The Warrior's Child (Completed)

Chapter 3

Brendon

I am sitting next to Abe’s bed. The room is now empty except for him and me. The only sound is the constant beep of the monitor and Abe’s steady breathing. I just got off the phone with Clara, Kamaria’s mom. She’s going to call her and break the news to her then Kamaria will call me to talk to Abe.

Stephen linked me when he told Summer about the situation and she is saddened about her mentor and for her best friend. She linked me right after, and I could hear the heartbreak through her link. I will have to check on her later, but right now Stephen is the only one who will be able to calm her. That’s the benefit of the mate bond. I am trying to keep Abe as comfortable as possible.

My phone rings. It’s an unknown number and at this time it could only be Kamaria. I answer as quickly as I can.

“Hello.”

“Hi...um...This is Kamaria...I” She doesn’t give me the Alpha greeting and tonight I don’t care about those formalities. She is stampering over her words, unable to make a complete sentence and I don’t want to make her ask the question that seems so hard for her to form.

“Hold on one second.” I gently shake Abe to wake him up. I put the phone on speaker and place it on his pillow next to his head. I want to leave the room and give them privacy, but I want to be near in case his pain comes back. Kamaria is already a wreck and hearing him scream like he was earlier will definitely send her over the edge. I decide to stand in the corner of the room. That way I can give them space and be available to transfer his pain.

“Hello, my sweet pup.” I can hear Abe say. Somehow he has a smile on his face. Even though I have been transferring his pain, I know he is still feeling a good amount of it.

“Baba?” Kamaria’s voice is mouselike and shaking. She is trying not to break down on the phone. I remember when we were younger when Abe would go out on assignments how hard she would take it. He was gone for a weekend once and she sat in a ball in the corner of Summer’s room for the entire time. I remember feeling bad for her then. This whole situation, tonight, is making me sick to my stomach.

“You know I love you, right?” I can hear Abe’s breathing pick back up with his words.

“Yes, Baba. I know. I love you too.” Kamaria is doing a good job holding it in. She and Abe are trying to be strong for each other.

“I am so proud of you. I am so happy to be your Baba. I will never be able to thank the moon goddess enough for blessing me with you.”

His breathing starts to get more difficult so I walk over and place a hand on his arm. I am transferring his pain, but it’s not relieving anything. I put both hands on him, hoping to give them a little more time. Abe reaches over and pats my hand motioning for me to take the phone. I look at him wanting to question him, but he only nods his head. Reluctantly, I grab the phone.

“Tell her I love her.” He tells me through his labored breathing.

“Kamaria, he wants me to tell you he loves you.” I’m met with silence. She is probably trying to cover her cries.

“I love you, Baba, I love you so much” She is finally able to speak and for the first time on the call I can hear whimpering. My heart feels like it's sinking.

Abe’s breathing picks up even faster. He grits his teeth and lets out a pained groan. Then throws his head back and lets out a long pained howl. I can hear Kamaria sobbing on the phone now and then she lets out a loud, sad howl. The monitor gives up its steady beeping and holds a long note as if it's trying to compete with them both.

----

Opening my eyes today, I am finally starting to feel like myself again. I was out for three days after the situation with Abe. Pain transferring isn’t meant to be a long term activity. It’s meant to give the wolf some relief so they can heal faster. The amount of pain Abe was in coupled with the amount of time I was transferring had completely drained me. This is one of those situations where a mate is beneficial. I can work out to make myself physically stronger or faster, but only the mate bond would enhance my Alpha powers. I would be able to heal quicker, take more pain, even my reflexes would improve.

Stephen has been handling all of my affairs allowing me to take the time to recover. Him and Summer took the reins on the funeral arrangements. I think it was good for Summer to be involved that way. Abe was her mentor and Kamaria her best friend. She just wanted to do something to feel like she was helping in a helpless situation. Stephen told me she has been running all over the place preparing the arrangements and has been glued to Kamaria and her mother since they arrived two days ago. Later today she will be escorting them to the service. I haven’t had a chance to see them at all because I have only been up for thirty minutes at a time, but today I feel like my strength has returned to me.

I get out of the bed and head to the bathroom, turning the shower water on as soon as I enter. I give it a minute to warm up while I get out my towels. Getting into the warm water feels like I am washing away all of the drowsiness. I take the time to wash my hair. With the way the last three days have gone, I really feel the need to wash every inch of me to get rid of that drained feeling. I need to find my mate fast, if she is really out there, because this whole situation has me feeling weak. What if we were attacked during these last three days? I am sure that I could put up a good fight, but they would definitely have an advantage.

“Sir, we need to be down there in 30 minutes.” Stephen’s link is a pleasant break from my downward spiral of thought.

I turn off the shower and grab the towel to wrap it around my waist. I grab another to dry my hair. I will probably put my shoulder length hair in a man bun today, less room for error if I just throw it back. Leaving out of the bathroom, I walk over to the closet to get dressed in my black suit.

-----

The service is being held in the woods just behind our grounds in a small clearing area. I stand in the middle of the clearing with Stephen standing next to me with all of our warriors and fighters gathered in front of us in eight straight columns. A warrior stands in front of them holding a dun dun drum. He signals us to start by making eight strong beats on the drum. This represents Abe’s moonrise. Our response is a moment of silence that even the trees and animals seem to respect today. The warrior then plays eight more strong beats. This represents Abe’s moonset. The sound travels through the trees but doesn’t interrupt the peace they have given off. Not one single creature moves. Summer approaches us with Kamaria next to her and Clara, Kamaria’s mom, following closely behind them. Kamaria is wearing a black knee length dress, her hair is pulled back into a low bun. Even with her hair shaved on the side she looks sleek and classy as they walk up. She holds her head high and is wearing a blank face as a mask for the emotions she must be feeling inside. I can’t help but notice how beautiful she is. Has she always been this gorgeous? I suddenly catch her scent and it makes me twitch. It is the most amazing aroma I have ever smelled. Like a lemon tree that makes my mouth water.

“Mate!” Miko let’s out.

I move toward her with some outward force leading me, somehow maintaining enough control to not overwhelm her. Putting my hand on the small of her back, I escort her to stand next to me. Summer and Clara don’t miss a step and stand in their respected places in front of the warriors.

Kamaria

I have been in a daze for the last few days. Every once in a while I snap out of it and realize I am in a different location. I don’t even remember getting on the plane, but somehow I’m back at Dark Moon I remember the last howl my father made and that I howled. Loud and painfully. I’m pretty sure my neighbors have a lot of questions. I remember a hug from my mom where I sobbed for what seemed like hours. Summer was the next face I remember. And now I’m standing in the middle of the forest. I’m not even sure how many days have passed. I have just been going wherever I’m pulled.

My mom and Summer are standing on either side of me, each holding one of my hands. We are all dressed in black. My mom’s brunette hair pulled back into a low ponytail. Summer’s short cut natural red hair is slicked back. They are saying something to me, but I can’t focus enough to make out what they are saying. I hear the eight beats. Moonrise. Followed by a moment of silence. There’s another eight beats. Moonset. Now it’s time for us to go in. My mom gives me another hug and stands behind Summer and me and we walk to the clearing where everyone is standing. As we walk up the Alpha approaches us. Is that Brendon? Is Brendon the Alpha? I feel like I’m going crazy. I don’t even know basic things at this moment. It wouldn’t surprise me if I couldn’t say my own name. All of my strength is going towards holding a straight face and keeping my emotions at bay.

Brendon puts his hand on the small of my back and leads me to stand next to him. Somehow his touch is giving me the extra strength I need because I for sure was ready to break down. I don’t remember anything that was said at the ceremony. I just remember a hand on the small of my back. All I can focus on is that hand.

Brendon

After the funeral service ends I lead everyone to the dining hall, my hand remaining on the small of Kamaria's back. It's taking everything in me not to solidify the mate bond with something deeper than a touch, but at least I can be close to her and protect her this way. I am positive that she has not realized our connection yet. She seems like she was using all of her strength just to stand during the service. It's not usually customary for anyone but my Beta to stand with me in front of the bereaved at the funerals, but when I saw the pain in Kamaria's eyes I needed her to be next to me, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to focus. When I put my hand on her back I noticed she stood taller. Even if she hadn't mentally realized the bond, her body seemed to be reacting.

We make it to the dining hall and find our table. Summer was so anxious about all of the details that she had linked me while I was half conscious a day ago to ask me about the menu. She had decided on chicken, rice, and gravy with roasted vegetables. It was a good choice. All of her choices were really good choices. I know she had her share of stress dealing with one friend in mourning and the other unconscious to the world for three days, but she had set everything up beautifully. I have to remember to thank her.

Clara reluctantly tells us she has to get back to her pack for work. She gives Kamaria a hug goodbye and Summer offers to escort her to her car. I stand as they leave, my hand not moving from having some form of contact with Kamaria.

Kamaria is still masking her emotions, not displaying the sadness she must be feeling on her face. It’s understandable that she may be having a difficult time and I don't think she is up for the small talk that usually happens at these things. Not to mention that some of the people in attendance just found out Abe had a daughter. It wasn’t a secret, just not something we shouted from the rooftops. More so out of habit, but there was some intention behind it that it kept her safe in case anyone wanted to use her to take revenge on Abe. I link everyone in the room that we will arrange for them to give their respects to her another day, but for now, to leave her alone to eat.

"Kamaria, I will be right back. I want to get you a plate. You think you'll be able to eat a little bit?" I ask her. She gives me a small nod in response. I don’t want to force food on her, but I'm positive she hasn’t been eating. Another trait she had when we were kids and Abe would be sent on missions.

I stand up from my seat looking down at her. I am apprehensive about leaving her even for a second. I don't know if I will even be able to work at this rate. Just then Summer comes back over to us. She puts her arms around us both hugging us in and making me bend down awkwardly.

"I am so happy to have both of my friends in the same room!" She exclaims with both excitement and condolences somehow. My eyes stay glued to Kamaria as she looks up at her friend and smiles. It's not a fake smile. It's a real, genuine, I'm-hurting,-but-I'm-happy-in-this- moment smile.

A warrior approaches, bringing me a plate. I wiggle out of Summer’s embrace, take the plate from him, and place it in front of Kamaria. As quickly as I had stood up to leave and get her something to eat I realized I didn't want to leave her side. So I had linked one of the warriors to bring me a plate over.

Stephen walks up to our table with two plates. No doubt he is concerned for his mate. She hasn’t been sleeping well since she found out about Abe, and she has been distracting herself with monotonous tasks and extra workouts.

"Is that for me?" Summer’s attention goes to Stephen while she stands next to Kamaria now cradling her head against her stomach.

"Of course, baby." Stephen replies then looks over at me. “Oh I'm sorry, Alpha, I thought someone brought you a plate over.”

"No, I'm fine. Everyone please eat." I really wasn't hungry. I just wanted to focus on Kamaria.

Summer moves to take Kamaria's face with both hands, tilting her head so they are looking into each other’s eyes. Summer makes a silly face and Kamaria gives her another genuine smile. My heart feels lighter knowing that she is starting to feel at ease.

Summer goes over to sit next to Stephen. Kissing him as he pulls out her seat. I take my seat next to Kamaria, my hand going to the top of her back.

A moment later a plate is set in front of me. I look up at Stephen who just nods. He must have felt guilty and linked one of the warriors to bring it over. I am thankful for my considerate Beta. Although I really wasn't hungry, he wasn't going to have a plate of food for himself and not get me one. It’s easy to see why the moon goddess put those two together.

I look over at Kamaria, she is finally eating. Her mocha color skin seems like it's regaining its color from the grey tone it had taken. I smile, my heart again becoming lighter like one less weight is holding it down. As a show of solidarity, I start eating too. Hoping that by eating I can somehow transfer my energy to her.

"Kamaria, if you want we can go by the house after this." Summer suggests. Stephen told me earlier that Summer wants to take her to Abe’s house in hopes of helping in the grieving process. We also have to arrange to have it packed up, but that part can wait.

"Yeah, that's fine. I should make arrangements for his things." She speaks. It’s the first time I’ve heard her voice in person in seven years. My heart is flying around in my chest. Her voice has to be the most angelic sound I ever heard.

I look at her, rubbing her back. "You don't have to do that today, you can wait." Her eyes meet mine and I think my entire body melted.

"That's right, all of the formalities can wait." Summer tells her. Kamaria breaks our gaze and looks over at her friend. "But I think it might be good for you to take some time and see his place." Summer adds. Kamaria nods her head and takes another bite of food.

"Sorry to interrupt sir, but you have a call in your office." One of the Deltas links me.

I look over at Kamaria. I didn't even want to leave her to grab a plate of food, I definitely don't want to leave her for work. At least she's talking now and seems less tense. I can leave for a little while with that knowledge.

"I have to go for a second, but I will be right back." I tell her before looking over at Summer. "When are you guys going to head over to the house?"

"After we finish up here. Is that cool?" Her question is towards Kamaria who nods in reply.

"Okay, I'm being called to the office, I'll meet you guys over there." I get up to leave and see Stephen doing the same.

"Stay with them. I won't be that long." I link to him. He nods at me and takes his seat again.

I walk across the room and make way for my office with all intention of being in and out. No matter what comes up today, my focus is going to be on Kamaria.