The Alpha Of The Shadow Pack And His Mute Luna (by Beatrice Putnam) novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Vanessa POV

After waking up again, Alfred was still holding me. I was still wrapped up in the blankets

like a burrito. My body ached all over. I noticed I was going from hot to cold and back

from hot to cold. I did not even have to look at Alfred to know he was still concerned. I

could feel it. I did not need to look at him to know that. Ever since he marked me, I have

felt his emotions. I was not sure that I wanted to feel them. I could almost hear his

thoughts as well. I knew he was not happy with Sasha, my wolf. I thought Leon, his wolf, was beautiful. He had gorgeous brown fur with a white stripe down his spine.

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At that point, his wolf and my wolf had a conversation. I’m not 100% sure a lot has happened today. My first shift occurred in front of everybody. It only lasted for a few seconds, and then I felt like I was going to be burnt alive in my skin. Then, while I was in and out of consciousness, I was put in an ice bath to cool me off. I was embarrassed that the queen carried me naked to the house and then helped me get into the tub. She must have thought I was such a weakling and not fit to take her place someday.

I then woke up, wrapped like a burrito in Alfred’s arms. Being in Alfred’s arms is something I want to do for the rest of my life. I was having doubts about shifting again. It was painful, and the aftermath that I felt in my body was unbearable. But they say if you make it through your first shift, then every time after that, it gets easier and easier. When

I’m stronger, it will not feel like that. Alfred then asked if I was hungry, and I said yes. He then left to get some food. When he returned, he had two sandwiches. He ate his pretty fast. I ate mine more slowly. Then he went into the bathroom and turned the water on. What was he doing? I had no idea, but I smelled vanilla from the toilet. He is running me

a bath.

Then he helped me out of the blankets as I struggled to get out of them. He then carries

me to the bathroom and gently puts me in the tub. The warm water feels so wonderful against my hurting body. My muscles are tense from shifting and then from hot to cold. I can hear him in the bedroom, taking the sheets and stuff off the bed. I’m assuming they were wet, although I didn’t notice they were wet with as many blankets as I was wrapped in. I thought about calling him, but I thought better of it. After today, he might not feel like talking or even being with me in the bathtub as much as I wanted him to join me. I

left the subject alone and then heard the bedroom door shut.

I did not know if it was because the bathtub was so big or because I was so small. It’s not

like a standard bathtub. The edge of the tub comes up to my chin. Fithe

ay, it comes up

to my chin. The water is just above my breast already, just sitting up. I can’t help but lean back, rest my head against the wall, and close my eyes to enjoy this warm bath. It was nice not to be afraid that somebody was going to come in and try to kill me while I

bathed. For the first time in my entire life, I knew I was 100% safe.

I had mixed emotions about the punishment that Alfred gave my parents, and I don’t even know what happened to that woman named Veronica. I don’t know if she was sentenced to punishment, what happened to her, or if she was even brought up to trial. That was a lot to think about, but right now, at this very moment, I am trying to clear my mind as I leaned back in the bathtub and closed my eyes. Sasha, my wolf, started speaking to me.

“I’m sorry”

“What for”

“I know you’re not healthy enough to shift, but I wanted to help Leon.”

“As his mate, you had every right to feel that way and want to help him,”

She does have a point. I am not strong enough to shift most young people who change for the first time. They stay in wolf form for about five minutes or so; every time after that, they can stay and will form longer and longer. I knew it was going to take time for me to be able to do those things. I looked in the mirror today for the first time in a long time and noticed that I was putting some weight on, which I was fine with. I didn’t like looking like a skeleton wearing clothes, so I was happy with the results.

The bones in my cheeks were no longer sticking out. My eyeballs were not like round balls under my skin. I had also noticed that my breasts were getting bigger. They say the first place a woman gains or loses weight is in the breasts and the face. I think that is true. I closed my eyes and was enjoying the bath when I smelled Alfred. He smelled like coffee and chocolate. I loved his scent, and I loved his presence. He stood over me for a while, just watching me bathe. He then sat down on the toilet.

Little one, I would join you, but if I did, I could not keep my hands to myself.”

I pretended to pout. He chuckled.

I know you’re disappointed, so am I, but we have had a long day.”

“This bath is just for you to relax.”

“I’m going to get a warm towel and get you some clean pajamas.‘

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He then got on his knees and kissed me. He left the room again, and I heard the door open again. This person did not smell like Alfred.

“Who there.”

“Forgive me, Luna.”

“I was looking for Alfred.”

It was his mother. She stood outside the bathroom door. I was still trying to gain my

composure. Then I heard the door to the bedroom open again. I heard Alfred

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Mother, is something wrong.”

No, I wanted to come check on both of you.”

I sensed some tension coming from the queen. A towel was in the bathroom, and I got out of the tub and wrapped it around myself.

“Your majesty.”

I said as I bowed to her.

Vanessa, I wanted to talk to you, not Alfred.”

what did she want to talk to me about?

* I wanted to see if you wanted to wear my wedding dress for the ceremony.”

I also wanted to assure you that you are welcomed into the family.”

My mouth dropped open.