Chapter 18 - Bed of Leaves
1193 Words
Lex POV
"It's done!" Lotus chirped excitedly, letting go of the girl, and she crumbled to the ground, taking a step back.
Why did he let her go?
The surrounding atmosphere suddenly shifted, and something cold tickled from above.
"What's happening?" I asked, turning my gaze to the sky.
"It's snowing," Lotus replied, a smile following on his lips.
"Snowing?" I gasped. "It never snows."
"It does," he replies. "Only when our kind finds his mate..."
"Lotus—"
I was cut off by the whistling wind shaking the treetops, the moving earth under my feet, and the unbearable thick air.
"What the hell did you do?" I whispered anxiously.
My voice trailed off when the sickening smell of blood reached my nostrils.
"What you should have done in the first place!" he snapped. I felt a chill run down my spine as I processed his words, realizing the gravity of the situation.
"Did you close the mate mark?" I barked back at him.
Lotus ignored my question, and fear bubbled up inside me. He might be pleased with marking her, but she could die if he doesn't treat her wound. I stepped forward, my voice trembling with urgency. "You need to help her now, or we might lose her for good!"
"She will be okay," he said.
"But you don’t understand the risk!" I pleaded, desperation lacing my tone. "Every minute counts, and if you don't take action, we could be too late."
"Just wait," he replied calmly, his gaze pinned at where she lay.
"She's human, for the Goddess's sake, Lotus!" I growled, frustrated, trying to fight for control. He could be so stubborn some days. "If you care about her at all, you need to act now—before it's too late!"
"She is as human as we are!" he snapped, boxing me in an invisible cage. "Now keep quiet and watch!"
What was he going on about?
The girl wasn't even moving; however, I could hear her softly whimper.
Frustrated, I growled and banged my hands against the invisible cage. My eyesight was still blurry, but I could smell and hear her fear.
"Lotus—" I yelled, pounding my hands harder against the invisible cage.
"Can you feel that!" He cut me off, and I froze in place.
The elements were busy; they were humming a sweet little melody. It was as if they knew what to do. The air crackled with energy, and I felt the vibrations pulse through my fingertips.
The wind carefully scooped her up in the air and carried her; the earth quickly gathered leaves, making a bed, while the snow gently washed down her heated body.
I could see the outline of her body as they gently lay down on the leaves and the fire covered her like a blanket.
For a moment, I held my breath.
Was she still breathing?
"F*ck, Lotus," I cried out. "Is she...?"
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of bones cracking in the silent night. The eerie sound echoed through the stillness, sending a chill down my spine. It was as if the forest close by was awakening, responding to the unsettling scene before me, and I could feel the tension in the air thickening.
"It’s working!" Lotus chirped excitedly. The moon shone down on her, creating a soft red glow around her; moments later, it intensified and cast eerie shadows on the surrounding trees. I could barely comprehend what was happening, but hope flickered within me, battling against the dread that clung to my heart like a vice.
"What's working?" I gasped, astonished, seeing her clothes shredded in millions of pieces.
Lotus ignored me; he stared right at her. His eyes were wide with a mix of fear and fascination, as if he were witnessing a miracle unfold before him.
Less than a moment later, a gray wolf struggled onto four paws. The wolf shook off the remnants of transformation, its fur glistening like silver under the dim light. With a low growl, it turned towards us, eyes glowing with an otherworldly intensity, as if it held the secrets of the universe within its gaze.
"What is she doing?" I asked, seeing her turn away from us.
"This was her first shift," Lotus said. "Her wolf wants to show her..."
"How the hell do you know this?" I asked.
"Her smell," he replied. "Something was... uhm... a bit off..."
"What are you saying?" I demanded.
Lotus turned his attention toward me. Worry crossed his eyes.
"Whoever is responsible for doing this to our mate," he said. "Is purposely trying to keep us away from her..."
My gaze shifted toward her. She seemed to be looking at her reflection in the water. The surface rippled as she leaned closer, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"Why?" I asked.
"I am not sure," he replied, shifting his attention back to her. She turned her head toward him, and small yapping sounds erupted from her. Lotus didn't shy away, and he quickly stepped closer to her.
"Hello, Lotus," her angelic voice chimed in my mind. "It's been a while."
"How... how does she know your name?" I stuttered, stunned.
Lotus ignored my question, interested in what she had to say. He quickly stopped when she released a low growl.
What the hell is up with her?
"Mind shifting back?" she asked sweetly, holding her ground. "My human is afraid of your looks."
"Why?" Lotus asked. "Am I..."
"Something horrible happened to her earlier tonight..." she cut him off. "Someone attacked her..."
Anger rose inside me, and my hands instinctively balled into fists. Someone hurt my mate. Who dared touch what's mine?
An angry growl rippled from my throat, making the wolf nervously move in her spot.
"You are scaring her!" the voice came.
"My apologies," Lotus said. "My human is outraged by the news..."
"I understand," she replied.
Lotus didn't take another moment; he shifted back to human.
The sound of bones cracking erupted a moment later, and the same girl appeared in front of me.
"How I wish I could see your face right now," the words left my lips as I held out my hand.
"You can't...?" Her voice trailed off as I shook my head.
She hesitantly stepped closer, unsure if she could trust me.
When the sparks erupted under my fingertips, I knew she must have taken my hand.
A smile followed on my lips, and I slowly pulled her closer to my chest.
I wrapped my arms around her and her body; however, she didn't fight to escape.
I sighed as I inhaled her beautiful, soft, intoxicated scent—my fingers trailing down her bare back and leaving a trail of warm sparks. She felt so tiny, yet my arms fit protectively around her. Her body was so soft and warm against my chest—I felt so comfortable holding her.
"Mine!" I growled against her nape.
"Yours," she replied.
My lips crashed onto hers, and I spilled all the longing into the kiss.
It wasn't long before our animal instincts kicked in, and I laid her down on the bed of leaves.
****
- Writer
