I carried Laura’s naked and battered body to the lake near the cabin. I walked inside the lake with her in my arms and gently bathed her. Laura was still silent and I could feel the emotions coming off her in waves. She was doing her best to hide from me but not having complete success. I could tell she was wrestling with the fact that she lost. Laura really thought just because she couldn’t be killed meant she couldn’t lose. I hated to be the one to prove differently to her. Laura was an amazing woman and a fantastic warrior in her human and wolf form. She was a formidable opponent. She would no doubt have beat most of my Bastet pride members with the exception of me and my regent Chase. She would be a great asset in my pride as an enforcer or any other job she wanted to have. I was proud that my mate was strong and capable. I would feel confident that she could protect and care for our cubs even if something happened to me.
I took my time cleaning the blood from her body and her hair. By the time I finished bathing her she was completely healed. My wounds were still tender and would take several days before completely healing. The air was warm so I carried her still wet and dripping body into the cabin and laid her on the bed. I’d sent one of the females from my Bastet pride to the cabin the day I left to have them ready it for our stay. I could tell they’d taken the time to make sure everything a newly bonded couple would need would be at our disposal. They put the very best silk sheets the pride had in its possession on the bed and had vases of fresh flowers throughout the room. In addition I could see from the open cupboards that they took the time to line the shelves with plenty of food. They were filled to the brim with fresh fruits, breads and smoked meat.
The moment I released Laura from my arms she curled herself into a fetal position and tightly closed her eyes. I felt waves of fear and shame pouring off of her. I could see her shoulders bouncing slightly and I would almost bet if I rolled her over I would see wetness on her face. I moved quickly away from the bed and left the cabin. Laura’s emotions were killing me. I was so confused and had no idea what to say or do.
I just didn’t understand why she was so sad. I could feel sorrow and despair coming off of her. I would never have forced her to submit if I would have known she would have been so devastated. No one likes being beaten in a fight but it’s not the end of the world. Nothing has really changed between us. For gods sakes she’s still the same woman and I’m still the man. Doesn’t she know she is meant to be the love of my life? Her happiness means more than mine. I stared at Laura for a few minutes and did my best to make sense of it. In desperation I said
“Laura, I’m sorry honey. Please don’t hate me. I just couldn’t let you win. You understand when a challenge is given our beasts fight to win. I never want to hurt you. It’s killing me to see you this sad. Please Laura let’s just put this behind us.”
I wouldn’t have thought it was possible but she managed to curl herself into an even tighter ball. I let out a sigh of frustration and said
“Fine! Stay angry if it makes you happier! I don’t know what else I could have done. Nothing I do ever seems to be right with you. I was hoping that we could be happy together. I was desperate and even thought the fight would finally help. You have a warrior inside of you and I can appreciate that. I love that you have spunk and am proud to be your mate but damn it Laura fighting isn’t everything. Your acting like losing was a death sentence.”
I looked at her to see if anything I said was sinking in. She kept her back to me and never even flinched. It was clear she intended to carry on with her sulking for quite a while. I just hoped she didn’t try that no eating crap again. I was going to have to find a way to get through to Laura and make her want to fight for herself. It seemed like she took defeat to heart. In some ways it seemed so out of character. There was the Laura that was strong with a belly full of fire. Then there was the scared little Laura that hit and ran from problems constantly ready to give up.
Given the choice I would take the spitfire any day. I loved Laura’s attitude she was the kind of female that could bring value to the relationship. She was smart and intelligent and also had years of tactical training. I loved that she was my equal and superior at the same time. I knew we would fill in each others weaknesses. Together we would be stronger than our parts.
I wasn’t crazy about this side of Laura. This was the same Laura that had retreated and hid when I rejected her. The Laura that allowed herself to wilt away to bones and dried skin. The weak, wimpy side the expected someone else would come along and fix all of her problems. The Laura that preferred to run and hide when things got tough. This Laura was not my favorite at all. She was just a mess of emotions and nerves.
“You win Laura. I’m going out to bath. I have no intention of coming back for a while. Feel free to eat something while I’m gone. We are official mates now so everything in the place is yours too. I bet if you check in the dresser you will find your own clothes. I had them brought here from Rena’s.”
I heard her sniff and catch a sob before it made too much sound. Then I just somehow knew she didn’t plan on eating anything. In fact I was almost certain she had decided to starve herself into oblivion again. I became enraged at the idea. I hated that she acted like this. Where was the strong woman that I was falling in love with? I was so angry my words came out between my clenched teeth
“Don’t even think about retreating into yourself again. You like to act tough all the time how about learning to be tough. You didn’t like that my cat beat your wolf. Well I don’t like that you constantly try to push me down. Even this behavior is just another form of manipulation. You didn’t get your way so now you’re going to sulk. Why must it always be one or the other with you? We could be perfect together. I know it just like I know the sun will rise every single day. If you would just open your eyes and let go of your preconceived notions you would know it too.
I could be your strength and you could be mine. We would be stronger together than we are apart. Instead of always trying to manipulate me. Even now I can feel you sorrow and defeat. I know you think I will dominate you and take away your freedom. You couldn’t be more wrong! I don’t want your blind commitment. I want to be partners, Laura. You would have known that if you would have just tried to talk to me. My ears work I swear to god! You always want to take the easy way out. You have such a fear of words. I don’t know how your father managed to screw up your emotions so bad but if he wasn’t dead already I would probably kill him”
I stomped and trudged my way back to the lake and viciously scrubbed my own body. I ached all over and again had to give it to Laura and her fighting abilities. That scrawny wolf put up one hell of fight. I understood why Laura was always so sassy that wolf of hers has a lot of heart. I heard my cat purr inside of me. He was very pleased our mate was such a fighter. He loved that she would be a difficult opponent for others. When the fight started I wasn’t even sure if I would win. In fact I am positive if Laura had chosen to fight for dominance in her vampire form she would have won. My cat might have been physically stronger and larger than her wolf but I’ve seen her moves as a vampire and I doubt that my strength would be much of a match. Typically vampires are stronger than Bastet even a Leo.
The sun was sinking low in the sky and my stomach was rumbling in hunger. I was trying to decide if it was better to sleep in the nude near the lake or go back inside for another round of emotional warfare with Laura. I was emotionally exhausted and decided despite how much I wanted things to work out I needed a little time to gather my strength so I sat back down on the sanding embankment and closed my eyes.