My Mate, My Mystery

Home Sweet Home

~Anthony's P.O.V~

The pilot announced we were making our final descent. I take my eyes off of Xena to look out the window just past her. It feels good to be back in a familiar place, home sweet home.

I watch the miles of green farm lands drift past us, getting closer, the further the plane descends. Our pack is located on a large grassy plateau, where the cliff drops off into the ocean. It really is a magnificent sight to see from above. The large stone Castle set in the center of the plateau with smaller stone structures and houses all around it.

It was the most beautiful place I had ever seen til the war between the Rogue King and the previous king destroyed alot of it. Connor, who was The Beta to The Rogue King, has alot of plans to restore its old beauty once he is officially made The New King, although he would much prefer the title Alpha.

We have brought the bodies of the Rogue King and his deranged mate backmwith us, in order to finalize their death and complete the ceremony. This pack has been through so much and deserves a King who only wants peace and for his people to live happy lives. Connor is that King.

My eyes drift back to Xena, my second chance mate, I never thought I deserved a mate at all and after what happened with my first mate I never wanted to love again but here I am admiring this beautiful woman, gifted to me by Moon Goddess. I haven't been unable to take my eyes off her since the first moment I saw her.

My mind is so conflicted, the pain I felt from the betrayal of my first mate still fresh, unbearable at times. I locked it all away, turning my self to stone so Noone could see, but when I look at Xena, the stone walls threaten to crumble.

Even though she is one of the most revevered warriors in her pack, gifted with the honor of protecting a Gold wolf Luna and her unborn twins, her soul is the kindest I have ever seen, her eyes are full of love, and her smile could melt the glaciers. How does a woman full of light become a lethal weapon? I find myself full of admiration for her as I watch her through my Sun glasses hoping she doesn't notice.

I have maintain my stone composure so far, not wanting to give any signs of weakness or softness. I will not allow myself to go through that pain again. I will keep myself at a distance til I know more about her and how she feels.

I briefly thought of rejecting her and coming back to Ireland to live out my life alone, but there is something about her. I feel at peace just sitting next her, she doesn't even have to be paying attention to me. Just having her near me and watching her interact with everyone calms my soul and her laugh can make my tortured soul smile, no matter what mood I am in. Although my mind and heart are at war I knew I needed more time to figure out what I want.

The plane makes a bumpy landing on the dirt runway. bringing my thoughts back to the first time I ever landed here. My life had just been flipped upside down by the woman who was meant to be the other half of my soul. I was looking for any excuse to get out of Italy and away from her. The Rogue King was looking for mercenaries to help infiltrate the kingdom under the savage King that held throne at that time.

The Rogue King told stories of how he would save these people from the savage, whose only love was control and punishment. He had plans to build up the kingdom. Once we infiltrated and he laid eyes on the woman being held captive it was over. I watched this strong man slowly decline as every bit of his energy went to her. Every thought, every move he made was for her. I watched on with horror and pity for him. She made him weak and eventually he lost his mind with her, leaving his kingdom he had fought so hard to get. He left them with no leader, to follow her to the states for a crazy mission to destroy someone who no longer existed.

I wonder if I had looked like that, being brought to my knees in a moment of weakness as I felt as if my soul had been ripped out of me. I became a shell of man as I watched the woman who was supposed to be my other half of my soul abandon me for another man. I didn't even know that was possible, a fated mate to just walk away like you were nothing to them. It broke me more than I would admit and once I managed to put myself back together I swore I would never become so emotionally attached to anyone so I would never feel like that again.

I left Italy with no intentions to return, I stayed through out the war and aftwards. Connor and I had fought beside each other the whole time and had gained each others trust and friendship. I had saved his life at one point which only strengthened that bond. So when the Rogue King took off leaving the people with no one to lead them, Connor took charge and asked for me to stay and be his right hand man. I said yes because I knew Connor would make an amazing King and because I honestly had no where to be, but this place has been my home since then and I have grown to love it and it's people.

The plane jerks to a bumpy stop, bringing me out of my thoughts as my eyes focus on Xena. She is looking out the window with excitement and curiosity which makes me smile. The big bad warrior looks like a child excited to be on a field trip.

She looks over to me, trying to figure out our next move, she appears so shy as her eyes flicker to the ground when she sees my head turned in her direction, she can't see if I'm looking at her because of my sun glasses but I definitely make her shy. Her words stumble as she asks how far we are from the pack lands. I can't help but smile, she is so confident when she speaks to anyone else but can't even get a simple question out to me. I tell her it's a short ride to the castle and watch her eyes widen at the word castle.

I hold out my hand for hers and lead her off the plane. I watch as the pilot eyes her as she walks by and hear a low and deadly growl before realizing it was coming from me. I may not be sure what I want but Enzo, my wolf,will not stand for another man looking at our mate! Xena turns around and clocks her head with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. I try to keep my face stone but can't help the smile starting at the corners of my mouth. This is going to interesting.