Chapter Three: The Bond

ZOVADA

My earlier sensation of feeling left behind by Simon was overruled by Alpha Richard’s request. I turned to ask him for more information but he was already gone. Left alone again. 

Someone requests something of me, I say yes, and then they disappear. Maybe I should start saying no? What would happen then? 

Regina’s word echoed in my mind. ‘You’re running out of time, Zovada…’

What does that mean?

“Luna Zovada?” Gamma Corbin asked.

No, I am not doing this. Everything is fine. I thought to myself. I stood taller. Smiled at the Gamma. “It’s okay. We have work to do anyway.”

“No, it's not. You’re falling apart inside.” Gamma Didi replied.

“Didi. We talked about this.” Gamma Corbin admonished. “I am so sorry…Didi. How many times do I have to tell you? Just because you can feel Luna's feelings, doesn’t mean you get to explore them and take them on. She is allowed to have privacy—”

“But dad, you also said, we can’t let the Luna lie to herself and drown in her misery.” Did replied with a smirk and crossed her arms. He muttered something like ‘goddess help me I need your mother,’ as he pinched the bridge of his nose. I watched the scene unfold and let out a laugh . So boisterous, the dangerous coil of misery in my chest uncoiled.

“Uh…Luna?” Gamma Corbin asked in confusion.

“Thank you, Gamma Didi. I really appreciate it. Your refreshing response snapped me out of my spiral. Let’s go get some work done.”

She bowed in response, a smug look shot at her father. “Of course, My Luna.”

I rolled my eyes and ushered them both towards the corridor that led to the Executive Offices, a weight off my shoulders.

You’re running out of time, Zovada… a disembodied voice whispered in my mind.

I slowed my steps, my brow furrowed as I became abruptly more aware of everything around me. The wood as it creaked beneath my steps, the loud click of my heels that resembled a ticking time bomb, my pulse that sounded more like a clock, the air as it pulled into my mouth and inflated my lungs.

He’s coming… and You’re running out of time, Zovada… The female voice was no longer Regina’s, nor was it disembodied. It felt like it came from within me.

“Zovada? Can you hear me?” The voice was old, powerful. Rich and creamy, like it was made of pure light.

“Are you my wolf?” I said aloud, frozen in place as my body trembled. The Gammas gasped.

“Yes! You can hear me! Zov! Zov. Focus on my voice. Let me back in!”

“I-but I don’t have a wolf-I-“

“Don’t say that! Bring me back! You forgot who you are!”

My eyes tunnel visioned as the overwhelm came over me. 

“NO! Okay, we almost had it. Soon.”

“Wait!”

“There isn’t much time… Find Norcunis–before he finds you. Your memories-”  and just like that the panic attack hit and the sensory overload came on fast.

Each individual loose hair as it escaped from my braided bun felt like a snake against my skin. The rough edge of the fireplace mantle felt like a knife as it found its edge, the vines from the plants seemed to grow longer by the second as I accidentally brushed against them, felt like restraints that wanted to claim me. My legs collapsed and my eyes blinked frantically as the colors shifted from more vibrant to normal. 

“Luna!” the Gammas cried and rushed to my side. 

“Didi….Corbin…” They wrapped their arms around me, their scents suddenly overwhelmed me in a way only my mate’s ever had, “Why do you smell like juniper and chamomile?”

“Dad her eyes!” Didi cried.

“I know. Zov, Zov, can you hear me?” Gamma Corbin gripped my chin. “Hey, look at me.”

Suddenly, I could feel their soothing Gamma aura as it rushed across my body. 

“Her wolf?” Didi asked, “I can feel her.”

“Focus before she loses it. She needs the bond.” 

The two of them held me, their Gamma aura snapped into place around me like a protective shield. The cold sweat against my skin as my free hand pressed against my temple felt like humidity personified. 

Breathe in, breathe out. Calm down Zovada. Calm down.

My eyes blinked rapidly as the individual grains of wood on the floor I focused on faded from wooden floor to stone floor unbidden. “What….”

Everything felt like it snapped into place and stopped. 

“Her wolf is gone.” Didi cried.

“But the bond has been established.” Corbin replied in relief. “Are you alright?” 

My breathing returned to normal, my body loosened, the skin cooled. My connection to the Gammas heightened. “I think I-”

I found you. A deep, velvety voice seemed to call from somewhere deep in forgotten time.