Page 2 of Aching for His Mate (The Wolves of Luven #5)

Domitia Helena Aetos had lived many lives in her twenty-seven years. She had traveled across the sea and worked shipping lanes along the southern coast. She had slept in taverns and cooked for sailors and learned bits and pieces of more languages than most people knew existed.

Born to a desperate woman hoping this continent held better prospects than her own did, Domitia and her mother found them much the same, but at least here, there was work to be had. So they lived off the sea—the trade it brought, the people it brought, even the death it brought. Domitia’s mother, who was called Lydya by those who were not her daughter, held funeral services for those lost to the waters, collecting shells and rocks and bits of seaweed to stuff into glass jars and bury instead of bodies that would never be found.

As far as Domitia knew, her mother still lived in Javel, helping newly arrived people grieve those who hadn’t made it.

She hadn’t stayed still in Javel, though. Domitia took jobs on ships, sometimes returning and seeing her mother, sometimes leaving for years at a time, finding work in other coastal cities. She lived like a sailor—never in port for very long —until the raid on Fent. That led to three years with the dragons and all the ill it brought her.

And now, she sat in a hospital in Luven, a city nowhere near any coast, where the scent of the sea had completely disappeared from her hair and begun to fade from memory.

*

“Ready for PT?” a very chipper Omicron entered her room.

Domitia groaned. Yes, she loved the side effects of doing these exercises. Hell, yesterday she’d been able to grip a cup for five seconds before dropping it, but it absolutely wore her out. Domitia never thought she’d sweat trying to hold something with her hand.

Only Domitia would have the poor luck to be both right handed and then break that arm so badly it had been unusable for a year and a half.

“What are we working on today?”

“Writing utensils.” Omicron revealed a handful of pencils with varying thickness.

“Do I need to write?” she asked, moving from her bed to the chair in the room. Omicron wheeled over the moveable tray and lowered it to her height.

“Need? No. But you might want to. Do you know how to read and write?”

“Yes.” Domitia had kept monstrous lists at many of her jobs. From recipes to needed ingredients to manifests and supply lists. She could write in English, Spanish, and Portuguese plus she could read a bit of Italian and French.

At least, she could three years ago. She wasn’t sure if all that had been lost during her time with the dragons. “I’ve learned to do most things with my left hand, though. It’s gotten much stronger over the past year.”

“Writing might not be as easy for you with your left hand. Takes a bit more finesse. And it’s a good skill to keep. Most of the citizens of Luven can read and write. Did you ever go to school?”

Domitia suppressed a snort. School? No. Never time for anything like that. But her mother had seen the positives in teaching her daughter skills which could earn money. Domitia was never going to be a sword for hire (too squeamish) or a prostitute (she couldn’t feign interest if her life depended on it) so if she wanted to eat, she needed skills. She didn’t have her mother’s calm nature to help people see the other side of their grief. That woman had lost everything other than her daughter, yet still surrounded herself with death. But, Domitia supposed she ended up losing her as well.

“I did not go to school. But, sure. Let’s see if I can grip a pencil.”

An hour later, Domitia’s right arm was packed with ice and she was breathing through the pain.

This was all so fucking hard. She tried to stay positive, to focus on the strides she’d made—hell, before coming to Luven, her arm was basically useless. But that didn’t stop her from dreaming—if she had never been taken, never gone to Balaur, never left the sea.

She pulled her blanket over her body and tried to conjure the smell of the saltwater, and the feel of the warm breeze against her face as the ship cut through the deep teal water in summer. She thought of the taste of crispy fish against her tongue, seasoned with chili peppers and cilantro, a fat slice of tomato on the side…

Her stomach growled.

The food in Luven was good, better than anything she’d had in Balaur, but she still missed the food of the southern cities, cooked over open flames or eaten straight off the vine.

She rolled onto her left side and carefully tucked her right arm beside her, still wrapped in ice. She’d let herself daydream a little longer before having her standard meal of venison and potatoes.

What she would have given to have an arm thrown over her. She didn’t crave a mate—though one might be coming anyways. She only wanted someone to touch her. To hold her. Domitia wanted a warm body against her own. It didn’t matter if they were destined to love each other or even like each other. She only wanted someone.

*

“That might be as good as it gets,” Dr. Tau explained as she tested Domitia’s grip. “How’s the pain?”

Domitia shrugged. “Nothing compared to what it was. The real pain is when I’m working it. I get a little achy in the evenings, but I barely notice it. If you told me a year ago, I could have felt this good if only I murdered Vallie, hell, I would have thought it over.”

“Oh, fuck you,” Vallie laughed and rolled her eyes. Her best friend stood next to her bed, insistent on being present for any important doctor meetings.

“I don’t know, Vall. This is pretty unbelievable.” Domitia raised her arm, bent it slowly at the elbow, then opened and closed her hand gingerly.

“Yeah, no shit. I can’t believe they didn’t cut it off when we got here. Hell, I would have cut it off if the dragons had given us any sort of sharp objects and fire to cauterize the wound.”

“Let’s all be thankful the two of you made it to Luven before Vallie attempted surgery.” Dr. Tau turned back to Domitia. “I believe you know what this means.”

Domitia nodded.

“She’s going to get railed by Alpha and then be able to come to my house for dinner!” Vallie jumped up and down in celebration.

“I’m glad you are so excited at the prospect of me fucking Alpha,” Domitia said dryly.

“Oh, you’ll be fine. Trust me.” Vallie leaned toward Dr. Tau. “No secrets between the two of us. She can handle two-ish minutes with Alpha.”

“Two? Wow. Lucky woman who ends up with that one,” Domitia snorted.

In truth, she didn’t really care. She wasn’t a virgin or a prude or someone who believed sex was for love. She’d had plenty of it in her time before Balaur, for lots of different reasons. There were men she liked, men she needed, and men who had something she wanted. Alpha fit into at least one of those categories at the moment, so it would be fine. Plus…while she didn’t relish the idea of being fucked in front of an audience, there would be a bit of touching. She’d lean into that if she could.

“I’ll contact the wolves and let them know you are ready for release,” Dr. Tau continued. “With scheduling, the ritual will probably be in two days. You’re still sure you want to stay?”

“Of course,” Domitia answered quickly. While there was a chance she could make it to Javel and find her mother, there was also a chance she could get captured by another group—dragons, wild wolves, vampires—and end up in a much worse place than living in a city with her best friend. “I can’t wait to have dinner with Vallie after I have sex with Alpha in front of a bunch of wolves.”

“Lucky for you the bunch has dwindled considerably with all these new pairs. I think there are only ten unmated wolves over twenty years old at the moment. Maybe your mate is among them.”’

Domitia shrugged. “Maybe.”

A mate. Domitia had never given much thought to a forever person—or wolf—until Tella explained it all. She had been content to sail through life with people who came and went, no constants.

But, someone to depend on? Forever? It sounded like a dream, and a nice one at that. But Domitia wasn’t holding her breath. So far, her life had been anything but predictable. She would more likely be stuck in Luven without a mate and without anyone interested in a one off, if her luck of the past few years continued.

*

It was a hot summer evening, and Domitia threw open the window in Verona’s room. Occasionally, the women still in the hospital snuck away from the watchful eyes of nurses and doctors, and simply sat and talked. Like normal women. They could leave behind their past of dungeons and captors and simply be a group of friends enjoying the breeze on a summer night.

Eelia sat in a chair in the corner, and Natya laid next to Verona in her bed. She technically wasn’t supposed to be out of her room since she was still healing, but what was the harm in a few minutes?

“Thank the Moon Goddess Vallie got the two of you, or else I’d be all alone after tomorrow,” Eelia said wistfully. “Though, I am so glad you are finally healed Domitia.”

Domitia raised an eyebrow. Thank the Moon Goddess? What the fuck? Eelia had been here as long as Domitia, yet she’d picked up the religious customs here a little quickly. Domitia didn’t give thanks to any deities, least of all ones she hadn’t known existed before spring.

“How much longer does Dr. Tau think you’ll have to stay?” Natya asked. She was still gaunt, but better than when she arrived as a refugee. The infection she’d left Balaur with had been a hard one to beat, and after several rounds of antibiotics trying to find one that worked, Natya was finally focusing and gaining strength, rather than just not dying. But she’d showed Domitia the wicked scar it had left on her hip, proudly claiming it to be her exit fee.

Eelia shook her head. “We aren’t sure. My…ailments…are more difficult to see and heal.”

“What about you, Verona?” Domitia quickly changed the focus. She wasn’t sure what was going on with Eelia but she was certain it wasn’t any of her business. While Domitia’s arm was hard to miss, especially before her surgeries and physical therapy started helping, she didn’t love getting bombarded with questions when it came to the actual injury.

“Not much longer. Because Bedek treated me so well, comparatively,” she added, “I’m pretty healthy already.”

“Comparatively,” Domitia reiterated. “Still an asshole dragon.”

Verona nodded. “Another dead one.”

Natya chewed on her lips nervously. Domitia felt for her. She was the only one in the room whose captor still lived. Hakkan, Phaebe’s former dragon husband and Natya’s captor, was alive and well in Balaur as far as they knew.

“Hey,” Domitia said quietly, “maybe whoever your mate is will rip Hakan’s throat out in front of you like Epsilon did with Cade.”

Natya smiled a little. “Maybe.” She shifted off the side of the bed. “I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll go back to bed.”

Eelia stood and wrapped her arm around Natya. “I’ll walk you there. Goodnight, you two. Domitia, good luck tomorrow.”

“Thanks. I’ll come visit afterward.” Domitia promised. She watched them leave the room then turned back to Verona.

“You okay?”

“Of course,” Verona answered quickly. “No big injuries, not starving.”

Domitia nodded. “You know, your sister saved me, both literally and figuratively, in that dungeon.”

“I’m sure she did. She saved a lot of us.”

“Yeah. I want you to know that I care about you. Even though we don’t really know each other, I feel like I know you. If you ever need anything, and you don’t want to go to Vallie, I’m here.”

Verona smiled a little. “That means a lot. It really does.” She sighed. “I guess we’re a little bit in limbo here? We don’t truly know what the future holds. Mate, no mate, Luven, no Luven—”

“If you leave Luven, I think Vallie will flip out.”

Verona laughed. “Millonia left Luven.”

“You’re not Millonia.”

“I know, I know. I can’t imagine leaving but…I’m going to have to fuck someone who has fucked my sister.”

“And Tella and Phaebe and me and one day Natya and Eelia…”

“It’s kind of gross.” Verona shuddered. “I haven’t been with anyone since Maidenhead and I can’t believe I have to fuck some old wolf.”

“It isn’t ideal,” Domitia agreed. “But—again just putting this out there—Vallie will lose her damn mind if you don’t. Not that I’m saying you have to. But, you know, lots of shit is gross. You took care of a dying dragon for years.”

Verona laughed. “That was different. I can handle fluids and sick people fine.”

“So if Alpha only had to come all over you, that would be cool?”

“Domitia!” Verona cackled. “Now, that is gross.” She giggled. “Get out of here, I have to go to bed. And you need to sleep before you bang that wolf.”

“I’ll let you know how gross it is. I’ll see you soon, Verona.”

“See you soon.”

*

“Do we have a human ready to join the Luven pack?” Hadie nearly sang as she entered Domitia’s room.

“Uh, yes?”

“Sorry. I have never been so busy in my entire life, and I love it. Let’s go!”

Domitia picked up her bag and followed an extremely chipper Hadie to the door. In the small hallway, all the women of Balaur were standing in their thresholds, ready to see her off.

“Good luck,” Verona said.

“I hope it isn’t too bad,” Natya added.

“You will do fine,” Eelia interrupted, throwing Natya a look. “Before you know it, you’ll be living in Luven and enjoying everything this fair city has to offer. The Moon Goddess watches over all of us, her chosen flock.” She offered a reassuring smile. “Be sure to visit us when you have time. If you have a mate, don’t hurry back. Take your time with him. The Goddess would want it that way.”

“Okay,” Domitia answered, raising an eyebrow. Eelia was so strange. Had she always been super religious? None of them knew her well in Balaur. She’d been one of Cade’s servants, not a pet, so she didn’t live with them. They saw her at parties while she passed food around, cleaned, and kept the wine cups overflowing. Maybe she was from an area of the continent where everyone spoke like that and gave heed to gods they’d only just learned of.

Domitia hugged each of them, then followed Hadie out of the hospital and to pack housing where she would prepare herself for the ritual.

Another chapter of her life closed and a new one opened, one with more freedom, but no sea, in the woods of the north.