Mavis surprisingly relaxed after the last rogue attack. Regina expected it to be worse, but she was allowed to go out with Aisha the day after she woke up. Apparently, the girl found a new sweet shop that they just had to try out. Regina agreed; she was just happy to go out of the packhouse.
The days flew by, and life was peaceful at the pack. Regina was right; things only got better. She went out with Aisha, talked more with Atta and Mavis, and got to play with pups in the nursery. There really wasn't much to complain about.
There was an incident at the beginning of July. Mavis and Atta forgot to mention to Regina that on the fourth, people like to shoot things into the air that blow up. Bright lights and loud noise, wasn't a bit hit on Regina. She spent the rest of that night and several nights after under her blankets with headphones.
Weeks later, Mavis and Regina noticed a problem. It had officially been six weeks since she got her ears pierced, and it was time to change into fancier earrings.
But they were all larger, heavier, and too much for her newly pierced ears to handle.
"I guess we didn't really think this through, huh."
Regina sighed and set down another pair of earrings. They were so pretty, and hurt so much.
Mavis, instead of looking distraught, was smiling.
"Since these don't work, I guess we will have to find some new ones."
New earrings, that meant going back to the mall and shopping.
Regina and Mavis shared a smile and got up simultaneously to get ready to drive down to the mall.
Shopping for earrings was easier this second time. They went for smaller and simpler but still found some gorgeous pairs. There were even some that attached to the top of her ear with a chain linking down to the piercing.
In leaving, there was that feeling again, tugging her down to the carpeting shop. Last time Regina had gone, there was nothing there for her. This time wouldn't be any different, and she wanted to try on the new earrings.
So, she turned the other way and walked away with Mavis.
'Go back.'
Regina sighed and ignored her wolf. She would go back, smell something strange, and nothing would change. What would she have been looking for anyway?
'Please go back; he's waiting.'
Regina paused. Her chest was tight, and everything in her was pulling her backward. Add whatever Speranza was talking about, maybe there was something there. It wouldn't hurt, right?
Mavis was looking at a display case and didn't even notice Regina turn back and go through the mall.
By now, Regina knew the path to the shop and found the Little Forest easily; the tugging in her chest only helped. There was that smell from last time, but stronger. She could smell the fruit like it was right in front of her.
Robin greeted Regina when she opened the door, but she didn't care. She could tell the person she was looking for was closer; she could feel Speranza close, urging her to keep going.
Following her instincts, Regina found herself at the back door. Her heart was pounding, and without thinking, she pulled the door open.
It smelled sweet. The room was small, with only one small window, which meant the smell was quite strong. Regina didn't know what fruit, but it was terrific.
Then she noticed the man. Their eyes met as he stood from the chair, and time seemed to freeze.
He was handsome. His clothes were a mess, and his hair was dirty, but his eyes; they were captivating. They were dark blue, not bright or shining, more like the ocean's deepest parts. They held sadness, sorrow, and so much more that Regina wanted to understand. His hair was long, black, and messy, almost curling and hanging limp.
Regina had no idea why she was feeling this way, being so attracted to a stranger. But she couldn't help herself as she walked toward him. He didn't say anything, just pulling her into a hug.
Regina didn't like touching people. It brought pain and feelings she didn't want. Mavis and Atta were the only ones she felt okay with touching her; she even had problems with Aisha, her best friend. With this man, though, there were tingles. Like joy radiating off him. He was warm, his arms gentle and perfectly holding her.
He was taller, much taller than her short frame. He was also skinny; she could easily wrap her arms around him. But it was perfect. There was no question to where their arms were supposed to rest. They fit together, like a puzzle piece.
His head was resting on her shoulder, her head pushed against his chest. No one spoke, just relishing the magical moment for only the two of them.
Until Mavis had to come in and break the spell.
"Luce? Robin said you were back here, and the door is, oh."
In unison, they each realized what was happening and took a step back. Arms hanging limp, it was strange without the man. Being with him, it felt peaceful. With him, all her worries and thoughts just disappeared.
Regina turned to see Mavis smiling at her in the doorway, an awful knowing grin. Regina ducked her head and went to stand by her mother, looking back at the young man.
She knew she was short. They guessed her to be around seventeen or eighteen, and yet she stood at 5'3. Looking at the man, he was several inches taller than her, because she needed to feel shorter.
He was also looking down, his long hair shielding his face.
"I'm sorry about that. I'll just, I'll go talk to Robin."
'Just tell me when you're ready to go.' Mavis switched to the private link. 'We do need to be home before dinner.'
Mavis turned to leave, flashing Regina another grin. She just looked away, not wanting to deal with Mavis or her strange smiles.
The door slammed shut, and it seemed to echo through the room, leaving the two alone. Both were focused on the ground, unable to look up at the other.
Regina had no idea what was going on. She should be panicking, freaking out, and leaving. Yet, she felt comfortable, actually wanting to be with the man. This had never happened, not even with Mavis and Atta right away. Speranza wasn't even talking; she was just lying still. Mavis didn't help; she seemed pleased with the situation.
"I'm sorry about the hug, that's wasn't what I planned when I met you."
He was planning on meeting her? Why wasn't that scaring her as much as it should?
He rubbed the back of his neck, shyly looking up. "I planned on talking and meeting normally, not attacking you with a hug."
She could see more of his face. He had a strong jaw with hair growing along his jaw and chin. He was very handsome; why was he feeling something for someone like her?
She wasn't anything special, average brown hair and dull green eyes. She was short with scars all over, meaning she always wore long sleeves and pants. There wasn't anything extraordinary about her that would catch his attention. Not a guy like that.
"But, I'm a, Xander Cooley, my uncle owns this shop, and I guess you've already met Robin. She works the counter, so that would make sense. Can I get your name?"
His voice was soft, Regina liked it. It didn't scare her like Atta or Sergio did sometimes. They both had loud booming voices and usually didn't even realize it. Add their height and muscles, they were scarier than they realized, unlike Xander.
Without even thinking, Regina closed her eyes and reached out for Xander's string. His was comfortable in her hand, like a glove. Yet another sign of their strong connection. Once it was in grasp, she pushed her thoughts to him.
When she opened her eyes again, Xander was staring at her, mouth open and eyes wide. Realizing what she had done, something she really shouldn't have, she crossed her arms and folding in on herself.
"Was that, did I hear you? Regina, is that your name?"
She nodded, and he fell silent. Adding on top of the fact that she has some traumatic past, she has superpowers. If he wasn't earlier, he would be scared of her now. From what Speranza and Viribus told her, sending thoughts to strangers isn't normal.
Mind linking was like talking. An open link and two or multiple people can talk back and forth. What she was doing was sending her thoughts, what she was thinking at that moment. Xander couldn't speak back through that link; it was all coming from her side. It wasn't even like a normal conversation for werewolves to have.
"That's the coolest thing I've ever heard of; how did you do it?"
When she looked up again, his shocked face was full of light. He seemed to actually want to know more. And in a way, that didn't mean teasing or mocking her. She hadn't told anyone about this, and it seemed like Xander was even excited about it.
Regina opened the link, making sure only some of her thoughts went though. He didn't need to know how handsome she thought he was.
'It's something I've been able to do since I was a kid. I was born with this ability.'
Xander pushed his hair from his face only for it to fall again. "I've never heard of a wolf ever doing something like that. It's sorta amazing. Can your parents do it too?"
Probably, not like she really knew.
'No, they don't know about this.'
"It's still really cool. A thing for the history books."
Regina couldn't stop red from spreading up her neck and into her cheeks. No one had said so many good things about her in such a short time. It made her feel, all fuzzy.
"Anyway, If you are willing, can I officially introduce you to my sister as my Fated?"
Regina had heard the word in the pack. Atta called Mavis his Fated all the time, yet no one had actually explained it to her. Sergio said his feelings weren't that of a Fated bond; it didn't make sense to her.
Regina nodded. Maybe he would explain if anything she was sure Mavis would. Fated must explain why she felt this attachment to Xander.
She stepped to the side as Xander walked to the door. He opened it and motioned for her to go first with his arm. Regina smiled at him and went through, Xander following right behind.
"Here come the love birds. Ha, that's funny, Xander. You know, the whole bird thing." Robin talked fast, Regina wasn't sure if she got everything. What was so funny about birds?
"Ha ha, Robin. Very funny." Xander said, but it didn't sound like he really meant it.
"Well, it is. I guess it's welcome to the family, Regina!"
Robin bounced, her head of curls bouncing along with her. Regina just turned to Mavis, needing an explanation. Why was she joining their family! They had only just met!
"Shut up, Robin, we just met."
Regina turned to Xander and made sure their link really was closed. He smiled down at her, unaware that he had just read her thoughts without a connection.
"As much as I'm glad you two have met and this is all very sweet, Atta has nice warm Lasagna waiting for us. You two can switch numbers, and we will head out."
Xander pulled something out of his pocket and seeing his phone, Regina pulled the heavy item out of her own pocket.
Aisha had taken her to a store to get her a phone a while ago. Something about media and calling and texting, Regina didn't understand. Why spend forever typing out words when you can just talk through the pack link?
As Xander programmed his number into her phone, she still didn't comprehend why. She could talk to him literally anytime. The device was silly and useless; it was just a waste of money.
"Here, call or text anytime. I'm free this week if you want to go on a date or something."
Robin and Mavis made a strange noise as Regina and Xander turned red.
With waves goodbye and small steps, the two left the store. Regina didn't want to. Every step put more distance between her and Xander. It made her chest hurt and even caused Speranza to whine. None of this made sense to her, meeting a stranger, feeling connected to him, and feeling bad when walking away. It was somehow all connected to this Fated thing that apparently everyone except her understood.
Then again, she didn't remember anything before meeting the nomadic pack, and even then, they lived in the woods in wolf form. Not a lot of room for talking and explaining.
'Mavis,' Regina made sure to use the pack link and not the connection they have. 'What is a Fated?'
Mavis's step faltered as she turned to look at the teenager. For a second, Regina was worried Mavis would be mad or think she was crazy. Then, her face changed to a more relaxed look, and she started to talk.
"The wolf spirits we house all have one partner that they are destined to love. After each rebirth, they still are connected to just one wolf, no matter what human it lives in. This connection is called a Fated bond."
Mavis explained the whole ride home. The connection, how you find your Fated, and even what age. By that rule, that meant she was now eighteen. Mavis even had to go into a bonding ceremony, which included a lot of details Regina didn't want. Marriage was cool, yes. What happens after that, she didn't particularly care about.
At the packhouse, dinner was spent talking about Xander. Atta didn't seem too happy, Regina wasn't sure why. Xander was supposedly the person that would make her and her wolf happy. Why wouldn't Atta like that for her?
Of course, she had to tell Aisha. Regina regretted it right after Aisha heard through the link. Aisha screamed for a solid minute; then, she started to fire question after question about what he looked like, how cute, and about dates. Regina couldn't keep anything from her friend, but that didn't stop her from blushing after describing Xander.
Laying on her bed, Regina knew she was supposed to be falling asleep. But she kept thinking about Xander.
Sure, their wolves were tied in a practically unbreakable way. That didn't apply to him as a human. There weren't any rules saying they had to stick together forever. No promises were made; Xander could easily decide he didn't want her, which would be the end.
It was understandable. She was plain, simple, average. She didn't stand out in a crowd, but she wasn't ugly. She was just, Regina.
Regina, covered in scars and unable to talk because of past trauma. Trauma so bad she had blanked from her memory. Regina with three different families. Regina with a royal wolf and superpowers. She was just that, a girl covered in ugliness and pain.
****
To make sure there isn't any confusion, I'll explain something. Regina doesn't want anyone else to know about the Royal power and so she is using Speranza to talk through pack links. But with Xander, there was no link and she used her Royal connection. When it's her talking there will be these marks, ' ' but it won't be italicized. Hope this makes sense.
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