Page 103 of Seeking Hades' Ember

Chapter 49

Vulcan

"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." Touching Tamera's hand again, I was disappointed I didn't feel sparks fly through my skin. Everything about this woman drew me in. It wasn't the permanent pained look on her face or the nasty scar that rode up her shoulder and neck; it was just her. Her brown eyes that looked to have a spark in them at one point in her made me want to ignite them again.

"You look in pain; I've been in pain as well. Maybe we could comfort each other." My thumb rubbed over her knuckles as she pulled away without looking at me.

"There is nothing that would comfort me; I'm a lost cause." Tamara took the tray full of blood samples and walked down the hall to her small office, including a laboratory. Several vials of blood, plasma, and herbal medicine riddled her desk.

"I don't believe that. No one is a lost cause," I almost growled. How could this intelligent woman think she could be lost? Not worth living or being happy? I needed to know more, and I wouldn't leave until I got the answers I sought. Stroking my long beard, the thought of not looking good enough crossed my mind. I wasn't the best-looking god. In fact, I was considered ugly, especially with the limp I held. What sort of god would have a limp? Me. Because lousy luck liked to follow me.

I used to hide the limp the best I could, but I stopped as the years went on. I didn't care what the Olympian gods thought of me, so I left and made friends with Hades. He was the one that didn't care how I looked but how I contributed to society and my loyalty.

Finding myself a bit out of sorts, I tried to straighten my clothes, so they weren't as wrinkled and brushed my beard that trailed down my chest a bit too far for most women's liking. I smelled my underarms, ensuring I wasn't giving off an odor. I had just watched Wolves sparring; maybe I smelled terrible to her?

I looked up, and I saw Tamera with a faint smile on her face as she tried to cover it with her mouth. The little twinkle I was looking for was there as I took a few steps forward. "I'm not the most handsome man-"

"God, you mean?" she mused as she organized her lab area.

"Right, god," I sniffed. "But I am an honest one, and I want you to know my intentions." Tamera slammed the tray down, causing several vials to tip over.

"I don't believe in bonds; they are worthless," she snapped. "Bonds are nothing but physical attraction to make you have sex with your mate, and then you get thrown away." My breath hitched.

"This isn't a bond," I corrected her. "You would have felt sparks, heat, or something; I want nothing but to get to know you. You draw me in, and I want to know why. Just let me get to know you, two damaged souls that need the support of one another. I've been through some shit, and it looks like you have too. Please, just let me be your friend." I stepped back to give her some space.

Her statement about bonds irked me. Leaving it alone for now would be best; besides, we weren't even bonded anyway.

Tamera's shoulders slumped as she crossed her arms. Her eyes still didn't meet mine. "I don't have much longer, Vulcan. I can't promise you a friendship that may only last for a month or so. My soul is broken, and Sorceress Cyrene has already said my time is limited. I don't have much to live for." She was rejected by someone. I growled silently. What person would dare deny a mate? They are precious and a gift.

"Let me be the one to change that." I retook her hand. "Let me give you something to live for while you do the same for me." Her eyes watered, and I pulled her into a hug. She struggled at first but slowly relaxed into me. I don't like using force, but damn it felt good to hold her. I don't remember the last time I had hugged anyone besides Ember when she needed comfort when she first came out of that club.

Tamera let out a breath and put her arms on my chest. "Thank you," she sobbed. "I can't promise anything but thank you for pushing to be a friend." I smiled as I petted her hair. "I-I just don't want to hurt anymore. I am tired of being alone and I guess, you do seem genuine." I sighed, that's all I wanted.

"How about that dinner then?" Tamera was quiet as she finally nodded. We stepped outside the clinic area of the packhouse and heard howls outside. They were so loud one would think they were in the packhouse.

"Someone is shifting; it must be Ember since there are no other Wolves expected to shift for a few more months." Her voice trailed off. "You must go watch your friend." I shook my head. This was Hades’ time.

"If you aren't going, I'm not. I say let's get that dinner." Tamara smiled as I held my arm out for her to link arms with me. Her smile was no longer hidden as I saw the faint pearls of her teeth.

"I'll cook; no one will be at the packhouse with a new Alpha shifting."

Tamera led me to her cabin; she didn't stay in the packhouse despite being a single woman. Most of the single Wolves lived in the packhouse or one of the several dormitories around the territory. She wanted her own space, and that was what Alpha Wesley had provided her.

As we walked Tamera explained how she arrived here. She had reached out through a North American Werewolf pack online message board created by Earth supernaturals. Charlotte actually helped run the site so packs could stay in touch better than old fashion snail mail.

Tamera put the message board that she was a pack doctor, and due to unfortunate circumstances, she had to leave her pack. Tamera had trained in both human and Werewolf anatomy. Pack doctors were on-demand, and she was given several options, but Wesley’s offer stood out the most. Tamera explained that Wesley had offered her the one thing she wanted, and that was her own living accommodations.

"Why did you want to move packs?" I took a bite of the salmon she had just grilled on her small patio. I had prepared tea and coffee despite her explaining that she was the host, and I didn't have to do anything. Her heavy sigh let me know it was the reason why her body and soul were just twinkling.

"My mate, my ex-mate is why I am here." She placed her plate down and loaded roasted vegetables on the table. "My mother was mated to a Werewolf after I was born. My real father was gone; he wanted nothing to do with a baby anyway. We moved into the Cool Springs Pack when I was only three years old, and my mom was mated to the gamma. She became a Werewolf when I was eight so she could help protect the pack and me.” Tamera’s eyes glistened in the setting sun.

“I didn't think I would find a mate, that my mom was just one of the lucky humans that got one. I went off to college at eighteen and came back once I had finished my residency at twenty-five. I was pretty smart and jumped ahead a bit," she chuckled. "Anyway, my first night back, I was claimed by Alpha Santos. There were sparks, the whole good smell, and stuff, yadda, yadda." She waved her hands around as she rolled her eyes.

"He claimed me that night because that is what you do, right? Werewolves take their mates then and there. Santos didn't leave room for discussion." Her eyes softened. "We were together for about a month, and he continued to ask me when I would want to be changed into a Werewolf, but I said I wasn't ready, I wasn't sure if I ever would be ready." Her eyes shifted to the woods. "I was scared; mom said it was painful, and technically I didn't have to do it. I thought I had other qualities that made me strong besides becoming a Wolf. Then I told Santos I didn't want to." I took my chair and placed it right beside her as I rubbed her back.

"Without telling me, he went to a witch in a nearby coven and dissolved our bond. I didn't even know that could happen." Tamera began to sob as I pulled her to me. "I felt terrible pain through my neck, fire that burned deep into my shoulder. By the time Santos came back, the bond had dissolved." I grabbed the table with one hand as I heard it crack. What kind of asshole dissolves a bond?

---