“You sure you want to live on your own again?” Asteria asks as we stand in front of my cottage. It has been five days since the bonfire, six since my bedrest started, and I can tell that Asteria worries about me being on my own since my kidnapping occurred in front of this verry door.
“I am sure. Tomorrow I hopefully get a clean bill of health from Jasmin and from there I can resume training with the others.” I answer, taking a deep breath. Asteria sighs but doesn’t argue back. For the last six days I have stayed in her house with her family, either using their home office for my own needs or watching movies with the three pups. As much as I loved them, I am beginning to miss having my own space.
“I am not used to living with other people and all of my belongings are here.” I admit sheepishly, getting an understanding look from Asteria. Without further hesitation, I push the door to my cottage and step inside. It has been kept clean by Gale and Chase, the two coming to dust and water my house plants since the day I was kidnapped up until four days ago. Then Chase continued coming to help prepare it for when I decided to live on my own again. It is because of their love and help that nothing is out of place other than smelling off from my scent fading.
My first stop is my kitchen where I happily find my stash of chocolate untouched before I walk around double checking everything. It’s been just over three weeks from when I was kidnapped till now. I’ve missed my bed and really can’t wait for a night alone without having someone checking on me in the middle of the night.
“Do you want me to stick around for an hour?” Asteria asks as I return to the living room after checking my bed room.
“No. Thank you though.” I decline right away, getting a chuckle from her. Stepping closer, I hug Asteria and smile when I scent her rose perfume. She really has become the mother I needed.
“Caspian is coming over for a bit to hang out. He is excited to become a full member of Crescent Phoenix tonight now that he has finished shadowing a Warrior named Connor and is ready to find his place here.
“I feel bad Gale isn’t here to celebrate with us. I even offered to initiate Jett before he left but he asked me to wait until the Harvest Willow wolves joined.” Asteria sighs out, a frown on her face.
“They know that the Pine Moon refugees have waited long enough between me being kidnapped and the two of us being busy. It’s time to give everyone that came from Pine Moon a home.” I reason, getting a smile from Asteria.
“Some days I feel like you are the Alpha and me the Beta.” She jokes, poking my nose. I sneeze, pulling away from Asteria to grab a tissue and blow my nose and notice she has pollen on her fingers from the lilac bush. She laughs as I glare at her, wiping her hands off on her pants before her eyes glaze over. A moment passes before she sighs, stating the Omegas need her to finalize everything for the night and tells me to have fun with Caspian.
With a smile, I plop onto my sofa as she closes the door, relishing in being back in my cottage. There is no sounds of Lunette and Henry fighting. No yelling for who has the T.V. next or who ate whose cookies. Just peace and quiet.
“Brynlee, you here?” Caspian calls out as the door to my cottage opens not two minutes after Asteria left.
“On the sofa.” I call back, sitting up and looking at my friend. He is standing by the door, his eyes scanning the room as he takes in my new home.
“It’s smaller than I thought it would be.” He muses, shutting the front door and coming to sit beside me.
“It’s perfect for a single she-wolf.” I point out, getting a chuckle from him.
“That it is but I have a feeling you wont be single for long.”
“Caspian, you came here to hang out before your initiation, not to lecture me.” I stop him from continuing, getting a helpless sigh from my friend.
“He wants to make things right Brynlee. You have seen how he has dived right in to help Crescent Phoenix become stronger this week.” Caspian defends himself, making me groan.
“I know. Trust me Caspian, I know.” Running my hands through my hair and stand to my feet. I find myself pacing the length of my living room in front of the T.V. before I continue.
“He helped me through a forced heat. I knew he was reluctant to do it considering our past, but it was either help me or watch me die. Then, when Jett told us everything, he held me while I cried. I can feel his sincerity, feel his hope through the bond that is slowly mending, but I am scared.” I continue, running a hand through my hair while I pace the length of my living room rug. Caspian is up, pulling me into his arms and holding me tightly. I take a deep breath as I let my emotions settle.
“I am scared this is just an act and he will reject me again if I give him a chance. Scared he will hurt me without a second thought like before. I can’t go though it again.”
“Then what do you want to do for now?” Caspian asks, neither pushing me for an answer nor telling me that my feelings are wrong. I think for a moment, letting myself relax now that I have voiced my concerns.
“I want to be his friend for now. I know he wants more, wants to make amends, but I am not ready for it.” I answer honestly, the words surprising me. Caspian pulls away, smiling at me as I stare at him with wide eyes.
“Then be his friend, Bryn. Let things fall into place on their own time and just be his friend.” He states. Feeling relieved, Caspian and I end this topic and I change it to asking what movies he wants to watch. We settle on the King Kong and Godzilla movies, finding our spots on my sofa while I finally feel at peace.
I know that after tonight, Rune and I will need to talk about us and moving forward as friends. He will be part of our pack and under my command. We will have to work out our issues and move forward eventually but even I know it wont happen until after the ceremony today.
As I settle in to watching the first movie, I feel a sort of peace. For the first time in almost three months, I no longer feel sad or anxious at the thought of talking to Rune.