Blood Rite: MATE

Chapter Thirteen ~ Triple Threat

It had been a long, tiring journey. A 23 hour drive with only a few stops for gas. Diana had fallen asleep on the last stretch there. Waking up upon hearing the roaring of applause and cheers from people all around their vehicle. Looking out of the window she could see people scattered around them everywhere. They were all cheering and waving.

"They are celebrating our safe return." Rad explained.

She rubbed the sleep from her eyes as they pulled up to their destination. She had never seen so many people all in one place.

"We're here." Rad announced to everyone. Stepping out, Diana was in shock. She expected a boring gray building but this was something out of a storybook fairytale.

She looked up at the giant stone castle. Magnificent . . . She whispered to herself.

Looking around the castle she could see a beautiful lively village surrounding it. The village was protected by giant stone walls. A market was just in front of the castle with dozens of cottages all around. Happy faces plastered on everyone, everywhere.

"What do you think of your new home my love?" Baddy asked his mate whose jaw was practically on the floor.

"It's the most beautiful place I've ever seen." She told him and watched as his face lit up to her compliment. They all took pride in their home and in their pack. It was a safe haven for all and everyone worked hard to keep it that way.

"I wish I could show you around, but they need us in the armory immediately for debriefing." Baddy said knelling his forehead onto hers.

"I'll happy show you around. We have to find you a spot you fit in best." Gela interrupted happily.

"What do you mean?" Diana asked as Gela grabbed her arm and whooshed her away down towards the market.

She could still feel her mates loving gaze on her as she walked away. Until he himself was torn away by his father.

"Everyone has a place in the pack, like a job." Gela lightly gesticulated with her hands as she spoke. "Right now, you are considered a Psi. Someone who has yet to earn a place. Don't worry, we will find you the perfect spot. Have you thought about it?"

"I have, I've been thinking about it a lot actually." Diana paused for a moment before continuing. "but I still don't know. At home I did the laundry, the sewing and most of the cleaning. Reika handled the cooking and Tala tended to the gardening. I don't really know where I'd fit here." She was becoming home sick as she thought about it. For the home that was before all of this craziness. When Tala was still Tala. Long before mom ever left.

"Maybe we will have to stick you into a few places and see if something clicks." Noticing Diana's change in demeanor, Gela pats her hand. "It's ok dear, we will figure out what is meant for you, no rush." Gela seemed happier and at peace being back home at the compound. Not the woman who she's been seeing these past few weeks. Diana much more preferred this relaxed version.

*Back at the farm*

"When is the last time you let him out to run?" Blaidd asked while standing in the bathroom doorway.

"Not for a few weeks." Luke answered as he shaved.

"No wonder he's antsy then. You need to let him out. Let him run around with Rudy. You've been keeping his mate away from him. I would think you of all people would know how much that hurts." Blaidd added before leaving to go to the house.

'Blaidd's right.' Luke thought to himself. For the past week Lycus has been trying to take over. Something he has never done before. He was antsy and agitated and Luke was afraid to let him loose. But as it seems, Luke didn't have much of a choice. Lycus deserves his mate.

*Back at the compound*

While baddy and everyone went back to their daily routines, Diana found it hard to find her place, trying multiple positions throughout the pack. Diana had dreamed of this day since she was a wee pup and it was definitely not turning out how she had always pictured.

She had tried to be a Lota, but it didn't work out. She didn't mind seeing blood but as soon as a needle came into contact with a kid's skin, she about lost it worse than the pups or their moms did.

Being Mu seemed like it would be a good fit given her even temperament but that didn't work either. Her mind raced to much to be able to focus and do mediation everyday. She knew she was meant for something else.

She tried out being a Nu, Scouting for resources and dens. She knew she wasn't going to be a good therapist. She didn't really have enough life experience to help others with their live but tried to be an Omicron anyway. That didn't fit either. Sigma was a good fit, but it still didn't feel right. Tutoring came easy to her. So the leader of the Sigma's suggested she try being a Phi. It was a teacher to the pups. She loved kids and looked forward to trying.

She was beginning to feel a bit lost and hopeless. After this, there was barley anything left to try. She took a bit of a longer route as she made her way to the corridors that led to the pup's classroom. This has to be my place. There's no other places I can go. She thought to herself.

A sudden scream from the classroom shook her out of her thoughts. Diana crept to the door as quickly and quietly as she could. Peaking in so she could see what was going on.

Rogues had gotten in! They were currently holding the head Phi, trying to get her to talk. Diana recognized her. It was Blaidd's mom! How am I going to get in there? There's literally only one way in, one way out. No matter what they will see me.

Almost instantly she was attacked from behind.

"Looks like someone else wants to play with us." A repugnant man said as another man brought Diana into the classroom. Diana did everything she could do to take note of her surroundings. The man holding her was fast and small, almost her size and weight. The man in front of her who was talking, was about three times her body weight. It seems he lacked in the muscle area which hopefully meant he was slower and out of shape. Hopefully. She tried as quickly as she could to come up with a plan.

The man that had Nashoba and the one with the kids were about the same size. All of them were armed with what ever they could of smuggled through the detectors at the entrance of the city. They took security to an extreme here but that doesn't mean they aren't armed. She tried to remember everything her mother taught her.

"Let them go!" Diana finally growled at them.

"Or what?" The man who had her asked with a smirk. "You going to do something about it princess?" all of the men laughed.

"LET THEM GO!" Her growl was louder and more demanding. She felt intense pain as she was shoved into the ground. The man who had Nashoba had let her go to deal with Diana. Leaving her to rush to the kids side.

"You know what we do to bitches like you? We break them." He threatened her. Spitting in his face was her only response. Which received a stinging slap to hers.

"You shouldn't have done that you stupid bastard." Diana knew if she could coax one of them into hurting her enough that Baddy would feel it and come to her. If she can't do anything else, it could be her only hope to save the kids. As she spit blood out of her mouth she looked around. Four rogues were all there were and they were all focused on her. She looked at Nashoba praying she would understand. Getting her attention instantly she looks towards the kids. If Diana could keep them distracted. Nashoba could easily get the kids out.

"Why is that? Worried about scars on that pretty face." He laughed brushing his knuckles against her cheek.

"Because now my mate, who is a Zeta, knows you're here. I guess it really is true that rogues are brainless idiots." She laughed at him causing him to slap her again.

"Is that all you have?" She laughed again, her lip was bleeding more. "My baby sister hit hard at 5 then you can." Going in with a hard swing, Diana rolls to the right. The rogues fist connecting to the jawline of the rouge that had been holding her before.

The one who had been watching the kids had tried to lunge a punch at her but she was able to dodge it just in time.

His fist hitting the stone wall with full force. She could hear the snapping of bones breaking in his wrist.

'Good thing I moved in time.' She thought. Before they could react, Diana turned and kicked another ones feet out from under them. Making him crash into the one who had just tried to attack her.

Baddy arrived just in time to watch as his beautiful mate get to her feet and take out the next rogue. Doing a combo of punches before ending with a high round house kick to his head causing him to be knocked out cold. Before he could help her, Rad stopped him. "Let's see what she can do." He told his son.

They watched silently, both impressed as she easily took down the other two. Turning towards the two men who were currently applauding her. Her face red in embarrassment of being watched. Her only response was a curtsy and small laugh.

"Thank you!" Nashoba exclaimed running and wrapping her arms around Diana. "You saved us!"

"You did great!" Baddy said in awe. "But congratulations and thanks will have to wait, there's still more out there." Baddy said softly.

"He's right, Diana, Baddy, go through the rest of the corridors and check for any more rogues. Make sure to check the rest of the west part of the compound. The north and east are covered so I'll go ahead to the south. Make your way back to the center. Nashoba, Keep the children here and lock the doors until you hear the signal to come out."

*Talas POV*

All around Tala was darkness.

Everyday . . .

Darkness.

"All of those times when I wished to be alone, this was so not what I meant. . . This must have been what Rudy saw every day." Her heart hurt for her other half as she thought about it. Tala looked off towards the distance as a great white light came into view. It was like looking into the sun. It was so intense she had to squint away, using her hand as a visor. She watched in amazement as the light began to separate into three.

Each taking the form of a woman. Tala knew who they were before seeing their faces. . . The Maiden, The Mother and The Crone. To the left was the Goddess of the Crescent Moon. With her bow in her hand as she walked with the others towards Tala. She could see why Diana was named after her. The middle was the Goddess of the Full Moon. Covered in an elegant white flowing robe. The last, to the right, was the Goddess of the Waning Moon.

All of them radiated great power.

"Why are you here?" Tala asked them when they got close enough. She watched them as they began to surrounded her.

"Your wolf has called us here." Artemis told her. They began walking around her in a circle. She had a hard time concentrating on them as they walked. "Every night she wails to the moon for you. Each of us heard her sorrow."

"It is time you forgive yourself." Consoled Selene.

"You have suffered enough young one." Hecate told her.

"I should have known." Tala said softly. Tears were freeing themselves from the dark places they were buried in. Her heart was broken for Rudy. She should have felt Rudy there. Asleep or not. "My whole life I've felt like something was missing but I never questioned it." Tala sobbed, her guilt was overwhelming. "When Rudy woke up, that empty piece felt like it was finally beginning to fill."

"Does it feel filled yet." The crone Hecate asked her. She stopped to eye the young girl as she waited for the answer. The others stopped as well.

"No, not completely. It still feels like somethings missing." Tala replied.

"There is much missing from you still child. In the darkness, in the places people fear the most. There are many secrets hidden from you." Hinted the Mother Selene.

"You must be brave enough to fight off the darkness or it will destroy you and your family." Exclaimed the Maiden Artemis raising her bow for dramatic effect.

"What darkness?" Tala asked searching their faces.

"He wants your light, but you are destined to do great things. You must not let him have it! You must not let him in. He is cunning but your heart is true" Artemis demanded "You all must protect the triad."

"What triad?" Tala asked.

"People are waiting for you to unveil these secrets." Selene foretold. "But be warned, this path is a deadly one. Trust only your heart."

"What people?" Tala tried asking but again was ignored.

"You must feel but do not let your feelings get in the way. It could mean your doom." Artemis warned her.

"The darkness that is coming is unlike anything we've ever seen. You need to be ready." Warned Selene.

"What's with this darkness? Please explain." Tala begged.

"You must dig into the darkness for the answers you seek." The Crone laughed. "When you find the last pieces that are missing, you will see us again."

"Let Light Be Your Guide Through the Darkness." They chanted together. A golden Orb began to swirl and form around Tala. She instinctively closed her eyes.

Feeling a sudden, painful zap both Rudy and Luke jolted up awake.

"What in Hades was that? You felt it too right?" Rudy perked her ears up and ran down to the kitchen. Luke stretched and slowly followed her. Chalking it up to a crazy dream.

"Lunch is ready." Reika told them as she put a plate of bacon and eggs down for Rudy.

"Do you really think you should be giving her that stuff?" Blaidd asked.

"What am I supposed to give her? I won't give her dog food and she won't eat raw anything, so this is all I got, and she loves it." Reika said sticking her tongue out at him and then scratched Rudy's ears. "I hope you had a good nap." They all missed Tala but Rudy had become a part of their family too. A family member that was becoming the most spoiled by everyone.

"Thank you." Luke greeted when Reika handed him a plate. "Where's Rick?"

"I'm right here." He said as he came into the kitchen from the washroom. "I figured I'd work on a few gadgets in the barn and let you two nap." He replied as he scratched Rudy's ears and back.

"We've been trying to modify Ricks creations to help protect the property." Blaidd told him with a mouth full of food.

"Well, there not just my creations, there mainly Tala's. Her and I made most of them together, but they're all based off her ideas." Rick pulled out a metal ballerina from a box he was holding. "I seen this on her desk in the barn. I fixed it for her and was going to set it on her night stand. She just needed a little oil and a bit of a tightening." Rick wound up the tiny dancer and they watched in amazement as it began to move its arms and legs to dance. Playing Swan Lake as it moved.

"Wow, she made this?" Luke asked astonished while watching the tiny animatronic dancer move.

"She made all the tiny gizmos you see flying and zooming around in the barn." Reika told them, finally sitting at the table to eat herself.

"The barn is the way it is because of Tala." Rick added. "I've always loved mechanics but Tala, it's a deep passion for her. It breaks my heart to see it all just gaining dust." Rick said sadly as he stared into his dark coffee. The silence was broken with Luke's phone ringing. He stepped outside to take it when he seen that it was Radulf.

"I would be honored to have such a worrier fight beside me. Anyone who protects my people with such love, grace and skill belongs anywhere they please. Make sure she gets the proper training immediately." hanging up he turns to Rudy "Looks like Diana kicked some major rogue butt. She will be trained to fight next to Blaidd and Baddy when I ascend to Alpha. . . She will be the first female to be a Zeta. Isn't that amazing? What a perfect inspiration she will be for our pack." Luke explained proudly.

Over the couple months they shared together, they all began to feel like Luke's sisters as well. He cared and worried for them as if they were his blood. He was so proud of Diana, she was going to be a great asset to their team.

"I think this calls for a celebration or maybe just a run." Luke laughed as he took off his shirt. Rudy began jumping around in excitement. Before he could say anything else Lycus took over. Both Wolves were too overly excited to see and play with each other. Off they bolted into the woods.

Running and playing. Both Lycus and Rudy's minds were free. Luke couldn't see, just feel. He felt how strong their mate bond was. It hurt his heart to know he denied this feeling from his best friend. He never meant to hurt Lycus or Rudy like that.

Soon it was dark out. Hours had seemed like minutes. Tackling Lycus, Rudy starts rough housing and playing. Biting Lycus ears and tummy. Lycus Pins her down and licks her face. Rudy gets free and runs deeper in the woods. Lycus follows but loses her. Worried Lycus lets Luke take over.

"Alright Rudy, You guys had your fun. Now its time to get home. It's getting too dark out." Luke laughed looking for her. Rudy jumps out from behind a tree and tackles Luke causing them to fall to the ground and tumble down into a ditch. Luke laughs as Rudy licks him. Rolling Rudy off of him he turns to get up but is frozen solid upon hears the sudden laughter of a woman.

Turning around his jaw drops to the floor. With the cascading light of the full moon surrounding her, sat Tala, in all of her beautiful glory. Currently feeling her body and looking at her hands. Neither could believe what had just happened. Before he could do or say anything, Tala threw her arms around him and kissed him. Luke was stunned for a moment before holding Tala in his arms. Alone, feeling their naked bodies pressed up against each other. The intense passion was threatening to take over.