Recrudescence

“Did you do that because I killed your wife?”

A long exasperated sigh was heard from the phone. Sonia hurried to hang up before her father could answer. She already knew what he would say, and she had no strength to hear it.

Alpha Omar was perplexed. The phone call didn’t go as he expected. It was supposed to help his case, but the outcome was surprising, to say the least. In fact, it added more questions than it answered.

Maria lost her battle against cancer a year ago. Why Sonia thought she was the one who killed her? What happened between the father and daughter?

He saw how tired and broken Sonia seemed when she hang up the phone. She didn't even make eye contact with him when she excused herself to go to the room to rest.

It took all his self control not to go after her, to hold her and to tell her that every thing would be all right. That she didn't have to carry her burden alone anymore. He was here now, and ready to carry it with her, or for her, if she would let him.

It was like all these months back, when he saw her for the first time at her mother's funeral. Her eyes had no sparkle of life. She was there but not totally there.

The same pain he felt back then exploded in his chest now. The same urge to protect her and shield her from everything bad in life.

Usually, the day a werewolf found his mate was the happiest day of his life.

The experience was supposed to consume all his senses in the best way possible. The alluring scent, the perfect sight, the hypnotising voice then the tingling touch. Like a puzzle put in its place, he should have felt complete. But that feeling was quickly ripped from him when he really looked at her. She was a shell of a person.

He stood by her side for hours without her acknowledging his presence.

He talked to her but she didn't listen.

He offered his condolences but she just scoffed. It was a very soft scoff that escaped her lips after a polite thank you. She didn't even look at him.

She was lost. Maybe in her sorrow, maybe in her memories or maybe in the thousand pieces of her broken soul.

She was in a dark place even the mate bond couldn't bring her out of it.

Truthfully, she didn't give him a chance. Just like now. He even doubted that she remembered him at all.

He went to her father with the news, but he sent her away in a heartbeat before they could even meet properly.

Omar couldn't help but think that the old man didn't approve of them being mates.

Well too bad for him he didn't ask for his approval.

So, Omar pushed him and used every possible way to pressure the man to tell him her location or let him meet her. Josef caved in the end.

But now looking at Sonia, he thought maybe he made a mistake by waiting. Maybe his attempt to be civil and follow the human ways did more damage to her than if he claimed her and brought her to his pack the wolf's way.

His phone rang. The screen showed Josef's name. Good, he thought, He needed explanations.

“You have some explaining to do,”he said, ice dripping from his words.

“it's complicated,” Josef replied frustrated, “I prefer explaining everything in person when I come back. For now, please keep an eye on Sonia. Please, just keep her with you until I come.”

“I can’t keep her here against her will," Omar refused, not wanting to risk his chance with his mate.

“It's for her best!—” Josef insisted, but Omar cut him quickly,”I think she is an adult and she is capable of determining what's best for her.”

“You don't understand, she is unstable right now, she could harm herself or others. I just want you to keep her safe until I come back.”

Josef's words successfully implanted a seed of doubt in Omar's mind.

Her father knows her better. What if she is depressed or suicidal? He couldn’t help but wonder, is the man a good parent or a good liar? he couldn't tell.

“Will see.” With that he cut the phone call.

The alpha couldn’t stay cooped in his study any longer. This encounter with Sonia and her father drained him mentally and emotionally.

His wolf was very unsettled by his mate's turmoil, he decided to go for a run. It was a good opportunity for his wolf to let off some steam.

He went to the changing room, designed for shifting, on the ground floor of the pack house.

A very good addition, he thought while opening the door. It was an original idea that the youth of the pack came up with, during one of the brainstorming meetings the pack held once a year.

At the beginning, Omar thought these meetings are beneficial to the younger wolves to feel included and more responsible toward the pack, but he was delighted by the number of ideas these kids could come up with.

He has to set some rules though. They will work in groups, the ideas should be sorted and presented after being thoroughly researched: like mini projects.

These rules settled well with the duality of competition-cooperation that characterises every pack.

As the group suggested, they made a simple room with benches and lockers, the walls at the left and the right of the room had four doors each, which opened to the showers. The opposite wall had six doors that opened to stall-like cabins where they shift. Some clean basic clothes were always there.

Omar shifted to his agouti grey beast with darker fur on the ears and legs and lighter on the body.

He pushed, the cowboy door leading to the outside and went in a slow jog until he reached the wood, then, he sprinted in a faster run.

The run always affected him and his wolf alike. The freedom he felt, and the connection with the nature never failed to clear his mind and boost his energy.

When he felt relaxed enough, Omar decided to head back.

Before he could cross the tree line at the border of the forest, he saw his mate in the same grey hoodie dress he gave her this morning, only now it covered half her beautiful face.

He stood in his place not knowing what to do. His wolf wanted to bolt in her direction and rub his scent all over her, but Omar didn't want to scare her.

It was a battle to hold the beast back.

Suddenly, as if she sensing his presence, Sonia lifted her head and locked eyes with the wolf.

He could see surprise then curiosity passing her honey coloured eyes. Then she did the unexpected.

Hesitantly at first, then more confidently, she walked towards him which excited the beast to no end, if the mad wiggling of his tail was any indication.

At an arm length distance, she extended her hand to touch his head.

The wolf took advantage of Omar's stunned state, and launched at his mate licking her face and jumping around her joyfully.

This behaviour was very unlike the great alpha of the west claw pack that Omar almost felt embarrassed for him, but Sonia's light-hearted laughter made it all worth it.

The two settled down into a sitting position, after playing around for a while.

Sonia was leaning on the tree trunk. Her legs extended in front of her; while the enormous beast lied beside her. His head on her lap. Still excited, his eyes were twinkling like an insatiable Chihuahua.

Omar, also, was very satisfied. The fact that his human mate accepted his animal side meant the world to him.

“ Thank you Omar.” Sonia said with a smile adorning her face.