The Alpha Of The Shadow Pack And His Mute Luna (by Beatrice Putnam) novel Chapter 64

Chapter 64

Vanessas POV

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After talking to Alfred and crying my eyes out. I was exhausted from the day. Later, I woke

up screaming from a nightmare.

The nightmare

I was out in the garden getting vegetables for the cook, and Thomas came up behind me.

“That ass is so inviting.

Go away, Thomas.”

I was not in the mood to deal with him or feel his hands all over my body. The urge to throw up hit me when he touched me, his scent a mixture of body odor and sex. As fear turned to anger, I spat in his face in defiance as he grabbed my hair and forced me up. He responded by slapping me, knocking me to the ground, then flipping me over and tearing at my clothes. Weak as I was, I fought him with everything I had left. Just as he moved to enter my ass, panic overwhelmed me, and I woke up screaming, my heart pounding.

Reality

Alfred holds me as I cry, my gratitude battling with the lingering fear from the nightmare. He briefly mentions Thomas but stops me, not wanting details, which gives me relief, since part of me can’t bear to relive it. My body still aches from the day, and being knocked out triggered the nightmare, intensifying my vulnerability. Although I still have nightmares, they occur less frequently now, bringing a flicker of hope. I hope that

continues.

The nightmares still feel so real, leaving my body aching and my mind unsettled. I cried myself back to sleep, frustration and sadness mingling as the night dragged on in restless fragments. Each time I woke from another nightmare, exhaustion and despair grew. By the time I woke for the day, numbness replaced rest. Alfred was gone, likely off to his duties. I decided to take a hot bath, seeking comfort and trying to relax. As the warmth soothed my aching body. I wanted to find an outfit for after the mating ceremony–I wasn’t going to dance in my dress and possibly ruin it. Knowing Alfred had spent a considerable amount on it, I wanted to keep it as something special–a memory to treasure instead of

ruin.

Little one, are you OK?”

“I hurt all over.”

“It feels like my body is on fire.”

Alfred quickly rushed to the tub and helped me out, removing my wet clothes before fetching a towel. He dried me off–something he did often, and something I loved–even though I was capable of doing it myself. Afterward, he brought me fresh pajamas, and I got dressed. It was still early, only ten in the morning.

“Little one, how are you feeling now?”

“I’m alright now.”

He offered me the same tea his mother once gave me. The flavor was comforting, and it eased my pain–a relief, since I disliked the doctor’s pain medication for its drowsiness. I wanted to be awake more often, having spent most of my time here asleep. After lunch, I dressed in sweats and a t–shirt, eager for a walk after feeling so trapped.

Little one, are you sure that you are OK to go for a walk?”

Yes, I am.”

ន

We walked around the academy’s track. Alfred matched his pace to mine, allowing me to set it. The simple act of walking felt amazing. After being kidnapped and bedridden for so long, being productive became my goal. I no longer wanted to play the damsel in distress. After our walk, we returned to the house, where Alfred had some tasks to attend to. Deciding to find Stacey, I discovered her training in the pool and sat to watch for a while.

Hey Vanessa, would you like to swim?”

”

‘I don’t know how.”

“Alfred is teaching me to float.”

”

‘That’s him for you. He takes his time.”

Go put your suit on and come join.”

Deciding it would be alright, I changed into my swimsuit and entered the shallow end of the pool. Even there, the water rose above my chest, though it was pleasantly warm. I splashed around, simply enjoying being in the water. When I eventually began to feel cold, I climbed out and took a quick shower to rinse away the chlorine. After pulling on my sweats, I went to find a snack and discovered Mac making a cake in the kitchen, signaling the next phase of my day.

“What is the cake for?”

“It’s for your mating ceremony.”

To my surprise, the mating ceremony would include not just a ritual but also a cake and a party. I had only expected a ceremony. Dancing had always been part of it, but I never imagined food. Adjusting to these traditions would take time. In my old pack, celebrations mainly involved dancing and drinking, with many ceremonies held privately. Few wanted my parents to attend. Each year, a ceremony marked those who turned eighteen and found their mates.

My father attempted to enact a law stating that if they did not invite them to their ceremonies, they would be imprisoned, but he never actually enforced that law. It was more to scare people than anything. He never put anyone in prison for it. Which I’m sure they were grateful for. But he was a monster, and nobody liked him. After sitting in the dining room and eating the sandwich Mac had made for me, I decided to go and see if I could help him with anything.

Mac, can I help with anything?”

Can you help roll out the dough?”

Sure can.”

He was making cinnamon rolls. I carefully floured the table and put the dough on it. I then floured the rolling pin and rolled out the dough. He showed me that you put your cinnamon and sugar mixture on it with some butter. We finished doing that, and he showed me how to roll them up. I completed that, then he cut them and put them in a pan, setting them aside. I helped him get dinner ready. By the time we were done, Alfred walked through the kitchen door.

“What’s going on here?”

He asked after he walked up to me and kissed me.

“I helped make dinner.”

He looked shocked. I knew how to cook and do most things. His expression told me that

he didn’t think I could. I was taught a few useful things. I then excused myself and went

and changed for dinner. I had flour and grease all over me. It was refreshing to help in the kitchen. I was tired, but it was a good tired. After I washed up and got changed, I went to

the dining room. Mac brought out the food. He seemed to savor every bite as he took it.

Mac had announced that Luna had helped prepare dinner. It seemed like everyone had

come for dinner. I smiled.

Little one, I did not know you could cook like this.‘

as g

That was a compliment. I was grateful that he was enjoying it. I ate a huge plate myself, and then Alfred pulled me up out of my chair.