Chapter Seventeen
Kara
I stood at the edge of the small lake, enveloped in the serenity of the moment. The rippling water reflected the golden hues of the setting sun, casting a warm glow over the surrounding landscape. Breathing in the crisp autumn air, I allowed myself to bask in the tranquility, my mind wandering back to the recent events that had unfolded.
Vince and John had saved Sophia and me from Warwick. The memory still sent shivers down my spine. I knew John would come for me. The night before our rescue, I had a vision he would. The moment he stormed into the house made me feel overjoyed.
My wolf stirred as I remembered him rushing into the room where Sophia and I were staying. Tears stung my eyes, threatening to fall. He was my literal knight in shining armor. Ciaran, the enigmatic witch who had been aiding Warwick, had managed to escape during the chaos. I couldn’t help but wonder whether he had achieved whatever mysterious goal he sought from Warwick.
As I gazed out over the peaceful lake, a torrent of mixed emotions flooded my thoughts. I pondered the fate that awaited Warwick, the man who had inflicted so much pain upon us. Would he face a punishment befitting his malevolence? Vince had assured me that Warwick would never trouble us again, but the uncertainty lingered in my mind. Would the Council go as far as to end his life or sentence him in some specially made prison for our kind? The thought sent a chill down my spine, but strangely, I found myself indifferent to his fate.
Sophia and her son were safe. That was all that mattered. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to stay with the pack no matter how much Vince had assured her of their safety. She needed time to think it over. In the meantime, she was going to stay at my sanctuary.
Warwick had shattered my sense of security and violated the sanctuary of my life. He had caused great damage. The mere thought of him being set free, capable of perpetrating more harm, filled me with seething anger. I yearned for justice, however, it may manifest.
Amid my contemplation, the wind whispered through the trees, carrying away my doubts and fears. The beauty of the surrounding nature, untouched by the darkness that had plagued us, served as a reminder of the resilience of life itself.
As I stood by the edge of the tranquil lake, the gentle breeze caressed my face, carrying with it memories that stirred my heart. Among those memories, one stood out vividly — the moment I met Lissa, my long-lost sister. The revelation had left me utterly stunned, for I had never known of her existence until that fateful day.
I recollected the peculiar circumstances surrounding our encounter. It was during one of my debilitating visions when I first glimpsed Lissa in a trance-like state. Her face, foreign, appeared before me, and an inexplicable connection resonated between us. At the time, I couldn’t comprehend the significance of her presence, but little did I know that she would soon walk into my life, unveiling a newfound sense of belonging.
The realization that I had a sister, a blood relative, was both overwhelming and surreal. For years, I had navigated life’s challenges alone, devoid of any familial ties aside from my mother, but she had left me when I was young. Her absence had left an indelible void within me, a void that I had unknowingly yearned to fill. At that moment, as Lissa stepped into my life, I felt that void began to mend.
The joy and happiness that welled up within me were immeasurable. I couldn’t help but cherish the prospect of having an actual family once more, someone who shared my bloodline and understood the depths of my journey. Lissa brought with her the promise of shared laughter, shared tears, and shared memories. It was a chance to build a bond that would withstand the test of time, anchoring us to each other through the tumultuous seas of life.
As I reminisced by the lake’s edge, a renewed sense of gratitude washed over me. Lissa’s arrival had breathed new life into my world, rekindling the flickering flame of hope that had dimmed over the years. Though uncertainty lingered regarding the true meaning behind her sudden appearance, I cast aside any doubts, embracing the warmth of love and companionship that now enveloped me.
With each passing day, as we unraveled the intricacies of our shared history, I marveled at the beauty of this unexpected reunion. In the quiet solitude of the lake’s embrace, I allowed myself a moment of quiet contentment.
My gaze shifted towards John, and my heart fluttered with affection. A smile tugged at my lips, mirroring the one that graced his face the moment he saw me in that room with Sophia. I couldn’t deny it any longer—I was in love with John. But a sense of sadness lingered, knowing that our time together would soon come to an end albeit temporarily.
“You could come with me, to Oregon,” John suggested, his voice laced with longing. “That’s where my actual pack is. I can’t stay here.”
Sighing softly, a heaviness settled within me. Oregon, a place unknown to me, held the allure of John’s past, present, and future. Where his true pack resided. However, I couldn’t uproot myself so soon, not when I had only just reunited with my sister, Lissa. The bond between us needed nurturing, and I yearned for more moments to create cherished memories with my newfound family.
Regret and understanding mingled as I confessed, my voice tinged with sadness, “I can’t leave. I need to spend more time with my sister. I just got her.”
John nodded, his eyes shadowed with a flicker of sadness. Deep down, I could feel the weight of his longing, akin to the yearning of a wolf denied its mate. It pained me to witness his sadness, for I knew that our connection was undeniable. But I needed time to fully embrace the depth of our bond and the responsibilities that came with it.
I couldn’t deny the truth that I was John’s mate, but I believed that our love would endure, strengthened by the passage of time and the challenges we would overcome. I hoped that he could understand the significance of my decision, even if it left him with a heavy heart.
As we stood in a poignant silence, the beauty of the lake reflected our complex emotions. The ever-changing water mirrored the ebb and flow of our connection.
“John,” I spoke softly, my eyes meeting his with unwavering sincerity. “I just need some time to think. I promise you that we will find our way back to each other, stronger and more certain than ever.”
I knew that our paths may temporarily diverge, but the depth of our connection would remain steadfast. And in that moment, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over our entwined figures, I held onto the hope that our love would endure, transcending time and distance.
A single tear escaped my eye, tracing a path down my cheek. It was in that vulnerable moment that John turned towards me, his eyes filled with understanding and affection. Without a word, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on my head.
In that moment, a surge of warmth enveloped me, as if a magical current flowed through our connection. It was as if the universe itself aligned, stirring something deep within our hearts. The bond between us grew exponentially, surpassing any doubt or uncertainty that lingered before. I could feel it with every fiber of my being—we were undeniably mates.
Driven by an overwhelming surge of emotions, I acted on instinct. I rushed towards John, my heart pounding in my chest, and pulled him into an embrace. Our lips met in a passionate kiss, as if time stood still and the world around us faded away. The magic that coursed through our connection intensified, binding us together in a profound and unbreakable union.
In that moment of pure enchantment, there was no room for doubt or hesitation. Within that moment of shared breath, our souls seemed to have merged, intertwining with a fervor that defied explanation. The depth of our love became immeasurable, and the realization of our eternal bond washed over us like a tidal wave.
As we shared that extraordinary kiss, a symphony of emotions surged through us. Love, desire, and an unyielding sense of completeness flooded our beings. It was as if the universe itself had conspired to bring us together, aligning our destinies with an extraordinary force.
When our lips finally parted, we remained locked in a profound embrace, our eyes reflecting the depth of our connection. There was no need for words, for in that magical moment, our hearts spoke volumes. We knew, without a shred of doubt, that we were meant to be together, united as mates for all eternity.
“Kara,” he whispered, unwilling to let go.
“I know,” I replied softly against his lips. I, too, didn’t want to let go, but being the stubborn woman I was, I still refused to follow him to Oregon.
Days after John left, I was left with a painful hole in my heart. It was like being separated from oxygen. And everyone around could see my sadness.
I had a feeling John felt worse wherever he was. We didn’t complete our bond and I knew that as a wolf, it was painful for him to be denied that.
Vince had fully taken up his role as the alpha. Watching the way he and Lissa were so in love with one another had me wishing that I had gone with John. Maybe I was depressed, too, because I had also denied myself to secure that bond with my mate.
The other day, Mera came to me and asked, “When are you going to go to him?”
“What?” I replied, lost in my own thoughts.
“Come on, Kara. You’re miserable here. You need to go to him.”
“I need to be with my sister.”
“Your sister looks just fine hanging out with Vince. I’m sure he is making her real happy if you know what I mean,” she chuckled. “I mean with those muscles and that height, he’s got to be big, right?”
I rolled my eyes.
“Kara…”
“I’m feeling insignificant, Mera,” I said suddenly. “With the bad wolves taken care of, I … I no longer have a job here, and it’s kind of difficult for me to accept. Maybe I’m a little attached to this place.”
Mera smiled. She came closer to me and held my hand. “You are a lot of things, Kara. But, insignificant? Never. You are the most relevant being that I know on this planet.”
I smiled, and my heart sincerely warmed. “Aw. Thank you, Mera.”
“Go to him, Kara. Figure out what life has in store for you by his side. You’ll thank me later for it.” She hugged me and then said teasingly, “At least get laid.”
I laughed as I thought about her words. She always had a way to make me smile.
To be honest, I didn’t think much about love. I never had. I was always too busy. But, when John entered into my life, my heart, mind, and body were thrown into disarray. My wolf mused. She loved it and was urging me to go to him. I’d always known my going to Oregon was inevitable. My wolf and I missed John too much. I just needed a little push.
I packed my bags the next day and headed for Oregon.
I’m coming, my mate.