hands, the disappointment still there as he held her. "You look in pain; I've been in pain as well. Maybe we could comfort each other." Before I could listen anymore, my dad pulled me down the hall.

"Just because you have good hearing doesn't mean you can listen," he scolded.

"Come on, aren't you a bit curious?"

"I am, but Tamera has been through a lot. She was marked then discarded like trash. He had to get a powerful coven Witch to break the bond, all without Tamera's knowledge because the Alpha couldn't face her. Tamera wants nothing to do with a second chance. Just leave her be. Besides, they aren't mates."

"They could be-" I interjected. "The Sphere of Souls is missing; nobody are getting mates right now until it's found. They could be mates, and Vulcan would be a perfect mate for her. They both have been through rejection. Vulcan has always had a soft spot for humans too."

"Selene messed up her mate," Dad scolded again. I removed my hand from his grip.

"No, she doesn't make mistakes; it's just that people and supernaturals have their agency to accept or reject the bond. He chose to reject it; worthy people can take a second chance if they want it. Did this Alpha get a second chance mate?" Dad stopped in his tracks and turned back to me.

"No, he is doing just as bad as Tamera. The pack is failing because of the rejection." I scoffed.

"He made the wrong choice; he won't get a second chance, but Tamera will. I wouldn't be surprised if this so-called Alpha came back to try and claim her. It will be too late because I see the sparks flying between Vulcan and Tamera even if they can't feel it!"

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