In This Life or Another

Chapter Eleven: Past Lives

Everyone's pov

The day was on its way. There were carnival games and rides. Bounce houses for the kids big and small. We often saw the adults there enjoying themselves. There was volleyball and frisbee, a DJ playing some killer music with a small dance floor. Off to one side, there were tables of food. burgers, hotdogs, you name it it was there. There was even a giant pig roasting over an open fire.

Sarah, Striker, Jake, and Drake were standing off to the side observing all the festivities. The guys each had a beer and Sarah and a few other females were drinking some kinda froo froo drink no doubt having alcohol in it.

Someone yells “Heads up…” and all of them turn to see a frisbee hurling in their direction. Sarah jumps to her feet and jumps as high as she can, catching the flying object. Before her feet hit the ground she flings the disc back to the owner in perfect form landing precisely in his hands.

She returned to the group, they were all standing there with their mouths open. “Where did that come from? Can you leap tall buildings in a single bound?” Drake said dumbfounded.

“Hell, I thought she was gonna fly for a second.” Jake chimed in

Striker walks to Sarah, lifts her arm, and puts her arm up like she is making a muscle. “What a tough little butterfly you are,” Striker smirked

Just as Sarah was about to reply someone whistled real loud. Everyone looked to see what was going on when a young boy maybe 12 or 13 said “Oh my Moon Goddess, is that Luna?”

Everyone turned in the direction of the packhouse. Cat calls were heard everywhere. My father turned pale and froze in his steps. There at the front door stood the pristine Luna in tight skinny jeans, a light blue silky tank top, sketchers? She had on vibrant makeup and her long light brown hair was in a high ponytail with a baby pink scrunchie. Her dangly earrings sparkled in the sun. There were three other women behind her dressed very casually. No one has ever seen her dress so casually.

Sarah left her group and made her way to her mother, and so did Conner.

“Mother, what in the world are you wearing?”

“Well, this is a “block party right?” Beverly gestured the the festivities

Conner approached his mate not caring there were hundreds of onlookers. He grabbed her hand and spun her around, admiring the view. He crashed his lips against hers causing multiple people to gasp, including Sarah and Beverly. Once he pulled away from her he whispered something into her ear causing her to blush heavily. He turned and walked toward the pig roast then looked back and said “Bevvie if you’re late you will be punished.” he said with a wink and a smile.

“Well now,” Beverly says to everyone, “I think I need to reevaluate my choice of attire more often.” Everyone laughed and Sarah hugged her mother. “Go on dear, go enjoy your day. destiny is on your doorstep and very soon you are going to need to answer it.”

Later in the evening, everyone was sitting around hanging out chatting and drinking. Sarah wanted more food so she asked everyone if they needed anything. She made her way up to the food table. Picked up a plate and started putting food on it. She looked up and saw a gorgeous man staring at her. He was at least 6’ 3”, tall, very tan, and had muscles in all the right places. He had long black hair pulled back at the nape of his neck.

“Howdy, ma’am … see anything you like?” The man asks with a huge smile on his perfect face.

“Excuse me?” Sarah said shaking off the weird vibe she got from him

"The pig… do you want some of it? By the way, I'm Lucius.” He extends his hand to Sarah

Noticing Sarah has been gone a while Striker looks toward the food table right as they are shaking their hands. He starts to get up and head that way when Drake yells out “Bring back some more brews bro.”

Sarah hears him yell and turns around to see the scowl on Striker's face. It was then she realized Lucius was still holding her hand. She pulls away and says “I'm Sarah, nice to meet you.”

“Yes ma'am, I know who you are. I believe we go to the same school. Bama U right.?

“Yeah, I go there, I've never seen you though.” Sarah looked confused

“I have a few classes with Simon and the two of us are in the theater”

“Humph, he's never mentioned you before and I don’t remember seeing you with him. Why are you here?”

“Oh, I'm helping my uncle out this summer to get his business up and running. Trying to save for a new car.”

“Sarah, is everything ok?” Striker walks up to Sarah from behind and pulls her protectively to him. He bends down and discretely sniffs her hair, never looking away from Lucius.

“Of course, Striker this is Lucius, he goes to Bama U with me and Simon. Lucius this is Striker, my best friend and valiant knight in the war against evil trolls.” Sarah laughs

“What's up man, sorry I didn’t realize she was your girl.” Lucius put his hands up in defense.

“We're friends Lucius and have been since we were kids. He's just a big teddy bear. Huh, Striker.” she elbows him causing him to take a step back. "But yes he is my mate… if he can behave himself."

Striker looks down at Sarah “Come on trouble, I think Drake brought his guitar.”

Sarah turned and looked at Lucius. “It was nice to see a fellow bulldog, maybe I'll see ya around in the fall?” Sarah and Striker walk back to the group

The rest of the evening was filled with drinking, laughing, and stories of the past. Sarah and Striker were wrapped up in a blanket watching the fire, listening to Drake play his guitar.

“Drake, what is that song you're playing?” Sarah asks.

It was slow and held a lot of dramatic levels. It seemed to pull Sarah in as she could feel the notes in her soul.

“It's just something I've always played. It seems to calm me down when the world doesn't make any sense."

Sometime during the night as their friends and family retreated into the packhouse, Sarah and Striker found themselves alone by the fire.

“Are you still up?” Striker whispers into Sarah's hair.

“Uhmmm, barley. why?”

“Butterfly, can I ask you a question?” Striker said nervously. This was it. His opportunity to confess his love for her.

“Sure, was up?” Sarah answered

“Do you feel anything when we touch? Tingles or small sparks of electricity. I feel like that when you're close to me. We’ve never really talked about it.” There was a minute or two of silence. “If you don't I will”

Sarah sat up and turned herself around to look at him. "When we are touching it feels warm and tingly but best of all Striker you make me feel safe. Like Hades himself couldn't hurt me with you in my life. I am the happiest wolf in the world to have you as my mate, I just don't know what the Moon Goddess has planned for us in this life?”

Striker looked into Sarah's eyes and took in her confession. He never doubted his love for her and if they were fated mates there was only one way to find out. He started to lean in and so did she. Both want to seek comfort in the moment. He took his hand and rubbed the side of her face enjoying her responding to his touch. Sarah closed her eyes and inhaled the calming scent of lavender and pine. This was it she thought. He's going to kiss me. As soon as their lips touch, time stands still, literally.

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Both saw visions of a man and woman that faded in and out quickly. “Carah, I love you more than the air I breathe. Will you do me the honor of being Mrs. Riker Sorrento?”

He grabs the young woman and spins her around as she repeatedly says yes.

The next vision is of Carah’s father forbidding her from marrying Riker. Riker professes his love for the man's only daughter. The man tells them both he will disown her if they do not end their relationship. Carah packs what she can and leaves with the man she loves, leaving behind the safety and security of the only family she has ever known.

The next vision is of Carah screaming out in pain as a young Spacey instructs her to push. Sweat poured from her while Spacey brought a healthy baby out from Carahs legs. “It's a boy mum, and a fine-looking one at that.”

Carah cradles her son as she says “I'm your mommy Phillip, your daddy did you good.” Just then Riker walks in to see his young wife and new son. He bends down and kisses them both. I love you Carah, in this life and the next."

The final vision is of Carah holding a letter in her hand. Riker pacing as Carah continues to raise her voice. “Why you! Why now! you are not in the army anymore, Riker. We have the children and I can not raise our children and run this plantation by myself, I need you here with me with all of us.”

“We've talked about this, Carah. The general knows about me being of Alpha descent and he has threatened to expose us if I don't aid him in the war. You know what they will do. I can't let them harm you or the children. I have to go, Carah. It's the only way to keep all of you safe.” Riker pulls her close as she cries into his chest. “I will come home Carah, you know they can't kill me unless they have silver bullets. When I return we can pick up where we left off…ok? he tries to console her.

The view from the front door as William offers his services to escort Carah to her childhood home to arrange her parents' funeral. William tips his hat, enters the carriage, and travels down the road. He enters the town bar, sits at a table, and asks for whiskey. “It's done. I have a feeling she will ask for an escort home since Riker is gone, then I will finish the job. Do you have my money?” William asks a shadowed figure.

He pushes an envelope over to William “You’ll get the rest when the job is done. I want updates, if she makes it out of this alive, you won't.” The man says as he takes a swig of the last of his drink. He stands up to walk out and says to William “Don't disappoint me again boy, you won't like me much if you do.”

William nods while taking a drink.

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Both Sarah and Striker jolted back, Sarah grabbed her lips looking at Striker in disbelief. “Did you see that too? she asked

“Yes, but who were those people?" Striker was numb and in denial.

“I think it was us, maybe some kind of past life. Carah and Riker? Sarah and Striker. What are the odds?” Sarah stated as some of what the Moon Goddess was saying started to make sense.

“Maybe that is what we are feeling, a past life mate bond." Sarah almost seemed sad at her realization. “While I was unconscious in the hospital Selene came to me and showed me pieces of one of my past lives. I asked if I were both yours and Henry's mate and she said that I needed to give Henry a chance to prove himself. I have always felt drawn to you. You've been so patient with me, allowing me to fulfill my dreams. I do love you, Striker. this is all so overwhelming." Sarah confessed.

"I have loved you from the moment you asked to sit with me at the lake. The thought of you belonging to my brother is torture. He doesn't deserve you.” Striker finally confesses to Sarah.

“I love you, Striker, I feel as if I have loved you for many lifetimes. I feel in my gut that something is off about Henry and that he is going to need our help soon. We have always found one another. Are you willing to walk away from that, do you love me enough to always protect me from those who seek to destroy my light? I need you, Striker. mate or not, I need you."

Striker embraces Sarah in the tightest hug. Sarah closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. “In this life or the next, our love will guide the way.”