Chapter 107

Leah

Age 8

All my life, I've been the mature one. Mother has always been strict with me so I learned how to fold laundry and wash dishes before I was five. Having fun is a luxury I can't afford to have either. Being born into a family of warriors means that 'fun' equals sparring and fighting with one another. I never liked it myself which meant I was the outcast of the family.

It doesn't help that I remind people of a baby fawn either. I'm always chased by my older siblings as I'm seen as prey to them. I'm Leah the fawn, helpless, weak, and unable to fight. The bruises I gain only lead to looks of disappointment from Mother too.

'You'll find your purpose soon.' My wolf, Eden, assures me all the time. 'Don't push yourself too hard. Know your limitations, Leah. Don't live only to please others. Live for yourself.'

Yeah, easier said than done! I met my wolf at age five and it was such an exciting day for me! I wanted to tell my parents, especially Mother, but after being brushed off so many times, I decided to keep it to myself. Eden is my awesome secret after all! What five-year-old can say they have their wolf already?

Today I happen to be taking care of the younger pups of the pack while the warriors are out patrolling and training and the hunters are, well, hunting. I wasn't picked to go out training today but that's honestly a relief for me. I hate seeing others get hurt. How can I be a good warrior if I hate fighting so much?

As I walk some of the younger pups home for dinner, a commotion catches my attention. Then Mother's panicked voice sets me off and I take off towards the noise. The copper smell of blood makes me slide to a halt and I gasp seeing my oldest brother, Liam.

He has a wound on his side that's bleeding heavily and his face is pale losing color fast. I stand frozen in place before Mother shoves me out of the way. "Do something useful for once and get the pack healer now!" She snaps making me flinch. My feet are glued to the ground though as I stare at Liam. I'm in a daze and don't know what to do.

'Go to him.' Eden says making me jump. 'It's ok, Leah. His wolf is in crisis. I can save him. Go to him now.' I tremble before running forward. 'Place a hand on him and take a deep breath. I'll take over the rest.' I do as she says and my consciousness fades in an instant.

"Leah!!!" Mother's shrill and angry voice echoes in my ears as I fall into darkness. I'm going to get punished after this. No... Eden will save Liam! That will make her happy. She loves him so much... maybe I'll make her proud for once.

Present

The image of Tristian shifting and running away from me haunts me still. Only hours after that moment and I can't get it out of my mind. My irrational actions when it came to Tristian all make sense now. He's my mate, but because his wolf never accepted the rejection of his first mate, neither of us realized the bond before then.

I've waited ten years for my mate to show up. Ten long years of never finding him even as I attended alliance gatherings every year was heartbreaking for me. I couldn't leave and go to the city like many other wolves because of my healing duties. I gave up hope when I turned twenty-five and focused completely on my work. If I hadn't found him yet, when would I ever?

Who knew I was meant to be the second chance mate of a fallen Alpha? My first and only mate, as far as I'm aware, ran away and didn't look back. Am I a disappointment to him? Aren't I what he used for redemption? My mind is a mess.

"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Xander asks and tilts his head at me. "I know he's your mate... I never suspected it for a second but still. What are you going to do if you do find him?"

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I honestly have no idea what I'll do. Will I accept him? Will I reject him? Right now, I just need to find Tristian before he gets too far away. Before he goes feral, I must get to him. "I'm going to see how he is and make sure he hasn't done anything stupid," I say simply.

Xander raises an eyebrow before chuckling. "That's such a Leah answer." He teases before he clears his throat. "You can't go out alone, Leah. I won't allow it! You're a healer, not a fighter."

Panic rushes through me. I need to go to Tristian! Every fiber of my being is screaming to go to his side before it's too late! "My King, please! I have to go and find him! He won't let anyone else approach and you know it! That's how new rogues are!" I clench my fists as my desperation comes through in my voice.

Xander holds up a hand. "I never said that you couldn't go." He says making me calm down and perk up. "You're not allowed to go alone. Therefore, if you're insistent on going, Carmen will be going with you."

I blink slowly. Is he making the Beta go with me to find a fallen Alpha? I open my mouth but Xander continues. "I'm not taking no for an answer either. It's either Carmen comes with you or you don't go at all. She's already agreed as well." He adds looking quite pleased with himself.

"R-really?" I stammer out. "She's ok with coming with me?" Xander nods and I hesitate. "Then... yes, I'm going. I need to find him... I just have to. Eden needs his wolf as much as I need him." I surprise myself with this statement. I never knew it was so true.

"Then you better get prepared!" I jump when Carmen's voice comes out of nowhere. I look up and see her leaning against a doorframe. "I'll protect you and be able to track his scent too. We'll take food with us but I'll be able to hunt and cook if need be as well." She grins happily.

I swallow and nod. "Of course... I'll bring medicine with us but I'll be able to gather herbs and such as needed too." I stand up and look at Xander. "Thank you... both of you. You have no idea how much this means to me." My fists tremble at my sides.

Xander's eyes soften. "Of course. You better leave before Luna Daisy gets wind of this. I'm sure she'll try and fight this to no end."

I scoff and nod. Her blind hatred towards Tristian may have lessened but boy does she know how to hold a grudge! "That she does." I agree and run a hand through my hair. The protective feeling I get when it comes to Tristian startles me but I welcome it too.

"I'd say plan on leaving in the next couple of days," Xander tells us. "I'll come with you to the border when you are ready. Rogue territory is dangerous but I'm sure I don't need to tell you since you see all the injuries that occur all the time."

I grimace and nod. Of course, I do. I'm the one who patches everyone up with a lecture. Hotheaded warriors and hunters never listen though. "I'll pack plenty of medicine for us but I also can't overdo it. If Carmen gets hurt, Eden will help me." I add.

Carmen scoffs. "Me? Get hurt? Never in a million years!" She huffs. "No one ever gets me! I'm not going to put the commander bloodline to shame after all!"

I giggle and smile at them. My teacher was part of Royal Pack's healer bloodline but I wasn't. I'm an anomaly and have been all my life. "Of course but I'll still be prepared regardless."

As Xander and Carmen bicker like the best friends they are, my mind wanders back to Tristian. Is he safe right now? What is he thinking? Is he disappointed in me being his second chance mate? I swallow hard. I'll know all of these answers soon enough.