Page 15 of A True Mate Bond

As they walked down the hallway, Blake intertwined his fingers with hers. “I assume it worked?”

“It seems like it, but I think we still need to give it time to see how much I was able to heal.”

In the kitchen, Christa was already grabbing a fourth plate and handed it to Blake. “As long as he doesn’t start walking by himself he should be fine. If he continues to be this stubborn, it will cost him his mobility.”

“Christa, after lunch I would like to go see the Skadu Wolves that have decided to join our pack. I want to see if they need any help or are injured.”

Surprised, Christa crooked an eyebrow. “You do?”

“Yes, I do.”

Christa’s eyes flickered to Blake, her next words directed to him. “I assume you’ll accompany her.”

“Yes.”

She nodded, but Niev had trouble reading her emotions. “Take whatever you believe you’ll need to treat them.” Before she walked out of the kitchen, she softened her facial expression again. “Niev, take a break tomorrow. It’ll be an emotional day and you’re probably still in need of some rest after the past few weeks.”

With a warm smile on her face, she waved them goodbye as she walked back to Brandon’s room with his lunch.

After they’d eaten, Niev quickly packed a few things she assumed she would need for her visit with the Skadu members.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Blake sounded concerned, his face a mixture of emotions.

“I am, but are you ready for it? I can ask someone else to come with me.”

He came closer and cupped her face with his hands gently caressing her cheeks with his thumbs. It seemed as if he needed her touch to calm himself, hurt and anger darkening his eyes.

“They hurt you. They tried to kill you and what they did to you is unforgivable. I don’t know how you can seek them out.”

“Because whether you like it or not, they’ll be part of our pack. Your father has made up his mind about this and he won’t change it.” She reached up to his cheeks and gently caressed his jaw line. “I’m not asking you to forgive them. I would never do that because I know it’s impossible. I also know that if they become part of our pack, someone will have to take the first steps, so it stays peaceful.”

“You shouldn’t be the one to take those steps.”

“But I want to be because I understand how they feel. You were the only one who wanted me in this pack. Your family didn’t even want me to begin with. Now they love me and have accepted me, but you were the one who had to take the first steps, weren’t you?”

“I understand your reasoning, but I don’t know how you can do it.”

“Do you trust me?”

“I do.”

“Then trust me when I say you’re doing amazing and even though it’s hard, you’re doing the right thing.”

She got on her tiptoes and kissed him. He pulled her closer, pressing his warm lips on hers. She could feel that he was upset and that he needed her comfort to calm his emotions. This was hard on him, but she knew it was the right path to take. Hate would always end up in violence and she didn’t want any of that in her future.He freed himself from her kiss and looked down. Still fighting with himself, he grabbed the bag she’d prepared for the visit and took her hand in his.

“I trust you.”

“Thank you.”

They both walked out into the rain and back to the truck that was still parked where he’d let her out that morning. He opened the door and helped her inside before sitting in the driver’s seat.

As he took a deep breath, he studied her as if he wanted to reassure himself before starting the engine. He turned the truck around and drove back into the woods, away from the village. She put her hand on his and gently squeezed it. She wanted him to know he was doing the right thing. After barely a minute on the dirt road, he slowed down and turned right onto a little road that she hadn’t seen up until now. It was hidden in between two large trees that disguised the road perfectly.

“If you keep following this road it will take you straight to Tristan’s home.”

“I was wondering where the road by his home would lead to.”

He parked the truck by the side of the road and pointed at a path by her door. “This path will take us straight to them.”

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