Howls of Apollo

Viginti

They stayed like that for a moment, returning each other’s worried gaze until Skaia broke it first. She turned back to Remley but didn’t pull away from her mate’s hold, needing the comfort.

Apollo recovered himself. He met his cousin’s gaze and asked the question that brought them here in the first place.

“What else is Alistair up to?”               

Remley sighed at the question, not liking his own answer.

“What he wants has never changed Apollo. For a thousand years, his obsession only grew. He wants the bloodline of the star that he never got to.” Apollo felt Skaia’s eyes snap to look at his face. “He wants you.”

“What?” Skaia whispered.

“What does he want with you?” She asked desperately.

Apollo looked at his mate and took in the pleading look in her eyes. At that moment he knew he had to accept he can’t keep this from her any longer. “He wants to drain me of my blood.” He said to her.

“I know you know I’m the descendant of the star that fell a million years ago.”

She nodded stiffly.

“He thinks that with her blood, or her bloodline, he could make his kind, specifically himself, superior than the rest.” He explained to her.

“That gene isn’t even potent anymore as you’re already so far down the bloodline!” Skaia exclaimed.

“Odds are you’re more wolf than star!” She added in the same octave.

“The gene will always remain potent no matter dear healer. It was how it was been with the star and how it will always be the descendants, no matter how far down the bloodline they are.” Remley answered.

Skaia grew quiet with the warlock’s words, her mind running a mile a minute. She can feel Apollo stiffen next to her as the secret he’s been keeping for so long is finally out in the open.

“What about Lyra?” She turned to her mate once more, worry clear in her eyes.

“Lyra is adopted.”

“She is not of the bloodline.”

Both men said at the same time. Skaia didn’t know what else to say. She felt drained. There’s no use asking more questions about the adoption because the bigger picture cannot be ignored.

“What a pair we are.” She remembered her mate’s words, making him look at her again.

“Our gifts are our curse.” She said with a humorless smile.

He’s been living with years of threat from Alistair so Skaia was surprised he’s never asked himself what the warlock was up to before.

“Why now?” She asked, turning to look at him.

Apollo met her gaze with a questioning look of his own. “Why didn’t you ask Remley what Alistair was up to before? Why now?”

“I didn’t have much to lose before.” Apollo replied, in a voice so soft and low Skaia could hear the tremble of vulnerability in his tone.

“Your pack –“

“I wasn’t going to let him near my pack when it came down to it.” He said, not giving her time to finish her sentence.

Skaia’s eyes widened in realization. “You were going to go to him.”

At Apollo’s silence, she got her answer.

Remley looked at the two people sitting in front of him with all the sympathy he could muster. He hurts for his cousin, knowing how he silently yearned for a true mate of his own despite being told long ago he won’t be blessed with one. None of the previous alphas were. The last one being the alpha who was mated to the star. There was no explanation as to why it was so, it was just accepted albeit begrudgingly. Now looking at the miracle mate, he can’t help the sorrow that engulfed his heart for his cousin as he mulled over the inevitable destiny awaiting the healer.

“Do you have any news of the warlocks on Alistair’s side?” It was Skaia who asked, breaking the silence between her and her mate.

“He has about thirty on his side, excluding the one who fell by your hands to his demise.” Remley answered.

“I would have thought he’d have more since he’s been around a thousand years.” She commented.

“Most don’t approve of him. He’s grown so much darkness his moral compass has gone dim.” Remley said shaking his head.

“He’s been quiet lately. I can’t help but feel he has something up his sleeve as of the moment.” Apollo said.

“Exactly. Something’s not right.” Skaia agreed. “From the moments I’ve met him, he has a flare for the dramatics so I can’t ignore the nagging feeling he’s saving something bigger than we’d ever imagine.”

Sadness flashed in Remley’s eyes as he listened to the healer figure it out, but it was gone as quick as it came. Apollo narrowed his eyes as he caught it though.

“Lyra called this morning about another vision. One of the alphas is providing him an army.” He said before his cousin could question him.

“Who?” Both Skaia and Apollo asked.

“Alpha Richard of Stipant de Tenebris”

Skaia slumped back in her seat at the same time Apollo released a growl. At his reaction, Skaia turned to grasp her mate’s arm, both to comfort and get him to focus on her. It worked a little bit, as his breathing slowed but the hard look in his eyes remained.

“He’s been after my family for as long as Alistair have. It makes sense they’d be working together. He’s wanted the pack since he sat as alpha.” Apollo answered, not looking away from his mate’s eyes.

Skaia felt her breath hitch as a thought crossed her mind. Apollo saw the panic in her eyes and shuffled closer. “The attack, do you think?” She couldn’t even bring herself to finish her sentence.

Apollo didn’t know what to say and just held her close to him, not wanting to jump to conclusions but he knows the thought could be very likely.

“You need to be ready. It feels different, something is bound to happen soon most likely.” Remley answered.

“We were hoping you’d join us in the battlefield if it comes down to it.” Skaia said softly.

“I will stand by Forti Polaris.” Remley answered sincerely.

Apollo nodded and began to stand from his seat, Skaia standing as he did. “Thank you Remley. It was nice to meet you.” She said, giving him a small smile before turning her back and heading for the door.

Apollo made a move to follow her out but halted in his steps at Remley’s next words. “I’m happy for you dear cousin, she’s perfect for you. You need to savor the time where it’s still just you two.” He said.

Apollo looked at his cousin a moment longer before nodding in reply and continued walking out the door.

He found Skaia leaning against the passenger door, arms crossed and her gaze set on the ground in front of her. Sensing him, she looked up and watched him approach. She said nothing even when he unlocked the car and opened the door for her. She just moved robotically and sat in silence.

Even when they arrived at their room in the hotel, she said nothing and just sat on the small couch. Apollo took a seat next to her, waiting for her to say something. He wanted to reach out but he’s afraid she’d only pull away especially since her mind is currently elsewhere.

“Me too.” She said lowly.

Apollo snapped his eyes to his mate in confusion and opened his mouth to ask her what she meant but she beat him to it. “You asked me yesterday if I wanted you as my mate as well.” She took a deep breath before turning to look at him. “I want you in every sense too.” She said softly.

Apollo couldn’t explain the myriad of emotions that erupted in his chest at her words. He never knew he’d be capable of feeling this way. So this is what bliss felt like. He can’t believe he ever thought of letting go of this blessing. His miracle.

Without thinking twice, he reached out and circled her nape, bringing her lips to meet his own. The kiss wasn’t slow or gentle. It was feverish and rushed, almost desperate. Their lips molded together perfectly. The bond sparked brighter than before.

Skaia fell into his lap almost immediately as soon as their lips touched. Her arms circling his neck. Apollo stood from his seat, clutching Skaia close and in turn her legs wrapped around him, lips still attached to one another. He explored the hidden caverns of her mouth, savoring the taste of her before moving to massage her tongue with his. The action causing their hips to involuntarily move against one another.

He landed her on his bed, his large figure hovering above her. He detached his mouth from hers and moved down her neck, alternating between biting, licking, and sucking. Skaia shifted her head to the side to give him more skin to access. She can feel his weight completely settle above her and can’t help the moan that escaped her lips at the feel of him. Apollo had reached the familiar valley where her neck and shoulder meet when he heard the sound, causing him to lick and suck harder. His tongue swirling around the part he can feel her pulse on. Skaia let out another moan at the feeling, her hips bucked upwards, the action making Apollo realize how aligned they were and with great restraint, he pulled away and gripped her hips to steady her.

Skaia opened her eyes to look at her mate. She couldn’t hide the question in them and Apollo immediately understood. “I have no plans completing the bond in this dingy hotel room.” He said leaning down once more to peck her swollen lips.

“But I have every intention to finish what we started once we get back to the pack.” He said in a dangerously low voice. It sent shivers up her spine and by the smirk that graced Apollo’s face, he felt it too.

“Is that a promise?” She asked breathily.

Apollo looked at her with slightly wide eyes, as surprised with her as she is with herself.

“Oh dear mate, yes it is.” He said. The dangerous look in his eyes back on, holding the promise of what’s to come.