Mark You in This Life

7: A Talk

7: A Talk

Feya's POV

Diana pushed as fast as she possibly could out of the packhouse and the surrounding buildings, sprinting towards the woods. The entire time during the meeting, she could sense just how on edge I was, and just how anxious talking about the prophecy and my supposed past life was making me. I couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. I was usually very good at keeping my emotions in check. I could count the times where I had shifted in the heat of the moment on one hand. It wasn't something that I normally did. Diana and I were usually in such perfect sync, that this was surprising for both of us. Though I know that she had taken over because she could sense that I really wanted to get out of that room. It was just so much to take in all at once. The circumstances surrounding my birth, the fact that I was a reincarnation of the daughter of the freaking Moon Goddess herself, to everything surrounding my mate and the prophecy about us. My chest felt heavy, and it felt like everything was closing in around us.

Diana sprinted, reassuring me in our mind that she was taking us somewhere safe. I was worried about her overextending herself, as powerful as we were, she'd never pushed herself quite this hard before. Eventually, we reached a small clearing that I like to come to think. It was peaceful, with trees encircling the area, and a babbling brook. Diana took the chance to stop, lying down at the edge of the brook, her breathing somewhat heavy and labored. We were quite a ways out into the territory. Usually, we took our time getting here but, this time, Diana had pushed herself to the fastest of speeds. I let her relax, hoping that she wasn't too worn out.

I am fine, Freya,> she reassured me in our shared mind. Your mental wellbeing and safety are my top concern. I know that hearing about our past life, as well as the prophecy concerning our mate was a lot to take in.>

Did you...know, Diana? About everything? Our life as Neoma, being reborn, the prophecy?>

I had my suspicions. But much like you, I was very much unaware. When we were first bonded, there was something about you that felt familiar. As if we had met before, and that I had been reunited with you after waiting a very long time. When you first started to dream, things started to become clearer to me. I didn't want to say anything to frighten you or reveal something before we were supposed to know. I don't like keeping secrets from you, Freya. You know this. We are a part of each other. This is not the first life that we have shared. Our bond goes deeper than you know.>

I sighed. I couldn't help but feel a little frustrated with Diana. I know she was just doing what she thought was best, but the whole situation was making my head hurt a bit. Goddess, why couldn't I go back to earlier when I thought I had this amazing mate, and we weren't part of some prophecy? Granted, I knew that Kai didn't know before today, either, and I was still elated to be mated to him. The mate bond felt incredible, and just from talking with him late into the evening, and every way he had behaved during the meeting told me that he truly was my perfect partner. The idea of being his Luna excited me beyond reason. We had clicked right away, and I could tell that we would make a fantastic team, and the idea of leading a pack with a reputation like Silver Mountain's thrilled me more than anything.

But my dreams as Neoma were enough to give me pause. The pain that she felt when she discovered Remus' dead body, knowing that he had been murdered by his own brother, who, apparently, believed that Neoma was rightfully his, for reasons that I couldn't even comprehend. What if I had to relieve that pain, but with Kai? I'd heard stories of people losing their mates, especially before they were able to mark and mate with each other. Depending on the werewolf, some died of a broken heart with their mate instantly, others went mad with grief, and some, not wanting to live without their mate, took their own lives. What happened to Neoma when she lost Remus? The Elders said that she'd been murdered, but it felt like there was more to her demise. And Goddess forbid, what if Romulus had done something unspeakable to her, and she then took her own life? The prophecy said that I would come into some incredible powers once Kai and I had mated and marked each other, but what if, just like Neoma and Remus, we were killed before we could reach that point?

Diana, do you think it would be safer for everyone involved if I rejected Kai?> I asked her cautiously.

At the thought of rejecting her mate, Diana howled in pain in both my head and out loud. Please, Freya, I beg of you, don't reject our mate. I know you mean well, but believe when I say, we will be worse off if we reject him.>

I don't want to be responsible for his death in this life as well, Diana.>

Diana started to say something, but stopped, perking her head up. That wonderful sandalwood, vanilla, and lavender scent hit our nostrils, and she turned her head, where the most majestic Alpha wolf I had ever seen standing in front of me. His fur was dark black, like most Alpha wolves, but his fur had almost a blue tint to it. His eyes were a deep red, and the aura coming off of him was even more powerful than he was in his human form. So this was Orion, Kai's wolf. Diana purred, happy to have such a powerful mate. She stood, walking towards him, sniffing him, her tail wagging happily. Orion nuzzled her head, before he shifted back to a human form, and Kai was naked in front of me. I couldn't help but be even more impressed, as I shamelessly took in his naked form. His muscles were very well defined, as was the rest of him. He reached to a bag that he'd been carrying on his shoulders, putting on a pair of basketball shorts. He reached forward, petting Diana's chin, and she growled happily.

"Hey Diana," he said, "You're such a beautiful wolf. Orion was very happy to meet his mate. I promise, you'll get plenty of time to spend together, but first, can I have Freya back, please?"

Kai's POV

Orion couldn't have been happier at the sight of Diana. To him, his mate was everything, and it took a lot of convincing to stop him from rushing and mating with her. After some talking, I convinced him to let me shift. As Freya and I hadn't marked each other yet, we couldn't mind link, so I couldn't talk to her while in wolf form.

Freya shifted back, and I reached into my bag, tossing her shorts and a long t-shirt. Though I did my best to avert my eyes out of respect, I managed to catch a glimpse of her naked body and was very impressed with what I saw. Orion growled in my head, and I had to force any thoughts of lust down. This wasn't the time for that.

Once she shifted, I sat down on the ground, letting her sit next to me. I wanted to put my arm around and her hold her close, but she didn't seem receptive to being held, so I just put my hand next to hers, there for her to take if she wanted to.

"So," I said after a time, "That was a lot to take in back there. I don't blame you for leaving."

She nodded wordlessly.

"I'm sorry if I invaded your space," I said, "I can leave if you want to be alone. I understand if you want to. Orion was just very worried about his mate, and wouldn't calm down until I promised him we'd go after you and Diana." I gave her a small smile. "I was a little worried about you, too."

Freya was still silent, as she looked out at the brook in front of her.

"I'll leave you alone. I just needed to make sure that you were safe. I'll be back at the packhouse when you're ready to find me again." I turned, going to stand up.

I felt a tug on my arm, as she grabbed my hand, and I looked down at Freya, her green eyes full of tears. "Please stay," she said.

I sat down, cautiously putting my arm around her. She leaned into it, and when she felt at ease, I pulled her a little bit closer, and she took the chance to slide into my lap. Her head rested against my chest, and I took the chance to breathe in that wonderful jasmine, vanilla, and lilac scent of hers. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close, and she began to sob.

Well, that was certainly alarming. "Freya," I said, my tone soothing as I tilted her chin up. I wiped the tears away with my thumb. "What's wrong? You can tell me anything."

"It's too much," she said, "I don't want you to die in this life. Every night, I feel Neoma's pain. Seeing you, Remus, on the sand, your throat slit, blood rushing out, knowing that there's nothing that I can do..."

"Hey," I said, kissing the top of her forehead. "That was our past life. I promise I will do everything in my power to make sure that doesn't happen again."

"How!? How can you be sure?! I don't want to watch you die in this life, either, because some crazy ancient werewolf decided that he wanted me for his own, mate bond be damned! How is it fair of me to put you in that position?" She pushed herself out of my arms, standing up and facing me, her body shaking as tears fell down her face as her eyes met mine. "I, Freya Wilder, of the Forest Moon Pack, reject you, Alpha Kai Griffin -"

I was on my feet as fast as I could as the words started to leave her mouth. Orion howled in pain in my head, begging me to stop our mate from rejecting us. I took her hands, pleading with her with my eyes. "Please, Freya," I said, going to brush the tears out of her face, "Don't reject me. I know this isn't what you want. I know this isn't what Diana wants, either. I know you're scared. I'm scared, too. The idea of losing you terrifies me. There's still so much about this past life I don't understand. But I know this, even with all of that, setting it aside, you are the mate and Luna that I have always waited for. I don't want anyone else. Past life or not, we were destined to find each other, Freya. I promise, that no matter what happens, no matter the obstacles, we will overcome them together. You're my mate, my Luna, and my partner in all things. I promise I will treat that bond with the respect and love you deserve."

She was quiet, and I could tell she was thinking everything over. "I'll show you just how serious I am about this, Freya," I said, taking a step back. "I, Alpha Kai Griffin, of the Silver Mountain Pack, accept you, Freya Wilder, of the Forest Moon Pack, as my mate and future Luna."

A shiver went through my entire body, as I accepted Freya as my mate, solidifying our bond forever. I looked at her, meeting her green eyes, my heart pounding as I anxiously awaited her response.