Chapter 21: The Alpha’s Goddess

~CALLIE’S P.O.V~

As promised, Gunner was there bright and early before I was released. We sat and talked, getting to know one another. I found out about his favorite activities. Surprisingly, he loves to fish, likes ATVs, goes mudding, and also enjoys running, swimming, and all summer activities. Obviously pointing to his favorite time of the year. Luckily, it was coming soon, and he promised to take me horseback riding and mudding and even fishing. I’ve never done those things before. I wouldn’t consider myself a girly girl, but I just never had anyone offer to do any activities like that. It all sounds like fun. I love the summer as well. The sun on my skin. I also love swimming, so that really helps. I told him we should go to the lake behind the school one evening and enjoy a swim. His face lit up like a kid waking up on Christmas morning. The more I got to know him, the more I felt our connection grow.

“Can I ask you a personal question?” I asked him.

“Of course,” he replied with a smile plastered on his face.

I know this is going to be a tough conversation, it’s been eating at me since last night.

“So yesterday you mentioned you lost a mate bond again... did you meet your first mate?”

I could see the pain briefly in his eyes before he masked it. This is a tough question.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn't have asked. Never mind, just forget it.” I said quickly, regretting ever letting myself ask such a thing. He reached up and took my hand in his and his frown slowly lifted into a smile.

“You’re allowed to ask me anything, it just took me by surprise. I just recently told someone about her. I told Laken, and now you. I wouldn't necessarily call it met, I saw her. But before I had the chance to even speak to her... she....” he let out a breath trying to form the words. I know even with me being his second chance mate, the pain of the first will linger.

I stood up and wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him close to me. He lets out a breath and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me even closer to him.

“Are you okay?” I asked him.

“I am when you are near, you make it all okay.” He replied and it literally felt like my heart skipped a beat.

He pulled back enough to look into my eyes.

“Callie, I want to talk about this with you, please believe that. I just need time to muster up the words I want to say. I’ll never hide anything from you, I’ll never lie to you. You will always be the one. The one I need, the one I will protect, the one I will always put before myself. It’s you, it always has been you. My first mate, I didn’t even know her name. It pains me that I lost her, but being here in your arms, I know this is where I belong, where I will always belong.”

His words made my inside burn to my core. He wants me. I’ve never had a boyfriend, nobody has ever shown me attention or wanted me until now. I mean, I wasn’t exactly approachable either, so it makes sense. I always kept my head down and anytime someone spoke to me I wasn’t exactly friendly. I didn’t speak back; I’d just walk away. How am I supposed to be a Luna if I push everyone away? How am I supposed to support a pack and be loving when all these years I was actually the complete opposite?

‘It’s in our blood.’ Emery answers my thoughts.

“What is swirling around in that pretty little mind of yours?” Gunner asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

Don’t lie, no lies. I can be open, I can be myself, I can speak my mind.

“Nothing,” I said back, completely ignoring myself.

‘Tell mate!’ Emery yells in my mind.

I take a gulp and let out a sigh.

“Okay, that isn’t the full truth, it’s just hard opening up when I’ve kept it inside all this time. I just doubt myself as your mate, to be the Luna everyone expects me to be. I don’t have it in me.” I finally said after our moment of silence.

“Callie, you sacrificed yourself in order to protect your pack. Being a Luna isn’t only about being nurturing, but also about knowing what’s best for your pack. Although your decision wasn’t wise, you did it out of love. You didn’t even question your choice; you just went with him to protect your pack. If that isn’t an honorable Luna, then they have the wrong perspective of what a Luna is. You are perfect for the role. You are smart, loving, protective, possessive, you are strong and loyal. You may not see it yet, but you hold every single quality it takes to be a Luna. You were hurt and pushed everyone away, but now I am here to heal your broken heart, which means you are free to be you that you’ve pushed aside all those years.”

His response brought tears to my eyes. How could I have been so lucky to find a second-chance mate with a heart like his? After all this pain I have endured over the years, my light at the end of the tunnel wasn’t death, it was him. My gift. He gently caresses my face as he begins to lean in. His lips hovered inches over mine, I could feel the heat coming from his mouth. My heart rate picks up and the anticipation of my first kiss is eating away. His lips gently touched mine, my lips moving in sync with his as if I knew what I was doing. I could feel his tongue grazing my bottom lip begging for entrance. He pulls me on top of him now, putting me in a straddling position. His hand cups my ass cheeks, pulling me closer and I gasp, giving him the opportunity for his tongue to dart into my mouth and allowing it to dance around with my own. On my own accord, I began to rock my hips, his moans filling the room. I could feel his hard member poking me with each rocking motion as my ass came down in his lap. His hand snakes up the back of my shirt and unclasped my bra.

*Knock knock knock*

I quickly pulled away and jumped from his lap. I was so lost in the moment; I would’ve given in and lost my virginity in a damn hospital! Jade walks and she looks ashamed. I ran up to her, taking her into my arms and she began sobbing.

“I am so sorry Callie; I lost my temper at something you had no control over. I should’ve talked to you, I... I... I...” she stutters over her words.

“Jade, it’s okay, please don’t be upset. It’s My fault. I should’ve told you about what she said in my dreams, and I should’ve told you exactly what the rogue said to me that day of the attack. I held it all in and as my best friend, I should’ve let you in and vent out all my feelings as concerns. I’m so sorry, please don’t blame yourself. I deserved to be yelled at.” I told her, my heart-shattering at the sight of my best friend bawling her eyes out.

“I knew you were grieving so I didn’t push. I should’ve been there better, I should’ve seen how bad it was, I should’ve been able to tell there was more going on.” She says.

I ran my hand through her hair, as I would always do since we were children, in an attempt to calm her. She eventually calmed down, we just stayed there in each other’s arms a moment longer.

“So... I met my mate,” Jade said and I was shook.

“WHAT! And you just told me now! Tell me everything!!!” I said excitedly.

“There’s not much to tell you. He was one of the men that kidnapped you. He has been in the dungeon. I can’t accept him, Callie. I won’t. I begged them to spare his life, but the more I think about it, the more it makes me sick that my mate is a monster.” I could feel the pain flowing through her. Touching her only intensified the feelings. I let go of her arms and the feelings eased.

“J... you’re hurting. I can feel it all. The pain, the anger. All of it.”

“I’m sorry, you have your own pain from your mate. I shouldn’t be causing you more...”

“No, it’s okay, I want to know everything. I am here for you no matter what, I don’t care if I feel it. We will feel it together.” I said. Which earns me a smile.

“I’ll just go get the doctor and give you two some privacy.” I look back and nod my head at Gunner as he walks to us, stops in front of me to kiss my forehead, and proceeds to walk out, leaving just me and Jade in the room.

“Sooo... the Alphas son huh!” She says, causing me to blush uncontrollably.

“Yeah, it’s crazy. We have so much to talk about! Apparently, second-chance mates do exist!”

Her eyes bulge and surprise is written all over her face.

“Or it does again...” she says while she smiles.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you are gifted. Maybe it’s you who can control that?” She says back.

“Surely not...” I said back. But start thinking about how the moon goddess told me I could choose to be happy with him. Did I make the choice without knowing I had made the choice and made myself a second chance or did she already have a plan? I have so many questions. I need to find answers.

The door slowly opens, revealing Doctor Snow and Gunner.

“Hello Callie, I was just coming to check on you and make sure you were ready to go home.” The doctor says.

“Goddess yes!” I said with excitement.

“Okay well, your labs all look normal, all the tests came back normal. You seem to be getting up and around well. So, I will draw up the discharge papers and have the nurse get you discharged home. If anything changes, please come back and see me.”

“Yes ma’am. Thank you for helping me and being there.”

She nods and exits the door. A few minutes later, the nurse from yesterday enters with the discharge paperwork and a low growl escapes my mouth without me even realizing it. She bows her head in submission, but not only that but also from fear. I look around at Jade and Gunner as they stare at me. Jade is obviously confused, while Gunner has a smile plastered across his face.

“Sorry about that... um please continue with what you need to do...” I said, shocked at my aggressiveness.

She lifted her head and went over, explained the discharge paperwork, took the IV out, and left the room.

We leave the hospital and begin to walk to the pack house. The air hitting my face felt so good, and the sun also shining down made me really want to go on a run. I’ll have to do that tonight for sure. We get to the pack house and a lot more females are wandering around than normal. That’s odd.

‘It’s been like this since they got back’ Jade mind-linked me.

I looked over at her with a confused face. Just as I was about to ask her what she meant, a she-wolf named Lisa, who is only a few years older than me and Jade, began to walk towards us and desire swirling in her eyes. Her eyes solely fixated on one person, Gunner.