From Maiden to Mother (Book 2 of the Northern Territories Series)

Chapter 8

From Maiden to Mother

Chapter 8

Nikolai’s POV

I stayed up all night and caught up my paperwork. I sit back in my chair tapping my phone against my thigh trying to figure out what to do with Kara. Stryder knocks on my hotel room door before coming in. He sits across from me. “What’s new, Alpha?”

I sigh heavily, “I made some progress with Kara yesterday, but she suddenly reverted into a scared virgin role and freaked out. Now I’m trying to decide how to fix it.”

Stryder nods, “I don’t have a mate, so I can’t say I know how it feels, but I’d show her you can be patient with her, Alpha.”

I look up at Stryder, “I’ve been f*****g patient with her, Stryder! She should be finishing changes and preparing to shift any day now, but instead she is hiding in her coven and I’m sitting in a hotel room. If she thinks she is going to just hide from me, she is mistaken. She is mine and I will take her if she won’t come on her own.”

Stryder nods slowly before speaking, “My dad said that if I ever forced marked my mate, she would go through an unreal amount of pain until her body changed and she shifted, if she even survived. Instead of the eternal love mates feel for each other, I would love her and she would despise me.”

My dad has told me the same, but I can live without her love. I can’t live without her. She may hate me but she will share her body with me and she will bare my son. I want her to accept me, but it’s starting to look like she won’t. I decide to go on the balcony and call my dad while Stryder is working.

Ring ring

“Hey, Nikolai. How are things going with your mate?”, he asks.

“That’s what I want to talk about, Dad. She keeps pulling away. I try really hard, but any time I get annoyed or frustrated, she withdraws. She wants to take the day to think, she says. I really felt like she was starting to accept me yesterday. I was kissing her and she was finally kissing me back. She suddenly pulled away from me and burnt me, then ran. She does this push and pull with me and I don’t know what to do. I feel like she is so stuck on her old f**k buddy that she isn’t wanting to give herself to me. Her uncles went back to hovering over us after lunch and wouldn’t let me get her alone again.”

“Son, you can’t push your mate. You have to let her come to you. I’ve told you, your mate comes first, always. I can take back over the pack. I only gave it to you because you asked for it. You can be what your mate wants you to be. Put her first, don’t worry about the other guy, he isn’t important. Focus on her and only her. If she asked you for a day, you give it to her. You would not have these problems, son, if you would just do that one thing. Your temper wouldn’t be flaring because not scaring her would be your priority, her uncles wouldn’t be feeling the need to protect her from you, and you would be in her bed instead of calling me. Who is her previous male lover? Is he also an Enforcer?”, he replies.

“Dad, I don’t want to be a Consort. I’m an Alpha, she should come to me. Her uncles are only interfering because they’re friends with her f**k buddy, he isn’t an Enforcer, dad. He is Magnus Clay. She is mine! She should already be back in the pack with me!”, I say angrily.

“Listen, son. Head Clay is not going to take your mate, he wants his own. He may care about her, but she isn’t his. I didn’t want to leave Council to be a pack Alpha. It was a demotion, it annoyed me. I love your mom and that’s what she needed from me, I chose her. I have zero regrets. The pack makes her happy and my keeping it alive made her love me more. I’m sorry you grew up with pack wolves and some of their bull headed ways with their mates. You cannot afford to be like them with a strong mate, son. You’ll lose her. I know who her uncles are. If they are protecting her, it is because they feel you’re a threat to her. Why would they feel that way, son?”, he asks.

“Well, first it was because I scared her when we met. She tried to leave and I forced her back into her seat. They came and took her away from me. They’ve let me see her since then, but they’re never far. I got a little alone time with her yesterday, but after she freaked out at the river, they stayed on top of us again. I thought about force marking her because I just can’t stand being apart from her all the time. I hate playing this game with her. I think they hover because their mate tells them to. They’re complete pushovers with their mate, dad.”, I answer.

He sighs heavily, “Son, you cannot force mark her. You will hurt her more than anything else in this world ever could. She will despise you and that hate will be all you ever feel through your bond. If you don’t kill her along with yourself, she will never let you touch her, she will never bare your son, you will be even more alone than you would just letting her go. Her uncles have every right to protect her from you if she is afraid of you. Of course they are pushovers with their mate. She is their most prized possession, son. All their happiness is found in her and it feeds them through their bond. Don’t be foolish.”, he replies.

“Dad, I can’t lose her.”

“Then put her first, son. Before your pride, before your pack, before yourself. You’re asking her to give herself to you for all eternity. Be someone she would want to spend eternity with. Be patient with her, if that is what she asks of you.”, he replies.

“I’ll try, Dad. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye son.”

I pace back in forth on the balcony thinking over what my father has told me. I will keep trying to win her, but if she rejects me, I will mark her.

Kara’s POV

Nikolai gave me space yesterday, like I asked. I get dressed and head down the stairs for breakfast. My text tone sounds.

Nikolai- Good morning, gorgeous. What are your plans today?

Kara- My Maiden party is tomorrow. I have to go into town and pick up my dress.

Nikolai- Can I drive you? I can be there to pick you up in about half an hour.

I think about it. Rayne and Jayce won’t like it if I leave with him, but they won’t stop me either.

Nikolai- You there, gorgeous?

Kara- Yes, sorry. You can pick me up. See you in a little while.

Nikolai- Perfect! I’m on my way.

I put my phone back in my pocket and walk into the kitchen. Jayce is making breakfast, Damien and Carter are happily eating their fruit cups. I walk over and kiss each of their foreheads while they excitedly show me their fruit and tell me what their dad is making them.

“Good morning, Princess.”, Jayce says while I’m making my coffee.

“Good morning, Jayce.”, I respond.

“What are your plans for today?”, he asks me. I tell him that Nikolai is on his way to pick me up. We are going to pick up my dress.

He side eyes me for a second, “You’re sure that is a good idea?”, he asks.

I nod, “I don’t think he will force mark me in the car, picking up a dress for a party he is invited to.”, I reply.

“Did you think he would force mark you when you accepted his affections but didn’t want s*x, Princess?”, he counters.

I sigh heavily, he is right. I wouldn’t have thought he would’ve then either, but I’m not certain that was what he was doing. Maybe that’s just what lycan wolves do when they’re excited. I don’t ever remember Clay grazing his canines against me, but I’m not his mate so he doesn’t want to mark me. “Do you think he was going to try to mark me, Jayce? Like… um… do lycan wolves do that without wanting to mark someone?”

Jayce shakes his head, “Princess, I have never grazed a woman with my canines, aside from Tania and I assure you, I had every intention of marking her each time I’ve done it. Our canines extend like that for a reason. If you had told me he did that, then pulled away from you, I would believe he was caught up in the moment and stopped himself. That isn’t what happened though. He did it and you forced him away from you. If he loved you the way he should, he would never tempt himself like that knowing it could kill you.”, Jayce responds irritably.

I study him while he cooks. “Jayce… I feel overwhelmed and I’m afraid of rejecting him. What if he is just holding too much of himself away, trying not to be overbearing, and I lose what could’ve been a perfect match for me?”, I ask.

Jayce turns and looks at me, “Princess, I don’t know him so I can’t tell you whether or not he is a good guy. I’ll tell you that I don’t trust him and I don’t think you should either. You leaving alone with him makes me nervous. What if we can’t get to you fast enough?”, he asks softly.

“I’ll be careful, Jayce. I promise.”, I assure him.

He nods slowly and turns back to the stove. I can tell he doesn’t like my decision and is coming up with another way to change my mind.

Tania and Rayne come in. “Why don’t Rayne and I go with you to get your dress, Princess? We can all go for coffee in town afterwards.”, Tania offers.

I know Jayce linked them our conversation. I knew he wouldn’t let it go so easily. I smile, “That sounds good, Mother. Nik will be here in a little while.”, I concede. I don’t want to risk being force marked either.

Kara- I have to try on my dress before we leave. Tania wants to come and help. Rayne will drive us out. Do you still want to come with me?

Nikolai- Of course, gorgeous. Be there in a few.

Jayce sets a plate of bacon, toast, and eggs in front of me and turns to grab Damien and Carter’s plates. He serves the boys and we all eat.

Meri comes in a little after us and sits next to me with her plate. She studies me for a second before speaking.

“The answer is yes, dear Maiden.”, she says before taking a sip of her coffee. The others all turn to look at Meri.

“The answer?”, I ask.

“You want to know if Nikolai will force mark you, dear. If you refuse him, he will force mark you. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”, she replies before taking a bite of her toast. Jayce growls lowly.

“Meri, is Nik who Nana told me not to let pass?”, I ask her, knowing she knows what Nana saw.

Meri studies me. “Nikolai is what your Nana warned you about.”, she replies.

“Is he the one or the distraction, Meri?”, I ask.

She shakes her head, “I cannot say, dear. You have to make the choice on your own. You’ll know him by his heart, what do you see in Nikolai’s heart?”, she asks.

I shake my head, “I don’t know, Meri. He doesn’t let me see him.”, I reply. She nods slowly. There is a knock at the door and Rayne stands to go answer it, returning with Nikolai. He greets everyone and they all respond courteously.

Meri studies him before standing and approaching him. She says it softly, but we all hear her, “If you force mark her, she will kill you once she has transitioned. It has been foreseen.”, then she pats his arm and walks away.

Nikolai furrows his brows and looks at me. “Is she a seer?”, he asks confused.

“She is and she isn’t. The gift of sight enhances as the Enchantress age. She does have the gift, but is not a seer like you’re thinking. Seers have clearer visions based on intentions. A Crone picks up on thoughts as well and it complicates their vision.”, I answer, “She has seen you force mark me and has already warned me of that possibility.”

He furrows his brows, “I’m not going to force mark you, Kara. I don’t understand, you’d kill us both? Is that why you got so anxious at the river?”, he asks.

Jayce stands, “Yes, let’s discuss that, shall we? Care to tell the other lycan wolves in the room why you drug your canines over her neck if you weren’t going to force mark her?”, he growls angrily.

Tania picks up Damien and Carter and leaves the room. “I didn’t intentionally drag my canines over her neck, Jayce. I never attempted to bite her.”, he defends.

“Don’t you think it is pretty dangerous to tempt yourself that way when her life could be the cost?”, Rayne asks him.

Nikolai shakes his head, “I wouldn’t have bit her; I know her body isn’t ready for my mark. I don’t want her to hate me for all eternity.”, he replies. Jayce growls lowly and kisses my forehead before leaving the room.

Rayne sighs heavily, “Let’s go get your dress, Princess.”, he says before grabbing his keys from the bowl by the door. Tania is on the stairs talking to Jayce. She kisses him before turning to join Rayne.

Nikolai holds my door while I get in and he smiles. I can tell he is annoyed, but that was a really tense awkward situation. He gets in on the other side, buckles his seat belt, and takes my hand in his. His thumb rubbing gently up and down my wrist is soothing.

Nikolai’s POV

Rayne and I are sitting in a large room with mirrors everywhere to wait for Kara to come out in her dress. Tania is back there with her. Rayne seems content waiting, I don’t understand these men at all. How do they sit and wait all the time like this?

He looks up from whatever he is reading on his phone, “I don’t want you to think everyone is against you, Alpha. We like you just fine, we’re just worried about Kara.”, he tells me.

I nod, “I understand, Rayne. I’m trying really hard to get it right.”, I tap my phone against my leg.

He nods, “It isn’t easy for any lycan when we first find our mate. It isn’t like a shifter match, they don’t feel the bond at the same intensity we do. Kara likes you, she just doesn’t trust you yet. Tania hid from us for a couple months, at least Kara is letting you see her.”

I laugh and smile at him, “I got one thing going for me then.”, I reply and he chuckles.

“I’ve seen enough failed matches and had plenty of time to think it over. I’ve decided that the Goddess is never wrong. She chooses a mate for you that will make you a better version of yourself. The Goddess provides the opportunity for happiness like you’ve never dreamed possible. You have to become what you’re destined to be to accept it. Not everyone matched will be mated because not everyone is willing to make a change.”

I study him and before I speak, Tania comes out and sits in Rayne’s lap. Kara comes out just behind her. Her dress is a deep red silk that hugs her body perfectly to her hips and drapes down her long toned legs. She smiles and spins for us, the dress is backless, exposing every inch of her gorgeous skin down to her perfectly rounded bottom. She looks absolutely breathtaking, even barefoot with messy bun. I smile at her as she stops spinning.

“A vision of perfection, gorgeous.”, I tell her honestly. She smiles and blushes slightly.

“You look beautiful, Princess.”, Rayne compliments.

Tania hops up, “Let’s get it back in the bag, Maiden.”, she smiles happily. I think I get why they can sit and wait. They know what’s coming is worth waiting for.

“It is tradition for the Maiden to dance a final dance with every male attendee at the party. I’m telling you now so you have time to wrap your head around it. She may get tired and want a break, she’ll ask you to turn down dances for her. Do it politely and ask them to come back shortly.”, Rayne tells me.

I nod, “I can do that.” Kara and Tania come back out, I stand to grab Kara’s dress. She looks so cute in her jean shorts and t-shirt with her sandals and messy bun. I take her hand and walk her back out to the SUV, holding her door as she gets in. I go to the back and hang her dress. This trip wasn’t all bad and I could get comfortable with holding her door and carrying her things. She will still be Luna though.

Clay’s POV

I want to talk to Kara so badly. It has been 2 days since I stepped back. Rayne and Jayce are back to monitoring all of Nikolai’s visits. They aren’t leaving her alone with him because they think he will force mark her if she upsets him. The thought boils my blood and nauseates me.

Kara’s Maiden party is tonight. It represents finalizing her life as Maiden. I haven’t answered any of her messages. I miss her so much and talking to her makes it worse. I know she wants me to come to her party, but I don’t want her to feel like my presence only brings her trouble and I know that’s what will happen if Cobran and I are both there. I need her to see him for what he is and not think it is only because of me. My phone vibrates and I check it.

Kara- If you don’t answer me, Magnus Arielle Clay, I’m going to come to the Council Building and scream at the top of my lungs until you come out. I have been messaging you for days. Answer me now, or deal with me in person in about 30 minutes. Make your choice, I’m already in my car.

I chuckle at her; she would do something like that.

Clay- Do not come up here deafening wolves, Princess. That is excessive.

Kara- You weren’t responding to courteous.

Clay- I apologize, I’m responding. I will come to your party for a little while. I cannot stay, but I’m very proud of you.

Kara- It makes me happy you’re coming at all. I love you, best friend.

Clay- I love you too, sweetheart.

I set my phone down. Shane officially became Councilman this morning. He walks into my office to meet me, we are going out to lunch with the other Councilmen to celebrate. “What has you smiling, Magnus?”, he says as he crosses the room.

I shake my head and I show him the message from Kara. He chuckles then laughs. “The Head Councilman of Wolves surrenders to the demands of a screaming little witch. I am also quite amused by this.”, he replies and I chuckle.

We take my SUV, heading to Athena’s to meet the other 9 Councilmen. It is Shane’s favorite, they reserved the back room of the little diner. I smell the sweet spiced orange scent that is Kara the second the door opens and the longing to hold her intensifies. I remain focused on greeting the other Councilmen before me as we head into the back room. I can scent Cobran as well. One of the twins is with them. Tania insists they smell different, but they both smell like cedar and fresh water to me. Cobran has a more earthy forest scent. Kara hasn’t seen me yet, but Cobran knows I’m here. He tenses as I enter. The twin nods to me from his seat beside her. I nod in return before stepping into the back. There is some joking and teasing happening, but for the most part, they discuss the communities. Shane has been my 2nd long enough to know just as much as they do about being Councilmen, he has no trouble keeping up with their conversations.

My mind stays on Kara with Cobran. I take a deep breath and exhale, answering the questions directed at me while we eat. The bill is sent to Council and we walk back out to our vehicles. Kara and Cobran have already left.

I link Kieran and ask him for any updates. He links me as I enter the elevator. “Trevor Cobran called the Council line. I accepted the transfer and spoke with him. He told me he is concerned with the situation occurring here between Kara and Nikolai. He requested to speak with you.”

I think that over as I return to my office and decide on returning his call. Kieran is already in my office, sitting across from my desk. He hands me Trevor Cobran's file as I sit back in my chair. I look it over quickly, seeing the new notes on Ms. Holston attached, before calling him.

Ring ring

“This is Trevor", he answers.

“Trevor, this is Head Councilman Clay, you requested to speak with me.”

“Yes, Head Clay. I appreciate you returning my call. I wanted to talk to you about my son and Kara.”, he says.

“Maiden Morningstar is not under the authority of Council. Perhaps speaking with the Consorts of Black Hearthstone, or the Maiden herself, would be more beneficial to you.”

“My son’s mate isn’t in love with her Consorts, Head Clay.”

“Trevor, I am a very busy man and I don’t have the patience for theatrics. Get to your point.”, I reply annoyed.

“Your relationship with my son’s mate is causing conflict in their courtship. It is extremely unusual for him to have found his mate at such a young age and this is already difficult for him to navigate. Perhaps you could try to make things easier for him, Head Clay. You know what will happen if she rejects him.”, he replies.

“I don’t usually attempt to explain myself to anyone, Trevor, but for the reputation of Maiden Morningstar, I will. I have not touched Maiden Morningstar inappropriately since before their meeting, I have not threatened your son, I have not interfered with his courting of the Maiden. Your son can confirm this for you, ask him yourself. You’re suggesting I be more attentive? He is not my son, nor successor. I do not have the time to concern myself with the insecurities of every man intimidated by me. This is not my business. Again, perhaps the Consorts of Black Hearthstone or the Maiden herself would be better suited for this conversation. If that is all, Trevor…”

“That is all, Head Councilman. Farewell.”, he replies through gritted teeth.

I disconnect the call, grinding my teeth as I open my laptop to pull reports.

Kieran speaks, “He’s just scared for his son, Clay. It isn’t really about you. I’ve never seen a lycan not have a struggle when he finds his mate, the mates do not ever feel the connection as deeply as the lycan. The Osmond twins’ mate was not a virgin girl without a past. They had to fight her ex-lover and they kept their mate.”

I glance up at him and nod. “I know, Kieran. I appreciate your attempt to reassure me.”