by A. Mashburn
“You know,” she said, “it’s a little strange at how normal this feels.”
“That’s because somewhere deep down, you know this is a part of you. It’s okay that it’s a little weird, though. I might be concerned if you weren’t at least a little freaked out.” He grunted as he hoisted the carcass off the ground over his shoulders.
They made their way back to the campsite, smiling and ready to eat. Nicoli placed the deer in front of Mora, and she looked up smiling with gratitude. Gretchen built a fire as Nicoli cleaned the hare. Mora watched how the two worked together.
They don’t even see how in sync they are, do they? Mo asked Mora.
No, but they are perfect for each other. Gretchen and Nicoli challenge and bring out the best in one another, Mora mused.
What happened to the Gretchen/Nicoli sandwich? Mo teased.
Oh, that’s still a thing, Mora laughed. Just more of an inside-our-head kind of thing now that I see how well they complement each other. The Moon Goddess got it right with them, even if they don’t see it, yet.
Mo sighed; she knew Mora was right. The Moon Goddess smiled on these two, but she noticed the way Nicoli watched his female. I think he knows more than he’s letting on, Mora. Maybe he’s waiting until she can fully access her wolf to explain it.
Well, if he does realize what we do, then he’s doing the right thing. If we found our mate, I would want the first time to be, well, special.
Awe, how romantic of you, Mo teased. She agreed with her dragon, though. If she were to ever find her mate, he or she would be something special. She’d been alive for over three hundred years and was beginning to lose hope.
They watched the two Pterolycus as they circled each other in a beautiful dance, communicating without words as they prepared their food. They ate in peaceful silence, which amazed Mo. She saw the way Gretchen settled in next to Nicoli as they turned in for the night, the way he wrapped his arms around her so easily. There was peace in both of them as they laid entwined in each other’s embrace as if they found comfort and safety in their presence alone. Mo’s heart ached for that kind of easy love and hoped that one day the wait would be worth it.
Chapter Thirteen
Jade and Scarlett finally rose around noon and made breakfast together. Neither of them did much talking. Throughout the day, as they did chores, Jade couldn’t stop thinking about her and what she has insinuated. Could she be his fated mate? He had always assumed that it was Gretchen—he needed to speak with Archer.
Archer?
Aye, I know. I love Scar, too. But I don’t have the answers you’re looking for, my friend. Tomorrow, maybe.
She believes we are mates. Could it be possible? Do you feel the same pull towards her as I do?
Aye, I do. We’ve always felt the need to protect Scarlett and yes, we bonded with her long ago, Archer admitted. Her wolf makes us feel things we’ve never expected to feel. You’re asking if it’s the mate bond; the truth is, it could be. It’s getting stronger as she gets closer to her birthday.
Jade let out a deep breath. It could also be us panicking at the thought of losing her to someone else.
Aye, my friend, aye.
He looked out to the back porch where Scarlett was sitting, drinking hot chocolate. She was curled up in the hanging chair he had put in for her last fall, gazing over the lawn to the tree line in the back. He stared intently at her as he observed the nuances of the scene laid out before him. Her hair was crafted into a side braid, a few stray hairs curling around her face as the breeze knocked them loose. He watched as she closed her eyes, savoring the taste of the cocoa on her tongue and smiled with the knowledge that he had made it for her.
Jade’s feet moved of their own accord, the need to be near her unable to be denied. “I hope I’m not intruding,” he said as he slid open the door.
She looked up and he noticed the serenity that greeted him. “Nah, well, maybe a little,” she teased.
“I know you don’t understand, Scar—”
“Please don’t; it’s peaceful and you’ll ruin it.” She stood and walked towards him, stopping a hairsbreadth away from his chest. She reached up and ran her fingers from his hairline to his chin, closing his eyelids in the process as she leaned in close to his ear. “Just listen, focus on your senses,” she said barely above a whisper.
With the sense of sight gone, every other sense intensified. He felt her run her hands down his arms and warmth spread through his body. He could hear the birds as they chirped, he felt the wind blowing but as he inhaled deeply, her scent was all he could smell, calming him and setting him aflame at the same time—it was the most decadent torture. They stood there for a moment before he felt her soft lips against his; her taste was sublime. When she pulled away, he felt the loss acutely.
“Jade, you forget sometimes that everything is connected. Those of us who are in tune with nature and our spirits know more than others who we are. We understand the world around us because we don’t require the world to give us any more than what it already has. If the Goddess blesses me with a mate and it is not you—”
He opened his eyes and his heart was beating frantically in his chest. He scanned Scarlett’s face and saw nothing but sincerity and love beaming at him and yet all he felt was concern and fear. Whatever she was going to say, she had come to terms with it and accepted it for what it was. “Don’t Scar—you won’t be my mate. Second chance mates are rare and after everything I’ve done, do you really think the Goddess would bless me with one?”
Raw pain and understanding flashed across her face and then hurt, followed by resignation. “You genuinely believe that the Princess, Gretchen—That she was—is your destined mate…” she trailed off, looking away.
“Scar—”
“Please, say no more, Jade. Let’s just enjoy our time together then.” She hopped over the railing and landed gracefully on the soft grass in a crouch. She looked back at him and grinned, “Catch me if you can.” Before he could blink, her clothes were shredded, and her beautiful black and white wolf stood in front of him. She cocked her head to the side and wagged her tail as she darted off into the woods. He didn’t waste any time as he shifted and Archer’s gray and white form ran after her.
Archer felt free as he chased after Koko and it didn’t take long for him to pick up her trail. He leapt gracefully over broken logs and puddles; darting through the trees after his female, because until she found her mate, that is exactly what they saw her as—theirs. Their heart raced inside their chest in anticipation of finding her. They passed the same tree trunk twice before they came to the realization, she had been leading them in a circle.
He cocked his large head to the side and surveyed the area. Peering into the shadows, he heard a playful feminine growl and she tackled him to the ground. He rolled her onto her back and she used her hind legs to push him off. She leapt onto his back, pulling at his ears, much as she did as a young pup.
They spent the next several hours frolicking and playing. The sun began to set and they neared a hill. He ran ahead of her in an attempt to reach the bottom first. Instead, she tucked her body and barreled into him, taking his legs out from underneath him and they both started tumbling together. This time though, Archer found himself laying his body on top of hers. Her big blue eyes widened at the feel of his large body on top of her smaller one. She didn’t fight him, though. He licked her snout, I will miss you, little wolf.
Koko let out a sorrowful whimper, Stop it, Archer. You don’t know what the Goddess has in store for us. Unfortunately for me, even if the Goddess blessed us to be together, you and Jade would be too damn stubborn to realize it. I’m going hunting; come or don’t, I don’t care.
She rolled out from underneath him, refusing to let him say goodbye to her and ran off into the forest. What an unbelievably hard-headed shifter, Koko thought.
Hearing the slight crunch of leaves, Koko looked to her side to find Archer running at her flank. She rolled her eyes and huffed. So, you de
cided to come?
He gave her a wolfy grin. Of course, I couldn’t let you have all the fun. There’s a stag about a half-mile ahead.
I know.
Their pace slowed; Archer went one way and Koko the other as they circled the stag. They crept up so quietly the stag didn't know what happened before Koko was on its back. The stag reared its head back, hitting Koko in the snout with its antlers, but she didn’t release her grip. There was a sickening crack as she snapped the spinal cord and Archer went in for the kill.
Koko got up, licking her chops at the feast before them but found herself on her back again, with Archer on top of her.
Archer, what are you—
He cut her off with a growl as she pushed against him with her hind legs in an attempt to get him off so she could eat.
Archer—stop this. He peered down at her snout intently, licking the cut. I’m fine, she tried to convince him, but he stayed where he was and growled deep in his throat as he continued to clean her wound. Once he was satisfied that the wound was clean, he got up and ripped open the stag’s stomach with his sharp claws. He nodded his head towards the carcass for her to eat. She rolled her eyes, but her stomach grumbled, and he chuffed his amusement as she began to tear pieces of meat away. He stayed close but laid down and placed his head on his paws, making sure she got her fill.
A few minutes passed. Come on, there’s plenty; join us and feast, warrior. Archer acknowledged her status because he knew what she was, but he stayed put. Annoyed, Koko sat on her haunches and glared at him. You recognize me as a Priestess and yet, you deny me time and time again. Now, you won’t even eat by my side.
He let out a low grumble and she sighed deeply—You stubborn fool; I feel your energy. We can tell you that you are not unworthy every day, but it doesn’t matter what we think; it never has. Get your ass over here and eat now, or I will let it rot and go hungry.
Archer raised his head and frowned, obviously displeased, and you call me stubborn, he grumbled. But he got up and nudged her with his snout, I do love you, you know that, right?
Koko shot him a sideways look. Fool, do you honestly think we don't know that? Let’s eat.
As the moon rose into the sky, Archer looked down at their blood-smeared fur and nudged Koko. Let’s go wash. They rose from the ground and stretched their aching limbs and began to walk side by side as Archer led them down a rocky path.
Where are we going? Koko asked as the forest became more dense and wild. Fireflies danced all around them and she pounced playfully to catch one.
Archer’s voice held obvious affection towards the female and her antics, you’ll see. He could feel that midnight was fast approaching and her birthday was nearly upon them. The full moon was high in the sky and it would be perfect at his spot.
Down here, he called to her as he crawled under a small opening in the rock wall. Once she squeezed her body through, she looked around in awe. The walls held gems that sparkled in the moonlight. Wild vegetation grew over the cavern walls with wildflowers and ivy. The natural hot spring in the middle was so clear she could see the gems in the water and the wisps that floated around her completed the enchanting cavern.
Bones snaped and echoed through the night as Koko shifted back into Scarlett's form. Once in her human body she spun in circles as wisps of varying colors circled her. “Oh, Archer, how did you find this place?” Tears sprung to her eyes as she dropped to her knees, scratching behind his scruff and placing a kiss on his nose. “Do you know what these are? Archer, these are wisps!” She was in enrapt by the unique ethereal beauty around her and held her out her hand as one traveled playfully around her arm.
She giggled gleefully and was so lost to the experience she didn’t notice that Archer had shifted back until she felt Jade’s warm hand on her lower back. “So, you like it?” Jade’s low gravelly voice sounded from behind her.
“Are you kidding me? I love it,” she turned, wrapped her arms around him and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. She followed his gaze and looked over her shoulder to the pool of water in the middle. “Is it cold?”
He hoisted her naked body up in his arms. “Hmmm, I don’t know.”
She squinted her eyes at him. “You don’t know? Haven’t you been here before?” She saw the mischievous gleam in his eyes and began to struggle in his grasp.
“Aye, I have. But I don’t know—I think you should find out.” She squealed as she felt her body rise in the air. She quickly adjusted herself mid-air into a dive and cut through the water without a sound; barely a ripple left in her wake.
He saw her rise to the surface and soon her head popped up out of the water and she was sputtering, “Oh—Ohhh—You—You, You’re such a pain in my ass. You take me to this beautiful place and then just toss me in the water and—” Mid-rant he jumped in, splashing her with the warm water. She came up for air again, and as she did, she started to say, “I can’t believe—” and before she could finish, he dunked her head underwater again, grinning.
She swam after him and they played in their human forms as they threw and pushed each other into the water time and time again. She stood on the water’s edge and just as she was about to jump on him again, she heard, “Hey, wait. Wait!” he laughed. “Just hold on a minute; I’ve got one more surprise.” He hopped out of the water to join her on solid ground. Archer was prancing in his mind excitedly knowing it was about time and Jade pulled a small basket out from behind the rock.
Scarlett watched him skeptically, wondering what on Earth he was up to when he pointed up and motioned her to follow him. They climbed up to the flat surface of a ledge that overlooked the entire cavern and her breath caught in her lungs. She didn’t think it was possible, but it was. “It’s even more beautiful from up here,” she whispered as she stared over the edge in awe.
The moon reflected on the surface of the water below and she realized it was almost midnight. She felt a tap on her shoulder and spun around to see Jade holding a cupcake with a single candle on top. “Make a wish,” he said and watched as she blew out her candle and made her wish. The radiant smile on her face only grew as she threw her arms around him and kissed him. His whole body lit up like fireworks. Every single touch of her tongue on his own made Archer want to break free. Jade tried to push Archer to the back of his mind to regain control and he pulled back from her. As he did, he looked down into the eyes of the woman he loved. The only thing he could hear was Archer screaming in his mind; the one thing he never thought he would hear.
Jade reached up with his free hand and felt the mate bond as he caressed her jaw. The smile she gave him was blinding as he pulled back and clutched his chest.
“Jade? What’s wrong?”
“No-nothing, Scar. Just give me a moment, please.” Her eyes held hurt within their depths and that made his heartache even more. Archer, is it true? He asked his wolf.
Aye, my friend. Archer pranced in their mind and puffed out his chest with pride. She is our mate, my friend, our only mate, he clarified.
Gretchen isn’t—
Nae, she is not. Do you remember feeling this with her in the woods when she touched us? She was our friend when we were young, we loved her; we still have love for her but she is not our destined mate.
“Jade?” Scarlett’s eyes held so much worry. “Are you going to reject me?” Her lower lip trembled, and unshed tears welled in her eyes as she wrung her hands together nervously.
Shocked, Jade stood up and wrapped an arm around her. “Goddess no, Scar; Never—I’m just in shock. I never—” They locked gazes again and as he leaned in, she giggled. “What?”
“You’re still holding my cupcake.” She pointed to the untouched cupcake he had bought for her and he had to smile himself. Sure enough, one arm was wrapped securely around her waist and the other off to the side with her cupcake in the palm of his hand.
“Well, what did you expect? I wouldn’t drop my mate's birthday cupcake. What kind of mate do you take me for?”
She pluc
ked the cupcake out of his hand and placed it safely back in its box then turned to face him. “Say it again,” she said.
“What?”
“That you’re my mate.”
He stood up tall and she saw him merge with his Lycan, “We are your mate.”
“You’re damn right, you are.” She jumped into his arms and their teeth clashed together as she kissed him savagely. He groaned as he became painfully hard. “Jade, I’ve wanted you for years. Now that you know, will you still deny me?”
He held her in the air with one arm as her legs wrapped around his waist and cupped her cheek with his free hand, “Ha-ha, my beautiful mate, what kind of fool do you take me for? I have you naked, wrapped around me in the light of the full moon on your eighteenth birthday. We are in the most magical and secluded place in the area, and you think I would deny you?”
Her gaze shifted downward for a moment, and he caught it, “No, My Love. With the Moon Goddess and every magical being here as my witness, I was not going to deny you tonight. I couldn’t any longer anyway. The pull to you was too strong before this. You were killing me, female. Little by little, you broke every wall I had. You alone challenge me and accept me for who I am. You are the only person on this planet who knows me; I mean, really knows me, and never once did you turn your back on me. You were willing to go to war with my brother to keep me safe. Hell, you are the fiercest female I’ve ever met, and you are mine. I will never deny you again. I didn’t have the strength not to follow you into the woods this afternoon and I sure as hell don’t have the strength to walk away now.”
She smiled with tears in her eyes and swiped his leg out from under him as he landed on the soft blanket with her on top of him. “Good, then I want you now,” she stated plainly as she leaned down to capture his lips with hers.
He placed his hands on her shoulders and stopped her short. “Woahhhh, Scar, wait.”
