Achilles Heel

Rules Of Engagement

Miracle's POV

"Are you serious?" She wailed.  I rolled my eyes, looking over at Janna.  Inwardly cursing at my older brother I couldn't help but smirk at the fact that Raphael had finally agreed, only if Achilles told him he was going to take Janna back as well, "I'm not riding in the car with her." 

"That's perfectly fine," I said in a smug tone, "I'm going to ride with Sam.  Right, Sam?" 

"Yes Luna," he said, keeping his head bowed towards me.  I felt my brow twitch as I smirked, and grabbed the only suitcase I was allowed to take with me.  Making my way to the back of the SUV, Magdalena stopped me. 

"I'll get that for you, Luna Mira." 

"It's fine," I said dismissively.  She gave me a sympathetic smile and I grabbed her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze, "It's fine, but thank you Mags." 

"He's not trying to be a d**k on purpose," Magdalena smiled at me, "he's just..."

'A jerk by nature?' Skye asked.  

"A jerk by nature!" 

She laughed as I repeated what Skye said to me.  

"He has to be an impenetrable force,"  she replied, "Atlas is a little more forward with his feelings, and has explained his family to me when I agreed to take his mark." 

"You two aren't mates?" 

"No," she said, shaking her head, "Atlas thought he found his mate shortly after his first shift.  But she was human and felt nothing.  He nearly went mad with everything.  He's been my best friend since we were pups.  We've trained together, played together, and one day I will bear his pups." 

"You're very relaxed about all of this." 

"My mate was a vampire," she admitted, "Atlas and I killed one another's mates when we realized that they were holding us back.  Those types of relationships never work out." 

I was taken back by her admission, "you-you killed each other's mates?" 

She nodded, "It's very common in Dark Moon.  At least for the warriors anyways.  Most of us agree to arranged matings..." 

"But Achil-" 

"Believe it or not, but despite his cold demeanor, he was always a fan of the romanticized mate stories his grandmother told he and his brothers."

"Brothers?" 

"It's not my place to say," she said, shaking her head, "but just know if you want someone to talk to I'll be here to help." 

"Thank you Magdalena." 

She nodded dutifully, then headed over to a car with Atlas, who was finishing up a conversation with Achilles and Raphael.  Sam nudged me, "you alright, future Luna of Dark Moon?" 

"Yeah," I nodded, "Just thinking.  I closed the back of the SUV and got in, waiting for Sam to join me.  

"What are you doing?" 

Achilles gave me a confused look as he got into the SUV beside me and closed the door.  The driver wasted no time and sped off. 

"I'm going home," he replied, "you know, to my pack?" 

He didn't remove his shades as he looked out the window, "I thought you were riding with Janna." 

"No," he said, shaking his head, "we have important matters to discuss." 

"Could we discuss them where I can actually see your eyes?" I asked.  Huffing, he removed his sunglasses, and continued to look out the window, "are you going to look at me?" 

"No one is to know that you are the future luna as of right now," he said briskly, "As far as anyone in the pack is concerned, you are a special task taken on from the elders.  No one will know if it is you or Janna that has been blessed by the moon goddess.  She will wear an identical necklace, and neither of you are to remove them at any time.  Is that understood?" 

I narrowed my eyes at him, "is that all?" 

"No," he said, with a shake of his head, "while Janna has been made aware of this, I've also instructed all members of the pack that are aware of your situation to be discreet.  They will address you both only as Janna and Mira, no titles.  Nothing.  Neither of you will be given special treatment, so you will both attend training sessions with my pack at the designated times.  You are, however, not allowed to go out without at least two guards at any time." 

"This is sounding more like punishment the more you talk," a voice within me growled.  

"Hello Skye," Achilles said with a sinister smirk.  She growled at him.  I felt as though I was sitting in a theater watching the interaction between them, "were you listening in, or do you need me to refresh your memory." 

"Just because I'm not in the forefront doesn't mean I don't pay attention," she growled, "I don't need babysitters." 

"They're for the protection of my pack." 

"I'll rip through them and you know it." 

He chuckled, "you won't.  Because one of them will be Magdalena and I already know that in just two days of them being around one another, Mira enjoys her company." 

'Please don't hurt anyone, Skye.' 

"He's bluffing," she laughed, eyeing him down. 

"That's one thing I don't do," he smiled, "you'll see when you reach 'our' new home." 

"Her soul may belong to you," Skye growled in a response, "but I belong to no one." 

I heard a whimper, and then Achille's eyes darkened momentarily.  He threw on his sunglasses and continued to look out the window.  

I felt a pang in the pit of my stomach.  

'Did you hurt Shadow's feelings?' 

'He'll be fine,' she said dismissively, 'our souls have known one another for an eternity.'

But she didn't sound sure.  

I sighed inwardly as Skye maintained control, and I sat in the background.  

'What's wrong?' 

'You feel things for Shadow...the mate pull?  The love?' I asked, 'I've always heard stories about how mates are destined for one another and feel certain things...but I don't feel anything when I look at Achilles.'

'I've been protecting you from the brunt of it,' she replied, 'I didn't stop you from smelling his scent.  You need to know what your mate's scent smells like, but you don't need to pull of his call.  You don't need the connection.' 

'You don't need it, you mean,' I sighed, 'You have Shadow...but why won't you let me feel my mate's connection?' 

"You don't want it," she said in a bit more of an angry tone.

"What?" Achilles asked, looking back at us.

"Mind your business," Skye growled, "this is between Mira and myself." 

"Do you two always argue?" 

"Only since you came along," she replied. 

'Skye." I yelled, 'don't ignore me.' 

'Fine,' she hissed.  I felt as if I was being shoved forward until I knew that I'd taken control again, 'you wallow in the sadness of having him as your mate.  I'm tired of protecting you from that pull.' 

She put up her wall and I couldn't feel her. 

'Skye?' 

Nothing. 

"Hey," he asked.  It felt like there was a million tiny explosions on my arm, and like I'd been electrocuted.  His hand was on my thigh.  I looked up and was met with the most gorgeous pools of chocolate eyes I'd ever seen.  My breath caught in my throat as I looked at him for what felt like the first real time, "are you okay?  You seem out of it." 

My stomach felt like it was knotted up.  What do I say?  My throat went dry. My eyes kept going from his eyes, to his lips, to scanning how perfectly his clothes hugged his body.  Realization crossed his features.   

"You finally feel it, don't you?"