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Chapter 427: The key to all her problems
Chapter 427: The key to all her problems
Since Nate had sold his best friend and his best friend's wife to that new wolf, Lara pulled his sleeve and glared. Why was he so fast at agreeing?
«Nothing bad will happen,» he said. «It's not like Roxy will leave Bass, is it? They are married.»
«Still, I'm afraid it will be difficult for them. You're so selfish, Nate!»
«I can't help it. We need to hear about it, am I wrong? It will benefit the whole pack!»
«You sold your best friend!»
«It's an emergency.»
«Oh, jeez,» she sighed. «Well, let's see what she says. And how it evolves with Roxy later. I really, really hope it ends with this.»
«Oh, don't worry!»
«I can't just un-worry, Nate. I can handle a little drama in the pack, but not if it involves Roxy. She's still the main person ensuring the stability of the pack. I'm just assisting, for the moment.»
«Hmm?» Nate hummed, surprised. He had noticed long before how the responsibilities were shifting on Lara's shoulders, little by little. It was long gone, the time when she wasn't one of them.
Roxy was still a central member of the pack, but Lara was their Alpha female. No matter how weak and human she could be, they had accepted her. So, why over-worrying about Roxy?
«Let's focus on our issues right now,» he whispered.
«Our?» she murmured, crossing her arms.
«Everything regarding you also involves me. I'm your mate,» he pointed out.
«Oh,» she sighed. Why was he so difficult to talk to that day? «Whatever.»
They turned to Ebony, realising it was the second time they had a married couple's discussion in front of her. Somehow, they would forget she was in the room every time.
«Let's start,» Lara decided. «How are we going to do it?»
She had some experience from Doctor Mason's therapy, but there was a chance that wolves would do it differently. She was used to analysing her feelings and motives until finding all or part of the solution. But, with wolf magic involved, she couldn't find it all on her own.
«We can start from recent events. Maybe something you do remember but can't understand. We'll go backwards and unlock the memories from the night you met your mate at last,» Ebony explained.
She was nervous, frightened. It was the first time, for her, to use her senses to help a human understand.
She had grown up in between adults who were as sensitive as her, and then she had learned how to deal with the other wolves. Knowing she was one of Oldgate made them believe her no matter what she said. She didn't need to prove her abilities.
That day, however, she felt under scrutiny. Not much by Lara - who seemed to be expecting much - but from Nate. He was staring at her, doing no effort to hide his thoughts. He was ready to bite if she did something he didn't like.
It was the first time she would connect with another person as much as to understand them, and she was in panic. Even though she knew the procedure, even though she had trained long for that moment, her brain couldn't process anything. Her fingers trembled like those of a doctor at his first operation, and her heart filled with excitement.
It was a challenge and a danger at the same time.
«What is the most recent event that made you realise something is wrong?» she inquired. «It's a question for both. Either your or Alpha Nate might have
«The last one? The panic attacks, I guess,» she said. Those were also what made her the most confused. They didn't make any sense.
It would have been enough, for the moment, to understand those.
«When did it happen?»
«Other than when I felt attacked by the press, it only happened after Nate and I... uhm, kissed or something.»
«What do you mean?»
«When we are close... After some time, I start being afraid of... of something.»
«Be more precise. What does being close mean? Kissing, hugging? Having sex?»
«Yes,» Lara whined. «Sometimes even that.»
Her cheeks were red like pepper, and her lips trembled in embarrassment. She had lowered her eyes and avoided watching Ebony too directly. It was a little awkward, talking about it with a stranger. However, she had to bear with it for the sake of her family.
There was nothing she had to be ashamed of. About that, Nate was damn right.
«One bad attack happened after we were together for the first time. I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't breathe.»
«Tell me more,» Ebony said, scratching her chin.
She listened to Lara's description of the symptoms, and she nodded. She carefully analysed her choice of words and expressions and confirmed her suspicions.
«Your panic attack sounds like those any human being would have in a difficult situation. Even if the source of your stress is not human, your body knows only one way to react. Let's find out what it is that makes you fear... Well, we still need to find out what you fear, exactly. Was it a normal day?»
«Normal? Oh, it was the day when Nate returned from the battle. The kids also waited for him, and they were so happy to see him! I was glad they're accepting each other.»
«But?»
«But I also felt oddly attracted. Even more than usual. Nate was so handsome!»
«After coming from a battle,» Ebony considered. It did make sense, after all. «I think I get it, actually. There is something that would explain your mood, Alpha Lara.»
«Yes?»
«Yes. But it's a little early to tell you. Can you please tell me more about it? Other experiences, and even moments when you were afraid, but your bodies weren't closely involved.»
«Other times?» Lara repeated. «There are, sure.»
There were many. Just, she wasn't sure where to start.
«I'll tell you what I remember,» she added. She had no guarantee she hadn't forgotten something else on the way.