Chapter 21 - Yvonne
“Gio…” I whisper as I feel my body caving under the weight of the sudden burst of magic I just wielded. My brain becomes foggy, but it’s my innate being that just wants to ensure that my son is safe after what I did to protect him.
Overwhelmed by a sudden wave of exhaustion, my eyes roll to the back of my head, and all I can hear are the sounds of stamping feet in the snow as they rush toward me.
A pair of strong arms captures my limp frame, and my airways become arrested by the scent of sandalwood mixed with the metallic smell of freshly drawn blood.
My eyelids flutter weakly as Dawson’s face appears in front of me, unclear from the haze of my blurred vision, but still distinct enough to bring me comfort. Red streaks of blood are smeared across his face, but he still manages to appear like a divine being here to save me.
“Mama!” Tiny arms wrap around my neck as Gio sobs against my chest. I lift a trembling hand to his head just as Dawson takes the other. When our palms connect, there’s a gentle simmer of energy that stirs to give me enough strength to speak, albeit meekly.
“W-we’re safe now.” My lips lift in a feeble smile.
Dawson nods, his eyes full of emotion now that I can see him clearly when my vision begins to clear. The unspoken magnitude of what just happened lies in the way we stare at each other for a few moments, my heart swelling with a kind of wholeness I’ve never felt before.
“We have to get to pack territory,” Dawson says when Gio pulls away. He gathers me into his arms, using every ounce of strength he can muster to lift me to my feet. He steadies me with an arm slung across my shoulders, and Gio grabs my hand and holds it tightly.
The three of us journey back to Girdwood in silence, but there doesn’t need to be an exchange for us to know that we’ve never been more united than we are now. I feel liberated in using my powers, but I need to take care of the exhaustion I’m feeling in the aftermath.
Dawson needs to heal the injuries he suffered today, while Gio just needs some time to overcome what he went through and witnessed. I can only imagine how traumatized he is, and I’m glad when Dawson leads us directly to his house instead of the main village.
It’s only when we’re safely inside and Dawson guides me onto the couch in his living room that I notice how bad his injuries are. Gasping, I reach out to his battered and bruised arm, then reel my hand back to my mouth.
“Dawson, you’re hurt—”
“I know,” he chuckles, glancing at Gio, who remains tight-lipped. “But I am an alpha. I will—”
“Heal quickly,” I finish the sentence, rolling my eyes as I lie back on the comfortable couch. “That’s what you said the last time.”
Dawson chuckles again when I giggle, feeling the weight of my exhaustion rendering me unmoving right now.
“I’m glad you remembered,” Dawson remarks with a brute grin. “But I have to report the incident to the others. I’ll be back soon.” He offers a hand to Gio. “Why don’t you get comfortable in my room, Champ? There are a bunch of movies you can choose from.”
That brings a hopeful smile to Gio’s face. “Movies? Yeah!”
Dawson turns back to me. “Let me get this little guy set up. You should get some rest.”
I nod and close my eyes, allowing sleep to settle over me, my lips curling to a smile as I listen to the endearing way Dawson speaks to our son as he shows him to the bedroom.
He’s a great dad, even if he’s only been doing it for a week. I was wrong if I thought I could deny my growing feelings for him.
It’s impossible not to love Dawson for the man he is when I witnessed how hard he fought to protect his son today.
***
Stirring awake, I groan as I turn my head on the soft cushion behind me, opening my eyes to realize where I am.
I’d fallen asleep on Dawson’s sofa, and my eyes adjusted to the faint light flickering from his bedroom while the living room was shrouded in the soft glow of natural silver light filtering from the wall-to-ceiling windows.
I stretch and sit upright, feeling my bones creaking where my body had been idle for what feels like a lifetime. But a quick glance at the grandfather clock in the corner tells me that only a few hours have passed since we arrived back in Girdwood and took refuge in Dawson’s house.
When my eyes lower to the stained oak coffee table in front of me, I frown when I notice a note tucked under a basket with ornaments shaped like fruits. I reach out to pick it up, my heart skipping a beat when I read the neat print that says,
“You were sound asleep, so I didn’t wanna wake you. There’s food in the microwave if you and Gio are hungry. I’ll be back soon.”
The smile on my face is wider than I’ve ever felt it, my heart pounding with a sense of hope as I bite my bottom lip and feel giddy with excitement. I’m probably reading too much into his note, but the sweet, simple gesture means more to me than I would have cared to admit before today.
“What are you doing in my swamp?!”
The familiar line from one of Gio’s favorite movies puts a smile on my face, prompting me to get to my feet and go in search of my son.
“Gio?” I call out gently when I near the bedroom where the flickering light filters through the doorway, but he doesn’t respond.
Instead, I find him curled up on Dawson’s bed, hugging both the stuffed elephant and the carved wood one. I proceed inside to lift a throw blanket over his legs, then press a light kiss on his forehead before turning down the volume on the television set and stepping out of the bedroom.
I know Dawson mentioned that there’s food in the microwave, but I suddenly feel charged up enough to explore what my newly discovered powers are.
I’d been trying for weeks with Aurora to activate my powers and harness them to be used against the demon, but to no avail. Today, when Gio was being dragged off by a Moonshine wolf, I had to act fast, and my gifts sprang out like it was a miracle.
Examining my palms, I notice the tiny flickers of silver sparks coursing through my veins, and decide to give it a try outside. I don’t want to damage anything in Dawson’s house, and I’m not sure how much destruction I can cause.
Aurora once burned down Alpha Elias’s house while she was practicing her magic, and I can’t risk doing the same to Dawson’s beautiful, modern living space.
The cool air outside is delightful when I step onto the porch, proceeding to the back yard, where I plan on harnessing the magic powers I used today for the first time.
I close my eyes, finding that silver light glowing as bright as ever behind my eyelids, and I’m able to tap into my magic with ease.
My palms warm with the electric current of my mystic gifts, and I smirk as I let it flow from my hands, charging it up until it feels like it can burst. That’s when I exhale, letting out the bolts of current, opening my eyes to watch it in a calmer environment.
“Woah! Incoming!” Dawson chuckles from up ahead just as I send out the lightning bolts into the snow.
He overacts as if he’s dodging fire, wearing a chuffed grin as he approaches me.
“Sorry,” I apologize sheepishly, curling my fingers over my palms and feeling the magic subside. “I was practicing.”
Dawson nods thoughtfully as he slows down. “No need to apologize. I think that was quite impressive.”
“It’s nothing,” I giggle nervously, hiding my hands behind my back. “It happened for the first time today. I still have a lot to learn.”
“I think you got it in the bag, Yvie. What you did out there today was incredible,” Dawson praises, his eyes twinkling with wonder. “You were amazing.”
I feel the way heat spreads across my cheeks as I blush, and I lower my gaze sheepishly.
“Thanks,” I whisper, shrugging nonchalantly. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Are you kidding?!” Dawson chuckles as he slowly stalks forward. “It’s a huge deal, Yvie. I always knew you were special, but out there, you proved just how spectacular you really are.”
“I couldn’t have done it alone,” I admit shyly, suddenly realizing that if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have been able to attune so well to my powers.
Perhaps Aurora was onto something when she determined that her powers were unleashed in the presence of her mate.
Does that mean…?
“Well, you don’t have to do it alone anymore, Yvie. I’d like to help you hone your skills.”
I lift my eyes to find that Dawson is standing closer now, watching me curiously, as if awaiting my response. I notice that his injuries have already begun healing, as if being connected to me has quickened his already fast-paced healing abilities.
I nod my head slowly, and Dawson smiles proudly as he comes even closer, then turns to stare out at the moon and stars twinkling the night sky. I follow his gaze, finding myself enjoying the comfortable silence that spreads between us.
“If it’s okay with you, I’d like to take you out on a proper date,” Dawson breaks the silence.
“Oh, you mean to make up for today?” I giggle, flipping my hand beside my face dismissively when he turns his eyes to me. “That’s not necessary. Gio will—”
“Yvonne…” Dawson sighs as he comes closer.
“I’m not talking about one of the dates I have with our son.
” I’m startled when Dawson reaches out for my hand.
“I’m talking about a date with you. If there’s anything I realized today, it’s that I’d like to work on whatever it is that draws me to you, and vice versa.
I can’t keep running in circles with you.
You deserve more than these games. And I am tired of playing them. ”
“Oh.”
Oh!
So I wasn’t hyping up that note for nothing, after all.
My heart skips a beat when I notice how earnest Dawson’s eyes are now, how sincere he is in what he just said. Of course, there’s an undeniable attraction between us, and it isn’t one-sided.
“So?” Dawson presses as he leans in. “Is that a 'yes?’”
I nod my head slowly, blushing again. Deep down, something about opening up to Dawson feels right, especially for my powers.
If this is how I unlock the true potential of my gifts, then I’m willing to risk getting my heart broken if it means creating a safe living space for Gio when these powers can help defeat the demon.
It’s a risk worth taking.
For my son.
And for me.