Finally Fixing Broken

chapter 4

FFB chapter 4

*Blaze*

Because we haven't spent much time together, due to outside influences, I haven't even got to take Ember on a proper tour of the territory. She's only seen the one place we have together at the waterfall. That is all. Today I'm taking her somewhere else. I'm taking her somewhere spectacular, a place of relaxation and rejuvenation. I'm so excited for her to see because I know that she will fall in love. And that is exactly what I want. I have already had a picnic packed and sent down, some times being the alpha has its perks, especially when it's for easy things like this, versus fighting a war.

Since I got Ember back, I really haven't even had time to spend with her. She has spent most of her time with the twins and I don't really blame her. She missed a lot with them. Even though she saw them in the dreamscape that wasn't really the same as being here with them. Yes, she saw them and the new things they did. But she missed the little things. Like giving them baths, brushing their hair and putting them to bed. The things most new parents take for granted and do without thinking of how wonderful the time is when they are smaller.

“Where are we going?” she asked in a curious voice that sounded a little unsure. That was another thing I noticed. The trip to the underworld brought back a lot of her past and we were almost back at square one. Most of the time she would flich at things again. I could see it in her face, she hated it.

“I can't tell you but trust me you are gonna love it.” I see the apprehension on her face. And I can't really blame her, once again she's been through so much. She gives me a weak smile letting me know that she's trusting me.

“If you say so.” She tries to sound sarcastic, but just comes across as scared.

I sigh

“We aren't leaving the territory. We are just visiting a new spot that I never had the chance to take you to.” I give her just enough information to make her feel comfortable, but not enough to disclose where we are going. It seems to pacify her, seein she doesn't ask any more questions and sets her hand into mine, intertwining our fingers.

Through the trees we could feel the sun touch our cheeks. Even for the time of year, it was a pretty warm morning. Not warm enough to walk around in shorts and a tank top, but jeans and a hoodie did you just right. And that is exactly what Ember was wearing.

“I remember the first time I saw you.” She breaks out of some thought she was deep in and looks at me with questioning eyes.

“It was this same time of year. It's hard sometimes to believe it's only been two years since that day.” I kept saying what I was saying and she let me.

“The weather was much like today. Warm in the sun, but cooler in the shade. I remember getting out of my truck and feeling it on my face, wishing that summer would come back. You see, I never really liked the fall or the winter. They were always so cold, I'm very lonely. At that point it had been 2 years that I had shifted, and I hadn't had any luck in finding my mate. “ I looked down at her and saw the guilt all across her face. I give a light squeeze to her hand.

“Yes I was discouraged. I was upset and I thought I was cursed by the moon goddess. You see, by this point I had gone to too many meetings with my father, how many parties and still I hadn't found her. But that day, something felt different. I was18 then, it was time for me to take over the pack and dad was ready to hand it off to me but one thing was missing. you. “ a small smile came across her face, almost begging me to keep going.

“I walked into class that day and was hit by the most wonderful smell of roses and lavender. It was accompanied by something that just wasn't right, something that made it shift the further away I was. But I got the biggest whiff of it when you ran out of the classroom. Maybe if I hadn't been momentarily distracted I actually would have been able to catch you before you locked yourself in the bathroom, but what I do remember is seeing you dressed and looking like you are today. In jeans and a hoodie, your head was pulled up hiding your beautiful silver hair. But I got to see that as you turned the corner in the hallway. From that moment all I wanted to do was to love and cherish you. “ I could feel her own cheeks blushing but I didn't stop there.

“We've been through a lot in the short time we've been together. Through many perils, danger and time apart. But one thing has never changed, well that's not entirely true.” I say correcting myself, because one thing has changed. She looks at me with a small glint of fear in her eyes and I know I'm fumbling.

“The only thing that has changed is that my love for you has never gone away but only grown. You have changed as well. When I first brought you home, you were this scared abused and broken girl. You were weakened by the things that your father had done to you, things that I can't even begin to imagine. And then you grew stronger, you came into your own and I was there by your side. And then once again you were ripped away from me, still broken and yet you still grow stronger. You have fought tooth-and-nail, many more battles that I could ever imagine and yet you still come out on top. And for these reasons, my love has grown stronger and I know it will continue to grow stronger until we are old and sitting on the front porch well while our grandchildren play in the yard. Now that all that has passed and we can have peace for once, we will work on fixing any piece of you that isn't as strong as I know you are. I will listen to any story you want to tell me and I will try not to get angry, but I do promise, I will not storm off.”

I stopped walking and grab her by both hands, turning her to face me.

“The war may be done, but the battles are not over. And I will fight with you to the end, I will fight for you.”

And with that I lean down and I kiss her, showing her the action behind the words I have just spoken to her. I mean every single word. She still feels broken on the inside. It's time that she sees the woman that I see, and to see she has the faith and confidence in herself that I have within her.