Chapter 80 Liza #2
We pulled up at the address, and a woman wearing a pair of black pants, a red shirt, and a white physician’s coat stood by the door, awaiting our arrival.
“I’m Anna Anderson.” Her warm smile was directed at me.
“I’m Jim’s sister. Doctor Anderson,” she explained at my puzzled look.
“When you spoke to him and asked for someone with my skills, he thought we would work well together. Jim gave me some background information, and Ty has briefed me on the current situation. I assure you, Liza, you have my utmost discretion.” I sensed an air of professionalism and kindness, which immediately put me at ease.
She turned to Ty, her gaze firm. “I’m sorry, but you won’t be allowed in the room during our session.”
Ty frowned, and I thought he’d argue, but Anna lifted an eyebrow in a gesture so like his, it nearly made me smile.
“I’m not pushing you out to be cruel, Mr. Keller.
Hearing Liza’s unfiltered thoughts is crucial, so I need to speak with her directly.
I’ll make sure you know what you need to do to help her,” Anna assured him.
“Just give me some time alone to chat with her. You can wait in the room down the corridor on the left.”
“All right. I’ll be right outside if you need me.” His eyes, filled with such love and concern, met mine.
I nodded in response.
Anna led me into her office, and I took a moment to gather myself.
I hadn’t had a moment to myself since the kitchen, and I needed to understand my own thoughts before I could share anything with her.
So I stood there, silently observing the room, trying to take it all in.
The walls were adorned with abstract paintings that seemed to evoke emotions rather than clear images.
They reminded me of a modern version of those old inkblot tests.
Sunlight filtered through sheer curtains, casting a soft glow on the various plants placed around the space.
Opposite the large mahogany desk stood a bookcase filled with leather-bound volumes, some well-worn from use.
Anna gestured toward the seating options. “Please, take a seat.”
There was a hammock chair hanging in one corner, a typical psychiatrist’s leather sofa against the wall, and a pair of regular armchairs. I opted for the chair, hoping I’d be more grounded in a chair than suspended or lying down.
“So, you’ve been having some anger flares?” Her gaze was piercing, yet it held a certain warmth that made me feel safe. I liked that she was direct and didn’t waste any time.
I nodded, my gaze drawn to the framed degrees displayed proudly above her head.
“Would you care to share what has happened?”
I chewed on the inside of my cheek, then let out a sigh. “When I get angry, something comes over me. I assume it’s my omega powers, but it’s almost like I blackout. When I come back to myself, I’m overwhelmed by the horror of what I have done.”
“Such as?” Anna probed.
“Making the ground shake, levitating objects, or forcing someone to submit completely to me.” I shuddered as I remembered the terrified expression on Bryce’s face.
“Interesting.” Anna took in the information with an air of calm that helped to soothe my nerves. “That must be frightening and confusing.”
“Definitely,” I said. Though I felt vulnerable, I was relieved to share my burden with someone who seemed to understand.
Anna’s pen glided across the notepad, her eyes never leaving mine.
The kindness in her smile radiated warmth.
I was strangely at ease in her presence, which wasn’t something I’d experienced around people lately.
Sabrina was having to speak to any new clients in person, I’d lucked out with Rosalie, and having her with me in the kitchen was great, but after the nightmare interview, I’d shied away from most people, fearing they all had an agenda.
Yet, right from the offset, Anna Anderson seemed to be someone I could trust, and that alone was comforting.
Anna set the notebook aside. “Let’s discuss your triggers and ways you can safely manage them.”
I mulled that over as I searched for the source of my outbursts. “My main triggers appear to be anger and stress. There’s been a lot of that in my life lately.”
Anna nodded sympathetically. “I can imagine it must be very hard on you. What have you been doing up to now when you’re overwhelmed?”
I was embarrassed to admit that Ty and I had searched the internet.
“We found some breathing and visualization techniques on a webpage. When I get the feeling that I’m about to have a meltdown or get angry, I close my eyes.
I imagine the anger is black air, and calm is pink air.
When I inhale, I imagine the air is clean pink, and when I exhale I visualize that blackness of the anger leaving my body.
The first few exhales are very black, then it’s a muddy mix of both till I’m only breathing the clean pink air.
” I looked up, expecting her to judge me for using the internet, or reprimand me for using therapy ideas, but she nodded along.
“That’s a tried-and-true technique, Liza.
It’s especially useful if you can recognize the emotions before they erupt into the symptoms you’ve described.
Absolutely carry on with it if it works for you, but it’s only one tool in the toolbox.
Every tool is used for something different.
You wouldn’t use a hammer on a screw, you know?
It’s essential to have many tools to use for every situation.
Have you ever considered herbal medicine for your nerves? ”
I shifted in my seat, and a small, nervous laugh escaped from my lips. “Well, I don’t knock anyone for their recreational uses, but it’s a no for me.”
She chuckled. “There are teas that may help with your nerves and mellow you out. They’re one hundred-percent safe if you choose to use them.
” Anna paused before continuing, “For now, I want you to practice restraint. When you become aware of the triggers, try to redirect your thoughts away from what’s making you angry. Try using ‘see, hear, touch’.”
I gave her a quizzical look. “What’s that?”
“So, if you start to feel your anxiety rising, I want you to find three things you can see, hear, and touch. For example, I can see the books on the bookshelf. I can hear your voice in the room, and I can touch the pen in my hand. It doesn’t have to be said out loud, it can be internal.
We’re trying to find a way to move your focus away from your triggers.
You can use that in combination with your breathing and visualization. ”
Easier said than done, but it was a start. I nodded, willing to give it a try.
“Now,” Anna said as she stood. “Let’s bring your mate in before he wears a hole in the floor of my waiting room.”
I was surprised to find myself laughing along with her.
She opened the door, signaling at Ty to enter. He strode into the room, his gaze flickering between us with curiosity and concern.
“Ty, you may come in now.” Anna gestured toward the seat next to me. “As Liza’s mate, I want you to pay close attention to her stressors and do your best to keep them to a minimum. Too much stress could result in something far worse than making things float.”
Hearing her describe items floating was so bizarre. How did my life get to this point?
“Thanks for seeing us so quickly, Anna.” Ty reached out and shook the woman’s hand.
Anna smiled. “It all worked out well. I had a cancellation. After speaking with Liza, I’m reassured that the methods we discussed today will be helpful.
If we all work together, Liza will most definitely see an improvement in her anger flares.
If you need me urgently, you know how to reach me, but I’d like to see you again in two weeks, Liza. ”
I glanced at the calendar on my phone. “I can manage eleven a.m.?”
She nodded, and we both made notes in our respective diaries.
“Thank you, Anna.” I forced myself not to shed the tears that threatened to spill onto my cheeks. Today had already been emotional enough without me crying yet again. “I’ll talk with you soon.”
With that, Ty and I left the room and made our way back to his car, our steps in sync as we navigated the narrow hallway.
Once we were settled into the car, it was obvious that something was off.
Ty stared straight ahead as he gripped the wheel, but he didn’t start the ignition.
My heart ached as I studied his clenched jaw and the tense muscles in his shoulders.
Was this it? Had he finally reached the breaking point and wanted to end our marriage?
“Ty, what are you thinking about?” My fingers brushed against his forearm.
He let out a heavy sigh, his eyes not leaving the windshield. “I feel guilty.”
“Guilty? Why?”
“I wish I’d helped you move through your anger flares without them advancing as far as they have.” He lay is his head against the steering wheel as if that could conceal the regret in his voice.
Shit. Like I wasn’t already carrying enough guilt.
None of this was his fault, and I needed him to know that.
“Ty, it’s not your fault. You’ve been nothing but an incredible support to me.
You hear me, Ty Keller? This. Is. Not. Your.
Fault.” I punctuated each word with a tap of my finger on his arm.
He turned to look at me, his gaze softening.
“It’s just the cards we’ve been dealt, and we’ll handle all of this the best we can.
I don’t expect you to be glued to my side every second of every day.
You’re the alpha of our pack, and you have a lot of people depending on you.
” I lowered my gaze. “Now that I’ve met with Anna, I’m feeling more hopeful that I can get a handle on my emotions. ”
The shrill ringing of Ty’s phone shattered the moment. I huffed. What now? Couldn’t we have one drama-free moment. But Ty showed me the tiny screen. It was Zephyr. Ty put the call on speaker so we’d both hear what the tech wizard had to say.
“Hey, Zephyr. What’s up?” Ty’s tone was cautious. No doubt he was just as anxious as I was to hear what Zephyr had determined about the code.
“I’ve deciphered the letter.”