Of The Moon

Chapter 9: Fire and Ice

King Daxton's POV:

"....we have a little hunter problem to deal with!" I felt Bane bristle at the Goddess's words. Her eyes locked with mine as she went on. "King Daxton, you must find the hunter. Our girls will not be safe until you do! Bane.." he jumped to the forefront of my mind at her call, "...You may begin to share your secret with your humans now." She nodded at us and Bane replied through me, "yes, my Goddess, as you wish."

(Finally, I can tell you a little bit about why we are so special. More special than just being an Alpha or even a King. We are cold for a reason. Our mate is extremely powerful. Not only is she an Alpha white wolf, she is part Goddess after all. Her power is so strong it is traceable by many species, especially the hunters. Dax, she can control the fire element, as your mother can.) Bane sounded excited. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Actually, you know what, my mother controlling fire makes a lot of sense. She was such a hot head. (Why couldn't you tell me before?) I asked Bane. (The Goddess said it wasn't time yet. You will find that we can control water. We are the cold to her hot, the ice to her inferno, and the calm to her storm. The rage that builds in those that wield fire is great. She will need our calming cold touch more than occasionally. Always be ready to settle her. We cannot allow her to let the anger win.) He almost sounded nervous. (Are you afraid of our mate Bane?) I chuckled a little at my wolf, I felt him jerk in my mind. (No I'm not afraid. Although, we probably should be..) I could see his wolfy grin in my mind and it made me laugh out loud, causing more than one person to look at me.

I felt her squeeze my hand, "I like your laugh, it makes my stomach flutter." Angel whispered. I smiled so wide it almost cracked my face. I enjoy making her feel anything, especially flutters. That has to be a good sign. I know I already love her, but I also know she is going to need more time. The Goddess warned me years ago that my mate wouldn't make this easy. She was going to make me work for it. She looked so sweet, her confession must have embarrassed her a little, as her cheeks were flushed. "Good. Everything you do causes those flutters in me, love." I whispered and winked at my stunning mate, causing her to redden even more. The smile that lit up her face though... Wow! I reached up and cupped her face in my hand, drawing my thumb across her cheek, she leaned into my hand. "I will do anything to see you smile like that every second of every day." Caught up in the moment, I hadn't realized I had forgotten to whisper that last part. I realized that the casual conversation had gone silent and I felt everyone's eyes on us. I cleared my throat and removed my hand from her face reluctantly.

I cleared my throat and addressed the room, "Bane says we can control water. I have never been able to do anything like that. He says Angel here, she can control the fire element...I still feel like we're missing something?" Angel tightened her grip of my hand. "Bay says our powers have been bound but only until we met. She says that's why we are having trouble with our anger." She rolled her eyes, I'm guessing at her wolf. "She also says Dax needs to stay close. He keeps the anger to a manageable amount," looking down at our hands and then back up into my eyes, "don't let go. I can't control my own wolf right now." The sadness in her eyes almost breaks me before she, once again, looks away. I use my free hand to tip her chin up so that she is looking at me again. "I will hold your hand until the end of time, love. You will get the hang of all of this. We both will. Together." I tried to convey my sincerity with my eyes and my words. I'm not kidding, I will adjust my entire life so that we can live our lives holding onto one another. I'm not sure how long we stayed that way but a throat clearing took our attention. Grey, he was looking between the two of us with an unreadable expression. "I think we've all had enough for today. Angel looks exhausted, and I'm beat. I would like to have a few hours of sleep before I meet my granddaughter in the morning." Gray was now smiling ear to ear. I can't wait for Fate to meet the rest of her family. She had waited for this day since she found out they were out there somewhere. I know your wolves all talk to her. That's another thing I really need to tell Angel about tonight. It makes sense now. "I agree, it has been an extremely long day. I need to speak with Angel about one last matter before we turn in. Maybe you would wish to stay for that?" I directed my question toward our Goddess, my mate's grandmother. "Yes, I will stay. I know what it is that you wish to speak to her about.."

Everyone was saying goodnight. I mind-linked a few omegas to come help direct them all to their rooms for the night. They were all led out of our sitting room. Now only the three of us remained. "Can I start this subject?" The Goddess asked. We both nodded and she continued. "First, Dax, please call me Selene. I will soon be your grandmother-in-law after all. Second, I want you both to know this was not my doing. Trinity chose this, not me. This was the only way to give her back." Selene sounded disappointed, almost desperate. "Angel, Trinity is now Fate's wolf." I told my mate that our daughter had her mother's wolf and braced myself for her reaction. Her body jerked, her eyes widening in surprise. "So, you did get her back to her, sort of." Angel asked Selene. Selene nodded, "I tried to repair their souls for years so that I could return Trinity to your mother, but I couldn't. When Trinity was stripped from her she asked me not to take her memories. She has been speaking to your wolves for years. Still, even now, she has all of her memories. I'm not sure what all she has shared with Fate. I'm sure more than she was supposed to. Trinity doesn't follow directions well." Selene's slight chuckle made both Angel and I relax. "How do we tell Momma?" Angel's question made my nerves return. I'm not sure how she will take this news. It was silent for a few seconds before Selene responded. "Maybe we should let Fate tell her? Maybe Trinity has a plan? She knows your mom better than any of us." Hmm...I thought. Maybe she's right. Maybe Fate has been preparing for this. I wonder how much that little munchkin knows because of her oversharing wolf? "I think we should talk to Fate in the morning. I don't think Momma will be angry. Maybe a little sad but being close to Trinity again should make her happier, right?" Angel sounded tired. We all agreed to wait until morning and said goodnight. Selene told us she would see us tomorrow. She said to have Raya call her when we were ready.

After Selene left, Angel and I fell into a comfortable silence for a few minutes. "Let's get you to bed, love. I think I could fall asleep right here." I said, gesturing to the couch that we were sitting on. "Bay said you hardly slept while we were sleeping. Why?" Angel asked me. "I was afraid I wouldn't be there when you woke and I just had to be there. I couldn't stand the idea of you waking up alone and Bane wouldn't let me leave you even if I wanted to. He wanted me to lay down next to you. I didn't think you would be so happy to open your eyes to a stranger in your bed, mate or not." I shrugged my shoulders. I wish I could have felt her body against mine. Even as she slept, but my conscience wouldn't have it. We didn't want her to think we didn't have any boundaries. We may be part wild animal, but we know better than rushing our mate. I could feel Angel's hesitation about something, "you can say or ask me anything, love. You don't have to be shy." I reassured Angel.

"You're not a stranger anymore, right?...I mean....I was wondering.." Angel took a deep breath and let it out, "...would you...could you sleepnexttome..?" she rushed out her question. "Did you just ask me to sleep next to you?" I couldn't help the smile on my face. Poor Angel's face was a brighter red than I had ever seen. It was the cutest. "You don't have to if you don't want to. Never mind, It was silly to ask...." oh no she was not taking that back. "Angel" I said her name to halt her rambling and once again placed my hand on her jaw. "I would be honored to just hold your hand while you slept. I will sit next to you if you wish. I honestly don't think we could leave if you wanted us to. I was prepared to sleep on the floor, outside of your room." Angel seemed to relax, pushing her face into my hand again. I directed her to stand. "Come on, let's get ready for bed."

After showing Angel the clothes the Omega's had brought for her to sleep in, she headed to the bathroom. I could hear the shower running. Quickly, I ran next door to another bathroom. I showered and dressed in record time. I got back to our room just in time to see Angel emerge from the bathroom, steam bellowing out around her small frame. Her wet hair was twisted up at the back of her head and secured by what looked like a clip of some sort. I'll have to thank the Omega's for their choice of outfits. Angel was wearing black shorts that hid nothing about her creamy, muscular legs and a yellow tank top that fit her upper body like a glove. She was breathtaking. This was going to make sleeping a little more difficult. Bane was howling his approval in my head. "I am so lucky to be your mate..." as I spoke Angel tried hiding a small smile. "Come on, love." I turned the bed down, slid inside, and patted the bed next to me. "I need you in my arms so that I can sleep." Angel slowly made her way to the bed. She seemed hesitant but sat down on the edge of the bed with her back to me. "Angel, baby. We're just going to sleep. I promise you I won't try anything. You're in charge here, love." I tried to reassure her. "I know. Bay says I can trust you. I'm just nervous. I've never even had a boyfriend. Other than Sam or my Dad, I've never wanted a man to touch me, but with you, I don't want you to let go. It scares me, Dax. People, especially men, have not always been kind to me." She sounded like she was going to cry. That drew a growl from Bane and she stiffened. "Sorry, Bane wants to know who was mean to you. He said he will punish them or even throw them out of the Kingdom if you wish. He's mad that they caused you discomfort. Not at you. Never at you." Her giggle in response to my rushed tone, made my heart soar once again. This woman was it for me. She is my moon and stars.

"Can I tell you about it sometime?" Angel looked at me hesitently. "Of course my love, whenever you're ready. You can tell me anything!" She smiled at my response and moved to get between the covers. As she laid back onto the pillows she asked, " Will you put your arm out and close your eyes. Don't watch me, your eyes make me too nervous." I chuckled but did what she asked. "I told you, Love, anything." As I finished speaking I felt the bed shift. She rolled toward me and put her head on my shoulder and one of her arms on my chest. She fit against me perfectly. Wrapping my arms around her, I asked quietly, "Can I look at you now?" If she looks half as good as she feels in my arms, I may never leave this bed. "If you want to, but I won't be awake much longer" her words drew a yawn from deep within her. As she released her breath she settled even further against me. I snuck a peak at my mate. Yep, this is it. They may have to pry us both out of this bed in the morning. "Sleep well beautiful, I'll be here when you wake". I kissed the top of her head without thinking about it. She let out a content sigh, "Goodnight Daxton, goodnight Bane." She whispered and my wolf shivered in delight. Rubbing my hand up and down her arm, I felt her heart slow and her breathing even out. She was asleep! In my arms! Finally, we are together. Nothing will ever take her from us. With a smile on my face, I let sleep take me into the abyss, right alongside her.