Double Claimed: Marked by two

A gift from the goddess

XAVIER

I was at the training field with the men, I realised I've been lagging from my duties as a warrior. I wasn't just an Alpha, I'm also a warrior.

“Need a partner?” Selene's voice rang as she approached from behind.

She was cladded in a black sweatpants and a tanktop. Always trying to look classic.

“Seems you’ve been quite busy.” I asked, picking up my sword.

She swinged her dagger, preparing for practice. “Not really, I realised that my baby brother doesn't need me anymore.”

I lunged my sword towards her as she ducked, the sound of steel echoing through the training yard as our blades clashed.

“Don’t you dare call me Baby brother, I'm not a kid.” I grunted, twisting my arm to strike at her left side. “You’ll always remain a kid to me.” Her voice calm, yet as sharp as her dagger.

“You’re slow.” I teased, as she ducked on my sword but was met with a slight graze.

“Maybe that was my plan all along, I wanted you to believe I've gone slow.” Her fist tightened on the dagger, lunging forward with a strike that came rather unexpectedly.

Our blades clashed together, each strike suppressing the silence between us.

“Why do you trust Ethan?” She asked circling me. “You seem to trust him more than yourself, more than any other person.”

I slashed a swift cut, aiming for her arm but she ducked it, quite fast. “Because except from you, he's the only one who cares about the war.”

“Or it's out of pity?” She smirked, swinging the dagger.

My sword finally locked with hers, our faces close as we breathed heavily. “I don't like him, not one bit. He seems quite suspicious, always leaving the pack territory in the morning and returning at night. You should ask him.” She broke the lock, spinning me around, her arm circling my neck.

“Do not trust anyone with your life.” Her voice rang, cold. She pushed me off, swinging her dagger, backing away. Her eyes not leaving mine.

“You’ve improved unlike the last time. It was nice.” She smiled, walking away.

I fell on the grass, breathing heavily as her words rang in my ear. But Ethan would never do anything to betray me. Selene never liked Ethan, not one bit, likewise Ethan, while as kids, they never really got along.

“Hey!” Ethan called, sitting close to me on the grass. “Just finished practicing, I guess?” I nodded, staring at him. Selene's words still lingering in my head, I couldn't bring myself to believe what she said. Ethan would never, that was one thing I know for sure.

“Words came.” He began, “Ava has returned.”

“Really?” I asked, my heart fluttered from the news. “Any news on where she had disappeared to ?”

He huffed out staring at the other training soldiers. “No, nothing.”

I nodded my head. At least she is back, safe and sound.

“Ever thought about going to war with Logan?” He asked, his voice strong.

“No, why?”

“Just felt like asking. I mean what if Logan was preparing for war and attacks all of a sudden.” His words keeping me at bay. I stared at him, trying to read meaning from his statement.

I stood up, picking my sword. “Let’s hope it doesn't happen.” I replied sprinting away. My mind racing with different thoughts, Selene's lack of trust on Ethan and right now, Ethan's weird question.

I have to relax a bit before jumping into any conclusion.

AVA

I walked into mom's room and as usual, she was knitting. I placed a warm kiss on her cheeks before she stared up at me.

“Ava?” She called, her voice low but sweet.

“Mom.” I answered, embracing her.

“Thought you’ve completely forgotten about me?” She teased, patting my hair.

I smiled at her, collecting the needle from her, helping her to knit more.

“Mom?” I called, staring at her as she turned her fool attention to me. “How are you?”

She smiled widely, her cute dimples showing off. “I’m to ask you about that. I heard the howl the other night, I knew it was from you, finally my daughter is becoming what she was born to be.” She cupped my chin into her arm, placing soft kisses on my forehead.

“How did you know?” I found myself asking. She smiled, leaning forward as she whispered into my ears. “I gave birth to you, I know what my child sounds like.”

I gulped down a saliva, staring at her with my eyes wide open. “How is that possible, I was in my wolf form.”

She stood up, walking to her closet, she brought out a box. She opened it and there laid inside was a beautiful necklace.

“This.” She said bringing out the necklace. “Was brought to our doorstep the day you were born. Your father said it was a gift from the moon goddess herself. It always shone brightly when something good was about to happen to you, so the day I heard your howl, it shone so bright. I had never worn it on you, I never trusted it but coming her, my thoughts on certain things has changed. Including this.”

She placed the necklace into my hand as a drop of tear fell from her eyes into my palm.

She engulfed me into a tight hug, her tears soaking on my dress but I didn't care. I had never seen mom being so emotional as she was, this was the first. I stared at the necklace in my hand, something about it seem to soothe my spirit. I felt Micha growl faintly inside. After I had transformed into my wolf form, she completely went numb. The hug from mom seemed to have awakened her.

We stayed in that position, none of us willing to let go of the other. I really ached for this hug, I want to place my head on her laps as she sings sweet lullaby to my ear just as she had always done before things changed.

I have to stay strong, if not for anything, then for my mother's love.