chapter 37

~Tessa~

When Tessa woke again, she was met by the blinding rays of the mid-morning sun. She quickly rubbed her eyes to clear her blurred vision. Once she was able to see, she looked around her empty bedroom. She was alone. Tessa rested her head in her hands, contemplating her next move and with a deep breath, she threw the comforter off and rose from the bed. The soft thick fabric of her robe fell down her body, encasing her hiding her. The extra layer was welcomed after she was emotionally stripped raw earlier that morning. Thankfully, she could feel her courage being restored with new purpose as she thought about the war coming.

Taking her first steps, Tessa felt her damp hair skim her cheek, reminding her about the sweet way Dainin cared for her before she fell asleep. Just the thought of his large rough hands, carefully washing every inch of her, sent a rush of heat throughout her body. She had never been treated that delicately before. Tessa closed her eyes, pulling her robe tighter and inhaled the last lingering remnants of his scent. She could feel the way his breath played against her ear as he whispered reassuring promises as if he was there. Honestly, she wished he were. 

Tessa wanted nothing more than to feel his large arms wrapped securely around her, protecting her. She never thought she would ever seek protection from anyone, she was always the protector. “If only we never got up this morning,” Tessa thought to her wolf, who only whined in a pained response. They both wished they remained safely in bed with their mate and none the wiser to this new brutal truth, but they both knew this crime couldn’t remain hidden any longer.

With a fresh sense of determination, Tessa walked to the bathroom, splashing cold water over her face to rid the burning sensation from her eyes. She faced her reflection in the mirror and was not surprised when she was met with a horrid expression. With a frustrated sigh, Tessa began applying a light amount of makeup, hoping to hide the rings around her eyes. She needed to show the other Alpha’s her strength, not weakness, when they arrived today. 

Some Alphas were still were on the fence about a female Alpha and Tessa didn’t want to add more fuel to the fire. As she stretched her limbs, Tessa noticed her body felt refreshed, but her mind felt sluggish and drained. Her heart was screaming at her to just get back under the comforter, but Tessa knew she had to get ready and face this threat head on. She couldn’t hide like some coward.

She needed to protect her pack and fulfill her new mission of avenging her family properly. Their murderer lived a life of luxury for too long, manipulating and betraying all who trusted him. Tessa closed her eyes sending a silent apology to her family as she fought back the tears once more. All she could see was the cocky grin on John's face as he confessed his crime proudly in the woods. “He and all who follow him will lose their lives in the end. An eye for an eye,” her wolf growled, making goosebumps rise all over Tessa's body at the sound of her tone. They were both on the same page, John will know the meaning of pain when she was done with him.

As Tessa was drying her hair, the bathroom door swung open with a gust of air rushing behind her. The room soon became filled with her mate’s scent, adding an instant sense of calmness around her. Tessa smiled shyly, meeting Dainin’s eyes in the mirror. She noticed his heavy breathing began to slow as he sighed in relief. He moved his body closer to her, holding her eye contact through the reflection. Tessa was confused by the sly smirk on his face and that's when she noticed that, while her god like mate had her distracted, the blow dryer was blowing her hair wildly around. 

They both began to laugh as she turned it off, placing it back on the counter. Dainin placed his large hands on her hips, turning her body around to face him and he engulfed her in a warm hug. Tessa wrapped her own arms around his waist, feeling content. “I’m relieved to see you’re up and smiling,” he stated softly, leaving a kiss against her neck. Tessa reveled in the moment, wishing it would never have to end. “You took such great care of me how could I sulk in bed all day,” she teased, feeling Dainin bury his head into her neck impossibly further.

Pulling herself out of his embrace, Tessa gently placed her palm against his rough cheek and met his gaze once more. “In all seriousness, thank you. I needed that,” she admitted, stroking his cheek with her thumb. “I needed you.” She whispered as her hand moved up behind Dainin’s neck. She pulled him close, placing a gentle kiss against his lips. Her intentions were to keep it innocent but the fire for him lit within her turning the light kiss into one of passion. 

They both couldn’t get close enough. Dainin’s hands traveled down her back finding their way to her bottom as he hoisted her up to sit on the counter of the vanity. Tessa’s heart raced as he parted her legs and filled the space between them with his body. She could feel his enlarged member pressing against her thigh as the passion between them grew. Dainin moved his hand inside the front of her robe skimming over her stomach to her bare breast. He released a low growl as his hand caressed her soft skin causing her nipples to peak beneath the suddenly constricting robe.

Tessa moved her hand down into the front of Dainin’s shorts, making her way to his member, but froze at the intrusive sound of Zander’s voice invading her mind. “Alpha, everyone is beginning to arrive. They just crossed the border and will be at the pack house in 10 minutes,” he notified her. “Why didn’t we block everyone out,” her wolf growled at the interruption. Tessa rolled her eyes giving Dainin’s member a single stroke before pulling her hand away. 

Dainin looked at her with confusion and she sighed, resting her forehead against his. “Zander said the Alpha’s will be here soon. We need to get ready,” Tessa stated breathlessly and attempted to move away. Before she could move off the counter Dainin grabbed a handful of hair at the base of her neck tugging her head to the side exposing her mark. Tessa moaned in pleasure when he suddenly sank his fangs into her skin, sending a wave of heat throughout her body. 

After a moment, Dainin licked the wound closed and Tessa shivered at the sensation. “Just so they all know without a doubt that your mine,” he growled lowly in her ear as he placed a kiss on her fresh mark, staking his claim. If any other male tried this stunt of dominance, they would be met with her fist then the floor, but Dainin’s finesse and confidence always left her speechless and wanting more.

Tessa bit her bottom lip as she watched him walk out of the bathroom. “Can’t we just cancel the meeting,” her wolf asked, anxiously wanting to finish what was started. “Don’t worry. I’ll make time for him later,” Tessa promised, following Dainin out of the bathroom. She ran to her closet but paused to sneak a glance at her mate as he buttoned his black shirt. Her eyes trailed down his body, finding his jeans hanging dangerously low and unbuttoned on his hips. 

A blush rushed to her cheeks at the lewd thoughts entering her mind and she quickly closed the door to stop herself from jumping him. When she heard Dainin’s playful laughter, through the closed door, she mentally slapped herself for being so weak around him. “You wait,” she sent through their link, but that only made his laugh louder. It was music to her ears. “I’m looking forward to it,” he responded cheekily.

Tessa rolled her eyes and quickly dressed in a soft peach sleeveless blouse with white skinny jeans and nude heels. She reapplied her clear gloss and wore her hair in a top knot with her soft waves falling down her back. “Alpha they’ll be approaching the pack house shortly,” Zander updated her. “I’ll be right down. Thank you,” Tessa replied, looking herself over one last time in the full-length mirror. “Are you ready for this,” she asked her wolf, willing her Alpha confidence to surface during this heart-breaking time. “Let's do this,” her wolf strongly stated, flashing herself through Tessa’s eyes. Taking a deep breath, she walked out of the closet where Dainin took her hand with a smile. “You look beautiful Tess,” he placed a soft kiss on her cheek, and they made their way to the front of the pack house together.

Reaching the front door, they were met by Cadence and Zander. As expected, they both wore grim expressions. Tessa placed a hand on both of their shoulders in reassurance. “It will be okay guys,” she said, giving Cadence a small smile when she noticed tears forming in her eyes. Dainin informed her on the way down that Cadence notified her pack of the events, which explained why the pack house was so quiet. Pausing in front of the door, Tessa sent out a mind link to her pack, “I know we are all hurting due to this terrible betrayal, and I apologize I couldn’t deliver the news to you myself, but know we will avenge the late Alpha and Luna as well as my brother. Their murder will not be in vein. We will have our revenge,” she declared and after a moment of silence Tessa was swarmed with a chorus of howls as her pack swore to avenge their fallen leaders. Her chest filled with pride and she looked to Zander who gave her a nod of approval. “We are with you to the end whether these other Alpha’s agree to help or not,” he swore bowing his head. “Thank you,” she said, then she opened the door.