Chapter 18 – Heritage of Shadows: Seeking True Mate

Filed to story: Oh For Mates Sake Free Online >>

I looked around the room in awe. There was a large white fluffy rug in the middle of the room. At the far end was a ledge with a large window. There was a fireplace, a television mounted on the wall, and against the other side was a king-size canopy bed.

“I want you to feel comfortable here. This is your home. I hope you won’t be too comfortable in this room… the eventual plan would be to move you… into my room.” Sion cleared his throat a bit as Logan dropped the bags down.

“Do you need help unpacking?” Logan asked and I shook my head.

“I don’t need to give your alpha here another heart attack by seeing my lingerie,” I smirked up at Sion and watched as his ears began to turn red. “I can manage…but… you need to put me down.” His hazel eyes were on mine. Then he walked me over to the bed and slowly sat me down on the fluffy cloud. It seriously felt like I was floating sitting on this bed.

“I’ll unpack for you… you need to stay off of your ankle.” Sion muttered quietly as I smiled up at him.

“Sion, my ankle is fine. It will probably be completely better by tomorrow.” He tilted his head and I watched him shrug. “Humor me… I’m requesting to please unpack for you… please let me.”

I wasn’t expecting that. An alpha asking like that… I wasn’t used to it. I watched Conner and Logan walk out of the room as I slowly nodded my head to Sion. “Okay, but leave that little bag… it has all of my… stuff in it.”

Sion knelt in front of me and placed his hands on my thighs. He stared up at me for a moment before he leaned forward resting his head on my lap. “I am so happy you are here, Clover. Tell me what you need. Tell me what you want. I’ll give you everything. I just want you to be happy. I want to be your happiness…” I felt his fingers grip into my sides as he continued to keep his head on my lap. “I know I keep telling you this, but I want you to trust me.” He lifted his head up and smiled looking into my eyes. “You’ll see… I’ll be your everything. I’ll prove it to you every day.”

What could I say to that? I didn’t know what to say. Instead, he lifted up, kissed my forehead, and began unpacking my stuff. He started to talk about various things. He talked about his life and about his parents. I found out that both of his parents died a few years ago. I guess it was quite tragic and several other pack members were also lost. They were ambushed and killed by demons. I could see it was still painful for him to talk about. He finished putting the last of my stuff away and then stretched with a tired smile.

“The rooms are soundproof… I was thinking about leaving your door open a c***k just in case you need me. I’ll leave mine open too.” I watched as he nervously rubbed the back of his neck looking up at the ceiling. “I’d feel better. It’s for me, not you.”

“If it would make you feel better…” I watched him smile and look at me with a small nod.

“I’m guessing you are pretty tired…” He was right I was ready to go to sleep. Mentally I had drained myself and now going to sleep suddenly sounded amazing. “Do you want me to stay with you?” I arched my brow and he quickly stuttered out. “I-I-I mean until you fall asleep. It’s a new place and—”

“I think I’ll manage.” I smiled as I bit my bottom lip. He was too cute. I didn’t trust myself alone with him. It was best if he left. He nodded his head maybe a tad disappointed and walked over to the bed. He reached his hand out and brushed his thumb over my cheek.

“Thank you for giving me a chance Clover. If you need anything… anything… I’ll hear you.” I watched as his eyes stayed fixated on mine. I could tell he wanted more. I listened to him as he sucked in a deep breath and nodded his head. “Goodnight, Clover.”

“Goodnight Sion,” I mumbled as I watched him step out of my room almost shutting my door. He left it open just a c***k. I eased myself to my feet and walked over to get changed. My ankle wasn’t bothering me as much, thankfully. I threw on a tank top and shorts, heading straight back to bed. I crawled up to the pillows and laid my head down.

__

Stay away from our alpha!

A dark brown wolf lunged at me sinking his canines into my shoulder. Wolves were all over me and I couldn’t fight back. The blood was pouring onto the ground, and I was helpless. I was going to die. Claws ripped through my flesh and all I could see were canines about to engulf my head.

I sat up in a panic. Sweat beads glistened over my forehead as tears streamed down my face. This had been my first nightmare since the attack. I felt my heart thundering against my chest as I tried to control my rapid breathing.

“Clover?” I glanced up in the dark room to see a silhouette standing in the doorway. The light behind him made him look like a dark shadow. I felt confused and it startled me. I raised my hand up to my chest as I tried to calm myself down.

“Clover…” Sion’s soothing tone cooed to me as he reached the bed. He was shirtless wearing nothing but his joggers. If I wasn’t in such a state this would be a lot of temptation to overcome. “What is wrong?” His gentle voice continued to coo to me. He sat next to me and wrapped his arms around me. A strong warm cocoon was now holding me close and keeping me safe. I turned my head into him and leaned my face against his chest. He quietly held me letting me compose myself. I tried to wipe the thoughts from my mind and push away the panic feeling. It took a few moments, but I was finally able to get my breathing under control.

I was upset with myself. I know I can’t control my subconscious state but come on self. Suck it up.

“I’m sorry… I must have woken you.” I mumbled out in a whisper.

“Don’t. There is nothing to be sorry for.” His hot breath tickled my hair as I took in a steadying breath. I straightened myself up and forced a smile.

“I’m okay. You can go back to bed.” It was dark but I could feel his disapproving gaze on me.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

I swallowed and looked down at my hands. “Talk about the reason I lost my wolf…” I sighed and let out an airy chuckle. “Not really.”

“Did it hurt you that bad to be rejected by him?”

I scoffed and laughed. “You really think that’s why I lost my wolf? Hardly. I’m not that pathetic looking, am I?” I’m sure I sounded snarky as hell, but I didn’t need that being thought. I needed them to really understand me losing my wolf had nothing to do with Denny.

“Tell me what happened… please.” I felt his hand caress my skin as he ran it up and down in a soothing motion. This was not something I wanted to talk about but at the same time couldn’t be avoided.

I was glad it was dark and I didn’t have my supernatural eyesight because I didn’t want to see his eyes. Not as I told my story. I carefully explained everything that happened. From the rejection first thing that morning to the attack later that night. I told him how my wolf made sure she healed me before she vanished.

“What happened to the wolves who attacked you?” Sion’s voice was low and deadly. I felt a chill race up my spine. It was as if I could sense the dangerous vibe he was emitting.

“I refused to give any names. They were planning to question Taylor for information and… well you know how that turned out.”

“Why?! Why not tell them?” His voice was a bit higher now and he seemed agitated.

“Why tell them? It could have been any of the wolves in the pack. They were the ones who acted but it could have been any of them…”

“Doesn’t matter Clover. They were the ones who acted out. They should be put to death. They attacked an officer under their alpha. There is no recovering from that. Doesn’t matter who thinks it… what matters is who actually had the audacity to act on it…” I heard a low growl come out of his throat. “I’m going to go back there and—”

“Sion, don’t.” I looked at his dark silhouette trying to make out his face. “I want to move on… promise me you will let it go. This is what I want.”

I could hear his ragged breaths as I reached out for his hand. He was trembling with anger. “Sion…” I breathed out. He was fighting with himself. He was so affected by what I had told him that his wolf was raging against him.

“I can’t believe… how could they… how could they try to kill you?! I have been trying so hard to stay in control but this…”

“Sion, you said you would do anything for me, right? I want you to calm down and let this go. If you want me to be happy this is what I need.”

His hand gripped my hand and pulled me into him. His arm wrapped around me, and his head lowered into the crook of my neck. He took in slow deep breaths as he took in my scent. I was pressed up against him, my hand sprawled over his chest. I felt as the rapid falling and rising began to slow down.

“For you… only for you… I will do this.” His nose nuzzled into my neck as his lips whispered against my skin. His body relaxed against mine and he was finally calm again. “If anyone ever tries to hurt you again though…”

“Then hopefully my wolf will be back so I can protect myself.” I felt his chest rumbling under my fingers as he tenderly kissed my neck.

“Holding your own against six wolves is most impressive. I have quite the mate.” Sion lifted up and leaned his forehead onto mine. “But even if you can protect yourself that doesn’t mean you have to, right? Most alphas can protect themselves, but they have a pack willing to fight to protect them. You might not need it, but I am here to protect you.” His hand moved up and down my back as his nose brushed over mine. “I’m so sorry that happened to you. That was something terribly traumatic. It’s no wonder your wolf is taking a hiatus.”

I nodded my head and pursed my lips together. It happened to me too not just Sheena. It wasn’t fair she just got to lock herself away from the world. I felt like she bailed on me. We were supposed to be a team and when I needed her the most she disappeared.

“We have pack members here who have lost their wolves. Dr. Snyde has been working with them and helping them reunite with their wolves. Some cases are tougher than others. If you ever wanted her—”

“Nope,” I said quickly. There was no way I wanted that woman analyzing me. I didn’t trust her. She could be the best doctor in the world, but she could stay the hell away from me.

“I don’t blame you. After everything, you went through… you are really tough Clover. Most people wouldn’t be as grounded as you are. Without their wolves most people are crazy. It’s only natural for you to have some nightmares over what happened.” I didn’t say anything. There wasn’t anything to say to be honest.

“Why don’t you lay back down? I’ll stay here with you… I promise I won’t try anything. I just thought it might be nice to have someone close.”

I couldn’t refute that. Maybe that is why I didn’t have nightmares before, because I have had someone with me every night since it happened.

“Is this your first nightmare from it?” Sion asked as he straightened up. It was hard to see his face in the dark, but I knew he could see me perfectly. I sighed and nodded my head.

“Yes, but this is the first night I have been alone since it happened.” He was quiet. Even his fingers stilled on me.

“Were you with someone…” He asked in a whisper. I had to smile.

“I had to be with someone if I wasn’t alone…” I teased with a soft giggle. “But if you are asking what I think you are asking then no. Not in that sense. The first night, Denny and Joey stayed with me. The next night, Joey did. There was nothing like that between us.”

“I know it isn’t any of my business… I’m just… I don’t know.” Sion sighed and I could feel his burning gaze on me. “I’m sorry it took me so long to find you. I could have taken you away long ago…”

“I’m the one who ran away from you, remember?” I smiled and shrugged. I felt his arms wrap around me and then he lowered us both to the bed. He turned my body, pulling my back against his front as he held me tight.

“I’m staying right here, get some sleep.” I felt his nose nuzzle in my hair as his heat seared me through my thin fabric. Sleep? I almost laughed at the idea. However, his body was a comfort to me. I was being cradled in a cozy embrace of safety.

“Sion.”

“Mmm?”

I was quiet for a moment as I let myself relax. I took down my guard and allowed myself to be at ease. The darkness blanketed me, and I snuggled into his warmth.

“Thank you” I whispered. I felt his lips press into my head and felt the gentle rhythm of his chest rising and falling.

“Always…” He whispered as I closed my eyes. It was funny. I thought I would never be able to fall asleep in this situation. There was something about being next to him that made my body completely relaxed. For the first time in a long time… I felt… safe.

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