MATEO’S P. O. V.
A link comes over from Ash. “Doc says she can’t travel for a couple of days. She’ll be here for that. Are you going to say bye to her before you leave?”
“She doesn’t want to see me right now.”
“She is asleep. I am sure you can say goodbye. She wouldn’t even know you were here. It will make you feel better.”
“I just want her to accept me.”
“She hasn’t rejected you yet. Plus she is going through a lot right now. Give her time to deal with it all. Just come tell her goodbye please. I don’t want to hear no.”
“Fine, I’ll be there soon.”
I close the link down. For the first time since she got here I slept alone. I hated every second of it. I could still smell her scent on my sheets. That helped, but I didn’t have her in my arms. They felt empty.
When I managed to drag my ass out of bed this morning, I could barely function. Still I managed to take a shower, get dressed and look like I give a shit what I look like. I really don’t. Not without her. I do have to present myself to her parents today, so that kind of drove my behavior.
My house feels empty. I don’t even have Callum. He is with her. Ash is right, I need to see her before I leave. I don’t want to feel this void. All I think about is her. Every thought I have leads me back to her. Even Callum wants her to stay. Why can’t she just see that she is needed here. That she belongs here.
I make my way to the pack clinic. I am stopped shortly before getting there. A group of pack members greeted me. “Alpha Mateo, how is the Luna?” An elder wolf asks, I think he is assigned the leader of this little group.
“She has awakened, she will pull through.”
Collective smiles and sighs of relief can be heard through the group. “This is great news Alpha. We hope to see our Luna up and moving around soon.” He beams at me. I wish I could tell him that she would love that too. But she doesn’t.
“I am sure we will all be happy to see that.” I smile back, I don’t feel it, but I always put on the best front for the pack.
I continue on to the clinic. I know news of her condition will spread. It already does, I see wolves smiling to me. No longer do they look sad that their Luna is in the clinic. They all saw her fight. They know she is the one meant for the job. If only they could convince her of that.
When I enter the room Callum is sitting at the table with Ash, eating something. I have no idea what. But at least the boy is eating. He hardly ate yesterday, like me. It was like his mother was in that bed. In a way I guess it is. I give him a warm smile, and he returns it. “I missed you last night buddy.” He points to her. “I know, she needed you too.” I look over at her. She is sleeping again, just as Ash said. I approached the bed as quietly as possible, scared to wake her.
Compulsion takes over and I lean in to kiss her. “I’m going to miss you while I’m gone.” I whisper, giving her one last peck.
Turning back to Ash. “Please make sure she is safe while I am gone.”
“Duh, like I would let anything happen to our Luna.”
“You know as well as I do that she doesn’t want to be our Luna.”
He smiles. “She hasn’t rejected you yet Mateo. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
I sigh. “If only I had your confidence.”
“Good luck, you are going to need it where you’re going.”
I chuckle. “I am going to be lucky if they don’t all jump me as soon as I exit the car.”
“Like I said, Good luck.” He chuckles too. “We will be moving the Luna to the house today. I will put her in the guest room for now.”
“That would be best. I will return this evening unless I am dead. Then you take over the pack.” I winked. Yeah, I really hope to live through this day.
“Well, then the whole pack better pray that you make it back. I don’t think anyone wants me to take over the pack.” He laughs and I see Lila stir a little.
“I better go. I don’t think she wants to see me right now.” I ruffle Callum’s hair. “Be good buddy.”
Then I do the hardest thing I can do right now. I leave the room as she wakes up.