The Mechanic's Mate (23 page)

Chapter 37

Sadie’s heart beat in her throat as Eridon pulled his arm back for another blow, knowing Domek couldn't take much more. Screaming in protest, her shrill tone transformed to a sorrowful howl, the sound ricocheting off cavern walls. With a clink, the shackles fell to the ground around her paws. The pain of bones breaking and reknitting passed without notice; nothing existed beyond Eridon trying to kill her love. She dove straight for the mecha arm—still drawn back—clamping down on wires and tubes, tearing them loose as she yanked her muzzle back.

Arm hanging limp at his side, he turned his head screaming, “You bitch!”

She and the cinnamon wolf both honed in on the real prize. The front of his throat, his trachea, with carotid pulses pounding on either side. Without pause she lunged for it. Hot blood filled her mouth as she bit down and tore back to rip out his airway. Diving back in, she gnawed deeper this time, trying for the spinal cord. Since all wereanimals are hard kills, Sadie had to make this one stick.

Feeling vertebrae crumble between her jaws, all of her strength drained and she couldn’t achieve her goal of separating head from body. Frustration overcame her, she needed absolute certainty Eridon could never recover from this. She fell back away from him, sighing with relief, her body shifting back to human.

So it's true, we die in this form.

The shift poured over her, devoid of pain. She turned her head, viewing Domek moving.
Still alive. Thank you goddess.

Floating in a haze, she fought for air as her body was lifted into warm arms. When she opened her eyes again, her alpha's face greeted her. Still tasting copper, she smiled at him, sure it looked quite macabre with blood stained teeth and lips.

Her strong, virile Domek’s voice cracked in panic. “I love you, Sadie. You can't leave me now.” Using his quiet stern alpha tone, he added, “I command it. I command you to stay with me.”

Sadie tried raising her arm to put a hand on his face, to smooth away his worry, but could only get halfway there. He reached out immediately, grabbing her hand and placing a kiss in her palm, and pressed it to the bristles on his cheek.

“I love you too, Alpha,” she whispered stroking her thumb along his cheekbone, “but I don't think we have a say in this.”

“Do you accept me as your mate? Please, Sadie.”

“No, Domek. I won't risk dragging you with me to death.” Hot tears ran down Sadie’s face, but whether they came from her, or him, she couldn’t tell.

“You don't know that will happen, and it doesn't matter. I don't want to continue without you.” He sniffled taking a deep breath, stating in an unsteady voice, “I won’t be able to continue without you. I’m begging you; just say the words, Sadie.”

“No . . . I can’t.” Sadie stared at his beautiful face. Even beaten and bloody, it remained the most spectacular thing she had ever laid eyes on. Ice-blue eyes she could practically swim in, thick black hair that she loved grabbing onto as he buried his face in her folds. She needed to memorize it, to carry with her.

Mind beginning to cloud over, an invisible line tugged her soul away. While fog floated over her, she imagined if things had gone as she wished. Envisioned their mating where she said 'I accept you as my mate', the celebrations, and lovemaking that would follow.

Through the gray mist enveloping her mind she heard more pack entering the cave.

“Eridon is dead,” spoken from a voice she believed to be Marek's, but it sounded so far away.

Although her body vibrated with the deep rumble from Domek's voice, it too sounded distant and muffled. She couldn’t understand the words. Other voices joined in, fading to whispers. Sadie found herself in a thickening haze.

With a loud cutting snap of shears the mist cleared revealing a bright gold colored room. Her hand held a thin, fraying thread. Sadie’s eyes traveled the thread’s length to an old woman holding scissors with the freshly cut end resting in her palm. On the crone’s right sat the mother, and further in, the maiden, all behind a loom creating an intricate tapestry.

She knew these women. She’d read their story to the pups, and many times just to herself. Knew why she stood here.

“So that was my life?”

The crone wrinkled her brow huffing. “No, that was Eridon's.”

“Doesn't mine go with his?”

The maiden giggled. “Look about your other wrist.”

She glanced down. Tied to her wrist coiled a thicker strand of thread. This line appeared thick, like the light jute rope Domek used during her punishments. Its length ran from her wrist, winding along the floor to the tapestry, twisting with another thread.

Sadie frowned. “What is this? I don’t understand.”

The mother answered this time saying, “As you became more tightly woven to your true soul mate, when you accepted him as your life mate, a stronger bond formed. Your first one remained incomplete because, being made in deception with closed hearts, it materialized thin . . . weak. So while it was strong enough to pull you here, you have a stronger tether to your mate on earth.”

The crone said, “I cut the bond with his life.” She chuckled. “First time that’s ever happened.”

Sadie shook her head in dismay exclaiming, “But I didn't say the words to Domek.”

A musical chuckling came from behind the tapestry as the most beautiful petite woman stepped around it. Her long flowing hair shifted from blue to white to green like a flowing river. She had an inner glow, radiating like luminescence found deep in the ocean. Her bright blue eyes, rosy cheeks, and berry colored lips highlighted perfect pale skin. She wore an earth-toned gown that hung over one shoulder draping to the floor. The stark contrast from water to earth colors of the goddess somehow managed to accentuate her beauty.

“I heard the words,” she intoned, admiring the piece the three women worked on. She handed the maiden a new thread asking, “Didn't you hear it?”

“Clear as day,” a singsong voice
replied.

“Oh goddess.” Sadie, tears brimming, knew different. “But that was just me imagining. Picturing what life would have been like, if I hadn’t . . .”

The goddess grinned at her with love, as she would a child, saying, “Yes I am . . . You know I should take offense that you say that so often.” She chuckled indulgently. “Anyhow, your heart said it loud enough for us to hear.”

The mother stated under her breath, “It practically shouted the words.”

Sadie startled at a deep rumbling laugh heralding the entrance of a man piled high and wide with muscles. His skin had a dark olive tone, clear by the amount he showed. Tattoos marked his body similar to those she saw on sailors and diesel militia. However his resembled a more tribal pattern exactly like the ones original found on the Picts of the British Isles. The markings ran in thick flowing lines following his impressive musculature. A black swirl twisted between his abdominal muscles blending into the hair that trailed down to hide beneath a fur kilt. His long wavy brown hair highlighted with amber had wooden beads strewn throughout. A wide grin through his full goatee made deep dimples above his neatly trimmed beard, which extended in a tight line along his jaw.

While she took in small details of his appearance scanning up his body, once she got to his head she found herself entranced by the enormous antlers atop it. They branched up like a large buck’s she only knew from National Geographic. However, his had an opalescent sheen that certainly no animal on earth had. Fascinated by them she pondered the existence of weredeer, moose, or jackalopes, picturing them in her head, but chose to keep those musings to herself.

The corner of his mouth kicked up giving Sadie a covert glance as he grabbed her goddess’s hand. He pulled it to his mouth, kissing the back of her fingers in an antiquated manner staring down to Gaia’s face adoringly. He smiled. “Ah, my love, don't be too hard on her, she says it only when she is amazed or surprised, as we all become in your presence.”

The goddess glared at him saying, “Stop being so charming,” just loud enough to be heard over the maiden’s giggles.

The horned god turned his attention back to Sadie, still holding the goddesses hand. “To answer your question, no . . . all Shifters are predators. Also neither your goddess nor I ever created a rabbit with antlers . . . that's just silly.”

She stared at him, mortified as he continued, “Now since I have indulged you, you may indulge me by saying 'oh god' once in a while . . . I don't mind. I even appreciate it.” He winked at her. “I might even recommend when it would best be used . . . Many times in succession.”

The goddess extricated her hand from his playfully smacking his arm. “Stop it! The wolves belong to me. Go play with your bears.” She approached Sadie embracing her in a warm hug whispering, “But you were mine even before you became wolf. You are so loved, Sadie.” She pulled back and framed Sadie’s face in her hands kissing her forehead.

The crone’s watery eyes met Sadie’s. “You'd best get back to him, mates don't like to be separated for so long.” She sighed wistfully. “You are strongest together.”

The horned god added, “Especially the male halves. We don’t do well without our females.”

The gray fog surrounded her again until it clouded her vision. Panicked, she called out, “I don't know which way to go!”

The maiden giggled.

“Just follow your heart,” the mother’s voice called out.

“Make haste, dear!” the crone added.

A warm embrace cocooned her filling the air with the goddess’ floral scent and the horned god’s wild musk, as though held in the circle of their arms. The panic subsided and she regained her strength, continuing blindly in search of her soul mate’s sandalwood and evergreen scent.

Chapter 38

“Damn it, Dom! It’s been three days and she’s still not waking up. You have to let it go. You have to let
her
go! Your pack needs their alpha,” Marek shouted from the doorway of Domek’s bedroom.

Domek had banned him from entering after the last time he brought this topic up. He refused listening to him. Just as he’d said when she first slipped into the coma, he couldn’t live a life deprived of her. Otik had prophesied his soul mate, and even if he had been too naive to believe it then, he knew the owl spoke true from the moment she stumbled into his life. How could anyone go on living without the other half of their soul?

Carrying her all the way back home, Dom bared his teeth at anyone who approached him offering help. Laying her on their bed, he refused to leave the house. He seldom left her side, but every moment he would get up, Kara would take his place. Like this moment. Standing to battle it out with Marek, Kara sat in the spot he vacated on the bed, verbally attacking her mate first.

Kara pointed, shouting, “Get out, Marek! No one lays a hand on her, and if anyone brings up ‘putting her down with wormwood’ again, I’ll put them out of their misery. I’m not doing this for just anyone. This is Sadie for goddess’ sake!”

“Has anyone seen Matus?” Domek demanded storming toward his beta. “He said he’d be back with new herbs to try.” He shoved Marek out of his way. “Did you have enforcers accompany him like I ordered?”

“Yes, Alpha, I sent them, but I don’t know how that would help since only Matus knows what they look like.”

A knock cut off their conversation. Domek bolted to the door, throwing it open. However the healer didn’t stand there, Smitty and Helena did.

“We are sorry to bother you again, Alpha, but Helena insisted we bring you something to eat,” Smitty apologized.

Helena scoffed. “I got tired of the old man pacing around the house wringing his hands, desperate to know if she’d woken up.”

Thank Gaia everyone knew Domek had little patience, so never felt hurt by his curt replies. “No, she’s not. Come in. Did you see Matus on your way here?”

Without replying Helena entered
the kitchen, lit the stove, and placed food in it to keep warm. She walked right past Marek and her mate, heading into the bedroom. Smitty looked crestfallen by his confirmation that Sadie still indeed hadn’t woken from her coma.

Placing his hand on Domek’s shoulder he said, “No, Alpha, would you like me to go find him?”

Without giving him a chance to reply, Helena walked back out. “I’ll go find him. I know all the areas he tends to look for his herbs. Smitty, go sit with Sadie, hold her hand and talk to her. Talk about smithing.” Stopping at the front door she glanced over at Domek, while addressing her mate. “And about other things she loves.”

Smitty turned toward his alpha for approval to do as his mate said. After permission was granted with a slight nod, the old man shot off for the bedroom. Marek moved in front of Domek, arms crossed over his chest. He just stood there, glaring at him. The tension closed in so thick a wolf couldn’t gnaw through it.

Marek softly said, “How is this even possible, Dom? How can she still be breathing? Eridon died . . . She
killed
him.”

Domek brought his hand to his face, rubbed his eyes, and then drug it down his tired mug. “She ripped his throat clean out and tried chewing through his spine, to save
me
. She sacrificed herself, to save me, Marek. So I have no idea how she continues to breathe. Perhaps it’s the incomplete mating, and the fading bond. I don’t know, but I will spend every waking minute figuring out how to bring her back to me, and I won’t tolerate anyone who stands in my way. Goddess or gods be damned, no one, not even the great deities, will keep us apart. Sadie’s my fated soul mate for goddess sake!”

In his desperation he pleaded.
Gaia
please
! I have been your loyal guardian and devoted follower. I’m so sorry I didn’t find her and protect her sooner. Please don’t take her from me. My heart now beats only for her. Please.
Yelling coming from their bedroom interrupted his prayer.

“Domek! Come quick! Full Moon and night skies! It’s Sadie! Come here now! Fast! Her breathing, it’s changing,” Kara yelled at the top of her lungs.

Oh goddess her death approached.
No Gaia! I begged you not to take her to the otherworld!

Running into the room, he moved Kara out of his way, sat on the bed, and pulled Sadie on his lap to hold her as she took her last breath. He lightly rocked her, crying. This time tears fell even harder than when he begged her to accept him as her mate while she faded in the cave. Stroking her hair he held her tight against his chest. Liquid saturated his shirt where her head pressed, but not from his tears. They were hers. Her body shook with sobs. Reaching for her face, he tilted it up. Her eyes opened, moisture welling, though not from sorrow.

“I found you!” Exuberant, she exclaimed, “Through the darkness, I found you.”

Domek squeezed her tight. “Thank Gaia! You’re here! You’re back with me, Sadie. I commanded you to stay, and you did.”

Her voice cracked. “Yes, you do need to thank Gaia. You should also thank the crone, mother, and maiden . . . maybe even the horned god.”

“Explain that in a moment, but first I need to just hold you. You were gone for so long, little rabbit.” Domek didn’t think he’d ever let go.

“What do you mean? I stayed in heaven for only a few minutes, an hour at most.”

He stroked her arm explaining, “Little rabbit, you slipped into unconsciousness in Eridon’s cave after killing him, three days ago. You’ve had the entire pack beside themselves. The healer’s been trying for days to wake you. During our rare times alone, I would try rousing you with my own methods. Yet, nothing, until now.”

She scoffed. “Three days? Impossible. Also, what do you mean the entire pack? I believe, dear Alpha, you exaggerate things for my benefit.” Before he answered she added, “Wait! What kind of methods?”

Domek chuckled and devoid of any true dominance, scolded her, “I did not give you leave to ask questions, and I do not lie, or exaggerate. Every member has been by our house checking in on you. Kara had a hell of a time getting the pups to leave as they all insisted on sleeping around you, keeping you warm until you woke. It took Headmistress Magda to get them out, but even she acted reluctant to leave.” He adjusted her so she sat in his lap facing outward, allowing her to take in their surroundings. “Look.”

He studied her reaction as she scanned the room, first spotting Smitty, then Kara, and finally Marek.
Wait. Didn’t I ban him from this room?
He would let it slide this time.

An emotional Sadie had a hard time getting out, “But, why? Why would everyone worry about me?”

Smitty replied in a matter-of-fact manner, “Well we love you. How couldn’t we love the other half of our alpha’s soul?”

Kara just had to pipe in, “Well she’s way more lovable than Dom.”

Sadie widened her eyes in shock, asking Smitty, “How did you know? Gaia only just told me.”

“What did Gaia say?” Domek asked.

Grinning, she turned her head to him. “That we did it. We are mated. Our souls connected, even before our hearts bound together in the cave.”

“But you didn’t say it. You went unconscious while I begged you to.”

He flashed back to the moment he pleaded with her, commanding her not to leave him. How as Sadie fell unconscious, his heart burned like fire, expanding in his chest. He had assumed it was a result of overwhelming heartbreak. Now it all came together.

“So you’re saying the goddess heard you, little rabbit?” Running his thumb along her bottom lip, he addressed only her. “I don’t know how I feel about you not using these lips, since I didn’t get the pleasure. I think that I still need to hear the words out loud, and be confident my mate will always tell me these types of things.”

Leaning his head down, he kissed her deeply, passionately, enjoying her heart’s insistent thudding against his chest. That’s when something Matus said came to mind. He slowed, and just held their lips together, listening to his own heartbeat, beating steadily in time with hers.

Not taking his eyes off Sadie he broke the kiss, calling out, “Everyone leave. Although Gaia has granted us our mating, I itch to mate this woman properly.”

He had to make sure she enjoyed all steps of a proper mating for a new wolf. His mate deserved a traditional event, filled with ceremonial words and actions, alone and among their pack. Miles away from what she endured the first time. Blue Wolf pack instantly sprang into action. Some spread out throughout his home, others doing their part about the enclave, completing their tasks with quick efficiency. Helena returned only seconds later with items Sadie would need, while Matus completed a prayer of blessing over the two of them as they still cuddled on their bed.

Matus stood by while Helena hung the ceremonial items, offering an arm to escort her home. After seeing them out, Domek sat next to Sadie. “Are you ready for our mating, little rabbit?”

She curled into his side replying, “I’ve been ready since the day you found me.”