Chapter 27: Chapter 27

DEC

Chase and Finn are waiting by Chase’s truck when we get back. Chase throws a pair of sweats at me. “What took you guys so long? You didn’t stop to fool around, did you?” Kya rolls her eyes.

“~Fuck off, asshole, unless you want me to take her right now in front of you,~” I mind-link Chase. But out loud, I say, ~"~Sarah showed back up so Kya put her in her place. She broke her nose and stepped on her throat."

Chase’s eyebrows shoot up almost all the way to his hairline. "Damn. Go, Ky. It sucks that I missed it."

I feel Damon’s power even before he walks out of the clearing tall and proud. Chase tosses him some clothes. I clap Damon on the back. “Congratulations, Alpha Damon…?”

Damon lets out a single laugh. “Ramirez.” Damon and I grip each other’s forearms as a sign of equality. Damon juts out his chin while he bites his lip.

I know he’s got something on his mind. I tilt my chin, “What's up?”

He looks to Finn, then back. “I want Finn to be my beta. He’s stronger than Spencer and can help me run the pack the way it should be.”

That’s a wise choice. Finn is a great fighter and has the skills to train up the Ramirez pack. Damon doesn’t have to have the beta that would be next in line, since he took over the pack. “That’s up to him,” I say.

Finn steps forward. “I’m in. Can my family come too?”

Damon nods. “Of course.”

Finn looks back toward the woods. “What happened to the Roberts pup?”

Damon lets out a breath as he shakes his head. “He submitted and cowered away.” Finn stands in front of Damon waiting for the induction. Damon looks to me for help. “What do I do?”

Chase gets a pocketknife out of the truck and tosses it to Damon. I open my hand showing my scarred palm.

“Essentially, you’re welcoming him as part of your pack, part of you, so you bear the pain. You cut along this line.” I swipe my finger across my hand. “It’s your heart line. You don’t need to go deep and you can keep it short, about an inch.”

Damon traces over his palm with the knife. Finn licks his thumb and runs it over the cut, mixing his saliva into the cut. We watch as the cut quickly heals, sealing Finn into his pack and leaving mine.

I sigh, letting go of the discomfort of the connection being severed. “You only need to do this once for any of Finn’s connections such as mates and children. So, you will have to do this with one of his parents.”

Damon nods. “Thanks, Dec. I…”

I clap his shoulder. “I know, Damon. You’re still welcome to keep learning from me or my father any time. Just make sure you come through the front gate.”

Damon nods. “Deal.”

I take the knife from Damon and cut my palm. I hold it out to Kya. “I miss the feel of you, baby.” Kya licks her thumb and traces my cut. The connection snaps into place as soon as the cut heals.

She and I both let out the breath we’ve been holding in relief. Just the feeling of her being back in my pack is so comforting. “~Dec, I’ve missed you so much,~” she uses our link to tell me.

I take her hand. “~Me too, baby. I was going crazy without you.~” I help her into the truck and follow in behind her, then pull her onto my lap. Chase and Damon take the front, while Finn takes the back next to Kya.

“Chase. Let’s get the fuck out of here,” I say. Kya falls asleep on the ride back to our territory. Her head rests on my chest as she softly snores.

I run my fingers through her soft but tangled hair. Her clothes are dirty but her body has no physical marks. I have no idea the things they may have done to her, other than breaking her arm.

I hold her arms up to inspect them. They look perfectly normal. I meticulously begin looking over every inch of her body.

She hums into my chest. “Dec, I’m all right. Just tired.”

I kiss her forehead. “I didn’t mean to wake you, beautiful. I was just checking on you.”

The sun begins to rise just as we pull into our territory. Chase drops us at our place. I refuse to put Kya down. She doesn’t even fight me. She keeps her arms wrapped around my neck and her head on my chest.

I take her upstairs to the bathroom and run a hot bath for her. She holds me tighter as I’m about to pull away.

“No. Stay with me. Dec, don’t leave me.” I rub her back and pull her top over her head. “I’m not leaving, baby. I just want you to relax.” I remove the rest of her clothes and place her in the tub.

I pull off my sweats and slip in behind her. She relaxes into me as I clean her up. I’m gentle as I wash her body and her hair. Kya turns around in the tub. She wraps her arms around my neck and looks up at me with her emerald eyes.

A single tear seeps out, rolling down her cheek. I wipe it with my thumb. “I felt so alone. I had no connection to anyone. The only thing keeping me sane was when I pretended to hear your voice,” she says.

I run my hand up and down her back, soothing her. “What did I say?”

She closes her eyes and lays her head back on my chest. “You said: ‘I, Alpha Declan Thomas Redd swear to never reject you, Kya Samantha Mason.’ Just like that night at the club. Then you told me that you’re coming for me and not to give up.”

My hand stills on her back. I’m in awe. I hold her cheek and lift her face to look at me. “Kya. I did say those things to you. You called for me. I heard you.”

Kya looks at me in bewilderment. “How is that possible?”

I shake my head. “I have no idea. I thought it was just in my head. It happened while you were gone too, while you were staying with your aunt.”

She nods and nibbles her bottom lip. Tears spring from her eyes. “Yes, it did. It was really you? The whole time? You’d told me you were sorry and that you would be worthy of me. You promised me.”

I nod as my love for her fills my chest. “I did. I did say that to you. I can’t believe you heard me, that it was really you.” I hold her body closer as I gently, sweetly kiss her parched lips. I rest my head against hers. “I love you, Kya Redd.”

She rests back against my chest. “I love you, Declan Redd.” She’s so worn out that she falls asleep.

I lift her out of the tub and wrap a towel around us before lying with her in bed. She curls into me, and I join her in the first chance of peaceful rest.

KYA

The moonlight shines through the window. Dec’s chest rises and falls under my head. I’m so comforted knowing he’s here with me.

I kiss his chest and run my fingers through the trail of hair under his belly button. His hand runs up my arm. I look up to see his silver eyes watching me. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to wake you.”

He gives me a gentle smirk. “It’s okay, love. I’ve missed you.”

I kiss his lips as he pulls me closer to him. He kisses a trail down to my neck. His thumb runs over where my mark should be. I drop my head, knowing that my skin is smooth with no trace of a mark.

With a sinking heart, I cover his hand with mine. “It’s gone. They took it away from me.”

He takes my hand and places it on his mark. His skin is just as smooth and empty of any mark.

“Mine is gone too. I’ve never heard of, nor read anything like this ever happening. Not even a witch’s rune has the power to do this. When the bond broke, the Moon Goddess sent a beam of light. I think the Moon Goddess blessed us.”

Dec runs his nose up and down my neck. “Your scent calls to me. Your eyes peer straight into my soul. I feel the pull to you all over again.”

He licks my neck and lays me back onto the bed. I unwittingly flinch away. “I’m sorry.”

Dec pulls back. “Baby? You’re shaking.” I sit up and cover my body with the blanket. I close my eyes and try desperately to get the visions of all that happened while I was in the cell out of my head.

“Kya. I’m here. I’m not going to hurt you.”

I open my eyes and look into the silver caring eyes of my mate. “I know, Dec. I just need a minute.”

Dec takes my hand as he looks deep into my soul. “Kya. I’ll wait for you as long as you need me to.”

I nod and lean into his strong, supportive chest. “I don’t want to wait, Dec. I need my mate. I need you.” I pull him to my mouth.

He looks me in the eye as he ever so gently enters me. I grip his shoulders as he pushes in and out of me. My body sings at his every touch.

His damp skin glistens in the moonlight. His fingers run through my hair as he moves in and out of me. My body quivers. Dec makes sweet, gentle love to me, his eyes boring into me the entire time.

“Oh, Dec. I’m so close.” He nuzzles my neck. He licks a circle at the base of my neck. I mimic his movements, waiting for the perfect moment.

“Kya. I need you, baby.” We bite down on each other’s necks as we find our release. I lick his mark, sealing our bond.

Our connection is reestablished. Our thoughts and feelings are shared again, bringing a comfort that I greatly missed. I sigh in relief. Dec pulls out of me all too soon. He pulls me from the bed. “Let’s go for a run and finish mating.”

I shake my head. “Not yet. I need more ‘you time.’”

He smiles as he lies over my body, kissing me. I roll him over and straddle him. He nibbles my skin as I ride him. His member fills me to my core, hitting all the right spots. “Kya. Oh, Kya. I was so empty without you.”

I lean back. His hands find my breasts and he tugs and pulls on them, bringing me higher. “Oh, Goddess. Dec, I need you. Always.”

He grips my hips and increases the penetration. Deeper, harder, faster. I bite my lip and close my eyes as I feel sparks go off in my body, spreading a sensual chill throughout.

Dec’s shaft throbs inside of me as I milk his seed. I lie forward as Dec’s hand grazes the damp skin of my back. “I love you, Kya. I’ve loved you since the day you were born. You’re my everything. I almost lost you, and it killed me.”

I kiss his chest and peer into his silver eyes. “Declan. I love you so much. I knew you would come for me. I never doubted, not for a second.” He pulls me in for a kiss and we make love once again.

Our bout of lovemaking goes on nonstop. We are sometimes gentle with each other, and sometimes rough. We try out a few new positions and ways of making each other feel amazing.

We share a connection so everything we feel is shared between us. I lie sprawled out on the bed, panting and covered in sweat. Dec’s nose runs up my neck as he pulls my body to his. My breathing evens out as I fall asleep.

DEC

I kiss her temple as the noonday sun shines through the window. As much as I want to stay in bed with Kya, I have duties that need my attention. I crawl out of bed.

“Dec?” she whispers.

“We have some things to take care of. Get dressed. You need to come with me.” She gives me a puzzled look, but she gets dressed. We meet up with Chase and head over to Mark’s place.

Chase picks up a cute little girl as soon as we enter the house. “Are you Kya’s mate?” She asks me as Chase sets her down.

“I am, little one. I’m Alpha Dec.”

She smiles as she jumps into my arms. She kisses my cheek. “Kya’s all better now. I took really good care of her.” I laugh at the sweet child.

Kya pulls her from my arms and tickles her before she sets her down. “This little princess is Gretchen, not that you’ll remember,” she says with an eye roll. I shrug my shoulder, she’s right.

“Alpha Redd. I’m Kendra. It’s great to finally meet you.”

I shake the mother’s hand. “Likewise.”

I meet a young boy. “I’m Ian.”

I feel bad knowing their names are going to slip my mind as soon as I leave the house; this is Kya’s family after all. Mental note: learn some names.

Chase opens the front door for Doc and Mrs. Mason. Everyone piles into the room and sits on the various seats. Mrs. Mason coos a baby in her arms. Chase tosses me a knife. I take my place in the middle of the room.

“Mark. I’m glad to welcome you and your family into our pack.” I slice my palm and hold it out. Mark licks his thumb and slides it across my hand.

The cut quickly heals and five new connections snap into place. The family begins working on a feast to celebrate.

Kya’s heartache has me confused. I look at her. She’s playing with the little girl. “Kya?” She looks up to me with an empty smile and continues to play with the little girl. “~What is it, love?~” I mind-link her.

Kya finds a pink crayon and hands it over to the little girl. “~My parents. I’m not connected to them. I just feel empty without them.~”

I feel for my beautiful mate. I can’t imagine not feeling the connection to my parents. I wonder if the induction would work if her dad did it. It wouldn’t hurt to try. If anything goes wrong, I can always bring them back into the pack.

I find Kya’s dad in the kitchen with Mark. “Hey, Doc. Would you mind trying the induction with Kya?”

His shoulders drop as he exhales. “Of course. I miss my Cricket.” We sit next to Kya. Doc holds out his hand. “Should I cut myself, or do you do it, Alpha?”

This is new to me; I have no idea. “Go ahead and try. If it doesn’t work, I can try.”

Doc nods as he sets the knife to his palm. He cuts his heart line and Kya licks her thumb and runs it across his cut. As the cut heals, we wait in anticipation.

Kya’s shoulders sink. “It didn’t work.”

Doc holds his hand out to me. “Can you try, Alpha?”

I bite my lip as I cut a line across Doc’s hand. Kya licks her thumb and runs her saliva across her father’s cut. As the cut heals, she shakes her head again.

“Nothing.” Kya runs her stray hair over her ear as she goes to sit next to the little girl, Gloria…Grace…ugh, what’s her name?

I sit at the coffee table next to Kya. Chase and his other cousin play a video game. The adults are in the kitchen.

I run my hand up and down Kya’s back. “I’m sorry, love. I’m going to see if there’s anything in the books. I’ll find the answer.”

She leans into my chest. “Thank you, Dec. I’m not entirely sure there is an answer.”

The little girl jumps into my lap and takes my hand. “Why did you cut your hand?”

I point out the line. “That’s how you were able to join our pack. I cut this line and let your dad run his thumb over it. I’m alpha now.”

Her little finger tickles across the scarred line. “Is Uncle Kyle Kya’s alpha now?”

I laugh at the words of the innocent girl. Kya pulls the girl into her lap. “No, sweet girl. Something happened a few days ago that made it so. I’m not connected to my mom and dad, like you’re connected to yours. We were trying to fix it.”

The girl looks at her hand, then at mine. “Your hand is hard. You have a lot of cuts.”

I nod. “Yes, I do.”

She looks at her hand again. “I have lines too. Look.” She holds her hand uncomfortably close to my face.

Kya gently pulls the girl's hand from my face. She turns it over and runs her finger across the girl’s lines. “This is the heart line. It's the line that connects us to the alpha. He’s the heart of the pack.”

The girl looks at Kya with a contemplative gaze. “Then why did Uncle Kyle cut his line? He’s not the alpha, he’s family.”

I open my hand and look over the different lines. I know they have different meanings. I check my phone for the different meanings of the hand lines. “Hey, Doc. Can you try one more thing?”

The doctor wipes his hands as he sits next to Kya on the couch. “What do you want me to do?”

I open my hand. “Try cutting this line.” I point out the ring around my thumb, the family ring.

Doc takes Chase’s knife and runs it across the line around his thumb. Kya licks her thumb and runs it over Doc's cut. Everyone is quiet and holding their breath as we watch the cut slowly heal. The last drop of blood disappears.

Chase gasps. “What the hell? Kya, I feel you.”

Kya's heart races and utter triumph seeps into me as a tear runs down her face. “It worked! Dec, it worked!”

I pick up Kya’s little cousin. “You did it, Princess. You fixed Kya.” She giggles as I raise her high in the air.