Chapter 29
What I saw when I was at the sacred meditation land made me curious to continue in my meditations. I spent a lot of time practicing lately.
The vision of the flower came to me often and I finally remembered my drunken night when I spilled all the dead flowers onto the table and picked one in particular.
I told it it deserved another chance at bloom and when I woke up it was a living flower again. I thought I went outside and picked another but I remember now that I never left the cottage that night.
That means something in my words had an effect on that flower. That’s the secret I have been keeping. I have noticed that sometimes I can heal things.
For example, the time I just suddenly had the knowledge on how to make a plant based cream for Nealin Sr and his very deep prominent scars. Then the flower.
And how about the night I asked the Moon Goddess to help me when I was lost in the forest and as if the world around me cooperated with my pleas I was suddenly able to see.
I asked what I am and now I'm starting to think it’s something mystical and beyond reason.
I was afraid to tell anyone about it because that sounds crazy right? I never acknowledged any strange talents while growing up. I only ever felt connected to nature once I came here.
I got more in tune with mother nature here but still nothing had happened until recently and I didn’t even have proof it was anything I actually did myself.
I have since tried to revive a dead flower and nothing happened. I tried asking myself questions on how to make other serums or creams and nothing came to me.
So what is it? Am I losing my mind?
So, I've been meditating. And on the next full moon I will return to those sacred grounds and I will isolate myself beside that altar in that circle of trees and spend the three nights trying to figure things out with the guidance of the Moon Goddess.
Maybe none of this is real but I was determined to find out.
I was with Melanie in the clearing we frequented, smoking herbs with her. I'd been neglecting her a little bit because I'd been busy working at the Pack house now that I was being paid wages.
And doing botany work or helping the elder wolves as I usually do. I also tried to have a home cooked meal prepared for Nealin at dinner time when he and I were usually home at the same time.
I felt I owed it to him for letting me live there with him. I wanted to earn my right to stay.
“I feel like I should tell you something” Mel gained my attention. We were both leaning against a tree passing the rolled joint back and forth between us.
“What?” I asked hesitantly.
“I saw Devran on what looked to be some kind of date last night” she leaned forward to peek at me. I sighed. I won’t lie and say some stupid part within myself didn’t feel the sting of that.
It’s stupid. He was an asshole to me. That Mate bond thing had confused my mind once I felt it break. Before that I hadn’t even been trying to pursue Dev.
“I’m sure he runs through all the girls in this village. I’m not surprised” I said with as even a tone as I could manage.
“Babes, you can’t fool me. I know that bothers you” Mel called me out in Mel fashion.
“It’s not for the reasons you think. It’s just...it’s just dumb that he'd been so aggressively possessive of me, scaring off all men from me, and now he's completely indifferent. Yet, I'll forever be labeled as the Alpha’s ex-mate” I rolled my eyes.
“You are hot, Mira. You’ll totally snag any single wolf you want” she told me. I looked at her as I passed the joint.
“Everyone here will be mated in due time. I don’t belong here so I won’t find love here” I told her the truth I've known for some time now. Maybe I was brought here because of the fated mate bond but with that being over what else did I have here?
I’m human.
“Maybe you’ll be mated to another wolf. You’re still pretty young. It’s not often obvious that a mate bond is between two people until a few years older than this. Typically 21” she shrugged and flicked her hair out of her face.
Her long brown hair is always parted down the middle but she often gave herself curtain bangs which fell in her face when she leaned.
“Maybe I should go on a date,” I announced suddenly.
Mel clapped her hands together, “This is what I’m talking about. Get cute and go make out a little. You got this girl. I’ll spread the word that you’re looking.” She winked at me.
“Oh god, that sounds desperate. No” I covered my face in embarrassment.
“You’re 18 now. You aren’t a kid. You need a man and you need to get freaky asap” she embarrassed me again by saying. I groaned at my red cheeks and hid them from her.
“Honestly, I know exactly who to tell. Trevor has always had a secret crush on you” she smirked at me. My eyes went wide.
“Did you forget that he got beat to a pulp by Dev for trying to kiss me. He won’t come within 20 feet of me” I scoffed.
“Now that you were rejected he won’t be fearful of getting closer to you. No offense babes, but Devran didn’t want you, and now everyone knows that you're essentially fair game” her blunt demeanor came forth.
I sighed but she was right.
Trevor is the cuter of Jasper’s friends. I used to hang around them a lot more before Dev showed up since I was around Jasper constantly. There was Matt, Tommy, and Trev.
Trevor has brown side trimmed hair, styled longer on top, and these deep set eyes that made his bone structure prominent. A lot of young wolves have a firm build and he was no exception. His calves were defined because he's a runner/ hunter for the pack.
If he was interested in a date then I guess I would say yes. He doesn’t have a mate yet so why not.
He also knows my character and I don’t think he would ever try to pressure me into doing anything I wasn’t ready for. He knows Jasper would kick his ass if he tried.
“It’s settled then. Be expecting a visit from our lad Trevor” she started poking at me playfully. I swatted her off but laughed.
-
I had just finished cooking dinner when I heard the front door open. “Hey Nealin” I called out without looking back.
This small cottage was pretty open so you could kind of see everything from everywhere but the kitchen did technically have an entrance and a half wall.
“Hey” he said quietly as he does.
We’ve managed to talk a bit and are familiarizing ourselves slowly day by day. We’re both quiet people who mostly stay out of each other’s way. It’s how I'm used to living and apparently he is too, so it has worked well thus far.
When he appeared in the doorway I glanced back and noticed he seemed like he’d just come back from a hike or something. His shoes were dirty.
“What were you up to today?” I asked him in curiosity.
“Um, I had to map, um, our territories. I had duties with...Jasper” he awkwardly stated.
“Oh cool, it’s good that you’ll be able to spend time getting to know each other. He’s always around so” I trailed off knowing he knew what I meant. I wanted all of us to be friends.
For whatever reason his cheeks seemed more pink but I didn’t comment on it.
“I’m gonna wash up,” he said quietly before disappearing. I set two plates on the counter and set the food on them. When we sat to eat, Nealin turned his torso slightly to face me.
“He told me to tell you he wouldn’t be able to come by tonight” he informed me. I wondered why but I figure it’s Delta business so I didn’t bother asking about it. I just nodded okay.
He seemed squirmish tonight. His demeanor usually is a nervous one but he isn’t as bad when it's he and I one on one. I didn’t want to embarrass him by asking so I ignored it.
We don’t have a television so we often listened to a battery operated radio in the background. We both read a lot.
We have a case outdoors almost made like a large mailbox with shelves so that we can swap books with the community. You take one and usually place another you’ve already finished. This way you had a variety of shareable reading material.
We also owned some of our own books which were on the small bookshelf. I liked going to the Pack house to watch the television there but I hadn’t been in weeks.
Maybe now I'll start to go again. I can invite Nealin with us. I’m sure he would appreciate it.
“I will be away this weekend for training. So will, um, your friend” he informed me. “Who? Jasper?” I asked mid bite. “Mhm.”
I was surprised he hadn’t told me himself yet but that probably meant he only just found out. Maybe that works in my favor though.
If Mel's right and Trevor likes me then maybe I'll have a date this weekend. Oh gosh, what do I even know about dates? I'll be awkward and where would we even go? I’m a friendly girl but a date adds pressure.
“Also” Nealin’s quiet voice regained my attention.
“My dad wants to come over one day soon to spend some time with me. We haven’t really seen each other in a while and he wants to reconnect or whatever” he shrugged.
“I bet. Well this is your house so whenever you wanna have him over just lemme know and I’ll keep out of your way” I told him.
“Oh, you’re no bother. I just wanted to let you know” he quickly jumped to answer. I smiled in appreciation but I'll be sure to give the guys their proper father/son time. Especially since they seem to be the only family each other has.
It’s funny. Nealin mostly grew up without a mother because of her tragic passing but we are almost similar in that fact. I had a mother growing up but barely. I also only have one parent like he does.
Something tells me he and I could swap stories and get along really well once he gets more comfortable with me. I really would like to be his friend.
Especially since people say he never really seems to have many friends. I can relate with that too.
When there was a light knock at the door Nealin glanced at me as if asking if I was expecting company. I wasn’t, so I was curious who was here. He made no move to answer the door so I did. I was very surprised to find Trevor on the other side of it.
“Oh. Hey” I said more awkwardly than I meant to. Dang, Melanie works fast.
“Hey, I hope I’m not interrupting anything” Trevor rubbed at the back of his neck and glanced past me to Nealin and our obvious plates of food.
“No, not at all. What’s up?” I asked, pretending I didn’t know why he was here. He glanced back at Nealin again then his eyes shifted back to me.
“Can we talk outside for a second?”
When I stepped out we lingered in front of the cottage. I wished I had a bench out here or something for us to sit down on. Maybe I'll visit Mr. Collins, the woodworker, and see if he might be willing to make me one. I’d offer my assistance of course.
“I was talking to Mel, she, uh, mentioned you guys have no plans this weekend, so I was thinking...we should all hang out” he told me.
Hm, he said 'all' so was this meant to be a group thing?
“Oh, okay sure. That sounds fun” I tried not to show my disappointment. His face brightened at my instant acceptance.
“Or maybe...just you and me” he edited the offer. I smiled bashfully. “Sure” I quietly squeaked out. That got a smirk out of him.
“Cool. I’m not sure what you like to do but maybe we could grab a bite down at the Grey’s restaurant?” he suggested. It’s kind of the only eating establishment that isn’t the bakery so it’s a given.
“Yeah, that sounds good. I’m free any day so..” I gave him the option to choose.
“Friday?” He tipped his head at me. I nodded okay and he was satisfied. He left after that.
When I reentered the house I think I was blushing which brought a small smile to Nealin’s lips.
“I just got asked out” I fessed up.
“I heard” he gave me a sheepish expression.
“Supernatural hearing” I nodded to myself. I forget sometimes.
“After the whole Devran thing I needed this” I plopped on the couch beside him again. “Yeah, I think it’s good” he supported me. I really appreciated it.
I have a date. Wow. I have a date.