Madilynne

Madilynne's P.O.V

We arrived at the house shortly after willow informed me of the mark on Katie’s neck. But where was her mate? Why would someone burn it off? My heart was hurting for her, how could someone be so cruel to another being? Kade was quick to be at my side and grasping my hand, the warming tingles soothing my emotions. I admired how quick he was to soothe my erratic emotions. “Kade would you mind speaking to my father and having a room prepared for Katie, please? We’ll be in my room once everything is sorted.” Kade nodded while releasing my hand and placing a gentle kiss on my cheek “Of course, ill leave you two to it then.” I smiled my thanks to his caring nature, understanding I needed some time with katie.

“Come on, lets get you something to change into.” I turned and spoke quietly to Katie, while reaching for her hand to lead her to my room.

"I knew you guys would end up being mates.” Katie gave me a half-smile. I hummed my response, maybe this was my chance to ask?

We made our way through the house as I directed Katie to my room.

The walk to my room was quiet, I could sense Katie was on edge. “Katie? What is that mark?” I watched as her steps faltered and her body went rigid. “I.. I had too Madi, he wasn’t my mate. I couldn’t bear his mark.. I had to get rid of it.”

“Oh god, Katie I’m so sorry, you don’t have to say anything else. I’m here when you’re ready.” I quickly rushed out as I reached to embrace her into a hug. Katie’s arm tightened around me, nodding her head against my shoulder I heard a light sigh escape her. “Wolfsbane. That’s what I used to burn it off. It was still in my system when you found me, that’s why I couldn’t shift. I had to do it Madi, I couldn’t continue hearing his thoughts. He’s truly evil.” She spoke so quietly I could barely catch the words even with my enhanced hearing.

I opened the door to my room and we both stepped in quietly. Katie shuffled over to the bed and as soon as her head hit the pillow her eyes fluttered shut. I quietly walked to my bathroom and set out some bath washes and a fresh towel for when she woke, along with a comfortable outfit to wear. I slowly crept out of the room, backing out I ran right into a wall of muscle.

Kade wrapped his arms around my waist making sure I didn’t lose my balance from the sudden impact. “How is she doing?” he whispered his question over my shoulder. I sighed ” As good as she can be right now, she’s resting.” He nodded his head in understanding. I turned and stepped closer, hugging my mate. Seeking his comfort.

I couldn’t help but wonder what the moon goddess had planned, everything that was set in motion so many years ago. So much pain and grief. I stayed wrapped in Kade’s arms, processing all the events. My mind floated to Kade and his first mate, I wanted so badly to absorb all that pain from him so he wouldn’t have to live with it anymore. I know he’d always carry the memories and the feelings but I don’t want him to carry that pain.

I stood wrapped in his embrace, slowly I could feel my body warming, followed by a humming sound.

The breath was knocked out of me when a sharp pain burst through my chest, it felt like I was dying. I let go of Kade and grasped my chest trying to take in air and was hit with deep sorrow and flashes of Kades first mate. And next came the pain of her life form slipping through the bond, I fell to my knees from the pain.

I could see his face and his mouth moving but everything sounded muffled as if I was underwater. I reached my hand to his panicked face and as he leaned into it a warming light came from the palm of my hand before I lost consciousness.

“Someone get the pack doctor!”

“What the hell happened here kade?!”

“I don’t know, we were standing there, and then she fell to her knees like she couldn’t breathe, I thought it might be an anxiety attack but..”

“But what damnit?!”

“I.. I don’t know how to explain it.”

I could faintly hear a ferocious growl before a voice broke through “Tell me Kade, now!”

“I think she absorbed my pain, somehow healing me from my deepest sorrow..”

“She needs rest, her energy is depleted.”

I don’t know how long I was in and out of consciousness. I kept catching small conversations but I couldn’t keep my eyes open long enough to form a coherent thought.

“I’m telling you her hand glowed as soon as she touched my face, that’s when I no longer could feel the ache in my soul from losing my first mate.”

My eyes fluttered shut again. Damnit! Why couldn’t I wake up!

‘We need to rest Madi, absorbing that amount of pain drained us.’ Willow spoke softly. I nodded my head, relinquishing any fight left, and allowed myself to drift into darkness again.

“Her stats are normal.. no fever.. pulse is steady.. It’s up to her when she comes out of this..”

I could hear a sigh “It’s been a week Doc, I’m getting worried. I can’t reach her through mind link..” Kade’s deep voice floated to my ears. I wanted to reach out and tell him I was fine but I couldn’t. I slipped into the darkness once again.

I could feel warm tingles wrap around my hand and shoot up my arm, I reveled in the feeling. I couldn’t feel him before, so this is progress. It had to be. “Madi please wake up.. I..” A sad voice whispered.

I felt a heaviness on my chest and I shifted to try and move the pressure off of me but it wouldn’t budge.

“For the love of goddess what is on top of me?” I shifted again squinting my eyes open to see what was on top of my chest.

“SHE’S AWAKE” Kade was suddenly shouting raising his head from my chest.