It's been weeks since that morning at the cabin. Each day blurred into another, each more gloomy than the last. Isla was ordered to leave the pack house and move closer to the outskirts of the pack so that she'd help the healer in preparing herbs because she was versed in it. But she knew that wasn't the main reason, the alpha wanted her out of his life and she wasn't complaining because it made life easier.
She always busied herself with tasks, her palms were often dirtied with soil and she tried her best to focus on her work. But,no matter how hard she tries, the silent pain in her chest still remains.
She woke up very early this morning so that she'd gather the fresh morning herbs in the garden which wasn't far from the healer's home. The wet earth felt comforting under her feet as she squatted to collect a bundle of witch hazel. When she was done, she sat on an old swing hanging from one of the branches of an old oak tree,her hands clutching the rope while her bag rested on her lap.
She stared over at the lake ahead with glazed eyes. She couldn't help but reminisce events from that night,the way Damon stared at her and the way his lips felt on hers kept playing in her head, tormenting her. She wanted to gauge her eyes out and claw her body for wishing for something like that.
"I see you're still thinking about it, child"
Isla heard the familiar gentle voice of the healer, pulling her out of her thoughts. Her gaze snapped over to the older woman who looked like she was in her early fifties. The healer, Mira, always knew how to guess someone's emotions with unnerving accuracy. She stared at Isla,her hands by her side and a soft smile on her lips.
Isla looked away from her,her fingers absently twisting a spig of witch hazel. "I don't know what you're talking about"
Mira laughed softly, taking a sit on a log in front of her. " I always know when you're lying, Isla. I know it'll be hard but I miss the spark that was once in those eyes"
Isla slumped her shoulders in defeat, " it's just hard for me to pretend that all that didn't happen" she said in a very low voice. " I wish that I hadn't found out but that's just…wishful. It feels like I'm missing a piece of me"
Mira nodded,an understanding look on her face. " I know how you feel. I felt that way after my mate died, it's the mate bond" she said in a gentle voice. " It's not something you can turn off at any time. It's there and will always be there unless he rejects you"
" He chose someone else but he still doesn't want to reject me…yet," Isla said bitterly. " I already know that I mean nothing to him and it hurts but I still want him"
" It's not your fault, Isla. You're just a person with feelings. The bond isn't a physical bond it's a soul bond which would cause great harm to someone like you when broken,"
" What do you mean by someone like you?" Isla asked with confusion in her eyes.
"You're an Omega. That's the truth, you're weak, that's who you are" Mira said sadly.
" My life feels like one bad curse" Isla said, exhaling shakily.
Mira reached out, placing her palm on Islas' knees. " Your life isn't a curse, you'll be strong if you believe you are," she said softly. "Your pain won't last forever even though you feel otherwise. But don't worry, you'll heal"
" I want to heal. Do you think that will ever happen?" Isla asked.
" I've lived for a very long time and I've seen it happen. Even though it takes time, they still heal. You just have to accept it when it happens. You have to want it"
They sat in silence enjoying each other's presence.
Then all of a sudden, a quick wave of dizziness washed over Isla. Black dots danced around her vision and she tried to blink it away. Her hands slipped from the rope of the swing and she fell to the ground.
"Isla?" Mira's concerned voice reached her ears but it sounded like it was coming from far away. "What happened? Please wake up"
Isla tried to respond but no words came out of her lips. She embraced the darkness as the word shut off before her eyes.
---
When Isla finally woke up,the first thing that greeted her was the familiar ceiling of the healer's cottage. The smell of herbs and woodsmoke invaded her nose. Mira stood by her bed mixing some herbs in a bowl.
"Thank the moon goddess that you're awake" Mira said,relief lacing her voice. " I was so worried"
Isla rubbed her temple trying to ease her pounding head. "What… happened?"
"You passed out," Mira sat beside her as she reached out to feel Isla's forehead. "I had to carry you inside. You've been unconscious for quite a while"
" You don't have to worry, I'm fine now" Isla muttered as she tried to sit up but Mira stopped Herby putting a hand on her shoulder.
"You need to rest, Isla," Mira said firmly. "I want to check something."
Isla wanted to complain but she complied. She watched as Mira walked around the room gathering supplies and then she walked to Isla bed and asked,
"When was your last cycle, Isla?" Mira asked suddenly in a serious tone.