Chapter 35 （Nathan）First Meal
Chapter 35 (Nathan)
First Meal
“ N athan,” Emerald’s voice rang. “Wake up. Please wake up. Don’t leave me.”
I jolted awake, shouting her name. My heart hammered as I looked around, taking in my surroundings. I recognized the scent quickly. I was in a bed in the Alpha’s house.
I remembered turning into a wolf, the battle, but nothing afterward. My muscles were sore, but I didn’t feel any severe injury. I realized I was wearing a long-sleeved linen sweater. It wasn’t mine, especially as I remembered that my clothes had torn when I’d turned into a wolf.
Footsteps echoed on the floor, and Etienne appeared in the doorway. His hair was tied back in a bun, and he wore a hoodie. The man smiled when he caught sight of me.
“I knew I heard a noise.”
“I thought I had heard Emerald,” I replied.
“From the number of times you’ve drunk blood from your vassal, you probably have a weak link with her even if you haven’t bonded.”
“So it wasn’t just a dream,” I said in awe.
The Alpha nodded.
I couldn’t wait to find her and officially mark her as mine. I ran my hands over my forehead. “What happened after I blacked out?”
Etienne came to sit on a chair. “Your wolf had taken control. He refused to let you change, and he attacked us. The only way to give you back control was to wound you to a point where you’d be so close to death, your wolf would have no choice but to let you have control.”
I swallowed, realizing the gravity of what had happened. Etienne continued, “It took the whole pack, and several were injured, but we managed.”
I felt guilty for hurting the pack. I had nothing against them. “How are they?” I inquired, worried.
“Don’t worry about them. We would have done the same for any member of the pack. Besides, they’re doing better. They’ve had time to heal already. It was more for you that I was worried.”
“For me?” I asked, surprised .
“I was wondering if you would wake up,” he replied.
Then I realized I had no idea how much time had passed. “How long was I asleep?”
The man stood up and took a few steps into the room. “Five days.”
I was stunned. “Five days? Considering my vampiric powers . . .”
“And those of your wolf,” Etienne cut in.
My eyes widened at this realization. “That’s right. Now that he’s awake, I can take advantage of his powers.”
The man nodded, and I added, “Then why did it take so long for me to wake up? I should have healed faster.”
“I think it’s because your wolf just got awakened. Your body needs time to get used to this state. But in time, you’ll both get stronger, and you’ll be able to rely on both your wolf and vampire powers.”
It seemed unreal to have my two curses ally rather than repel each other. These curses had afflicted me all my life, and now it seemed possible they might become a gift.
“Your fated mate. Your wolf will stop at nothing to find her.” Etienne looked serious. “That’s normal, but he’ll be willing to die to find her. You need to learn to control him. Otherwise, you’re doomed. But as you get to know him better, it will become easier. He’s not only inside you, he is part of who you are, and you are him.”
“Have you found your fated mate?” I asked.
The man shook his head. “No. But at twenty-nine, many wolves haven’t yet met their fated mate. I know I’ll meet her one day.”
I nodded. It made sense. It had taken me over 300 years to meet mine.
“Come on,” said Etienne. “I want to test a theory.”
Curious, I rose from the bed and followed him to the dining room. On the table was a feast. “Were you hungry?” I asked jokingly.
He laughed. “I eat with the pack every morning except on special occasions. They haven’t arrived yet. But go ahead, help yourself.”
“You know I can only drink blood,” I replied.
The man’s lip curled. “Are you so sure?” he asked, his eyes mischievous.
I reflected on the fact that my wolf was now awake. Could I possibly eat? I took a deep breath, looking at a fresh loaf of bread. What could go wrong? The last few times, I’d been sick. I might as well test it and see right away.
I grabbed the loaf of bread and peeled off a piece. The bread was fresh and soft, and I was delighted to taste something other than blood. I stopped and waited once I’d swallowed my mouthful. If I were going to get sick, it would be quickly. All the other times, my stomach had rejected the food within seconds. It was strange to wait to see if I would get sick, but with each passing second, hope grew inside me, to the point where I finally couldn’t hold back a smile and a sigh of relief.
“I . . . I never thought this day would come.”
“That’s what I thought,” replied Etienne. “Here.” held out his arm. “Before the pack comes, I want you to drink my blood.”
I looked at him, confused. “Why are you offering me your blood after discovering I can eat something else? ”
He replied, “I want to strengthen your wolf even more, so it doesn’t close up and you get stuck with your curse again. Now that it’s been awakened, Alpha blood will not kill you. You’ll only get stronger.”
The warmth of my wolf resonated inside me. Knowing he was there with me was a foreign yet comforting feeling, and his thoughts mingled with mine. We needed to learn to get to know each other, and I was excited at the thought of us working together to find Emerald.
I took Etienne’s arm in both hands, stepping closer, then backed up and looked into his eyes. “You’re sure that you won’t bond with me?”
The man shook his head. “Like I said earlier. As Alpha, I have enough power to fend off potential side effects like unwanted bonding.”
I nodded. “Get ready,” I told the man before plunging my canines into his forearm.
His blood tasted wild and distinct as if mingled with nature, with an aftertaste of pine. Through our bond, his wolf showed me images of freedom, running through the forest, and swimming in the river. It was as if he was trying to show my wolf how much he could do if he agreed to let me control him. I let my wolf discuss with his, and when I felt they were done, I pulled my fangs from Etienne’s arm, and the man leaned against a chair to catch his breath.
“I think your wolf accepted. That’s what mine tells me,” he observed.
I could feel my wolf nodding in agreement from the depths of my being. “I think so too,” I replied.
Etienne tucked back the sleeve of his hoodie as he spoke, “The pack will be here soon. We can eat together, but I must ask you to leave afterward.”
I had no intention of staying anyway. I was eager to return to Emerald but asked, “Why is that?”
“The murders haven’t stopped. Whatever’s after you is still here, and we never found Summer.”
I felt guilty. “Etienne, I promise I’ll find out who’s responsible for the murders and make them pay. The Dark Forest Pack has been invaluable to me, and I will avenge you after I find Emerald.”
“You’re always welcome to join us,” replied Etienne. “As long as you accept my rules, of course.”
I nodded. “I wouldn’t even think the other way around.”
Challenging the Alpha wasn’t something I would even consider. My place wasn’t in a pack. I was a king. I would get my kingdom back.
“Next time you visit, I hope it’ll be with your mate,” he said.
“It will be,” I replied firmly to the Alpha just before the doors opened to let the pack in and come share the feast.
I sat down, ready to eat my first meal in 334 years. Stronger than ever, and knowing where she was, I couldn’t wait to find her.
Warmth spread through me, and I thought, hoping she would hear it, “Emerald, wait for me. I’m coming.”