Mates Don't Love

On Her Own, Sort Of

Amber’s POV

It’s been two weeks since Lucia arrived, and I can tell you she seems very happy.  She’s called her family daily to let them know she is doing well but always refuses to tell them where she is at.  She told me that as far as they know she is on a journey of self-discovery around the country.  I had to smile at that because knowing her family the way I did they wouldn’t have let her move away without an explanation.  Lucia wasn’t ready to tell her family about what had transpired between her and Brian just yet.  She still didn’t have her wolf.  My sources have told me that since she endured such a horrific trauma it is going to take some time for her wolf to surface if ever.  Nevertheless, she is still powerful in her own right she just has to realize it.  Lucia refuses to talk about what happened with her and that f**k wad and until she acknowledges it, she won’t heal.  I told her about my theory and how I don’t think she will get her second chance mate until she does, she just shrugged at me and told me how she didn’t believe in mates or the mate bond any longer.  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and needed to remedy that before she met her destiny.  For now, the powers that be told me to let her live her life and enjoy because soon enough her world was going to become hell.  She was going to face a battle like she has never faced before.  I shuddered at the thought that my good friend and protectee was going to have to face more danger than she could ever imagine.  Worse yet was that it was fated that I would not be able to interfere this was something she was going to have to take on herself.  At least I knew that the danger she faced was not going to include that f**k face Brian.

Lucia’s POV

“I know mom I love you to.  Yes, I’m being safe.  Mom please don’t cry I needed to get away.  I need to build my strength and get my mind back to where I can finally get my wolf.  I know mom.  I promise when I finally can communicate with her, I will let you know.  Yes, mom before I shift for the first time, I will come home so you can be with me.  Yes, I know mom I promised you that you would be there for my first shift.  Look I have to go now mom.  I love you.  Tell dad, Lucian, and Emily that I love them as well.  Bye mom talk to you again soon.”  I hung up the phone and cried.  I hated lying to them and making them worry about where I was, but I knew it was the only way.  I couldn’t have Brian finding out where I was.  He terrified me and I was certain he would track me down and finish the job this time.  I still had night terrors about that day and more memories kept coming to surface as the weeks were going by away from them.  I had suppressed the memories because they were too much to handle but apparently my subconscious was bringing them to surface slowly and surely.  Amber kept nagging me to talk about what happened and work through it so that I can find my wolf and my second chance mate.  I told her I don’t believe in the mate bond and that I don’t want a second chance mate.  I don’t want any mate.  Mates don’t love they only hurt you.  At least that’s what I have learned.  I know there are those mate bond that work hell look at my parents and even my brother but not for me.

“Lucia are you almost ready?  We told the guys we would be at the club at eight and it’s thirty minutes till right now.”  I sighed checked my makeup in the mirror and yelled back “heading down right now.”  As I got to the bottom of the stairs and Amber gave me a sigh.  “Mom was giving you a hard time again?”  It was actually more of a statement than a question.  I just nodded my head and we linked arms and went out of the house.  I was determined to make tonight fun and put my conversation with my mom out of my head.  “Amber, I love them all, but I just can’t be there right now with Brian and all he did to me.  I just need to find myself and I need to heal myself.  In the meantime, I need to have fun so tonight I declare no talk of home or family.  We are here to have a great time and nothing less.”

Amber’s POV

“Lucia are you almost ready?  We told the guys we would be at the club at eight and it’s thirty minutes till right now.”  I yelled up the stairs.  We were meeting her future mate and his protector at the club although neither of them knew they were meeting their mates.  We protectors knew what we were doing.  We were supposed to introduce them to one another and hopefully get the ball rolling.  “Heading down now” I heard Lucia yell back down the stairs.  I couldn’t help but smile that girl had lungs I had to admit.  When she reached the bottom of the stairs, I saw a hint of red around her eyes indicating that she had been crying.  “Mom was giving you a hard time again?”  I said more of a statement than a question.  She just nodded her head as we linked arms and headed out of the house towards the club.  She talked about how she just needed to find herself and heal herself but, in the meantime, she wanted to have fun.  She declared talk of home or family off limits.  I couldn’t agree more.  Tonight, was about trying to get the connection between her and Lucas going.  I want her to regain her wolf and take her rightful place as Lucas’ mate and Luna.  She will be so treasured.  Lucas has already said that he would treat her with love and respect when he finally finds his mate. We are hoping that even though Lucia doesn’t have her wolf that Lucas will feel the mate bond.

“What do you know about the guys we are meeting tonight, Amber?”  Lucia broke through my thoughts.  I wrapped my arms around her waist and said “Oh I’ve known Ronnie for quite some time.  Ever since I moved here so a few years now. But I don’t really know his friend Lucas.  I hear he is quite good looking.  They are both werewolves just so you know.”  Lucia looked at me in surprise and I went on to tell her “The club we are going to is for supernatural’s.”  “Why in the hell would you want to go to a club for supernatural’s?  Your human!”  I smiled at her and patted her hand.  “Lucia I’ve been going to this club for quite some time.  I’m actually more comfortable around supers than I am around humans.  It must be because of my being raised around you all that makes me that way.”  Lucia seemed to accept that explanation and we walked into the club.  Ronnie and I spotted each other immediately and I guided Lucia over to where they were sitting.  I was cautiously watching Lucas as Ronnie was watching Lucia.  I saw Lucas’ head snap up and he looked at Lucia like he was immediately in love.  “Hi there,” I said, “you must be Lucas.  Ronnie, you have such bad manners you didn’t introduce me to your friend.  I’m Amber and this is my best friend, Lucia.”  I could see Lucas’ eyes furrow and he then gave a million-watt smile “looks like our names are similar.  Pleased to meet two beautiful ladies.  Ronnie why didn’t you tell me we were going to be escorted by two such beautiful women.”  Lucia seemed to blush at the statement made from Lucas but if she was sensing anything else she didn’t let on in the slightest.  My favorite song came on the loudspeaker, and I looked over at Lucas and said “this is my favorite song, care to come dance with me.  Ronnie will be fine here with Lucia.  He doesn’t dance and I really need to dance to this song.”  I could tell that Lucas was torn but I needed to get him on the dancefloor away from Lucia so that I could determine if he felt the bond and then explain to him why he couldn’t follow his instincts to take her right here and now.  I could only hope he would listen.  Ronnie told me that he was a reasonable man and was kind and gently especially towards vulnerable women.  Lucas already knew most of his destiny and accepted it.