Forbidden Mate: Awakening

~THEO’S POV~

My eyes slowly opened and I could see I was in a dimly lit room surrounded by mysterious figures dressed in dark robes. I felt really confused and didn’t know what was happening. I tried to move but couldn’t because I realised I was tied to a bed. The pain from my injuries slowly reminded me of what had happened before I seemingly fell unconscious. I started to feel scared and wondered where I was and who the mysterious people around me were.

One of the people, an older woman with silver hair, approached me with a gentle smile. “Welcome, Theo,” she said, her voice soothing yet carrying an air of authority. “You are in the sanctuary of the Black Healers. We’ve been waiting for you.”

My voice was laced with apprehension as I spoke, “Who are you? What is this place? What am I doing here?”

The woman extended her hands towards me and held my shoulders down. “I am Azara, the High Healer of this order,” she replied. “We are a group of healers dedicated to preserving the balance between supernatural beings. You have been brought here because we believe you have a crucial role to play in the unfolding events.”

My mind was very clouded at that moment. I still couldn’t make sense of what was happening. My whole body raked in pain and I felt like a weight was holding my chest down – or was it just the magical power from the old lady’s hand on my shoulder?

My mind was filled with questions but I pretended to be less anxious and asked with a groggy voice. “What events? And what about Adrian and Lily? They are in danger. Where are they?”

Azara nodded, “We are aware of the threats they face,” she said. “But before we can assist you in rescuing them, we need to ensure your own well-being. Your injuries are severe, and you require our healing expertise to regain your strength.”

My gaze flickered with determination. “I will do anything to save them,” I stated firmly. “Please, tell me what I need to know. I made a promise…I need to fulfill. Tell me what you must…”

Azara smiled, her eyes glinting with wisdom. She looked human and not human at the same time. “Very well,” she began. “There is a prophecy that foretells a cataclysmic clash between the forces of light and darkness. Adrian and Lily hold the key to averting this impending disaster. Their union represents a fragile balance that must be protected.”

I still felt dizzy but what she was telling me made me more attentive. Prophecy? Clash? My heart started to pound and I listened intently.

“How can I help them?” I asked.

Azara’s expression turned solemn. “You possess a unique gift, Theo,” she explained. “You are a Nexus, a conduit of immense power. Through your ability to absorb and channel energy, you can be the catalyst for their salvation against the Daram. But first, you must learn to harness and control this gift.”

My eyes widened in awe. “What?”

Her smile was bright, “I know this all sounds foreign to you. I know what you’ve gone through in life and I know how far you’ve come. In the unfolding events, you’ll not be part of the onlookers but an active participant, Theo. You are very important in what’s about to happen…”

The way and tone in which she spoke sent shockwaves at my heart. The idea of me being something more than who I already was…the idea of me being “important”… it was farfetched and too hard to believe.

But her eyes, the tone of her voice and the feeling in my heart…I noticed her other hand was now on my heart – I guess that’s why it felt like someone was unlocking and restitching my heart at the same time.

“I’m important?” It came out without much thought.

“Yes, you are, Theo Balham.”

And of course she knew my full name.

I had never heard much to have any interest in magicians, not to talk of the Black Healers who had a pretty bad notereity, but this lady was different. Why did I feel like she was actually telling me the truth?

“Teach me,” I blurt out. “You said I’m a Ne… Ne what?”

“A Nexus.”

“Yeah, that. And that I have powers? Teach me…I will dedicate myself to this cause.” My mission was at the forefront of my concerns.

Azara nodded, her voice resonating with conviction. “We will guide you when the time is right, Theo, and you will get to harness your full potential,” she assured me. “But remember, the path ahead will not be easy. It requires strength, sacrifice, and resilience, none of which we can teach you.”

I nodded.

And I laid there, slowly preparing myself mentally for the arduous journey that lay ahead. Azara motioned to the other Black Healers, who gathered around me, their expressions filled with respect and anticipation.

“Theo,” Azara said, “we will reveal the secrets that have long been kept from you and most of your kind in your generation…the ancient knowledge that will empower you to fulfill your role. But first, you must heal and regain your strength. Only then can you embark on this perilous quest.”

I took a deep breath and said, “I am ready. Lead the way.”

And as the Black Healers began their healing rituals, enveloping me in a cocoon of restorative energy, I surrendered myself to their care, partially convinced that the fate of Adrian, Lily, and the entire supernatural world rested in my hands, apparently.

••••••••••••

~NARRATOR’S POV~

Alpha Rex was particularly annoyed and had a serious facial expression on throughout that afternoon.

He had told Tyler to come to his office. Tyler went in, feeling uncertain about what was going to happen. The room felt tense, and Tyler understood Rex’s words were going to be important and serious before they were even spoken.

“Sit down, Tyler.” Rex commanded.

Tyler took a seat, his palms slightly sweaty because of his anxiety. He knew anytime his father called him looking that serious, it wasn’t for laughs; not that he casually talked to him anyway.

“Tyler, we need to talk,” Rex began, his gaze piercing into Tyler’s eyes. “I have been watching your actions and decisions as the next Alpha-to-be, and I have multiple concerns.”

Tyler’s brow furrowed in confusion, but he maintained his composure. “What do you mean, concerns, dad? I’ve been training and preparing myself for this role for years.”

Rex leaned forward. “It’s not about your physical capabilities, Tyler. It’s about your emotional state and how it affects your judgment. I have seen you struggle with matters of the heart, and it worries me. It seriously worries me”

Tyler’s heart sank. He had thought he had been handling his emotions well, but his father’s words struck a nerve. “Are you saying that my personal life is affecting my ability to lead?”

Rex nodded solemnly. “Yes, Tyler. A leader must have a strong, focused mind, capable of making tough decisions without being clouded by personal matters. I fear that your broken heart is affecting your capacity to rule effectively.”

Tyler felt both frustration and confusion. “But love and compassion are important qualities in a leader, dad. Do you expect me to shut off my emotions completely?”Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

Rex’s expression hardened. “It’s not about shutting off your emotions, Tyler. It’s about finding the balance between empathy and strength. A leader must be able to make difficult choices for the greater good, even when it may conflict with personal desires.”

Audrey, who had been lurking outside the office, overheard the conversation and saw an opportunity to insert herself into the discussion. She stepped into the unlocked room, catching the two men by surprise. “Your father and the Alpha is right, Tyler. Your broken heart has made you vulnerable. How can the pack trust and answer to someone who is so easily swayed by their emotions?”

Rex angrily shifted his gaze to her, “I never told you you could ever interfere in my conversation with my son, Audrey. Just because I consider you a daughter doesn’t give you the right to be insolent! How dare you walk in?!”

Audrey’s face fell and she become solemn, “Forgive me, Alpha…forgive me but I was just-”

“Although, you are not totally wrong…” Audrey and Tyler sharply turned to face his father.

Tyler’s eyes darted between his father and Audrey as anger and hurt welled up inside him. “You two have no right to judge me. Love is not a weakness; it’s a strength.”

Audrey felt her blood boil, knowing fully well he was referring to his residual love for Lily which she wandered why he still had.

Rex’s tone turned stern once again. “Love can be a strength, Tyler, but when it consumes you and distracts you from your responsibilities, it becomes a liability. This pack needs a leader who can put the pack’s needs above personal desires.”

Tyler’s fists clenched as he struggled to contain his emotions. “I know, dad! I know this because you’ve taught me this since when I was a kid. I won’t let my emotions define me. I will prove to you both that I am capable of being a strong Alpha.”

Rex sighed, his gaze softening slightly. “Tyler, I raised you to be a leader, but I need to see growth and maturity in your decision-making so I can be sure I won’t leave this pack in bad hands. Show me that you can rise above this turmoil and make choices that benefit the pack.”

“But I do make choices that-” Tyler stopped, knowing fully well if he continued, he’d embarrass himself in front of Audrey and his father.

“And you, just fucking leave!” He shouted at Audrey who hurriedly excused herself.

He glanced back at his father who had a solemn but stern expression on, staring back at him. Why would his father ever question his ruling capabilities? Emotions were distracting him? How? Had he ever shown anyone how he was suffering psychologically ever since Lily’s dad called him and told him about Lily’s disappearance? Had he ever shown anyone the pain he felt because of the guilt that was eating him inside out?

Had he not continued to practice and train the warriors like nothing happened after that call even though he never took his mind off of worrying about Lily? It had been weeks and he turned into a statue, devoid of emotions but always had the duty to be in motion.

Did his father not see all that? Where did his sudden concern come from then?

Or was it…

He glanced at the door again and thought of Audrey.

Could it be her planting these seeds in his dad’s mind? But he knew his father. He influences people easily but no-one easily influences him.

So where was all this coming from?

Without uttering another word, Tyler stormed out of his father’s office. He knew his father was very hard to please and now understood that earning the position of Alpha wouldn’t be easy. The things his father and Audrey said kept replaying in his head.

Yes, he would earn the position and not get it offered to him just because of his birthright. This was all he knew and had been trained for since birth. To be the Alpha.

Not even his father’s “concerns” could shake his self-esteem in where he was heading.

“Fuck them both. I’ll do whatever the fuck I want to do