The Whispers and The Wolf

Twenty-Five

Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face. Belonging wasn’t something I was used to, so to be made to feel like part of something always hit me different. Sadie was stark raving mad, but she was kind and caring. She raised the man I was falling in love with and he was a reflection of her.

“Thank you, Sadie.” I whispered.

“No need to thank me darlin’” she said, giving me a pat on the hand and going back to her seat. “It’s no business of mine what’s happened in yer past, but I can tell ye’ve had some trials and tribulations. Call it a wolf’s intuition.” She tapped her temple with her finger. “But anyway, you had some questions about marking. Ask away!” She said brightly. That was close: I didn’t really feel like going into my childhood with Sadie.

“Oh aye, OK. Ummm so aye.” I struggled to find the words. “So what is it and why?” I asked clumsily. Smooth, Autumn.

“A mark is very special. it will show everyone that ye are Mated. Yer scent also changes, becomes more intense. Especially yours with being Mated to an Alpha. However the mark is the most important. Conlan’s canines will extend ever so slightly enough to pierce yer skin. It’s no that painful, heels pretty quickly and happens at the height of the first Mating. If ye catch my drift.” She wiggled her eyebrows. I nodded and burst out laughing, I did wonder how she would get around that part and I was grateful that she didn’t go into the nitty gritty. “It connects you on a deeper level, especially since yer no a wolf. It’ll boost yer intuition and yer feelings. You’ll be able to understand how yer Mate feels, and ye’ll be able to mindlink.”

“Mindlink?” I c****d my head to the side.

“How we communicate,” she said, tapping her temple again. “It’s voices in yer head, hen, I don’t know how else to explain it.” She laughed then gulped her drink, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

“I’ve got enough of them, thanks very much.” I returned her laugh.

“Ye can speak to each other through yer mind. We don’t need phones, just a wee tap into the mindlink and yer conversation stays private. It’s a full system for us but you’ll only be able to communicate with Conlan.”

“Why don’t you call him Alpha?” It was out before I could stop it.

“Hen, I taught that boy how to tie his shoelaces. You think I’m calling him Alpha, ye’ve another thing coming.” We both laughed. She really was a character. I dried by eyes.

“Thank you Sadie. You’ve been so helpful!”

“Anytime, darlin’, anytime. I mean it: ye’ve any questions at aw just you come to me. That nephew of mine can be brief with the words. But he’s a wonderful boy with a kind heart.” She smiled proudly. “My sister would be so proud of him.” A stray tear made its way down Sadie’s cheek, her eyes glassy.

“Conlan said you moved here to raise him and Catie?”

“Aye. There was a terrible attack. A rival clan invaded the forest and a fight broke out. Caroline, Conlan’s mother, was killed in the fight. Ciaran just couldn’t cope with the grief. Losing a Mate in combat, it’s more than just losing a spouse. He tried to track down the rebels and found more trouble on his own. He died from his injuries shortly after. Conlan and Catie were left orphaned in the space of a week. Bruce and I moved here from The Borders for the children, we couldn’t move Conlan away from his birthright.”

“I’m sorry for your loss, Sadie. That’s a very sad story.” All I wanted was to give Conlan the biggest cuddle. I suddenly felt very guilty that I had my parents and chose not to have a relationship with them. I felt like I was taking them for granted.

“Thank you hen. It was over 20 years ago.” She shook her head. “Ciaran was driven mad by the grief and anger of losing Carrie. Loosing a mate prematurely… well it can result in such things. Not many people survive it.”

I gulped. What a resounding thought.

“Anyway, I’ve something else to discuss with ye.” She smacked her hands down in her knees. “As Conlan is the Alpha round here, his Mating is special. The whole clan takes pride in it and it’s a wild affair for us aw.” She looked at me excitedly. Oh god, what was I getting roped into now. “There’s to be a festival after your Mating, the night after the New Moon. Suppose it’s a bit like a wedding…”

“A WEDDING?!” I almost fell off my stool. “Sadie, I’ve only known Conlan for 4 days, I’m not ready to marry him?!”

“Oh hen…” Sadie looked concerned. “Mating and Marking is more permanent than any marriage. A lot of our kind don’t even bother getting married.” She tried to explain but her words were falling on deaf ears. I was hyperventilating again. I had never hyperventilated so much than I had since moving here. “Here Autumn, drink this.” She handed me a glass of water I hadn’t even noticed her pour. I sipped the ice cold liquid and tried to steady my breathing.

“What if I’m not sure…?” My voice barely above a whisper. “What if I’m not sure this is what I want?”

“It’s yer fate, Autumn. Ye need to trust in yer fate.” She pulled me from the stool, I was too distracted with the thoughts bashing around in my mind to refuse. She lead me to the couch, sat me down and settled beside me. Taking my hand in hers, she took a deep breath and continued: “If you don’t wish to accept him… there’s always rejection. But I’ll warn ye, rejection can result in some serious shite.” She shook her head. “Madness, sickness… even death.”

“Oh that’s not added any extra pressure, thanks Sadie.” I slumped over and put my head in my hands. “It’s just all very… permanent. And very very sudden.”

I felt Sadie stiffen next to me. “What does yer heart tell ye?” She rubbed my back. “Close yer eyes and really listen. What is yer heart saying?”

I thought carefully. Taking some deep breaths, I was ready to be vulnerable. I answered her: “I don’t want to reject him. I’m falling in love with him. I already can’t imagine my life without him. He’s everything I didn’t realise I needed and I want to be his, and him mine.” I sat up and gasped.

“Well there’s yer answer.” Conlan stood at the patio doors, his eyes drilling holes into me.