Chapter Twenty-Two
Lissa: A New Life
The moon was high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the trees surrounding the house. Inside, I tossed and turned in bed, my sleep plagued by haunting memories. My breathing quickened, and my hands clenched the sheets as the nightmare tightened its grip on my mind.
I was back in the dark, cramped cage, the stench of fear and despair thick in the air. Chains clinking echoed around me, and captured women’s faces swam before my eyes. They pleaded for help, their voices twisted with pain and terror, but I was powerless to stop the horrors unfolding around me.
I was reaching out to them in my dream, but my hands passed through them like smoke. A shadow loomed behind me, its presence suffocating, and I turned to see the monstrous figure of Seth, his eyes gleaming with malice as he advanced on me.
“No!”
Lying beside me, Vince was instantly awake, his instincts on high alert. He could feel the distress radiating from me and the dread I felt through the bond.
He gently shook my shoulder, his voice calm. “Lissa, wake up. It’s just a dream, love. Wake up.”
My eyes flew open, and I shot up in bed, gasping for breath. For a moment, I didn’t know where I was. My mind was still trapped in the nightmare. But then Vince’s arms wrapped around me, pulling me close to his chest, and the steady beat of his heart began to ground me in reality.
“It’s okay,” he murmured, rubbing my back soothingly. “You’re safe, baby. You’re here with me.”
Tears welled up in my eyes as the remnants of the nightmare faded away, leaving only the raw fear and helplessness in its wake.
“I couldn’t save them. I couldn’t do anything to help them.”
Vince pulled back just enough to look into my eyes, his gaze filled with love and understanding.
“We saved them. You’re the strongest person I know,” Vince said firmly, tilting my chin so I couldn’t avoid his eyes. “And you don’t have to go through this alone. I’m here with you every step of the way.”
My tears finally spilled over, and I buried my face in Vince’s chest, clinging to him as I let out the emotions I had been holding back for so long. Vince held me, his presence solid and unwavering, offering me the comfort I desperately needed.
Vince and I walked through the forest the next day, enjoying a quiet moment together. The sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground, and the birds chirped merrily above them. It was a peaceful scene, but I couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in my chest.
We came across a clearing where the pack often trained as we walked. The sight of the ample open space, with its worn ground and scattered debris, triggered a sudden flashback. In my mind, I was back in the auction room, surrounded by leering bidders and cruel captors. The fear and panic rose up inside me, threatening to overwhelm me.
I stumbled, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps, and Vince immediately noticed the change in my demeanor. He was at my side instantly, his hand on my arm, guiding me to sit on a nearby log.
“Lissa, what’s wrong?” he asked, his voice gentle but concerned.
I couldn’t answer, my mind still trapped in the flashback. My hands shook as I tried to push the memories away, but they clung to me, dragging me down into a spiral of terror.
Vince crouched in front of me, his hands resting on my knees, his touch grounding. “Breathe with me, Lissa,” he instructed, taking slow, deep breaths to guide me. “In and out, just like this.”
Gradually, I followed his lead, focusing on his voice and the feel of his hands on my knees. The flashback began to recede, and I could take a full breath, the tightness in my chest loosening.
When I finally looked at Vince, my eyes were filled with tears, but there was also a flicker of relief.
Vince brushed a stray tear from my cheek. “What you’re going through is real, and it’s okay to feel like this. I’m here for you, always.”
“Thank you, my mate.”
“We’ll get through this together,” Vince promised.
The memories of that ordeal crept into my mind at unexpected times, bringing with them waves of fear. Yet, I stood strong through it all because I wasn’t alone. Vince was by my side.
He had become my rock, my anchor in the storm. His presence calmed the wildness within me, and his love constantly reminded me that I was no longer just surviving but truly living. The mating ritual we shared had bound us in ways we couldn’t have imagined. It was more than just a physical connection; it was a merging of souls, a deep, unbreakable bond that made me feel truly loved and cherished.
As the days turned into weeks, a new desire grew within me. It was something I had never thought much about before, but now it consumed my thoughts. I finally wanted a child. The idea of creating a life with Vince — of starting a family within the newfound pack — filled me with a sense of purpose and joy I hadn’t realized I was missing.
One evening, as Vince met with the pack leaders to discuss their future plans, I found myself pacing in our room, my heart racing with the need to share my thoughts with him. I couldn’t wait any longer. This was something I had to tell him immediately.
Without hesitation, I made my way to the meeting room, my steps quick and determined. I paused at the doorway, watching Vince speak with the others, his voice calm and authoritative. The sight of him, so strong and sure, made my heart swell with love.
“Vince,” I called softly, not wanting to interrupt but needing his attention.
His eyes met mine instantly, concern flashing across his face as he took in my expression. He excused himself from the meeting, focusing solely on me as he approached.
“Sweetie, what’s wrong?”
I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Nothing’s wrong. I just need to talk to you.”
His gaze softened, and he offered a soft smile as he reached to take my hand. “Let’s go somewhere private.”
We walked back to our room, the familiar comfort of our shared space surrounding us. Once inside, Vince closed the door and turned to me, his eyes filled with concern and love.
“What’s on your mind?”
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding as I gathered the courage to voice my desire.
“I want to have a child, Vince. I want to have our child.”
The room was silent momentarily, the weight of my words hanging in the air. Then, Vince’s expression softened into one of pure love and understanding. He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me against him.
“Lissa, are you sure?”
I nodded, my voice steady despite the emotions swirling within me. “I’ve never been more sure of anything. I want this with you. I want to start a family.”
A smile spread across Vince’s face, and he leaned down to kiss my lips tenderly. “Then let’s start now. Whatever makes my mate happy makes me happy.”
With those words, the atmosphere between us shifted, thickening with a potent mix of love and desire. Vince’s hands moved to the hem of my shirt, lifting it over my head slowly and deliberately. My breath hitched as his hands roamed over my bare skin, tracing the contours of my body with reverence and need.
I responded in kind, my fingers trailing down his chest, savoring the feel of his warmth and strength beneath my touch. The bond between us intensified, our connection deepening with each passing second. My dragon and his wolf growled in response to the connection between us, letting us know they were on board.
His lips found mine again, this time with more urgency, more passion. The kiss was a promise, a declaration of the life we would build together, and a promise that he would always ensure I felt pleasure each time we coupled.
My hands slipped down to his waist, tugging at his belt until it came loose. I needed to feel him. Feel his skin against mine already. I pushed his pants down, freeing him from the last of his clothes, and he did the same for me.
We stood there momentarily, taking each other in, the sight of our bare bodies a reminder of the vulnerability we shared and the strength we found in each other. Vince lifted me effortlessly to the bed and lay me down gently. He climbed over me, his body pressing against mine, the warmth of his skin a comforting contrast to the cool night air. I arched up to meet him, my breath catching as he settled between my thighs.
“I love you, Lissa,” Vince whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he positioned himself at my entrance. “My mate.”
“And I love you too,” I replied with a soft murmur as I placed my hand on his face, my thumb brushing over his lips.
With a slow, deliberate movement, Vince entered me, and we both gasped at the sensation, the feeling of being completely connected, body and soul. Vince moved within me, his rhythm steady and sure. My body responded to him, my hips rising to meet his, matching his movements with a desperate need. The pleasure built between us, a slow, simmering heat that grew with each passing moment.
Vince’s hands roamed over my body, touching, caressing, and worshiping every inch. As we moved together, I felt the bond between us strengthen, the connection deepening in a way that was almost spiritual. It was as if our souls were merging, becoming one in a way that went beyond the physical. We could sense each other’s pleasure through the bond, which heightened our sensual need for one another.
Vince’s lips found the sensitive spot on my neck, and he kissed it tenderly before sinking his teeth into my flesh, marking me once again as his mate. My dragon growled sharply in response to his bite. The sensation sent a jolt of pleasure through me, and my canines extended, instinct taking over as I bit down on his shoulder, too, my dragon’s mark searing into his skin in the same spot as before. The act was primal, a testament to the bond we shared, and it pushed us over the edge. Vince’s movements became more urgent, his pace quickening as we reached our climax together.
I cried out his name, my body trembling with the force of my release as Vince followed me, a low growl rumbling in his chest as he spilled himself inside me, followed by his knot. We stayed locked together for a long moment, breathing heavily, our bodies entwined. Vince pressed a tender kiss to my forehead, his hand resting on my belly as if sensing the life we had just created.
“I want this with you,” he said softly.
I smiled up at him, my heart full. Deep down, I knew this was the beginning of something beautiful that would forever bind us. I could already feel the faint stirrings of new life within me, a promise of the future we would share.
A few weeks later, I stirred beneath the sheets as the early morning light filtered through our bedroom curtains. I blinked my eyes open, feeling a strange sensation in the pit of my stomach. I thought it was nerves for a moment, but as I lay there, the feeling persisted, deeper and more profound than anything I had felt before. My dragon chuffed, agreeing with me that she felt it, too.
I gently slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Vince, and padded barefoot to the bathroom. The tiled floor was cool beneath my feet as I reached for the small pregnancy test I had purchased the day before, almost on a whim. I had been feeling off for a few days, nothing specific, just an odd awareness of my body that I couldn’t ignore.
As I waited for the results, I leaned against the sink, my mind racing. Thoughts of what this could mean, how it could change everything, flooded my senses. I wasn’t sure how long I stood there, holding my breath, until finally, the results appeared.
Two pink lines.
My breath hitched, and I stared at the test for a while longer, my heart pounding. I was pregnant. A mixture of emotions surged through me: shock, joy, fear, and a deep, overwhelming love for the life growing inside me.
I slowly walked back into the bedroom, the test still clutched in my hand. Vince was beginning to stir, his arm reaching out instinctively for me. I sat down on the edge of the bed, my eyes fixed on his sleeping face, wondering how to tell him how to share this incredible news.
“Vince…”
His eyes fluttered open, a soft smile curling his lips as he saw me sitting there. “Morning, beautiful,” he murmured, his voice husky with sleep. “What’s going on?”
I took a deep breath, my heart racing. “I have something to tell you,” I said as I handed him the pregnancy test.
Vince blinked, his gaze shifting from my face to the test in his hand. It took a moment for the meaning to sink in, but when it did, his eyes widened, and he shot up in bed, staring at me with a mixture of astonishment and joy.
“Lissa, Are you—?” he began, his voice choked with emotion.
“I’m pregnant, Vince. We’re going to have a baby.”
For a moment, he just stared at me, processing the news. Then, with a wide grin, he pulled me into his arms, holding me close as if he never wanted to let go.
“A baby,” he whispered against my hair, his voice thick with emotion. “We’re going to be parents.”
I laughed. “I can’t believe it either. But I’m happy, Vince. So happy.”
He pulled back slightly, cupping my face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away the tears spilling down my cheeks. “You’re going to be an amazing mother, Lissa,” he said softly, his eyes shining with love. “And I will do everything I can to be the best father. Our child… Our family will be everything we’ve ever dreamed of.”
“What do you think the baby will be like? Do you think it’ll be like you? Or me? Or maybe a mix of both?”
Vince smiled, resting his forehead against mine. “I don’t care who they take after, as long as they’re healthy and happy. But they’ll be perfect if they have even a fraction of your strength and kindness.”
I closed my eyes, savoring the warmth of his words and the feeling of being wrapped in his embrace. “I want them to have your loyalty, your courage. You’ll be the kind of father any child would be lucky to have.”
We sat together, wrapped in each other’s arms, imagining our future. The life we would build, the memories we would create, and the love we would share with our child.
I never imagined this. I said softly, my fingers tracing patterns on his chest. “But now that it’s happening, I can’t imagine wanting anything else. I want to give our child a life filled with love and happiness. I want them to know how much they were wanted and loved from the very beginning.”
Vince kissed my forehead, his voice low and full of emotion as he replied, “They will, my love. They’ll know every day how much we love them. And no matter what, they’ll never be alone. We’ll be there for them, always.”
We were embarking on a new journey that would bring challenges and joys, unlike anything we had experienced. But as long as we were together, we could face anything.