Nina

Nina

The knock on my office door snapped me out of the daze I was in, as I sat at my desk staring at my now dark computer screen. “Come in,” I call out. My mind is still at the hospital remembering Sarah’s face when I asked her if her mate had put her there. The shock, fear, and something else that flashed across her face in an instant left me wondering. Before she could say anything though my parents had called me interrupting us. Apparently they had forgotten some important papers they needed me to send them ASAP. Seeing Sarah had more to say at the time I set a day to go speak to her in a day or so. The hospital had intended to keep her for a few days to “ensure proper healing.” I spoke to the Dr. before I left. I just didn’t want her going back home to him until I knew the truth behind it all. I also told the Dr. no visitors until she is healed, I didn’t want him doing something more if it really was him. Something just hadn’t sat right with me when I heard the story from the Dr. He had called me as soon as he saw the state she was in. The Dr. had said that when she was brought in by her mate he had claimed that she was attacked by rogues, and that he fought them off, and brought her here. After his examination of her he had discovered signs of r*pe as well, but at the stage of healing between the marks, and the time she was brought in, and moreover her mate had no marks on him, or smell of rogues on either of them.

As soon as I had heard the Doctor’s story I had decided to stay till she woke. I may not have been close with my cousin when we were younger, but she is still part of my pack, and family, and if someone had hurt her I was determined to help in any way I could. Even if it meant going against a goddess blessed mate bond. Hearing a throat clear I nearly jumped out of my skin, not realizing I had completely forgotten I had let someone in my office. 

“Good thing they weren’t here to kill you” My wolf snickers in my mind, and I roll my eyes at her snarky comment. Looking up finally I see Derek standing in my office looking bored. I feel a pulse of energy go through my body as I’m finally snapped back to the present, and find myself able to speak once again. Getting annoyed at my ability to get lost in thought I sigh and stand up. 

“What’s going on?” I ask as he hasn’t spoken yet, letting me get my bearings right. He looks up at me finally as if he is surprised I have come back to life, letting out a dramatic gasp. I chuckle at his antics as he says in a slow whisper acting scared-

“It’s alive.” I’m full on laughing now, my spirits temporarily lifted, and playfully nipping my teeth at him. “Hey now, no biting till the second date missy!” he swats at me playfully, and by now we are both laughing as I shoot back with a devious smirk and a raised eyebrow-

“That’s not what Grey said.” I laugh even harder as his eyes widen in real surprise, and his cheeks go slightly pink. I admit to myself “Even though I'm still mad they hid it so long I'm gonna love that I can tease them about this now.” I say in a devious tone to Valarie who snickers back looking at our life long friend blushing more than I have ever seen. I have tears in my eyes as Derek tries to sputter out a response, and as if on cue the door opens, and in comes Grey looking between the two of us with a confused expression on his face. 

“What's going on?” he asked as I finally managed to suppress my laughter a little, And I looked at Derek who turned into a tomato at the question. Seeing this a new wave of laughter filled me, and Grey seeing the state the question had put his mate in began to chuckle a little at the sight as well. Taking deep breaths to quell my laughter, and wiping my tears I explained what happened to Grey whose face broke into a grin, but who’s cheeks went pink as well. Chuckling again at them while shaking my head as they looked between each other. I noticed something between the two, and my playful smile fell instantly knowing what just happened. Grey looks at me with a smirk, and an evil glint to his eye. “So how are things going with Raff?” I pale a little knowing the message he was sending (if you wanna call us out we are happy to do the same) knowing I myself am a much more shy person than either of them. I place both my hands up in a truce position as they high five laughing that they had won. I chuckle a bit when I hear a few knocks on my door. 

“Come in” I call out as the boys are still praising themselves for their achievement. Turning I meet the eyes of my mate. I laugh out an ironic snort at the situation turning back to the boys seeing they both have devious smirks eyeing my mate like he is their next meal. “SO-” I panic, and speak before anyone else has a chance to, “what brings everyone here? Surely you had a reason.” I say hiding my smirk as the boys jump as if struck by lightning remembering they did in fact have pack matters to discuss with me. I see both of their smiles fall instantly, and I even swear I hear one of them grumble under their breath about how it wasn't fair, and it takes all of my willpower not to laugh outright at them. Nobody speaking up Raff is the first to break the silence not really sure what was going on with them.

“I uh, I came to check on you after your cousin, I had figured you would want some time to process earlier, so I was giving you your space…” He trails off almost dejectedly scratching the back of his neck awkwardly glancing at the boys, then back to the floor. Everyone hurried to explain realizing what happened, Derek spoke first.

“I had just gotten here not five minutes before you-”

Grey interrupted “me even less, I have only been here for a few moments, and I came to ask about Sarah as well!” Derek shot Gray a look for interrupting him, and finished his statement as Grey chuckled nervously glancing down.

“I came with the same question, though when I got here Nina was still processing, so I just wanted till she noticed me.” He finishes with a shrug glancing down hoping to hide the slight blush he had. At the explanations Raff’s face looks increasingly more pleased, and seeing that I released a sigh of relief. 

“Well since everyone's here for the same reason why don’t we have seats.” I suggest, and the boys take a seat on the couch, but as I begin to sit I feel myself being lifted from my feet. My eyes widen in surprise, and a little squeak leaves me as my cheeks flare pink. Before I Know it Raff is sitting in my seat behind the desk with me sitting in his lap. I hear the boys burst into laughter, and shoot them a glare. It fails as my face gets even redder when I feel Raff’s hot breath hit my ear.

“Nice try little goddess, but you sit with me” he chuckles sitting back against the seat. It takes a moment for my shock at his actions to wear off. When I have control of myself again I lean into Raff, and take a deep breath as he leans his head down taking a deep breath in seemingly satisfied that you relaxed. You feel his body move beneath you, and you realize he hadn't even gotten comfortable yet, probably unsure of how you would handle his actions.you smile to yourself happy to know you make him just as nervous even if he is better at hiding it. With both of us now comfortably seated I look up, and chuckle at the boys as they seem to have found something on Grey’s phone very interesting. They sat there whispering quietly to one another pointing to various things. I clear my throat to get their attention, and signaling that it is safe for them to look up now. I fill the boys in on my suspicion, and about Sarah’s reaction to my question. They gave each other a knowing look before seeming to come to an unspoken conclusion; they nod shortly at one another before looking at you. You spend the next few hours discussing possible scenarios based on how Sarah would answer the question before I asked Derek to make sure we all had a few hours free tomorrow morning to speak to Sarah.

That night as I climb in bed next to Raff I let my mind wonder as I snuggle in close to him. He kisses the top of my head before squeezing you tight.

“Everything ok my little goddess?” I feel the deep rumble from his chest as I lay there. 

“I actually have a question for you.” I say hesitantly. You feel his hand stroking your arm in a soothing absent minded manner.

“Anything” he whispers sending a shiver down my spine. I take a deep breath before I continue.

“Why do you call me little goddess?” I feel him stiffen slightly before I hear a light chuckle that makes my heart flutter. He shifts you to look at your face with a smile.

“The day you were crowned Alpha my wolf Neil was so excited about something he almost forced a shift before you even got there.” He chuckles at the seemingly fond memory. “I was leaving to take a run when I saw you step out of the car, and when I saw you I couldn’t think, and Neil amidst his ramblings of how beautiful he thought you looked had mentioned there was something about you that reminded him of the moon goddess. After the fight between you and my father, and that kiss ....” He trails off looking at my lips before leaning forward, and kissing me heatedly pulling me closer. I melt into his touch gently moaning into the kiss as his hand travels up my back and a shiver goes through me. I hear him groan into the kiss before he pulls back out of breath. We lay there in each other's arms with heavy breaths for a moment until he speaks again. “I had to agree with Neil, it was as if the goddess decided to give me her very own daughter. A little goddess, just as beautiful and strong as she, to watch over us for her, and I intend to worship you as such.” He finishes staring intently into my eyes, and pulling me impossibly closer. 

“I want a chance to meet Neil, we don’t have to shift.” My eyes widened in surprise at Valarie’s request. She had been waiting patiently to introduce herself properly to Raff’s wolf Neil, so I felt bad for making her wait. I blink, staring at my mate’s eyes, and whisper a request unsure of how he would respond.

“Would you mind if we let our wolves take over for a bit? My wolf Valarie would like to meet Neil.” I say hesitantly, watching his features for any sign of anger or discomfort. He hesitates for a moment as if thinking about it before he smirks gently.

“I think I would love that.” With those words Valarie practically ran to the front of my mind. I watched from the back of my mind as Raff’s eyes began to glow green as mine often did when Valarie took over. 

“Hello mate.” Valarie says slyly. I chuckle knowing our hair probably turned white. Valarie is strong, and is very…proud of it. At her words I see a wicked grin appear on our mate's face as he eyes Valarie like his prey.

“Hello Love,” he says thickly with a chuckle. Not wanting to invade their privacy further I decide to go to sleep for the night leaving the rest to Valarie. 

I let my mind drift off, and wake up in a forest. Looking around I see trees surrounding me on all sides. In front of me is a deep black pool of water. I look in to see the perfect full moon above with stars dancing in the night sky above. Seeing the beauty of the scene before me I decide to sit and marvel at it for a moment longer.  Leaning back to get a better overall view I cross my legs, and relax. I let myself be at peace for the first time in a while. Feeling a presence at my side startles me from my thoughts. Jumping, I look over, and see a woman sitting next to me with a coy smile playing on her lips. The woman was strikingly beautiful with pale skin, and delicate features, but the thing that made me gasp was her eyes. They were so blue they were almost white. Looking at the beautiful woman before me I could immediately tell who she was. Quickly I shifted myself to a bow, but since I was sitting it ended up more like a grovel. 

“Moon Goddess, I am honored.” I rushed out hurriedly not wanting to be rude. Before I even have a chance to catch my breath I hear a soft chuckle that sounds like twinkling. 

“Raise your head young one. I was simply enjoying watching you so at peace.” Startled, I raised my head. She was watching me? I didn’t even know she was there. I think to myself wondering how, but my thoughts are interrupted when the Moon Goddess lets out a sorrowful sigh. “Sadly though I am not here for such pleasant matters. I’m afraid I have failed a member of your pack in more ways than one.” My eyes open wide at her words. I care deeply about all members of my pack, and for the Moon Goddess herself to come to me saying they have been wronged in some way. My instincts take over, and I am ready to k*ll whoever had hurt them, and I knew that if Valarie were here she would think so too. It was at this moment when I realized that I couldn’t feel her presence. My anger was quickly replaced by panic, and almost as if sensing my shift the Moon Goddess spoke again. “Calm my child, she is here with me.” In the next second Valarie comes out of the forest behind the Moon Goddess as if summoned. Valarie walks up nonchalantly, and sits next to the Moon Goddess as if they were old friends. “Valarie is one of my favorite companions. You are very special Nina, but for now I have come to speak to you about the one I have failed. Your cousin Sarah. I'm sure you’re aware of her injuries, yes?” I nod my head quickly as my mind begins to panic about the possibilities of what she could mean when her voice silences me again. “Her injuries were her mate’s doing.” At her words my anger spikes again. I f*cking knew it! I scream at myself, balling my hands into fists in my lap. “I’m asking for your help.” I freeze at her words. A Goddess asking for help? Why? My brain spirals with questions as my brow furrows. “I understand your confusion, but things aren’t as simple as me breaking their bond. While I intend to, and to make it as painless as possible for her. The complication though, is that she is pregnant.” Her words freeze me like a cold blizzard. A pregnant wolf was very vulnerable. The pain that comes from losing the bond is known to be excruciating. Finding my voice I finally manage to speak up.

“How do I help her?”