The White Wolf Queen Of The Damned

Chapter 8.

Pandora’s POV.

“We can trust in them, Pandora, trust them now.” Pearl says and I do listen to her but I trusted easily before, and look where that got me. I can’t make that mistake again. Besides, it would be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire if I accept the bond with them both so soon.

“I don’t think I can. I know I’m letting my insecurity rule my head, but right now I need to do just that. Just for a short while, Pearl. You should understand that after what we have been through. So please don’t be upset. I will accept them in time but it doesn’t feel like the right time. But I will accept their vow that was promised through the years.” I tell her and I know she is upset, but I hope she understands where I’m coming from.

“I will not accept the bond just yet and I think you both will understand why. This is not me saying I reject you both because I don’t. I just need time and your patience and understanding. But I will accept the vow of protection. I know this is not what either of you wanted and I am sorry for that. Give me some time.” I say as I reach to take Atlas and Ajax’s hands and they don’t pull back. They both smile sadly at my decision but I know they understand why I’m being cautious.

“Good, just reject them and come to me. I am all you need.” The growly voice from the flames speaks again and I just ignore him.

Pearl chuckles and I’m so confused why she is laughing at that sinister voice that plagues my dreams and now my waking thoughts. What is he?

“Pearl, what is so funny?” I ask her and she chuckles again.

“Jury is making me laugh and Judge is pouting. It’s cute and hilarious.” She says, so she wasn’t laughing at the voice? Does she even hear him?

“Is that all you hear?” I ask her, and she stops laughing and tilts her head to the side. I must be going crazy or having some kind of breakdown.

“Well, no, I hear you too.” She says. Yes, I think I have definitely cracked. But no matter back to what is happening now.

“We will accept that for now. When you are ready to accept the bond, we will be waiting. Now. Let’s get back to the packhouse and let us show you around.” Ajax says and I nod my head at him as both he and Atlas walk beside me as Ajax points out points of interest on the way back and Atlas is silent as he looks straight ahead and I know I have hurt his feelings, but my feelings are valid just like his are.

“Don’t keep them waiting long, Pandora. We need them as much as they need us,” Pearl says and I sigh quietly as I take it all in.

Members of the pack are going about their daily lives. Some even look at me and whisper to others, which is so rude and pointless. We are all werewolves, we can hear everything.

We approach what looks like a marketplace. How the heck did I not notice this when I ran?

“You were too lost in running as fast as you could to notice anything.” Pearl says gently and I nod my head at her words.

There are stalls lining each side of the path. So many sights and smells. An elderly lady is crafting jewellery. She is wearing a long cloak and her long white hair is flowing over her shoulders. She has a kind face and her eyes hold so much knowledge. She sees me and offers me a gentle smile and I accept it as I walk closer to her. She has some beautiful jewellery. They have been crafted using different coloured stones. No, not stones. Crystals.

“Hello alphas, my lady. How may I be of service today?” She says and I feel Pearl moving closer to the surface.

“These are beautiful. They must take a lot of time to create.” I say to her and she smiles lovingly at me and shakes her head.

“Not too long, my lady. I may be old but I’m still fast. Now, I want you to pick the one that calls to you the most. A beautiful lady like yourself should be covered in beautiful things.” She says and I feel my cheeks heat at her compliment.

“It’s alright, but thank you, I don’t have any money.” I say shyly and she looks at me.

“It is a gift, so please lift your hand and feel the energy of the stones, and whichever one makes your palm warm is the one your soul needs.” She says and I look at Atlas and then at Ajax, and they are both watching me. Atlas nods his head and I sigh.

Closing my eyes, I lift my right hand and move it slowly over the selection.

“Breathe, my lady, let go of everything in your head and focus on the energy at your fingertips.” She says and I concentrate, letting my mind go blank when I feel my palm warm and I stop moving and open my eyes and look at where my hand stopped.

“Rose Quartz. This is a powerful crystal. It promotes self-love, compassion, peace and heals emotional wounds. I can see it in you, my lady. You recently suffered a great loss. This crystal will help heal the trauma and loss. But I am being compelled to give you something else.” She says and I look at her and try my best to not let the tears fall.

“Oh no, this is enough. Thank you.” I say and she looks at me before she picks up a black stone from somewhere deep inside her cloak. I gulp, not liking the power that is coming from it. The power coming from that stone makes me feel sick. It makes my head spin and something inside of me roars, wanting to be unleashed. The markings on my skin pulse, and the scars on my back burn. I step back and put distance between me and that stone.

“I will just take this one. Thank you so much.” I say as I look at her and not the stone that is making me feel sick. She is watching me and she smiles at me and nods her head once.

“Any time, my lady. You are welcome to come back when you need more. Enjoy your day.” She says, bowing before she hands me the rose quartz on a black leather chain. I smile at her and hurry away. The further I get from that stone, the lighter I feel. The scars on my back stop aching and the markings on my skin stop pulsing. How strange.

We move onto other stalls, fresh fruit and vegetables, clothing, self-care, food stalls cooking meat and vegetables. It is something for the senses. Something I have never experienced before, but as much as I am enjoying looking at all the wares, I can’t take my mind off that stone. My mind is consumed by my reaction to that one dark stone. I don’t understand why I felt that way. I feel my hand tighten into a fist.

“Pearl, why did I react the way I did with that dark stone? Why did it make me feel sick?” I ask her and I wait for her to respond. I look over my shoulder and my eyes widen.

The stall is gone. Where the heck did it go? How is that possible?

“It was Black Obsidian. It usually protects against negative energy and dark entities. But that felt different. It felt tainted somehow. I’m sorry, Pandora, I can’t tell you why because I don’t know.” Pearl is being secretive. I want to push for more information but she blocks me out anyway.

Then I hear a laugh and turn around and see Atlas and Ajax talking to some of their members. I shake the thoughts and secrecy from my head and carry on with my day. Walking towards Atlas and Ajax and they introduce me to their members.

They don’t introduce me as their mate but as their guest, and for some odd reason, that hurts. But then again, I did ask them to give me time.

“I would introduce you to the world as mine, before we watched it burn from the throne of bones. Because that is what you are, Pandora Morningstar. You are mine, daughter of the light-bearer.” That gruff, sinful voice says from the flames and I shut it down and walk back to the packhouse.

I need to figure out who this man in the flames is. But more importantly, why do I feel like he is also what I’m missing? He is leaving me clues. But why?