*Lucas*
Today I decided to go into the office to get caught up on some pack matters. I have been at it since 7 this morning, and I am still no where close to being done. All I really want to do is be near Natalie. I know there is something going on with her, but I do not know what. I was getting ready to open another file when I felt Dom start getting antsy.
Me: Dom? Are you alright?
Dom: We need to stop with the pack work for now.
Me: What, why?
Dom: Midnight just linked me. Natalie has not been sleeping. From what Midnight said, Natalie is having nightmares and is exhausted. She said that if they were to shift now it would be even more painful than it is already going to be. Natalie is reliving everything including the pain she has endured.
Me: I will try to get her to talk to me.
I immediately put the file back down on my desk. I did not even bother tidying up like I normally do after working, instead I made my way out of the office. How am I going to get her to open up to me, I thought to myself.
Dom: That may be hard, Midnight said that Natalie does not want to be a burden to anyone anymore.
Me: How could she think she is a burden? She is the best thing that could have happened to us.
Dom: I do not know, but we need to find out.
Me: And we will. Then we are going to find a way to help her with the nightmares.
This is probably going to take some time, so I might as well tell Kaden to look after things including the paperwork.
Me: Kaden, I need you to keep an eye on things, and try to get the paperwork going for awhile.
Kaden: Okay, may I ask why?
Me: Natalie's wolf linked Dom. She said Natalie has been having nightmares, reliving everything even the pain, and beyond exhausted. I guess from what her wolf said, if they were to shift right now it would be even more painful than it should be.
Kaden: I will handle everything. Take care of her.
Me: Thanks man.
By the time I got done talking to Dom and Kaden, I was getting ready to open the bedroom door. I am nervous, I do not know if she will even open up to me. But I am going to try to help her and make her realize that she will never be a burden. Which I know will take time for her to believe me.
Taking a deep breath I opened the bedroom door. Even though it is just after 2pm the bedroom does not have a lot of light since the curtains are closed. However, I could see her curled up into a tight ball under the blankets. At first I thought she might be sleeping, but I heard a soft sniffle. Now I know something is definitely wrong, and I am more determined to find out what is going on. I cannot bear the thought that she is trying to get through this all on her own.
Once I had the closed the bedroom door behind me I slowly made my way over to her side of the bed. From what I could see, she had been crying for awhile. Even with her eyes closed I could see that they were slightly swelled, and her nose and cheeks were a little red. This sight in front of me is breaking my heart. How could I have not see this sooner?
"Natalie, baby, what is wrong?" I asked her in a soft voice while sitting down on the bed near her. Once she heard my voice, I noticed how she tensed up a little bit.
"Midnight told Dom, didn't she?" She asked in a soft voice that I almost did not hear.
"She did, but do not be mad at her. She is worried and scared for the both of you. Please talk to me baby." I said as I rubbed circles on her back, trying to keep her calm. "Maybe talking about whatever is going on will help."
With a sigh she said, "I have been having nightmares. In these nightmares, I am going through all the beating that I had to endure. I am scared to go to sleep because I do not want to go through them anymore. I did not want to say anything because I do not want to be a burden. They made sure they told me I was a burden in my old pack. I honestly just want to be able to get a good nights sleep, but I do not know if that is ever going to happen with these nightmares."
"Baby, you could never be a burden to me or anyone in this pack. You are the future Luna, and you are the strongest person I know. I know you do not believe that now, but I do not think that I would have been able to survive what you have been through. I will find away to help you with the nightmares, even if I have to talk to a professional. I want to, no I NEED to know how to help you. What kind of mate would I be if I let you suffer like this in silence?" I said. By the time I was done with my little speech we both had tears in our eyes. I do not ever cry, but to see my beautiful mate in so much pain I just could not help it.
"I will try to tell you what the nightmares are about, and if that does not seem to be helping then maybe I could talk to a shrink." Natalie said with the cutest pout.
"I have known a couple people who have used a notebook as a dream journal, would that be something you would be willing to try? And then after, let's say, three entries I could read them. That way you are not telling me directly." I asked. Honestly, I feel this might help her better than just talking to me about the nightmares.
"Yeah, I think I could do that. But I do not have a notebook or anything."
"I know, how about after dinner we go to my office and get you a new notebook and a pen. When we get back to the room just keep it on your nightstand. Then when you have another nightmare you have it handy. Also, do not worry about waking me up if you need to turn your light on." I told her with a smile.
"Okay, that sounds good. Thank you for being here for me. I should have realized sooner that you would not mind." She said while sitting up to give me a hug.
Once I had my arms wrapped around her, she put her head on my chest. This may not be the only time we have hugged, but it is the first time that she had initiated it. Dom was so happy that it sounded like he was purring.
Dom: I am not purring you butthole.
Me: Well it sounded like it to me
I was silently laughing at him even after he cut the link between us. Now it is time to make sure I get what Natalie needs, and do some research on how to help her.