Thirty-six

After six months, Whisper finally was getting used to her role of Luna. Zane had mated fully to her a week after the pack's run and he marking her. He wasn't completely sure she was ready for it, but she insisted. When he did mate her, she was hesitant at first, but then began to grow relaxed under his touch.

Wren had come home for the Luna Ceremony about a month after that, bringing along with her Simone, Reed, Truent, and Simone's newborn baby girl, Fiona. Truent and Whisper grew closer into a nice friendship and she came to trust his advise as time came and passed. He was probably the only doctor she really trusted and the only one who gained her trust through patience and understanding.

Simone became close to Whisper, but she was busy with childcare and couldn't talk long before they heard a loud cry from nearby where they baby would sleep. As for Reed, he kept his distance from Whisper but was polite and friendly. She understood he was an Alpha and had a mate, but when she asked Zane why he was being weird, he smiled and said, "Because he doesn't want anyone getting jealous or fighting."

She didn't understand this until the next day when someone came up to Simone and started flirting with her. She politely told them to go away, but the guy didn't listen. When neither she or Whisper could fend him off without violence, she called Reed. Reed was furious and took the guy out of sight where he butchered him. Zane had heard the story later that day when all three ran into his office, Whisper leading the other two in a fit of tears. When he heard, he rolled his eyes and told Reed to warn him next time before he decided to kill someone. Reed promised and he and his mate left Zane and Whisper alone.

Wren finally admitted to being Whisper's sister. Actually, it took Zane accidentally saying it at the Luna Ceremony for her to say anything, but she did. When Whisper heard, she was skeptical at first, then pissed Wren hadn't told her sooner. After she calmed down thanks to Zane, she was happy to have a sibling who treated her like family. She spent a whole day with Wren, asking questions and learning all about her sister's life while Wren learned tidbits about Whisper's life as well.

As for the panic attacks and nightmares…? Whisper still had them. Sometimes they're making her fight off whoever is trying to help, while other times she would just curl up and cry. Normally, Zane was there for the nightmares, but he didn't find out about the panic attack until later when he finally saw her and she went running into his arms. She was letting other people help her through them but only told him what they were about. Whisper didn't even tell Wren about them.

Things had calmed down and the prisoners that were once Will's men were either released or killed. Those who were released swore never to cross this territory again and to stay far away. Both Nico and Zane made sure to emphasize the consequences if they didn't. The men ran off with tails between their legs.

In town, the facility was shut down finally. The staff were put in jail and the patients were sent to a family owned, locally funded hospital for special needs. Whisper helped Zane pick out the place and went with him to check out the place. Unlike the last one, this hospital had a joyful aura about it. Colors everywhere, music, games, and best of all, no harsh treatment. The patients all seemed happy and the staff was exuberant to have them and care for them.

One day, after visiting the hospital and going out to dinner with Zane, Whisper sat in his truck and sighed, smiling to herself. Zane was in the driver's seat, driving down a road when he glanced at her happy face. He chuckled. "What are you smiling about, Little Wolf?"

"I was just thinking," she said wistfully.

"About what?"

She glanced at him and smiled bigger. "Can we stop?"

He glanced at her again and shook his head, then found a place and pulled over. Whisper smiled and got out, waiting for him. Zane was confused to say the least, but got out anyways and walked over to her. Whisper wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him close. "Whisper, mind telling me what this is all about?"

She giggled and grabbed his hands, grinning up at him. "I haven't had a nightmare or hallucination for a week!"

At first, Zane didn't respond as he processed her words. Then he smiled and picked her up, spinning them around. "That's great, Whisper! Goddess, that's amazing! I'm so happy for you!"

Whisper smiled down at him and said, "I realized today when we left the hospital. Then I realized I'm happier than I've ever been before. I don't have to worry about anything anymore."

Setting her on her feet, Zane smiled warmly at her. "I'm glad I could help, Little Wolf."

"I love the pack and I love you, and I don't want this to ever end."

Zane dipped down and kissed her gently. "Never, Whisper. I won't stop being your mate no matter what and I will always protect you. My pack is your pack and you deserve all the happiness the world has to offer."

Whisper smiled and felt calm now. "I'm fine now, happy just the way we are."

As the couple stood on the side of the road conversing and staring into each other's eyes, another set of eyes watched them from behind a set of brambles. It was a White wolf with one black fore paw on the right. It watched the full five minutes they stood there until they went back to the vehicle and drove away. When it had disappeared around the bend, it came out and shifted into a tall man with cold eyes and a hard face. His hand held a club with spikes protruding from the sides. When he smiled, there was a dark, evil glint in his eyes as he started walking in down the road, following the truck's scent of oil.

This is going to be fun!