Rejection Trials

The RejectionTrials

“Goddess.” Virgil and Arnold bowed. I bowed swiftly not wanting to piss her off again. I looked over and Tobi who was still in control of Bel was smiling in adoration.

“Tobias.” The Goddess says with so much affection in her voice. Her voice fills the room and is almost melodic. “And Sam.” Her voice turning annoyed.

“It’s Syrus.” I corrected before thinking.

“Don’t correct the Goddess Sai.” Virgil said his head still bowed.

“Well, she’s wrong.” I whispered back to Virgil. He winced like I physically hurt him.

“I am never wrong.” Her voice was as bitter as I remember. “But you seem to think I am wrong about a lot of things.” She continued.

“Dear Goddess of the Moon. Mother of Wolves. Queen of the night. Ruler of…”

“Stop with your ridiculous act Sam.” I was cut off by the Goddess. “I know who you are and why you seek me out.”

“You know everything.” I grumbled. “Then you should know why I am making this request.”

“Humans always think they know what’s best. That’s their problem. Do you know why I created mates in the first place? Why am I even asking you? Of course you don’t you are not known to pay attention.” Virgil’s elbow hit me between the ribs as if to prove a point. I mean I was mostly paying attention.

“I’ve always assumed you created mates because you have control issues like every god.” I replied. Virgil responded with another elbow to the rib.

“When I made werewolves, I created a being that was half wolf and half human. The remaining halves go to the creation of another werewolf. Together the two would be whole. A whole wolf soul and a whole human soul. When I turned my original pack back into humans it splintered their souls which created a lot of problems. The mate bond was the solution. So tell me Sam what would happen to you with an incomplete soul?” The goddess finished her lecture with a question I almost missed because who the hell is Sam?

“It’s Syrus. I don’t need a complete soul. Why would I want or need someone to complete me? I don’t even have a wolf spirit. I have been doing fine out on my own.” The Goddess snorted cutting my rant off. She snorted at me.

“Fine? You have been surviving by sheer luck and luck always runs out. Like all my children, you have a wolf- spirit human. They have just been perverted and bound by your mother.” The Goddess snapped. She has really never liked me. Did she say my mother? I was so shocked.

“Sai, did you think you don’t have a mother?” Tobias asked annoyed with me as usual it seems.

“I know someone birthed me. I just don’t…. I don’t remember.” I say through my teeth. Belvedere knows how frustrating my memory is and how much it bothers me.

“Why would a mother bind their own child’s wolf?” Arnold asked innocently.

“A mother who has no wolf of their own.” The Goddess answered.

“Your mother lost her wolf?” Arnold sounded so concerned.

“Their mother was not a werewolf?” Tobias spoke.

“No. Sam’s mother is not one of my children. But you already know that don’t you Sam?” she provoked causing Tobias and Arnold to look at me with wide eyes.

“It’s Syrus, your highness.” I gritted through my teeth.

“Did you remember something about your mother?” Belvedere’s voice broke through sending Tobias to the back seat of his mind for a moment.

“I did not remember anything. I just met someone who could read my blood.” I responded quietly, not sure what and how much information I wanted to share.

“Read your blood? Goddess Syrus, you know blood magic is dangerous and mostly forbidden.” Virgil began to lecture me.

“It was a hunter, Virgil! They wanted to know what I was as many do. She told me I wasn’t entirely a werewolf.” I argued.

“Oh, but they didn’t tell you about your wolf being bound? How could you trust anything they say?” Virgil continued.

“I trust them more than I trust anyone in this entire world. Even more than Steve.” I bit back.

“Then why would they withhold something like that from you?” He pressed.

“It didn’t come up in our conversation.”

“You are the most ridiculous and annoying wolf!” Virgil shouted.

“My Goddess, I have served many moons, many lifetimes for you. This is the first lifetime you have given me a mate. If you are worried about me, I must remind you that I have always thrived alone if I must.” Tobias once again broke up our bickering.

Tobias has served many lifetimes? Is this one of those wolf history things I never paid attention to?

“Tobi?” I did not even realize I spoke his name aloud until the Goddess turned her wrath towards me again.

“Do you know what you have done? Tobias is my best wolf. He is from the original line like all in the royal line. He was always fine not having a mate of his own. He has spent so many life cycles alone. I finally unleashed the other half of his wolf spirit into the world. Finally, wanting to give him much deserved love and happiness he deserves. Then you just come in and...”

“Then why did you pair him with such a monster of a human?” I snapped. And I snapped on a Goddess. But I could not stop myself. There were tears escaping my eyes. I had not realized I was on edge the air in my lungs felt so heavy at that moment.

“Goddess, is there a way to break our bond?” Tobias asked. Belvedere’s wolf is the one that asked the Goddess. Not only did Belvedere not want me. His wolf did not either. I thought wolves were the ones that pushed for the mate bond the most. Everyone always talks about how their wolves do not shut up about their mates. Why was this affecting me so much? This is what I want. This is my idea.

“Tobi?” The Goddess said his name with so much love. She sighed before continuing. “A rejection has not been successfully attempted in hundreds of years and there is no literature or documentation of it. But if you insist on trying I will allow you to attempt the rejection trials.”

“Trials? Like plural?” Arnold was the one to ask first.

“Yes trials. There are eight in total. One for each moon phase. I will provide instructions for each one as we go. The first will start with the New Moon which is not for two weeks. You will need to travel to my temple in the Black Sands territory. Syrus is familiar with the area. Arnold will take on the role of Tobias’ guide and Virgil will be Sam’s guide throughout the trials.” As soon as the Goddess finished speaking her shadow figure disappeared like a candle being blown out. Well she sure is helpful.

"My first guide assignment! I am not even finished with my monk training and I was already tasked by the Goddess herself!" Arnold could not contain his excitement. Tobias shook his head in disappointment.

"What does being my guide even mean?" I asked Virgil who was smiling proudly at Arnold.

"It means the trials will involve some kind of soul manipulation and soul projection. Lunar monks train our souls for years and we are highly gifted but it is very dangerous as it sounds. You should only try soul manipulation if you are trained or have a guide who is trained. This keeps your souls from becoming lost or consumed." Arnold rambled on excitedly.

"Consumed?" I asked.