Chapter 34 – Markus
Markus P.O.V.
“Tuli, are you awake?” I asked Celeste as I felt her breathing change.
“Mhmm,” She murmured, not opening her eyes.
“We have an appointment with Dr. West this morning, then I’m taking you on a picnic,” \ said. She smiled but then frowned.
“Why are we seeing Dr West?” She asked sleepily.
“You were sleeping walking last night. You threw fire from your hands. I just want to make sure you are OK. I think this is why you’re
so tired all the time. I’m sorry I hadn’t noticed it before.”
“Sleep walking?” She said, looking at me confused.
“You were talking to someone. You said you would kill them, then you sent fire from your hands to the wall,” I said gently. Her eyes
opened wide.
“I thought I was dreaming,” she whispered.
“Tuli-love, you need to let me in. I know something’s wrong. It hurts that you’ve shut me out of your emotions,” She crinkled her
adorable nose.
“I’m sorry Markus, I didn’t know I did that. I don’t know how to do that.” My eyebrows shot up at that. I didn’t know she had no control of what she’d been doing. Hope sprung that she wasn’t keeping me out on purpose. “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings. How do I take
it back?”
“I can help you,” I said gently, “I will try to push through the wall. Once you feel me pushing against it, you should be able to grab it
and pull it down.” She nodded. I sat in front of her, our legs crossed and I grabbed her hands in mine.
“Ready?” I said. She nodded. I slowly pushed at the barrier she had sprung up. “Do you feel that?” I asked. She shook her head. I
pushed a little harder. She looked at me and still shook her head.
Atlas, a little help.
Atlas and I pushed again. Celeste gasped. “You need to hold on to the feeling of the barrier and push it down.”
Atlas and I pushed again and suddenly I was drowning. I gasped as I felt everything. Her sorrow for her parents. That we hadn’t found any pictures in her old home. Her anger that Alpha Geoff had taken everything from her. Her pack, her history, her memories, her family.
Despair that we still had nothing to connect the traffickers to the Blood Moon Pack. Fear that she would not be able to save the women
still left. Guilt that she had escaped but hadn’t managed to save them. Frustration that her training wasn’t going as fast as she hoped. Her doubts that she was worthy of being Luna. Worthy of us. Sadness that she thought she was broken. I felt Celeste touching my face, tears
were streaming down my face. I could hear her calling my name but I was in a hurricane of her emotions. I couldn’t find my way out.
‘The Love. Find her love for you,’ I suddenly heard Kara push into my head, Find the love that she feels for you. It’s what keeps her fighting. What keeps her grounded.’
I can’t breathe’ I said. I felt Atlas next to me. ‘Together,’ he said, ‘Mate needs us. We are strong enough.’
I tried to breathe and I felt the pull of the bond in the storm of her emotions. I held onto it like a tether. I followed it and allowed myself to feel her love for me. It was like the eye of the storm. Serene, beautiful and calm and pure. I opened my eyes. Celeste looked so
concerned for me. I realized what an i***t I’d been for doubting her. That she didn’t feel the same I felt for her. I grabbed her and held her,
Tears falling down my face as I realized that everything I had just felt, she’d been living with for so long. By herself. I could hear Atlas
howling in my head. Angry that our mate was suffering. He hung onto to the love we felt and bowed to never let anyone hurt her again. I
just held her. We stayed like that for god knows how long. Celeste’s breathing hitched occasionally and I could feel the turmoil inside her.
I tried my best to let my love flow through the bond. My love and my determination to keep her safe. Eventually she sighed and I felt her relax, her grip on my shirt lessening.
Alpha, will you and Luna be coming?’ Dr West mind linked me.
“Tuli, we need to go to Dr. West. We will get you some sleeping aids so you get some rest.”
“OK,” she said and sweetly kissed my chest before leaving my arms. “Are we still heading to the picnic? I haven’t been on one in a
long time,” she said, wringing her hands. I could feel guilt coming from her.
“Why do you feel bad for asking?” I asked.
“1- I just didn’t mean to make you feel bad. I love you. I don’t want to see you so sad,” she sighed.
“Come here,” I said, and she came to stand between my legs and I pulled her to me. My face in her chest. I inhaled her wonderful
scent. Each time I smelled it, I could swear it was sweeter than before. I looked up at her then, she smiled and put her hands through my
hair. “I was feeling sad when I thought you were shutting me out. I thought maybe you didn’t love me as much as I loved you. I am happy
that you’re sharing yourself with me, Tuli. You have not had an easy life. You have been through so much suffering. It breaks my heart that
I was not able to protect you from it, but I don’t want you to hide it from me. The good, the bad and the heartbreaking. Let me share that burden with you.” I saw tears form in her eyes and she bent down to kiss me.
“Thank you. You are more than I deserve.” Before I could object, she stood back and started toward the closet. “Let’s go to this
appointment,” she said.
They really f****d with mate’s head if she thinks she doesn’t deserve two dickheads like us –
Atlas said, growling. For once, I agreed. –
We will have to show her what she deserves. We will spoil her and make her round with our pups and we will massage her feet and make
sure everyone treats her like a Queen for the rest of our lives.
Or die trying-i assured him.
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