Howls of Apollo

Six

The next day, the morning was met with boisterous cheers and claps coming from the training grounds. Apollo rushed out with his beta and guards in tow. They halted to a stop in front of the man-made circle by the crowd of warriors, and the sight that greeted him admittedly took his breath away.

Skaia was in the ring with an opponent. Not just anyone, but one of his commanders, Rush. His mate was atop his shoulder with her left leg swung in front. Despite the nature of the image, she looked glorious. Her long, curly auburn hair has come loose and is hanging down her back like an array of fallen leaves. She had a tight grip on Rush’s shoulders with her left leg then she slid it to his torso and she swung her other leg to the back of his neck, applying enough pressure to bring Rush’s body down.

A collective gasp rang throughout the field as Skaia held the commander down with her leg while wrenching the commander’s arm back forcefully. Apollo can feel his wolf looking on with pride at the sight of his mate. Skaia had a tight grip on his upper body, not only immobilizing him but also cutting off his airway.

Apollo trained his eyes on his mate’s face, muting out the cheers and gasps from the crowd around them. Not a sense of fear or anxiousness can be seen on her face. Her eyes are hard and blank, but her face holds a sense of calm. At that moment, Apollo realized she didn’t hope to win by making his commander submit, rather, she expects to win.

And she did.

Accepting defeat, Rush tapped onto the ground with a heavy hand, making Skaia let go, rolling backwards and getting onto her feet. A hush fell onto the field before whispers and murmurs rang out as everyone eyed the woman who’s standing tall after facing one their commanders. Not even out of breath.

Apollo’s wolf soared with pride once more. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her, too impressed with his mate as much as his wolf is. And as if she felt his eyes on her, Skaia turned towards him, eyes narrowed and blank. He can recognize that look anywhere. A look brought about by a force of habit schooled by years of training.  And once again, Apollo was forced to ask himself exactly who his mate is.

He scanned the look on the faces of his commanders and pack members. Their expressions were divided between awe and apprehension. Rush slowly got to his feet and faced Skaia. Despite losing in front of his warriors, the commander doesn’t look the least bit disheartened or angry. Instead, respect shone in his eyes as he fixed them on the woman in front of him, a complete contrast to the hesitation he gave her the day before.

Gasps once again chorused throughout the field as the rest of them watch Rush, one of Forti Polaris’ formidable commanders, slowly bow his head in respect at the woman in front of him. The action a clear indication of exactly who Skaia is to the pack, and most importantly to him.

His commander had just blatantly and indirectly informed the pack that they have found their Luna and she’s standing right in front of them.

Skaia has had her hands full all week. After facing Rush, pack members seem to have been around her left and right, wanting to get to know her or just plainly stare at her which isn’t exactly new to her. Also, she’s having a ton of fun training but she has to admit she missed the comfort the clinic brought her so she asked Krii to show her around one time.

She discovered that due to the high number of pack members, Forti Polaris has three doctors on stand-by at the clinic. One of which is away at another pack for training. Skaia got along with both doctors, Maggie and Helen. The former being the senior pack doctor seeing as she’s been in service longer.

She busied her time helping out around the clinic and talking to both doctors. She told them how she was already in training back at Clara Solis to take over as pack doctor, thus she’ll be happy to help out where she’s able. Impressed, Maggie offered to take her under her wing to finish her training, which Skaia happily accepted.

So, with the added activity, she’s been splitting her time between the clinic and training.

And although she’s coping great with her new life in Forti Polaris as the unofficial Luna, Skaia realized she hasn’t had time to be with her mate.

Apollo undoubtedly was a very busy man, she just never thought she’d adopt that workaholic schedule too and now it’s put a strain on their bond. She’s been restless, feeling the start of her wolf’s withdrawal every night, yearning to be around her mate. Nights like that, she wonders if Apollo could feel it too. However, he always seems to be just fine when she’d see him in the morning. Still as perfect as he could get.

The lack of effort on both their parts was bothering her. She didn’t want to be an effective couple only as leaders. She wanted to be mates in all sense of the word. So, with determination to make a leap in their bond, she cleared her schedule today to spend the day with Apollo, who she has yet to find.

“Krii, have you seen Apollo? He’s not in his office.” She asked the Beta, finding him in his office in the old pack house.

“I think he went for a run Skaia.” He replied. It took a long time to get people to call her by her name, since she’s not exactly Luna yet, but she managed to convince them.

“Oh” She let out, disappointed. “How long has he been gone?” She asked through a strained smile.

“About an hour. He’ll be back soon.” He answered lightly in an attempt to make her feel better.

“Okay” She said, giving him a small smile. “I’ll go for a run myself. I’ll be back in 20 minutes.” She informed, starting to walk away.

“I’ll have Rush accompany you.” The Beta called out, stopping Skaia in her tracks.

“No need, I won’t be going deep in the woods, I’ll stay near the tree line. Don’t worry.” She assured him.

“But –“ He tried to say.

“I’ll be fine Krii.” She yelled out, walking away.

Skaia trudged away from the pack house and headed straight for the trees. Her heart felt heavy and she had a sinking feeling deep in her gut. Pushing it down, she leapt, shifting mid-air, a skill she mastered since she could shift, and landed gracefully on the forest floor.

Once in wolf form, she sprinted through the trees, letting herself get lost in the thoughts of her relationship, or rather lack thereof, with her mate.

Sure her heart races when he’s near, and she immediately feels warmth surround her whenever she gazes into those dark orbs, which only happens from afar lately when they get to steal gazes at one another in the midst of the busy schedules they both have.

Other than that, they both seem to be okay with being far from one another and that worries her. They even know nothing about each other Skaia now realizes. What food does he like? His favorite book? What mannerisms does he have when he talks? Can he carry a conversation? Does his eyes express an emotion other than indifference and blankness? Will they get along? These are all simple things, minute yet very important details she wants to know about her mate.

Having enough of her run, she skidded to a stop, just now realizing she’s actually wandered further than she planned. She turned to make her way back, when a smell hit her nose. The smell was certainly familiar but not of a pack member nor of a wolf.

She quickly turned only to be met with a hooded figure. Another warlock she thought. Her wolf bared her canines in warning at the man, but he merely smirked and raised his hands up, as if to say he means no harm.

“Forgive me for intruding on your run Luna.” He said, his tone condescending and dripping with sarcasm, not at all apologetic.

A growl rumbled in her chest. Her eyes narrowed at the man, cautious.

The man raised his hand in the air and suddenly they were encased in a glass like sphere, reflection stared at her from the glass behind the warlock. Skaia couldn’t help but back in surprise.

“I merely wish to talk.” Hi voice echoed off the transparent walls. “So, If you could shift back from your animal,” Skaia’s wolf growled at the blatant disrespect.

“As I would be honored to meet Alpha Apollo’s long awaited miracle mate.” He said, his lips lifting into what looks like an attempt at a smile, but it came out wicked and untrustworthy, backed by the sinister look on his eyes.

Skaia backed away, growling at the man and refusing to do anything. “Here,” he removed his cloak and threw it in her direction, landing at her wolf’s feet. “I won’t look.” He said mockingly.

Skaia didn’t move, canines still bared.

“Fine, let’s do this the hard way, Luna.” He said in a sing song yet menacing voice.

 Once again, he raised one of his hands, this time in Skaia’s direction. Suddenly a splitting headache overcame Skaia making her wolf whimper loudly at the pain. She could only hope the sound was loud enough to pass the glass and reach somebody in the pack.

Four legs soon turned into two, and the howls of pain turned into that of her screams. Whatever he’s doing, it’s forcing her to shift.

The pain went away soon after and she scrambled to cover her bareness from the man in front.

“See? Was that so bad?” He teased condescendingly.

“Who are you?” She said through gritted teeth.

“I’m an old friend of the family that has led Forti Polaris since the beginning of time. Has Apollo never mentioned me?” He asked, in mock hurt.

Skaia’s eyes narrowed at the mention of her mate. The man quickly caught it. “No? How disappointing, I would’ve thought you’d have known me by now.”

Her eyes narrowed even more. The man saw the confusion in her eyes and gave another taunting clue. “After all, you’ve been quite acquainted with my men back at the tower.”

Her eyes widened as the realization dawned on her. This was the man behind her capture. The warlocks who took her were working under him, following his orders.

“What did you want with me?” She asked sharply.

“I didn’t want anything with you yet. You were merely a message. A signal for the start of the great game.” He answered nonchalantly, starting walk around.

Skaia stood her ground despite their nearing distance.

Anger courseed through her at the carelessness he was giving off. Her capture was the most helpless she’s ever felt, subdued by drugs, making it almost impossible to fight back. Thankfully she was able to hold out for as long as she could in time for Apollo to get to her. She can’t help but hope he’d make another appearance this time, bursting through the glass enclosure the way he burst through the tower walls.

The man was drawing closer to her now. Something lustrous caught her eye and she looked down to catch a glimpse to find out it was a dagger. She took notice of it tucked in his belt. The blue jewel sitting atop the handle shining as it hit the light every time the man moves. She shifted her eyes upward and saw he had an insignia on the tunic and she willed it to memory.

“You will play a great deal in his downfall. After all, what’s a king without his queen?” He sneered, coming to a stop in front of her.

Skaia felt shivers run up her spine. Not the good kind, the bad omen, chilling type. She realized then the danger this man brings. She needs to get away from him, right now. However, before she could even make a move, the glass encasing them shattered, startling both of them.

The glass cleared to reveal a man on the other side. Skaia has never seen him before. His face stoic and menacing as he eyed the man next to Skaia. They were soon surrounded by wolves, none of them a member of Forti Polaris based on their scents.

“Alistair” The man said.