Time had passed and Nadia grew stronger with each day. While she attempted to leave the infermery various times, Dakota left strict orders for pack members to not let her leave the premesis. It was a relief to be back at the pack and inside safe boundaries but Nadia hated the idea of being confined. The coyote instincts within her were different than other wolves. She was okay with being alone, resonating with the care-free life of rogues, but never was as aggressive.
Nadia finally left the bunk house for the first time in a month. After healing completely took about a week and ordered to stay put, she took to her room—sullen from all the events that transpired before.
She didn't want to be held up there, it was like her body was unwavered from the inherent separation from her mate.
Mate..she spoke in her thoughts, cringing at the words because it just wasn't natural. With the feelings of this newfound mate, she couldn't shake the emotions of attachment. The longing to be near the intoxicating senses that clouded her mind--her judgement. It felt as if a bandaid was ripped away from the skin, leaving the temporary residue of pain and adhesive. Temporarily gave her hope that she would see him again.
Before she left the bathroom, her eyes caught her reflection in the mirror. The wave shaped auburn locks of her hair have since grown past her shoulders. She didn't like it that long but her looks weren't priority at the moment.
Her yellow toned eyes gazed at the plump set of lips, they were glistening with a saliva coating and she reached up to run her fingers along the lining.
She hadn't thought much about that vampire—Damon was his name? He kissed her. And Nadia had never kissed any other male before, but she felt the electrical shock that emanated from the two of them.
Granted she can't compare, but it was the best kiss ever.
Of coarse it was, he's our mate! Her inner coyote decided to show herself even though she's been hiding due to sadness.
Nadias lips quivered into a smile but shook her head furiously. "No." She breathed out. The vampire nearly killed her, and not to mention he was a vampire. A severe enemy to her species.
The thoughts made her inner coyote whimper in pain. She longed to be near their mate, but Nadia knew it was forbidden. A completely taboo ideology of wolves and vampires as mates.
When she finally stepped outside, he was waiting for her.
"Dakota." She breathed out and relief settled in. He's been watching her like a hawk recently, who could blame him?
"You're up." His stiffened leader-like posture relaxed when she appeared and the corner of his lips curled up into a half smile.
"I couldn't stay in there forever and let you run this pack alone." She teased and he draped his arm around her shoulders as they walked down the path.
Pack members stared at Nadia as they walked by that made her feel uncomfortable. "Everyone is looking at me like a victim." Her words made Dakota grimace.
"Don't worry about it. They're just nervous about the return of vampires."
But Nadia didn't need to have a mind link with the wolves to know exactly what they were thinking. She was an accepted member within the pack, but still considered an outlier since she was only a coyote. The mere fact hindered her from participating in other duties, but she didn't mind and neither did Dakota. His acceptance was all she needed.
To hear the word vampire come from Dakota sent a shiver through her body. She's kept secret of her encounter with Damon and she definitely hasn't told him about the mate situation. How could she? It was an abomination, an abnormal way of life. Wolves hated vampires and were designed to kill them. If Nadia revealed this information, there's no telling what would happen to her.
Shaken by the thoughts, Dakota glanced over at her and gave her shoulders a slight squeeze to ease her mind.
As they neared the headquarters building, Dakota stiffened, sensing an unfamiliar presence nearby.
He released her and his caramel orbs met hers. "Stay here." He said firmly.
Nadia knitted her thin brows together and watched him walk away.
Dakota noticed a black SUV parked to the side with a man in shades stationed at the passenger door. Another was halted at the front door as he pushed them open to get inside.
Aspen greeted him with a wearily look, not speaking a word.
Simultaneously a floral scent bombarded his senses. The invasion of such a smell briefly sent him into an intoxicated state, weakening his strength and forcing him to clutch the side wall for assistance.
"What the hell.." he muttered.
Dakota reached the office, meeting the origin of the scent.
A woman stood propped up against the desk, back towards him, and studying the map pinned to the wall. From behind, the long black locks of hair curled in a formal style and she wore a black trench coat with a red jumpsuit underneath.
A smile crept on her red lips as she turned around to look at Dakota.
"Hello there Alpha Dakota." Her slender fingers removed the sunglasses covering her eyes. When removed, two golden iris' were revealed.
Breathless, Dakota stiffened his posture and furrowed his brows. "Who are you?"
Her expression quickly changed to disappointment. "The amount of testosterone in the world of wolves is utterly sad." She sighed then took the coat off, her bare tanned shoulders made Dakota blink his eyes.
Even with her beautiful appearance, Dakota pushed those thoughts away.
When she turned to toss the coat to the side, a tattoo could be seen. A tattoo specially tailored to alpha specimens.
"Impossible." Dakota sputtered out that made the woman laugh.
"It's only impossible to men that think they are the only ones capable of being an alpha." The woman walked around the desk and came within inches of him, the flowering scent still filling his nostrils.
"My name is Talia." Her arms folded over each other. "Alpha of the Otsana pack." She continued.
As soon as she prepared to speak again, the front doors of the building flung open and Nadia came trotting down the hallway to the office.
"Nadia, don't." Aspen could be heard calling after her but she was already planted in her spot. Her eyes staring at Dakota and Talia standing close together.
"I.." Nadia stumbled with her words. "I'm sorry, I thought there was something wrong." Her yellow toned eyes blinked at the two of them.
Dakota quickly took a step back and raised his hands, "It's nothing Na-"
His words were cut off by Talia.
"This is the coyote?" Her dark brows raised with interest as she followed Dakota over to Nadia.
"Thanks for cutting time in finding you." She continued with a smile as she hooked Nadias arm with her hand and pulled her towards the door.
"Wait what?!" Nadia attempted to yank away but Talia was strong.
Dakota ran after them, signaling Aspen to gather other pack members.
"Don't bother." Talia said, lips pursed together.
"I have council orders to retrieve the victim."
Dakota shook his head and ran up in front of them outside the building. "I don't fucking think so."
When Dakota reached for Nadias other arm, Talia swiftly kicked his feet from under him. Dakota forcibly fell to the gravel and Talia stood over him, her heeled foot was shoveled into the neckline.
Aspen and other wolves began to growl in an encircled shape around them.
The two wolves that's accompanied Talia instantly shifted into large wolves, signifying their rank of guardianship.
"I do think so." Talia stared down at him. "How dare you defy the orders of the council. I'll be sure to pass along the message of behavior I witnessed here." Her personality shifted to a seriously demeanor.
Dakota began to growl and snarl at the woman, griping her ankle and attempting to rip it away. His eyes intensified in color, ready to shift.
"Dakota." Nadia spoke softly, her eyes meeting his. Her voice quickly made Dakota change his attitude and he felt saddened.
"I shouldn't be gone long." She reassured him.
Talia removed her foot and opened the SUV door to put Nadia inside.
Dakota quickly stood, face in anger as he watched her go. This didn't make any sense, he thought.
Talia followed Nadia to the seat beside her and quickly cuffed her wrists together.
"Is this necessary?" Nadia asked but Talia ignored her.
"Go." Talia spoke to the driver.
Nadia turned her head, looking through the back glass of the SUV at Dakota who stood there. His muscular shoulders were pushed back and his hands were clenched into fists as they drove away and out of sight.
"You're a fool." Talia spoke to Nadia now.
"Why?" She questioned.
"For telling him you would be back."
Nadia immediately swallowed a lump in her throat.