25. Chapter Twenty-Three
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
MAE
S everal days have passed since Peter and I were rescued. Things have been tense in the pack since we were attacked. I understand why, but I want things to go back to normal.
Any time someone sees me, they ask how I’m doing and coping with being back. It was traumatizing to be taken and to not know if I was going to live or not. It absolutely terrified me, but I can’t let that define me now.
I need to move on and live my life.
“ How are you feeling?” Rylee signs, concerned.
I close my eyes and take several deep breaths before opening them.
“I wish people would stop asking me that question. Or how I am coping with everything,” I sign back, being completely honest, but not rude.
I know Rylee only has good intentions, everyone who asks me questions does, but I need them to stop. I don’t want to be treated like I’m a glass with cracks in it. I’m not going to break down at any second.
I did that. The first night we got back. I cried and cried in Michael’s arms for who knows how long. We talked about everything, and I got it all out.
He’s my safe place.
Michael listened as I told him everything I was worried and scared about while I was gone. He told me things he was worried about as well.
It wasn’t only me who went through something horrible. Michael had to watch his mate, me, get taken away from him. He didn’t know if I was okay or not until he saw and held me in his arms.
I haven’t seen anyone ask Michael if he’s okay or how he’s doing. Maybe it’s because he’s a warrior, and they just assume he’s dealt with it.
But he’s human.
He has emotions and needs to talk about things. I have spoken with him several times and have asked him lots of questions, hoping he would open up and talk. Thankfully, he did, but is he able to talk to anyone else or am I the only person?
“Sorry. I just haven’t asked you. I know you are probably tired of hearing it. I feel for you and what you are going through,” Rylee signs.
I sigh. “ I’m sorry. I’m just exhausted and want nothing more than things to go back to normal. I shouldn’t have said that to you with a nasty face.”
“It’s okay. It’s hard getting asked all the time. I can let people know that you are okay and don’t want to be asked.”
I shake my head. “ I’ve already told the people who have asked that I don’t want to be asked again. I did answer their questions. Hopefully they spread the news.”
Everyone is being so kind, but it’s getting exhausting answering the same questions over and over. I thought about calling a meeting or something to say we’re fine, but it doesn’t feel right.
I haven’t seen Peter yet. Someone briefly mentioned in passing that he’s doing okay, and there’s no permanent damage. I’ve been meaning to go visit him.
Looking back at Rylee, she’s smiling at me a bit mischievously.
“Yes?” I sign.
“I just have a question.”
“And that is?”
“When are you going to let Michael mark you?”
This is an unexpected question. I know what marking is. It’s essentially a wedding in the human world. It ties two people together, and they are bound together for life.
“I don’t know,” I sign back.
Michael and I haven’t really talked about it much, neither before nor after I was taken. It never came up. Part of me thought he was unsure about something, but he seems to love me just as much as I love him.
Should I mention something or should I wait for him to make the move?
There are so many things to consider. Maybe after I got taken, he realized he didn’t want to be with someone like me.
“Have you guys talked about it?”
I shake my head.
I wish I was brave enough to bring it up and talk to him about it, but I’m so unsure. He could be going through something, and the last thing he needs is to think about marking me.
It would be selfish to bring it up.
“I think you should.”
I shake my head once again. “ He could be going through something, and I don’t want to overstep.”
“You aren’t overstepping. Communication is important.”
Sighing, I close my eyes for a couple of seconds. I know communication is important, and listening is also important.
“Maybe I can ask him how he is and see if he needs to talk about anything. I just don’t want to overstep.”
Rylee grabs my hands and gives them a gentle squeeze before letting go.
“Everything is going to be okay. Everything is going to work out. He is madly in love with you.”
I smile. “ He is, and I’m madly in love with him as well. He is everything to me.”
“So, tell him that if you haven’t.”
I have, but I need to tell him again. I remember telling him the day he saved me, but we’ve been so busy that I haven’t since then.
“Speaking of him. He’s walking our way right now. The way he looks at you, you have a keeper. Tell him,” Rylee signs.
I turn around and see Michael walking toward me. A smile spread across his face as our eyes meet.
“ Hello, beautiful,” He mind links me.
Blushing, I look down at my hands before looking up.
“ Hi.”
I turn to look at Rylee, but she’s nowhere to be found. She probably wanted to give us some privacy.
Michael sits right in front of me and holds my hands. Ten seconds of courage is all I need to tell him again. Michael always makes me nervous but in a good way. A ton of emotions flood my body.
“ I love you,” I mind link him. “ I love you so much. I accept you as my mate. I want to spend the rest of our lives together. I want to grow old with you.”
“I love you, too, and I want to spend the rest of our lives together. I was just coming to tell you that. I don’t want to wait any longer.”
A smile erupts on my face, and I lean forward, giving him a peck on the lips.
“ Mark me?” I ask.
“Are you sure? It seals the deal.”
“Yes, Michael. I’m ready to spend the rest of my life with you. Grow old, fight over stupid and serious things, but also love you.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”