Howls of Apollo

Octo

Skaia’s eyes widened at the revelation. “How unorthodox. It seems like warlocks and werewolves can’t even stand to be around one another.” She said truthfully.

“Well, you’ll come to find our family has a long history of being mated to the most unexpected of people.  Or species rather.” He retorted cryptically, casting a quick glance to his cousin.

The small act didn’t go unnoticed by Skaia, causing her brows to furrow more.

“Which pack did you come from again Luna?” Achilles asked before Skaia could call them out on it.

“Call me Skaia. I’m not Luna yet.” She said. “And I came from Clara Solis.”

Achilles looked to his cousin again at her statement but didn’t dwell on it, instead he asked, “Where did you learn how to fight like that? Clara Solis is a strong pack but they don’t have superior fight training like Forti Polaris or my pack’s.” He said, for the first time his eyes went blank and serious. The look reminded her of Apollo, making her see the resemblance between the two.  

Skaia shifted a little in her place but she chose to answer his question calmly.

“I didn’t train in Clara Solis.” She answered. Achilles remained silent to let her explain more. “Training started in Clara Solis from the age of ten until you turn sixteen, but I didn’t arrive at Clara Solis until I was eighteen.”

“Where were you then?” Achilles probed.

“I stayed with my grandfather. He trained me himself.” She answered, avoiding his eyes.

“In which pack?” He asked persistently.

“How is this important?” She asked back.

“Because I’ve never heard of anyone besting one of my cousin’s commanders nor have I ever witnessed one of the oldest warlocks bleed by the hands of anyone and lived to tell the tale. Lastly, the way you fight, I feel like I’ve seen it before.” He said in all seriousness.

Skaia turned away and closed her eyes. “I didn’t come from a pack with ill intentions. My grandfather was a seasoned warrior and he passed down all he knew about fighting to me. That’s all you need to know. If you want me to help better your warriors, I can, but this is where your queries stop.” She said with finality.

Achilles chose not to retort at that. Instead, he held Skaia’s gaze, trying to read whatever he could. But like her mate, she’s a blank slate.

“I would like that Luna, I hope one day you can visit my pack. I’m sure my sister would get along well with you.” He said, glancing at Apollo for a brief second before training his eyes back on Skaia.

Skaia nodded at his words. “I’d love to, as soon as this threat is over.” She said, pertaining to Alistair.

She glanced back at her mate. “I have to get to the clinic. I’ll see you at home.” She said, excusing herself and making her way out of the room.

The moment she was out if ear shot, Achilles turned to his cousin and said, “I like her.”

A growl rumbled out of Apollo’s throat almost instantly. “Not like that Apollo. I mean as a warrior. She fought with utmost precision, with every strike aimed to incapacitate. She’s even as calculative as you. I wonder which one of you is the better tactician though.” He said both in taunt and curiosity.

“She’s impressive.” Apollo couldn’t help but comment.

Achilles smiled at his cousin. “I’m happy for you Apollo. You’re the first alpha of the lineage to have a true mate in a millenia. Although, your little spitfire doesn’t seem to be aware she’s been officially the Luna of Forti Polaris the moment you met.” He said.

“She’ll know soon enough.” Apollo retorted.

“Have you talked to Remley about why an alpha of Forti Polaris has been graced with a mate now?” Achilles asked.

“He simply said she was my miracle.” Apollo replied.

Achilles smiled at that but his face slowly morphed into seriousness. “Alistair mentioned he’ll be giving his gift another way.” He had to say it. It’s like they were missing something yet at the same time, they have a feeling something big is about to happen.

“I saw it Apollo, he had raised his hand to cast a spell, and it was directed at Skaia. He has something in store for her.” He said his thoughts out loud, knowing his cousin has to hear it.

“He won’t touch her Achilles. I’ll hunt him down this time if I have to.” Apollo said lowly, his voice monotonous.

“Maybe it’s high time you tell her about what this is really about.” Achilles suggested.

Apollo looked away. “She’s going to hate me for subjecting her to this life. Constantly looking over our shoulders and fearing for the future. If we even have one.” He said with heaviness in his tone.

“It will be entirely up to her on what she thinks about all this Apollo. It’ll be her choice. But you need to give her the chance to know.” Achilles said to him.

Apollo mulled over his words for a moment and finally nodded his head slowly.

“Wish me luck.” He said, his voice resigned.

“You don’t need it. I already know exactly how it’s going to go, just make sure to tell her.” Achilles said to him, before straightening in his seat and proceeded to shift their conversation to pack business, which was exactly why he came to visit in the first place.

The earlier event was only a bonus excitement.

Skaia spent the rest of the day in the clinic, so caught up with everything that by the time, Maggie told her to go, it was already dark out. By now, everyone in the pack knows who she is, s when a couple guards saw her walking back to Apollo’s house, they volunteered to walk with her the rest of the way.

She found out they were the patrols for today and had just gotten off their shift, replaced by the ones scheduled for the rest of the night. She thanked them wholeheartedly as soon as she stepped onto the front steps and they went on their way.

When she entered the house, Skaia noticed light coming from one of the rooms and like a moth to a flame, she made her way towards it. She snuck a peek inside and saw that it was actually an office. She took a tentative step inside and was immediately taken aback when a voice came from the side of the room.

“What are you doing?” Skaia’s neck instantly snapped to the direction of the sound.

Her heart raised from both the fright and the sight of her mate stood near the wide window, his eyes boring into her.

“I’m sorry, I saw the light and I didn’t think you’d be in here.” She said, with a slightly heavy breath, still calming her racing heart.

“I had a few papers to finish. Did you just come from the clinic?” He asked calmly, a contrast to his on edge state this morning. She was even surprised that Apollo is initiating the conversation.

“Yes,” She cleared her throat. “I lost track of time. We had a busy day.” She said in a low voice.

Apollo only nodded in reply. His eyes still trained on her, and that moment, Skaia wanted nothing more than to read what was going through his mind.

So she took a leap of faith and said, “Apollo, I was wondering if we could talk.”

Skaia swallowed the lump in her throat to elaborate. “I actually wanted to spend the day with you today, but then what happened ultimately prevented that.” She added, chuckling humorlessly at the end.

Apollo moved from his place near the window and sat in one of the seats on the other side of the coffee table. Once again, Skaia was surprised at his compliance and quickly sat on the other seat. They were facing each other now.

There was a shift the moment they were across one another. A palpable electric charge and they were both very well aware of it.

Skaia cleared her throat, indicating she’ll be speaking first. “I don’t know anything about you.” She said, looking him in the eye.

Apollo was taken aback at her statement. He thought she would have wanted to discuss her duties in the pack first. He was surprised she would want to take on a subject so trivial.

“I know it might seem silly,” He regained his focus when Skaia spoke again. “But I believe the minute details, the ones mostly overlooked, are what truly matters in a bond. They make you more appreciative of what you got.” She said softly.

Skaia didn’t want to feel nervous around her mate, but her heart is racing by the minute and she can’t tell if it’s because of the conversation or her mate’s presence. The bond will drive them to the point of madness in order to get them together.

Apollo shame wash over him when it dawned on him that he hasn’t spent time with his mate at all. He threw her into training the minute they arrived and he left her to her own devises. He was of no help whatsoever.  

With that, he relented to his mate and nodded. “What do you want to know?” He asked. He gave himself liberty to gaze at his mate’s face, his eyes glued there.

Skaia took a deep breath and let a small smile slip on her face. “First off, I don’t know how old you are. So, how old are you?” She asked.

“I’m thirty-two.” Apollo answered simply.

“Oh,” Skaia whispered.

“You?” Apollo asked back.

“28” She replied, to which Apollo just nodded to.

No doubt, they were both adults. Despite her lack of height, she is indeed, an adult.

“How long have you been alpha?” She continued asking.

“Since I was 20.” Apollo responded. His shoulders were still tense but he found he was as keen to answer her questions, as she was at asking them.

“And your parents?” She said impulsively.

“My parents passed away when I was four. I was raised by my grandfather.” He answered, looking elsewhere.

Skaia’s eyes widened at that and she quickly sputtered an apology. She hadn’t thought of the possibility of that as to why she hasn’t seen them around and she’s now berating herself for asking.

Silence fell on them after that. Apollo averted his eyes toward the window and caught sight of the pack lands. He looked back to his mate who was currently lost in her own thoughts.

“Skaia” He called to get her attention.

She looked up in question.

“I realized I haven’t told you anything about your role as Luna.” He said.

“I didn’t know what protocols the pack has as to inducting leaders, so I never really thought of myself as the Luna. Regardless of you being my mate.” She said honestly.

“You became the Luna of this pack the moment I found you Skaia.” He said, holding her gaze with his own. “Forti Polaris doesn’t need an official ceremony to accept their Luna, it has been a long standing tradition set by my predecessors. An announcement is all it takes, but it’s pointless. Even if others question you, their wolves have already accepted you as one of their leaders. Just like what happened to Rush.” He explained.

Skaia stared at her mate in bewilderment. All this time, she’s been walking around like a new recruit, telling herself there are certain lines she shouldn’t cross, like members calling her by the title for example. Little did she know, she’s been Luna since the night they met.