29 First Words

♔Tristen (P.O.V)

I blankly stared at her, for what seems like hours.

She's beautiful.

I couldn't have imagined her any better, in all actuality, I never took the time to think about what she could look like. I was too preoccupied with how wonderful she was on the way here, and then getting a cure to turn her back.

Either way, even if I had thought about her, I never could have guessed her beauty. Nor the mistreatment she has endured, the scars that cover her body... I wish I was there, I wish I found her sooner.

Instead, I found her after she had been kicked from her pack and forced into an almost permanent wolf form. All seemingly because of me. If I hadn't shown up, would she be dead? Would she still have a pack? What would have happened to her?

Guilt swells in my heart as I think about it. Her human hair and body still carry the mud and blood from her wolf form. The blood from a wolf she almost died from.

"Tristen?" Eustacia's petite voice squeaks fear lacing her voice, bringing me back to my senses.

I sprint to her like I sprinted the first day I met her. The feeling of her being my mate this time, overwhelming. I swept her off her feet, causing her shirt to rise up dramatically, but I didn't care. I felt her stiffen slightly, as I spun around in a circle, one, two times, not letting go.

Again, I didn't care.

I have waited for this my entire life. Well, the last few years, to be exact. Now that it's here, it feels unreal.

"Oh my goddess," I whisper into her ear as I place her feet back on the ground, still holding her tight.

"You're not disappointed?" She whispers, almost to where I couldn't hear. I could feel as her body relaxed, almost softening beneath my arms.

"No- goddess, no!" I shout, pushing her away far enough to look into her bright blue eyes. She wrapped her arms around her chest, almost as if she was ashamed.

"Hey, I fucking love every part of you. There's no reason to be afraid of that," I say smiling ear to ear. "Although, the mud and blood have to go," I joke, trying to lighten the mood.

"Mm, I agree," she laughs.

"Alright love birds, there are things I'm sure you want to talk about. My part here is done," Evelyn says bowing slightly, a smile bright across her face as she leaves the room.

"Eustacia?" I question, as I pull her over to the desk chair. I carefully sit in it and pull her on my lap. I could tell her mood dropped as soon as Evelyn left, I don't know why though.

"Um, there are some- things you need to know. I want to personally tell them to you," her body tenses as she speaks, "I'm just afraid to."

Pain lurches at my heartstrings, she's scared to talk to me?

"Don't be afraid Eustacia. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise. I'm not like that dumbass."

"Where do I start?"

"When I was fifteen, my father was murdered by a group of rogues when we visited a neighboring pack. Flynn had become alpha since he shifted early-"

"Where's his parents?" I question, accidentally interrupting her. "I'm so sorry," I apologize, covering my mouth. I didn't intend to interrupt her.

"It's fine," she smiles, "interrupt me anytime. I'll answer the best I can. His father vanished mysteriously, and his mother was never in our pack."

"Ah. So he shifted early and is parents are gone. Continue?"

"For some reason shortly after he made me a housekeeper. I didn't lose my title in the pack until I turned seventeen. A year after my first shift. Which I had alone by the way-"

"Do you know why?" I question and pause for a moment as her words sink in. She had her shift alone, I can only imagine the pain and fear she went through. "How'd that go?" I whisper, fear in my heart for the answer she might provide.

"No, I don't know why he treated me so bad then, but it furthered when I turned eighteen and I know why it happened then," she whispers almost as if she was clearing the memory from her head. " I have a really great wolf and she helped me through it. I owe her a lot of things. It's been hard for us, she's had to take control when we run."

"What's her name? Is she back now?" Fear sinks in as the words 'she takes control' entered my mind. "You are aware that, that isn't a good sign, right? You could turn into a feral and lose yourself if you shift!" I scold her.

"Her names Zoe, and I can feel her resting," she pauses, almost as if processing my words. Within seconds, her face turns pale, "No, I didn't know that... I just assumed that's how it worked... We've done it for years."

"You're not allowed to shift at least until you get meat on your bones, and your strength recovers. I don't want to risk losing you again," I whisper, fighting back tears of the possibility of losing her.

"I understand," she nods.

I sigh, holding her tight against my body, I release her from my grasp and kiss her lightly on her cheek. "Why'd he treat you how he did all those years ago?"

"Um, he- he knew he was my mate before I ever found out. That's why he started treating me worse once he found out I guess. I'm not sure why though," she murmurs weakly.

The anger that subsided, rushes back into my body as I feel it begin to shake in rage. I pull her close to my body and rub my right hand through her matted hair, trying to calm myself down.

"Hey, it's okay," she coos softly in my ear.

"I wish I got there sooner," I feel my voice break.

She pushes some space between us and looks into my eyes. "Well you got there on time, so thank you," she says as she kisses my cheek.

I feel as my cheeks begin to burn, "continue?"

"Mmm," she hums as she burrows herself into my chest comfortably, "when I accidentally found out he was my mate, I tried to accept him... even though he threw me into the gray room-"

"Gray room?" I question, holding down my jealousy. I hate the thought of her having another mate, even more considering the amount of brutal he is.

"Oh, right," she blushes slightly and continues, "It's sort of like a dungeon. Rogues or anyone that angers him or Emma end up down there. Most of the rogues become the ferals you saw me fight in the pits, the rest join the pack. Um, he once killed an elder because she didn't agree with his views. For some reason, he also has hunters in the pack," fear laces her soft voice.

It appears my father's notes were correct, there is a reason to be afraid of whatever he is planning. He isn't just cruel to Eustacia, he's cruel to his entire pack it seems. "Do you have any idea what he is doing?"

"I'm sorry, I don't," she stays buried in my chest as she shakes her head.

"It's fine," I could feel she was done talking about it for now. I want to know more about her not what happened, but first I have a better idea. "Why don't I show you where you can shower?" I ask, changing the subject.

"I can use your shower?" She asks as she turns her head to meet my eyes, confusion danced across her features.

"Of course. Why couldn't you?" I ask, rubbing my hand against her face.

"I dunno," she whispers, "I'd like to take a shower."

"Alright then," I smile and pick her up, bridal style, in my arms. "Let's take you to that shower."

Being careful while carrying her, I make my way back to my room.