Renaissance

Episode 15

*Autry's POV*

I carried Cecelia into the bathtub I prepared. I tried to put her in the tub, but she was clinging onto my chest.

"Cecelia, you can't take a bath and hold me at the same time," I said softly.

"But why, I don't want you to leave."

"But honey…" 

"Autry, please." She whispered softly. So what, she wanted to cling to me? I'd let her do that. I shifted her in the tub so I could slip behind her and hug her from behind while we were both soaking.

"See, it's possible when you really want it." She said softly, resting her cheek on my chest.

"I'm not complaining, but you're acting odd, Goddess," I spoke my mind. She was an independent woman, and after our first s*x minutes ago, she completely changed. 

"Is it so wrong for me to want you close?" She asked softly.

"No, of course not. I couldn't say I don't enjoy it. But it's not like you, love, and it worries me."

"Autry?" 

"Yes, dear."

"I love you." She said with the softest, most tender voice, melting my heart.

"And I, you..." I said calmly, caressing her hair.

"Autry?"

"Yes, dear."

"Don't leave me." She whispered even softer.

"And why on earth would I do that?"

"I don't know because I can't talk dirty?" She blurted out.

"Is that supposed to be a rigid reason, even?" I asked, giggling.

"See, you're making fun of me." She said, burying her face into my chest.

"I love you; you are perfect!" I said honestly.

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes, Goddess, you are… you are perfect in every possible way."

"You think that now, what happens when I get old and lose my looks? I'll go all wrinkly." She said.

"Yeeeah, about that…" I said. She looked at me sideways "we don't really get old the way humans do." I said. The dumbasses apparently forgot to mention.

"What do you mean?"

"You see, we can naturally live long, long years. For example, my father is almost 1000 years old." 

"You must be joking!"

"No, dear, I am not."

"And what about your mother?" She asked. 

"Oh, actually, she is quite young," I said nonchalantly. "Only 210 years old."

"Oh, wow…" she said. "Wait, how old that makes you? Oh my God, please don't tell me you are a hundred years old!" She was panicking, and I didn't need to feel it through the bond to know.

"Relax, love; I am very young. Just 24 years old." I felt her muscles relax against me. "Would you not love me if I were older?" I asked. It was bugging me, and I needed to clear the waters; I hated uncertainty.

"No, I mean, of course, I'd love you with all my heart, but it would have been awkward, for sure."

"And why is that?" I asked, honestly curious.

"Well, you'd have been living ten times of my life, then..." she trailed off.

"Then?"

"Then, I would feel like a baby. I’d feel no right to bug into your business and surely, couldn't feel free to speak my mind."

"Do you honestly think I'd ever try to shut you up just because you're younger than me? You scolded me before, and you were right, besides I love it when you get all bossy. It feels like we're equals, which we are."

"But you are a pure-blooded Alpha."

"And I suspect you are too…"

"No… I have been shut out; I am not even eligible to enter my realm."

"Cecelia, that's nonsense. You have fought five rogues as an untrained young wolf. Ordinary pups aren't able to do half of that."

"Really? I thought it was just normal. I mean, it felt so right; Bendis was guiding me all along.” 

“But your body was responding as well as your mind; if not, she wouldn’t be able to move as she imagined.” I tried to explain.

“I mean, I may have told her which wolf was going to attack first.” she blurted out. Shocking me yet again. 

“How on earth did you do that?” 

“Well, her muscles were pulsing… I suppose the one Bendis ripped was her boyfriend or something. She was so pissed, and she leapt on us stupidly. If she didn’t, the three would have had some chance against us.” she was calmly explaining to me what was happening that night when I realised she -indeed- had a wolf and freaked out, suspecting she could get injured. Yet she was calmly analysing her environment? Even I couldn’t stay that calm during a five-on-one battle. 

"You don’t even realise how wonderful you are!" I said, shaking my head. She turned herself around and kissed me softly. I looked at her pretty eyes after she broke the kiss. "Let's get out and go to bed. The water has cooled down."

I woke up to a lonely cold bed. I quickly sat up and looked around to find out where Cecelia went. I got out of the bed and searched the room, only to find emptiness. My heart sank. Where was she? What made her get out of bed at five in the morning? I tried to link Damian, but I was beaten into it.

I am out here running. Stop being a baby and come, train with me. I heard Cecelia’s mocking voice ringing in my head.

Since when can we mind-link? I asked. Hearing her giggles. 

Since you f****d my brains out last night. She said, shocking me to hell! My member just rose to glory. 

Come here, and I will f**k your brains out once more, my love! I said, now, all I wanted was to have her for breakfast. 

Ooops, you heard that? Sorry, I am okay with thinking dirty. It’s just that I am too shy to say the words out loud. Besides, I’ve been training. Well, not my point. The point is, I seriously need a run. I’m nervous. Why can’t I shut up again? Bendis, make me stop! GODDESS. I can’t drop the f*****g link, dammit!

I giggled out loud. I’m coming, don’t leave me behind. I linked her. If she wasn’t perfect, I couldn’t comprehend what would be! I quickly changed into proper clothes to throw away when I turned into my wolf and took my travel bag, just in case. 

When I ran the flight of stairs and got out of the guest house to see that my beautiful mate meant running, as in the running in human form, with running shoes and a suiting outfit, I felt embarrassed. 

“You are stretching, or shall we just go directly?” she asked. 

“Ummm…” I was lost, she was bending over, and I couldn’t help staring. 

“What?” she asked, looking at me from between her legs.

“Nothing,” I said, insanely embarrassed. “I thought we were running in our wolf form.

“No, that doesn’t even burn. I need to feel the burn in my legs and lungs,” she said, still looking at me from between her legs. 

“Would you please stop doing that?” I said. 

“What?” 

“That, stretching or whatever…” 

Is he jealous or horny? I heard her ask, probably to Bendis. 

“I’m both!” I shouted animatedly. “Please just... let’s run.” 

“Well, I need to learn how to control the mind-link, or you’ll learn all my dark secrets,” she said, sticking her tongue out to me. “Catch me if you can.” with a sideways wink, she ran off. I growled before starting my dash after her. 

*Cecelia’s POV* 

To say that I felt free would have been an understatement. It felt like I was flying. My body was so light, and my feet were dancing on the concrete so rapidly. I couldn’t believe just how fast I was running, and my muscles weren’t even burning yet. 

What’s going on? I asked Bendis. 

You are mated. That’s going on. she said, giggling. I rolled my eyes. Look at our Alpha mate, and he’s struggling. I think you may want to slow down a bit. 

No, I think he should train more. I will enter the woods, so he needs to push even harder. That’s how one’s supposed to run. Bendis… she was always so soft towards Autry. I mean, I also had a soft spot for him, yes, but I could endure a bit playful torture here and there… 

No! Don’t. Ordinary wolves never train to be decisive in human form. It’s usually unnecessary. 

Well, if he wants his hard-on released, he needs to earn that! 

You play dirty! I can’t believe you were never like this before. 

I didn’t have the most handsome and powerful man in my grasp… I guess I became a sassy person. 

One does not simply become a sassy person overnight. 

Well, I did!  I said and increased my speed even more. 

I was only looking forward. I entered the forest. The trees became thicker and thicker. I knew this trail all so well; the memories of it weren’t very cheerful, though. I was lost in thought and realised that I had upped my speed even more. I don’t remember half of the distance I ran in the forest. I was scared to death when something came and jumped on me from my left, making us both roll on the ground a few times and then stop by hitting a tree trunk. I raised my head to look at what gave me the heart attack of my life, and a threatening growl echoed in the forest, which then I realised was my own. It was a beautiful black ball of fur, which got up on all fours to tower me, his eyes were bright yellow, and he was HUGE! I looked at him, adoring its beautiful fur when I heard a voice in my head,

Hello, little mate! So we finally met! Oh, for the sake of Gods and Goddesses! He IS my MATE?!

“Godric, how have you been able to keep up with me?” I asked him. 

My, my… our little Autry here, never trains on his own, but he’s been so generous with training me…I looked at his muscles, touching his fur now and earning a delighted low growl from him. 

“And mind tell me, why should you tackle me to the ground?” I asked, seriously curious.

Well, because you just wouldn’t stop! It took all that is in me to keep up. I couldn’t wait to go for a run with Bendis. 

“I suspect she might be a little bit rusty,” I said honestly. 

Hey! I hear that! Bendis whined in my head. 

“Yea, she totally is rusty!” I said again with a grin. I was turning into the devil itself. 

You little traitor! Bendis whined.

"So, what now?" I asked.

Now, little mate, I'll bring forth Autry. Although he has nothing to wear… Oh, yeah… I know I have no problems with that!

"It was nice finally meeting you, Godric. You are a handsome wolf, but then, I haven't got anything but a bunch of rogues to compare you with. Still, you are very handsome, and I think I am talking too much." I said. That was supposed to be a compliment though I was sure it sounded nothing like one.

Thank you, little mate. It was nice meeting you, although I have already met you many, many times. In real and in dreams. 

With that, he turned back to Autry, who looked exasperated. I smiled at him.

"So, no clothes?" He grinned, passing a hand through his hair, looking at me from below.

"None whatsoever. You are a hell of a runner." He said. 

"Yes, I just always loved running; it made me feel free," I said. 

"Yes, you did look happy. Sorry for the tackle."

"It wasn't even you," I said. "No need for apologies. I'm totally fine." He nodded firmly. 

"Should we head back?" He asked. And back we headed. When we reached the forest edge, Ken was waiting for us to hand Autry some clothes. 

We had no time. So after a quick shower, we headed to meet Caspian. As we entered an abandoned building that seemed like it used to be a hospital, I picked up a fresh scent, which reminded me of the Christmas cookies. I instinctively followed it to find none other than Caspian. I could feel Autry and the two following me. Caspian was standing, slightly leaned on a table. I watched as his face lit up when he saw me.

"Hello, Cecelia." He called so softly. 

"Hello, Caspian." I smiled back. I saw from my peripheral as the others firmly nodded. Autry walked closer to shake his hand.

"Thank you very much for accepting us in such a close call." He said. I knew he appreciated it since he was our only hope to hear the truths about my heritage.

"No, it's my pleasure and duty to serve my Alpha." He said, looking at me and bowing his head.

"Caspian.." I whispered softly. "Please don't do that." I sighed. "I am no Alpha." I denied yet again. 

"But, in fact, you are." He said with a collected tone.

"Yes, yes… everyone insists, though I have difficulties believing that," I said honestly. 

"You will see with time," he solemnly said. I sighed. "So, what is the urgency? You wanted to see me?" He asked, now entering into full business mode. He probably didn't have much time.

"Yes, we have been searching about the Maya Pack, and we came across some interesting information," Autry said.

"Indeed you did," Caspian answered.

"So you have an idea of what they could be?" Autry asked with one of his eyebrows up. Caspian sighed.

"Let's come clean, shall we?" He said calculatingly, studying our faces one by one. "The Maya Pack is one of the oldest packs ever to come into existence. Some legends say that we have been there since the beginning of time. Our ancestors were believed to be created so that the dynamics of nature could be sustained." He paused to make sure his words were being understood. "The true members of our pack have been blessed with certain gifts from the Goddess. All of our Alpha's and Luna's have been pure-blooded until Cecelia's father has lost a battle, and… you know the drill." He sighed. "We have always been attending the merry council, which is responsible for the maintenance of earth, working with the selected of other supernatural groups, although our current Alpha couple is banned from the council because they are incapable." He said. I couldn't help but wonder.

"But, is my mother a true member of the pack?" I asked.

"Our Luna is actually a pure-blooded Maya. Your Father and she were cousins. Your Father was the Alpha by blood, and he was a very powerful one too." He explained, his adoration towards my father visible in his eyes. I huffed.

"He wasn't powerful enough, though, was he?" I said, not really asking.

"Well, Cecelia, that Battle had many dynamics, and we are not able to understand the fight one-hundred-per-cent even after all these years. Some suspect that your father chose not to use his powers, thinking it wouldn't make an equal fight. In contrast, others suspect that he was poisoned or tricked in some way. We cannot prove either." He said. "But I know one thing for sure, Cecelia." His soft tone made me look up at him. "He would have given everything up just to be able to meet you once. He was already in love with you long before you were born. I understand your anger, but I hope you will not resent your father, he was a very nobleman, and he loved his pack and his family more than his own." He said. I was boiling with anger by then; what was wrong with these people! First Autry and now my dad…

"Noble?" I said mockingly, my voice cracking. "Is he still so noble, lying underground? Is his noble attitude helping how I spent all my life alone? Love? A loving parent has to take care of themselves first! Even a kid knows this! You first put the oxygen mask to yourself and then help the others. If he would give everything to meet me, how come he cannot give up his reputation? Don't give me excuses… I'm not buying it! So he died nobly? How is that even supposed to make me feel better!" I screamed. Autry gently touched my forearm, probably trying to calm me down. I took a deep breath to control my voice. "Kids don't need nobly dead parents, they need them alive, and Caspian, I honestly think both of my parents failed in loving me." I watched as hurt and worry danced in his eyes. 

"I see…" Caspian said. "You have your reasons to be angry; I have my reasons to adore your parents." He put the situation simply. "Honestly, if I could, I would have raised you as my own, but that was impossible, considering I had a mate, and I couldn't have people asking questions. I wouldn't be able to protect you, shall your identity be known. Therefore, I had to hide you, at least until you had your wolf. I knew you would be able to defend yourself after that." I nodded firmly to his reasoning; at least he did make some sense. 

"But to what extent, you didn't know…" Autry barged in. 

"Well, let's say I suspected it would be to a far greater extent than any of us." He answered Autry.

"Can you be more specific?" Autry asked.

"She is the only daughter of two pure blooded Maya Alphas'. She ought to be unbelievably powerful." He blurted out. "In fact, she is a unique case, there are no records of two royals mating and having a pup." He explained.

"So, she is unique…" Autry trailed off.

"Indeed. And even I don't know to what extent." Caspian sighed. 

"So what about the prophecy?" Kenneth asked with worry apparent in his eyes. 

"What prophecy?" Caspian asked, and Damian read it to him. 

"First of all, we don't know if this prophecy is even real. We need to try and find the witch who chanted it to make sure. Also, please remember, prophecies tend to come true if one chooses to believe them." Caspian said. 

"There are witches?" I asked, a little enthusiastic. Earning a sideways glance from my mate, he was in business mode and had no intention to relax. All of the four ignored me.

"I don't have connections with witches." Autry said.

"I do, and I will find the enchanter." Ensured Caspian. 

"We will appreciate that." Autry said. 

"Is there anything else you need to ask me?" Caspian studied our faces one by one, stopping at me.

"Why are you helping me after all these years?" I asked. 

"Because it’s not ‘after all those years for me. I watched you, all your life, from afar. I made sure you were safe and content. You even saw me a few times, but you were so little, it’s normal that you don’t remember.” he said, making tears threaten to fall from my eyes. “I was shouting from the top of my lungs when you earned first place in the district tournament... I was there for all your graduations.”

“Why?” I asked, unable to stop the tears from falling.

“Because your father was no less than a brother to me. Also, you are my Luna.” 

“What do you mean?” Autry asked, followed by a low growl.

“No- not in that sense. She IS our true Luna. She ought to rule our pack.” He explained himself.

“No, my mother is the Luna.” 

“Not really, Cece, Cecelia is not the direct heir to the position, but you are, by blood. The moment your father died, you were eligible to become the ruler of the pack, a true Alpha.”