Chapter 4 - The Talk

Allie and Lenny were married without a hitch. Kaleigh and Dominick played their parts without letting anyone know their minds were on each other rather than the task.  As they followed the bride and groom out of the ceremony tent over to the reception, Dominick took Kaleigh's hand in his. She was shocked when she felt that spark of electricity go through her entire body again, causing her to shiver. Kaleigh didn't let go of his hand but held on tighter.

Allie and Lenny had their first dance as a married couple. Kaleigh and Dominick were still holding hands watching the happy couple. They really wanted to be alone so they could talk. They were just waiting for the right opportunity when they wouldn't be missed.

Luckily, Allie and Lenny had decided to have a buffet-style dinner with no formal seating so everyone could mingle. After the toasts were made and the reception was in full swing, they could finally sneak away into the packhouse. Kaleigh led him to her bedroom. It was the only place she knew they could talk privately.

Dominick followed Kaleigh quietly, with his heart beating so loudly in his chest that he was surprised she couldn't hear it. He wanted to take her hand in his to feel that soft silky skin that sends electricity running through his body, but he didn't want her to feel like he was forcing himself on her.

Dominick hoped she wouldn't tell him she was rejecting him or had someone else she wanted to mate with. After seeing her, he knew she was the only one for him.

Ash told him to calm down and let her talk; he could tell she was nervous. Ash also thought there was something peculiar about their mate. He couldn't tell what, but he had a feeling there was more to her than meets the eye.

As they followed her into a room, they knew it was her bedroom because her scent was so overwhelming that it seemed to cover them like a warm blanket. Kaleigh shut the door and turned to Dominick; he could see the weariness in her eyes.  He wanted to take her in his arms, letting her know that whatever she was scared of, they would get through it.

"This is my bedroom. I figured this would be the only place we could talk without getting interrupted.  First, I want to thank you for what you said about not pressuring me into anything; that means more to me than you could ever know. However, there is something that I need to tell you as you are my fated mate. You are the only one who can know this about me. After hearing what I say, you will understand why we cannot be together even though we are mates." Kaleigh felt her voice cracking.

She had prepared this conversation in her head for years if she met her mate. Kaleigh never thought it would be so difficult. She was having trouble finding her thoughts with her mate looking at her with so much compassion in his eyes. Kaleigh wanted to run into his arms so he could hold her and she could breathe in that wonderful scent.

"Kaleigh, let's sit down, okay? You look like you are about ready to fall apart." Kaleigh nodded her head and led him to the loveseat near her bay window. They both sat down and turned toward each other. Kaleigh was visibly shaking and refused to meet his eyes.

"I know you have something you want to say, and I can tell it's hard for you. I just want to bring you some comfort and let you know that it won't change anything no matter what you tell me. You can tell me that you turn into a two-headed monster at night and eat people for fun, but I wouldn't care. I would just make sure to hide at night." Kaleigh was so shocked by what he said that she looked up and saw the twinkle of amusement in his eyes. She couldn't help bursting out with laughter.

"Well, I can promise you I don't turn into a monster or eat people. Thank you for making me laugh. I needed that." She softly smiled at him, and Dominick felt his heart melting.

"It will be okay, Kaleigh, I promise. Can I hold your hand while you tell me?" He saw her take a deep breath, but she eventually nodded. Dominick reached over and took her hand in his. He could feel Kaleigh was shaking, so he gently rubbed her hand between his trying to calm her down. While he continued, he looked into her eyes, letting her know he was ready for whatever she had to say.

Kaleigh was speechless for a minute. She was too focused on the feel of his warm hands on her hand. Just his touch was easing her discomfort and making the shaking subside. He looked into her eyes, and she was lost in the golden brown that warmed her heart.

Kaleigh was starting to question her plan of rejecting Dominick.  Kaleigh was still going to tell him everything, but maybe she would see what his reaction was before she made up her mind entirely. She took a deep breath while still looking into his eyes.

"Dominick, I'm a werewolf. However, I am a hybrid. I'm also a witch from the Emerald Stone Coven. I'm the last of the Emerald Stone witches that's alive. My entire coven was killed, except for my mother, by black magic witches from the Dark Sphere Coven before my birth. My mother had left the coven with my father, her fated mate. They had me, and it was understood that my mother and I would have to remain hidden so no one would know that any witches from our coven were still alive. When I was five, someone from Dark Sphere found out about my mother. They put a spell on her that killed my mother and father. My mother used the last of her magic to place a protection spell on me so they wouldn't know about me or feel my energy from her. I remained here to be raised by my aunt and uncle for my protection.  No one other than my aunt and uncle knows about me also being a witch. If anyone from Dark Sphere learns of my existence, they will kill me and anyone that tries to protect me. That is why I can't be your mate. I don't want us being mates to lead to your death."

While Kaleigh talked, Dominick felt the blood drain from his face. He didn't care that she was a hybrid witch. What scared him was that witches out there wanted her dead. Dominick continued rubbing her hand and squeezing it even tighter while doing so. He understood her fear but had to make her see that they would get through this together. They are mates and partners; she is no longer on her own. There was something that he didn't understand, though.

"Kaleigh, why are the Dark Sphere witches so set on killing everyone from your coven? I thought most witches usually kept to themselves no matter if they practiced white or black magic." Kaleigh was not expecting this question out of everything that he could say. She thought he would be repulsed that she was a witch and would say he rejected her.

"They want our coven to be eliminated because we are the only witches that can reverse their black magic. Most white magic witches don't have the power to counter black magic, so those of my coven were often sought after when a black magic spell was placed. The spell would be reversed, and the witch that placed the spell would lose her powers. We are the only witches who can eliminate their entire coven.  So you see, the only way for them to continue their evil ways is to eliminate the only witches who can stop them. Our magic is more powerful than most because we get our power from a special emerald stone only found in the deepest depths of the Earth. It's of the purest magic known."

Dominick was surprised when Kaleigh opened the charm on the necklace around her neck. He thought it was just a gold necklace with a round gold ball at the end. It didn't look special, but the most beautiful green stone was inside when she opened it. He had never seen any type of precious stone that could compare to the deep green of this stone that seemed to sparkle so brightly he almost had to squint. No emerald he had ever seen could compare to its beauty. He felt pulled to the stone, making him feel warm all over. He could tell there was something beyond this world special about it.

When Kaleigh closed the gold ball, it took him a minute to regain his composure. It was like he had been transported to another world and just found his way back. Dominick looked into Kaleighs' eyes and could see her fear, but he knew now more than ever that he couldn't let her go.

"Kaleigh, I understand everything you said, but that doesn't change anything. In fact, it makes me want to be with you even more. You are an exceptional woman Kaleigh, and I promise I won't let anyone hurt you. If these witches ever find out about you, we will fight them together. Please don't reject me because you fear what might happen.  Let's get to know each other, and then you can decide if you want to give us a chance. You deserve to be happy, and by hiding, you let those witches win because you're not living your life."

Kaleigh was utterly shocked. Even after everything she said, he still wanted to be her mate? She honestly didn't know what to say. Her heart was beating hard in her chest.  She felt him take her other hand in his, so now he held both of her hands. Kaleigh had so many emotions running through her body that she was worried she might faint. Skylar was in her head telling her to breathe and to give their mate a chance.

Kaleigh was torn. She had prepared her whole life to be alone and reject her mate. Kaleigh was beginning to think of what it would be like not to be alone for the rest of her life. Could she be happy? She looked at Dominick and figured there was no harm in at least getting to know him better until she decided what to do.

"Dominick, thank you for not rejecting me or being repulsed by me. Are you sure that you want to take on this stress? You could reject me and be with just about any she-wolf you want. You will be an Alpha, which means you need a strong Luna. I don't think I'm strong. I'm scared of everything and have been hiding for a long time." Kaleigh was trying to make him see that he had other options. She didn't want him to feel he was stuck with her because they were mates.

"Kaleigh, you are one of the strongest people I have ever met. You have been through so much and going through everything on your own. My pack is a warrior pack, and I can tell by how you carry yourself that you are probably one of the best warriors in this pack. You are powerful, Kaleigh, don't ever underestimate yourself. Rejecting you has not even crossed my mind. You are my fated mate, and I hope eventually you decide you want to claim me as your mate." Dominick wanted her to see he told her the truth about everything he said. He was already falling for this strong, beautiful woman.

Kaleigh looked down at their combined hands. His beautiful dark skin contrasted with her pale white skin perfectly. It reminded her of the colors of her wolf, half black and half white. She looked into his warm eyes and couldn't hold back anymore; Kaleigh suddenly broke down in tears.

She was crying for a life she had never thought possible, but Dominick was making her believe that she might not have to do this alone.

Dominick let go of her hands and wrapped his strong arms around her, holding her against his chest. She cried even more as she held on to him. Kaleigh was not a crier. Typically, she put on a solid front and thought crying was a weakness, but right now, she was getting out everything she had been holding in for years.

Dominick held her and ran one of his hands through her hair. He was comforting her in a way she had never let anyone do before. It felt very natural, and Skylar was bouncing around in her head like she was on cloud nine.

At that moment, she realized they had left the wedding reception, and people were probably looking for them. She hadn't planned on staying away for this long. Kaleigh pulled away from Dominick after she had calmed down.

"Thank you, Dominick. I didn't realize how much I needed to get that out. I think we should get back down to the wedding, as the best man and maid of honor we may be missed. How about after the wedding we talk some more, okay?" She looked up into his eyes and was comforted immediately.

"I agree we should get back downstairs, and yes, let's talk more afterward." Dominick raised his hand and wiped away the tears from Kaleigh's cheeks. This gentle touch seemed so intimate it made her blush, and her heart started racing again. Dominick noticed and gave her a little smile before pulling his hand away. He stood up and reached his hand out to help pull her up. Kaleigh touched up her makeup, and then they returned to the wedding reception holding hands.