Blood Rite: MATE

Chapter Twelve ~ A New Kind of Normal

Luke could smell the distant aroma of snow in the afternoon air. Flowing in from the open window nearby it sent chills through him. Winter was almost here and still, there was no sign of Tala coming back any time soon. He looked over to Rudy who was laying under the kitchen table. She had become his best friend, most trusted confidante. Every night he would sleep in Tala's bed with Rudy curled up at his feet.

Like routine, he would pray to finally see his sweet mates face in his dreams but would always be left alone, calling out into the darkness. He hasn't dreamt of her since that night over nine weeks ago. Every morning he hoped he'd be met by her golden hazel eyes but instead was met with Rudy's slobbery kisses.

Every morning after finding no Tala bedside him, he'd be up and out the door. Running with Rudy to the lake for a swim. Anything to take his mind of his longing. His soul felt empty without her. However this morning was different, Luke couldn't quite put his finger on it, he could just sense it. He stood, staring out of the kitchen window as he drank his morning coffee.

"Luke dear, we need to talk." His mother's soft voice came from the doorway behind him. Tearing him away from his thoughts.

"What's going on?" he asked as he sat down at the dinning room table with his parents. Their normally dark complexations both looking pale.

"We need to be moving on from here son." Zeev said sternly. "We can't wait any longer."

"We all need to get back home, where we belong." Gela said while reaching out to caress her son's hand sympathetically.

"I need more time with Rudy." Luke replied almost panicked.

"Our home is her home too." His mother tried to console.

"She won't leave the property and you both know that." Luke's head was spinning, his heart racing.

"Maybe not willingly but I'm sure Tia has something that would help us get her there." Gela offered easily.

"Seriously mother? You want to drug her?!" Luke asked astonished.

"Not drug dear, just allow her to sleep really well. So well that she wouldn't notice if we took a nice drive." His mother tried but failed to make it sound better.

"Don't you think she's been through enough? How do we even know that she wouldn't be permanently asleep since no one has ever gone through what she currently is going through before?" Luke was trying to remain calm, but he couldn't bear the thought of losing Rudy too. "What if by putting her to sleep we lose Tala and Rudy all together. I can't risk it. They both mean too much to me." Luke ran his hands through his thick hair trying to calm his frustration before continuing. Even his wolf was antsy.

"Rudy's been trapped for almost two decades. It is going to take time. That is all I ask for, just a little more time." Luke begged his parents.

"More time then we have I'm afraid." Rad interrupted "Our scouts just saw that the council is on its way to the compound. They have already passed the Amarok Mountains. They should reach home in about two days."

"Why would the council be coming? They never come to Lycan country. Especially without warning." Blaidd asked from behind Rad. He and Reika had been close by eavesdropping per usual. The two had become a troublesome duo. Reika liked having older brother types around and Blaidd was enjoying it as well.

"What Council?" Reika asked, peaking out of her hiding spot. "I thought Zeev was Alpha, why would you need a council?"

"Yes, Alpha over the Lycans but there are more than just the werewolf's out there. For each supernatural fraction, there is a leader. Leader of the werewolves, which is, as you know, Zeev." Blaidd briefly points to Zeev. "Then you have the vampire Leader Thana, she looks kind but for her, looks are very deceiving. She is a ruthless leader who rules with an iron fist and bloody fangs. Then you have the Fae leader Rhiannon and Kate who is the leader of the craft, they both are wonderful, unless you get on their bad sides. Which don't do that. It's very Jekyll and Hyde. They're also very overprotective of each other. That leaves the leader of all that lurks in the shadows, Yama. Despite his title he's actually very cheerful and friendly. They make up the council."

"Which goes back to why are they coming?" Reika repeated Blaidd's original question.

"I don't know, we never get together without dire emergency." Zeev replied "It's been decades since we've needed to meet."

"Do you think it has to do with the rogue attacks?" Rad asked trying to throw out ideas.

"They have all been on Lycan territory. The council never cares about stuff like that unless it's on theirs or the mortal's land." Luke said shaking his head. It didn't make since that they would be coming without warning or warrant.

"Could there have been killings done in other places?" Gela asked.

"Anything's possible at this point. No matter what, we need to have our guard up on this one." Zeev announced. "The fact that they wanted to spring this upon us is bothersome enough."

"Going through the mountains instead of the forest shows us that they want us to be unaware of their presence. We need to leave immediately if we are to get there in time." Rad urged.

"I need to stay here with Rudy." Luke said looking at the pup who was laying at his feet as always.

"You need to come with us. It is not safe here. Bring her with." Gela protested.

"She won't leave the property, not even to town." Reika protested.

"We don't know how the mate bound will affect us. We can't take the risk of being apart. It's safer for us to stay together. So, if she won't leave, then I'm staying here. Plus, I don't think the rogues are done here yet."

"He's right honey, we don't know what's going to happen with any of this. Once we leave there is a good chance they will come again. Its best we leave them with protection." Zeev spoke calmly. "Blaidd?"

"Yes sir?" Blaidd replied.

"You're going to stay here incase Luke or Rick need any backup. Go get Baddulf. He and Diana are to leave with us. We leave after sun down."

"Understood." With that Blaidd went off to find Baddy.

"Luke?"

"Yes father?"

"What shall we do about the council. In all rights I'm only helping with the rogues. Once we are done, it's all on you. So, what would you have me do?"

Stunned, Luke took a moment to think his father words over.

"We take it cautiously. Have the Upsilons use the drones to scout from a distance. The council members are all powerful so it's best we keep our distance for now. Our best weapon is that they don't know that we know they're coming. When they arrive, keep the drones on every move they make. I'll have Blaidd set up our own surveillance in the barn and begin monitoring the situation." Luke replied.

"Sounds like a great plan to me young alpha." Rad said patting his shoulder.

Reika was still standing there stuck in her own thoughts. She could not help that her heart was breaking. She knew Diana would have to leave sooner or later but that didn't mean she was ready for that to happen. Before anyone could see the obvious hurt on her face. She slinked off into the shadows. Once she was in the clear she bolted into a full sprint and darted off to her safe place.

She had almost made it there when she smacked into Diana herself, almost knocking both of them down.

"Wow, where's the fire." Diana laughed as she steadied herself and Reika. Reika didn't answer. Diana could see the stains on her check from fallen tears.

"Hey, what's wrong?" she asked concerned. Reika couldn't understand how three little words shattered her heart but here she was. Sobbing into her big sisters arms. "Awe, don't cry now. What's the matter sweet girl?" Diana asked as she brushed Reika's hair back with her finger tips

"I'm not ready to say goodbye to you yet." she tried to look up at her big sister, but it caused her to sob harder.

"You're not saying goodbye to me silly."

"You're leaving for the compound tonight, Zeev just announced it." Sniffled Reika. She could feel as Diana stiffen and then soften again.

"Reika, look at me." She lifted Reika's chin so their eyes met. "My leaving will never be our goodbye silly girl. You are my baby sister. Not just that but you're one of my best friends. You're not getting off the hook that easy." Diana laughed. "As long as this heart beats, it beats with you. I know it may seem as if I'm leaving for good but I'm only a phone call away. . . Things will be different of course. Change can be so scary, but it can also be good. The only goodbyes that we are going to have, will be short ones.

I don't think I could go a week without talking to you or tasting your food."

Although Reika was still hurting, Diana's words did sooth a bit of her heartache. It is just a goodbye for now. Not a goodbye forever.

"Now how about you dry up those tears and I'll help you with dinner." Diana finished. Throwing her arm around Reika as they headed inside.

Soon it was time for them to leave. With teary eyes and sad goodbyes, they set off on their way. Leaving Luke and Blaidd behind.

Even Rudy seemed sad to see them go. Howling as the as they drove away until they were finally out of view.