C7 The Healer

Victor POV

I was just getting dressed in my hotel room when I got a text from Eric.

‘What are the plans for today?’

‘I need to give Alpha an update. Has Tammy talked with Tori yet?’

‘No, not yet. She is going over after Tori’s lunch with her father’

‘Ok. Keep my informed so I can call Alpha’

‘Yes Beta’ He dropped his phone on the bed and finished getting dressed. Once he had his boots tied, he grabbed his leather jacket and wore it. Picking up his phone, he debated whether to call Tori and see how she was feeling today. That slap she got from that asshole ex of hers looked quite painful. Painful enough to send her to the ground. He opened his text message and pulled up her name.

‘How’s your body feeling today?’ I quickly hit send before I changed my mind. A moment later I still had no response. She probably doesn’t recognize the number and won’t answer. I put my phone down and started to go get my notes for the Alpha when I heard a ding. I rushed over and picked up my phone to read the message.

‘Why don’t you come see for yourself?’ I had to read her answer a couple times before I realized what I was reading. Then she sent a picture of a person winking.

“Okay. Now what do I say?” I asked out loud. I hit respond on the message and started typing but thought better and erased it. I started again but erased that one too.

“Ahh screw it” I grabbed my keys and wallet and headed out the door.

I arrived within minutes and walked up to the door. Taking a big breath, I raised my hand and hesitated. Finally, I knocked on the door and waited. Soon the door opened and there stood Tori in a tight pair of jeans, an open shoulder shirt and black boots looking beautiful as ever. I wondered my eyes over her before landing back on her eyes.

“Here’s the part where you say good morning” she greeted with a small grin.

“Good morning, Tori”

“Good morning, Victor” she said still grinning. “Well come on in, don’t just stand there” Opening the door wider, I stepped in and stood in the foyer. She walked down to the kitchen, and I followed. I couldn’t help but stare at her from behind and I felt myself twitch a bit. I had to restrain myself and hold back from grabbing her. She asked me something, but I wasn’t paying attention as I was too busy admiring her form. I took a seat at the counter and soon after she served me a plate of eggs and bacon along with some biscuits. It smelled really good and since I hadn’t eaten yet, I was happy to dine with her. She gave me a cup of coffee and I took a gulp. It was stronger than I would have thought she’d like, but it was tasty.

We finished our meal in silence before she took the dishes and loaded them in the dishwasher. She turned back to me and made a comment about my text, and I had to keep myself from blushing at my poor choice of words. She thought it was amusing so I just went along.

I think I embarrassed her a bit with the God-like creature comment, but I thought it was adorable. Her cheeks flushed a light pink, and she bowed her head so I wouldn’t see. I tried to keep my amusement hidden, but I couldn’t and laughed out loud. I don’t mean to make her feel bad, but honestly, I was flattered and giddy that she thought I was God-like. I was elated that she thought of me that way. Just staring at her beautiful face, I had to touch her and feel her smooth, warm skin. Just one slight touch sent my heart racing and Ivan into a tailspin. He was jumping and yipping around in my head, and I was chuckling at his puppy-like demeanor. There’s not much in life that makes him happy and act like this, so I was nice to see him like this. I stood there staring at her and enjoying the warmth from her skin and her aura. Such a gentle, loving soul, I wanted to be near it as much as I could.

As I stood there, I noticed her demeaner change and felt like something was bothering her.

“Tori, what are you thinking?” She kept her head down, afraid to look me in the eye.

“Why did you help me last night?” She asked so quietly that I would’ve missed it if not for my werewolf hearing. I brought my hand up to her cheek and gently rubbed it, enjoying the closeness and warmth. Do I tell her anything? I don’t want to scare her off or have her afraid of me. What can I saw that will sound believable? Do I tell her that I care for her? That we actually know each other?

No, I can’t. It’s not my place…yet. Her father wants to tell her everything, I am only here to bring her back. As cold as it sounds, that’s all I’m supposed to be doing. But I can’t help but remember back so many years when she did know me, and we were friends. She seems to have a slight feeling of recognition, but I can’t tell her who I am. I have to play it off, for now.

“I’m glad to see your bruises are healing. I’m sorry I couldn’t stop him in time.” I continued to rub her cheek with my thumb as she looked at me with sad eyes and a slight frown.

“It wasn’t your fault. I’m glad you were there. It could’ve been a lot worse.” She closed her eyes and smiled at my touch. My mind started to wonder to how it would feel to rub my hands all over her. To show her how much I care and want her. The feel of our bodies against each other as I claim her as mine. I could feel my wolf shift forward a bit and I know my eyes are shifting to black.

‘Easy buddy, I don’t want to scare her. Soon enough’ I heard Ivan huff and retreat into my mind. I could feel myself calm down and my eyes returned to normal.

“Tori….” I began, but her phone dinged and brought our attention out of our intimate bubble. We both turned to look at it on the counter.

“You should answer that. I’ve intruded on you long enough.” I dropped my hand and turned for the door. As I opened it to step outside, she called to me.

“Victor?” Turning to look at her, she stood there with a sad smile. “Thank you for checking up on me.” She said hesitantly as if there was more to say, but she stayed quiet.

I wanted to tell her so much how I felt. How I would always check up on her and keep her safe. How I would always want to be near her, how I would always love her. Instead, I just gave her a wink and a grin and walked out closing the door behind me. Stepping into my truck, I started the engine and pulled out of the driveway. As I drove further away from her, I felt my chest tighten and my gut sink. I didn’t want to leave her. I wanted to stay and wrap her in my arms and whisper sweet nothings in her ear. I wanted to feel her hands on me with her warm and caring touch, but right now I can’t. I have to figure out a way to tell her father what she was about to do. I know he’s not going to take it well; he’ll even demand to bring her back to the packhouse. Tori certainly will not trust us after that much less accept the truth about her father or even me. For now, I’ll give him the facts and hopefully we’ll come up with a plan. At least Tammy is willing to go with her to the Hidden Falls Pack, so she won’t be alone. I still don’t like it either, but, like Tammy said, once she makes up her mind about something she is hard willed at not changing it.

I pulled into the parking lot of my hotel and cut the engine. Slowly, I walk up the flight of stairs to my floor and walk down the hall to my room. I see the housekeeping staff push their cart towards me to start their cleaning services for the day. I enter my room and quickly put the Do Not Disturb sign on my handle and close the door. I sit heavily on my couch and pull out my phone. With a deep breath, I bring up the number for my Alpha and hit send. I just want to get this over with. Praying he’s in a good mood.

“Beta, you have news for me?” I sigh heavily and then continue.

“Yes Alpha. I don’t think you are going to like it much.” I hear a grumble and a low growl through the phone.

“Come back to the pack. Call me when you get here.”

“Yes, Alpha” He hangs up and I drop my phone on the table and lean back on the couch.

This is going to be an ugly conversation.