Mark of the Goddess

Chapter 8 - Acceptance

Tesla’s POV

I woke up after dreaming of nothing but darkness. I don’t really remember anything between the time I howled and the time I shifted in the hospital. All I know is that I felt like s**t. The bright lights of the room had me blinking. Voices echoed in my ears, but no coherent words. I knew that they sounded like Cassie and Eldwin. They were cheerful and I was happy about that. Cassie could brighten anyone's world. I was grateful that she could do what I wasn’t able to. I slowly looked around the room and noticed a few unfamiliar faces. I was a bit confused, until I met my mate’s eyes. My heart skipped a beat as he looked at me with loving eyes. 

Moon! Awake! Skald yipped.

Moon!! Safe! Tally whimpered happily. I smiled. So that’s why I couldn’t move my legs. 

“Tesla,” L.J.’s voice came to my ears. I reluctantly looked in his direction. “Allow me to introduce to you, Alpha Eldwin Feathermane.” Feathermane? No… The name of the King of Wolves. He must be… Archek Feathermane’s son. My heart began to beat rapidly with fear. I knew that Eldwin could sense it as we looked at each other again, a look of concern crossed his face. I looked back at L.J. questioningly. 

“He knows you have a very special mark and that you’re a Silverblood,” L.J. spoke cautiously. I swallowed as I looked down at my lap. I knew I couldn’t avoid this forever, it had to come to this otherwise we’d both suffer. 

“Do you know anything else about me?” I asked Eldwin without looking up at him. 

“I only know of the mark on your chest, your… umm… old pack mark, and you had a mate before me,” Eldwin’s voice seemed to surround me with love, but I knew better. I sighed. 

“M-my birth father’s name is Alpha Soloman Silverblood.” I couldn’t bear to look at him. I was full of shame and fear. I know he’ll reject me now. 

~~

Eldwin’s POV

Right after she said her birth-father’s name, I was shocked. She lowered her head and looked away from me. She was obviously ashamed and hated herself. Why was she cast out if she bore the Mark of Gaia? Why would she be so full of fear when I, her mate, was right here? Why would her mate, someone who is sworn to love and protect her, threaten her life by reporting her and send her to her death? So many questions filled my head but for now, I pushed them to the back of my mind. I brought my hand to her chin and forced her to meet my gaze. I could see her holding back tears. 

“I don’t care. I have waited for you for far too long, Tesla,” I almost whispered. She looked at me slightly shocked but still guarded. “I, Eldwin Feathermane, Son of Archek Featherman, accept you as my mate,” I said softly as I brought her chin up. Gently forcing her to look at me. Her beautiful hazel eyes shimmered with unshed tears. She was completely shocked, relieved and yet still afraid.

“I-I, T-tesla Silverblood, D-daughter of Soloman Silverblood, accept you as my mate,” she said with a shaky voice. 

“You’re nothing like a Silverblood, I’ve ever heard of, Tesla,” I spoke softly. “You are not a Silverblood anymore. You’re a Sunstone and now a Feathermane. I promise that you will always be protected, loved and cared for. Even if you did not bear the Mark of Gaia.” Tears began to stream down her face. I could tell she was fighting herself to hold them back and was losing her own battle. I turned to my packmates. “Come and great your new Silva.”

Alex was hugging her and squishing his face on her cheek instantly. She looked slightly surprised and even more so uncomfortable. It was clear that she had been on her own for far too long. Yet she allowed my packmates to shower her with love, regardless of how she felt. Her two dogs yipped with joy. Armond and Thomas seemed to melt into her arms as she wrapped them in her scent. Lastly, I crawled into the hospital bed with her and wrapped my arms around her. I could tell that she guarded her emotions, but she still held onto me. I wanted nothing more than to keep her in my arms and never let her go. She’s been through so much. My heart was breaking for her, but right now, I wanted to show her that she didn’t need to feel guarded around me. She deserved everything and more. I wanted to give her anything she wanted. L.J. approached and I reluctantly released Tesla from my arms as he came in to hug her. 

“I’m so happy for you, Tessy,” He said as he tightened his hugaround her. She hugged him back and held that hug for a moment. He truly cared for her and I couldn’t ask for a better brother-in-law. She seemed to relax a bit more. I couldn’t help but feel hurt by this. 

“You deserve this happiness Tesla. Accept it,” He said as he ruffled up her hair and she swatted at his hand with a giggle. We all couldn’t help but chuckle at their sibling quirl. “I’ve watched you suffer time and time again. You’ve sacrificed everything you wanted to help others. Regardless of their species. I guess now, I’ll have to just find some poor soul to tease. Maybe Cassie would like to hang out more.” She rolled my eyes at him. Cassie playfully smacked his shoulder

“She’d run circles around you anyday,” Tesla teased. 

“As if,” He said as he pulled away from their embrace. He looked back at Cassie and gave her a playful wink. She rolled her eyes at him as she giggled. “You think your mate would allow me to visit you? And vice versa?” 

“Probably. If you’re a good kitty,” She patted his head. L.J. looked over at me for confirmation. I smiled and just shrugged.

“You heard my mate,” I teased him. L.J. smirked. We all began to make small talk. L.J. told stories of him and Tesla growing up. Nothing but good memories. I had learned much about her. Her favorite food was anything that was pasta. She loved Autumn. She loved kids and even volunteered at the daycare in their town. I was falling more and more in love with her and all I wanted was to learn more about her and grow with her. She even started to relax more and lean into my chest. Asking me and my pack members about ourselves. We all happily told her. She would blush every now and then. I found it cute and amusing at how easily it was to embarrass her. 

I couldn’t help but keep my arm wrapped behind her head and cling to her. Every time a doctor would come in to check her vitals, it took everything I had to not growl as they came near her. 

Before I knew it, I felt Tesla go limp against my chest. She fell asleep at some point in our group conversation. When the doctor noticed this, he asked all non-family members to leave, so she could rest. Armond, Thomas and Alex whispered their goodbyes and left the room. Cassie teased L.J. briefly before leaving as well. It was just L.J., myself and my mate. I honestly couldn’t be happier than I was right now. 

~~

Tesla’s POV

I awoke to warmth against my cheek. The sound of a steady heartbeat soothed my ears. The scent of cinnamon buns enveloped me with love and protection. I have never felt like this before. I wanted more of the scent. I opened my eyes and reality settled in.

I truly couldn’t believe it. He accepted me. Eldwin accepted me as his mate. I just wish that my anxiety would stop making me question his love that he was obviously showing me. 

Then it all set in, as I looked at my new mate. I would be leaving the only home I had since I left the Silverbloods. My closest friends. My brother. I started to feel guilty about being so happy to be with my mate and be around other wolves. I didn’t even think how my own best friends would feel, but L.J. has already made it known to me that he was happy for me. So, I had to be happy for his sake, right?

Looking up at Eldwin, I took in his features. His face was flawless. His hair soft to the touch as I moved a strand from his brow. I wanted nothing more than to see more of him. To feel more of him. As the thought of us sharing a bed and doing what normal adults do crossed my mind, I felt my cheeks heat up from embarrassing myself. I smiled as I turned to look around the room. L.J. was passed out in a reclined hospital chair. Tally and Skald were happily lying at the end of my bed. The beeping from the machines were the only things that filled the silent room. 

I sighed as I snuggled in closer against Eldwin’s chest. I wanted to take in as much of him as I could right now. My own fear etching the back of my mind as a few stray thoughts of him betraying me crept into my mind. Flashbacks from my first mate were starting to haunt me, so instead I thought about what would happen when Eldwin and I marked each other with the mating mark. The very thought caused my core to spark. 

Just then I saw a nurse walk in and wave at me quietly as she looked at the two men that were passed out. 

“Hello, Tesla. How are you feeling?” She whispered sweetly to me. I smiled over at her. 

“Tired, but good,” I answered her back in a returned whisper. She nodded her head with satisfaction at my answer. 

“Good. Good. The doctor wants to hold you for a few more days until you are fully rested and make sure that you are fit as a fiddle,” She whispered as she checked on the machines. “I’ll also be bringing in some food for you. Gotta keep your strength up.” I smiled and nodded at her. I don’t think I’ve had much of anything for a while now. At the mention of food, my stomach gurgled in protest at how empty it was. 

“I suppose I’ll go ahead and get that food for you then,” She silently chuckled. 

“Thank you,” I whispered to her as I blushed at my own body ratting me out like that. As she left the room, I readjusted myself so that I could wrap my arm over Eldwin’s chest. Right now, I just wanted to stay like this. I wanted to permanently have his scent on me. To always feel his warm body against mine. 

As my fantasies began to swirl in my head, my eyelids began to feel heavy again as darkness soon clouded my eyes. This time I happily welcomed it, instead of fearing it. 

~~

Eldwin’s POV

I woke up to Tesla’s lily-like scent, with a hint of forest rain. I couldn’t help but smile as I felt her arm wrap around me. I liked how clingy she was acting. I looked up as a nurse walked in with a tray. She looked at me and nodded. 

“Oh, sorry, she was just awake a few moments ago,” the nurse whispered as she quietly brought the tray to a nearby table. I looked down at Tesla. Whatever she did a week ago, certainly drained her. I wish I could help her in some way. 

“I will let you know that the doctor wants her to stay for a few more days, just to be on the safe side.” The nurse continued her hushed tone. “Make sure she wakes up to eat her food while it’s still warm.” I nodded to her as I stroked Tesla’s cheek. I heard the door close and L.J. gasped as he woke up. 

“Ah, s**t,” L.J. said. I looked over at him and shushed him. He looked up at me and bowed his head apologetically. “Sorry. Forgot where I was for a second,” He whispered. 

“It’s cool, man,” I said as I turned my attention back to Tesla. I told him what the nurse had said moments before he woke up. I saw him out of the corner of my eye. He walked up to the other side of Tesla. Skald and Tally were unmoving. They seemed to be just as tired as Tesla is. 

“I suppose I’ll have to leave and go get her things together. She doesn’t really have much, so it shouldn’t be a problem,” L.J. whispered as he folded his arms over his chest. I looked up at him. 

“How would you like to come with us? Back to my territory,” I spoke with a hushed tone. I knew that we weren’t going to be able to fit everyone into the SUV, let alone, Tesla’s stuff. I also figured that Tesla would feel a bit more at ease if people she knew accompanied us. It’ll help comfort her. I could tell that she was apprehensive with our mate bond, given her past experience. I want to show her that I would do anything for her. 

L.J. was looking at me surprised, but excited. He smiled thankfully at me. 

“I was kind of hoping you would ask. I would love to go. I can drive my own vehicle. Would you mind if Cassie came along?” He asked. I shrugged. 

“I don’t mind in the least. I know that Tesla is… nervous about our bond. I don’t blame her. So maybe you guys will be able to help her settle in better?” I said with a sadder voice than I had meant. L.J. was looking at me with concern. 

“I’m sure that you’ll win her heart, just by letting us come along,” L.J. said with a slightly loud tone. Tesla groaned as she nuzzled her check against my chest. Her arm tightening around my waist. I felt her grab a hold of my shirt and I couldn’t help but smile. She looked content. 

“Eldwin,” L.J.’s tender voice brought my attention back to him. He was looking at Tesla, concern on his face. I raised my brow at him. “Will your pack accept her? Just as Alex, Thomas and Armond have? If they find out her lineage, will they still protect her?” They better damn well protect their new Silva. She’s my mate and that alone should be enough. 

“They can and they will,” I said defensively. L.J.’s expression didn’t change. 

“I suggest that you let them know now. It’s better if they knew beforehand and then allow them to get to know her better,” he spoke softly as he brought a chair from the nearby table closer to the edge of her bed. I only nodded at him. My pack was not the only one who needed to know. My Father. Alpha King Archek. King of all the werewolves. My twin brothers, my little sister, and my mother will all be ecstatic. I was never able to read my Father. He was a wild card. 

Attention all pack members! I announced through the pack link. Reaching out to the entire pack as a whole. The reason for our extended leave is because I have found our new Silva! I felt my head begin to pound as the eruption of all the pack members roaring with cheers and excitement. I waited for the noise to subside as I took a deep nervous breath. Our Silva’s name is Tesla Silverblood. Immediately there was silence. Yes. You heard me right. However, she has been raised by the Sunstone Pride and will be referred to as a Sunstone. She is nothing like the stories that surround the Silverblood pack. Once you all meet her, you will all understand. As I finished my announcement, I could hear everyone asking a variety of questions. Some are excited. Some are concerned. A few were objecting. When I heard those objections I growled to myself. I cut the link and left the pack to speak amongst themselves. Blocking out the questions and the excitement. I looked over at L.J.

“It is done. Those who object to her being the new Silva, will be banished,” I said matter of factly. L.J. nodded. 

“I hope that it doesn’t come back to bite you,” he chuckled. I couldn’t help but chuckle with him. 

“Ya know, my Father didn’t lie when he said that she’s a handful. Once upon a time, she was training with some of the lionesses. These weren’t just any lionesses though, they were training to become elite warriors. Tesla here, tried out for it, even though she wasn’t a lioness. She always felt she needed to prove herself.” I looked from him to Tesla. 

“She certainly is stronger than any other female wolf I’ve come across,” I said as I leaned my cheek against her forehead. 

“Oh she definitely is,” L.J. said as he leaned back. “In Prides, lionesses are the ones that stay in groups. Males are usually on their own. Lionesses work together and combine their strength. One male has the power of three females. However, in elite groups, the females are usually abnormally strong.” I nodded as I listened. “A part of the tryouts for the elite is to have a partner. That partner can be anyone. It’s just to see how well someone does when working in a group. Tesla chose me, because none of the others wanted to be her partner. Some objected. Some thought that Tesla would just have me do all the work.”

We both chuckled. “I’m guessing she was the one doing all the work,” I chuckled out the words. L.J. smiled and nodded his head. 

“She sure did. Anyway, half way through the try out session, one lioness was practically screaming orders at her partner. Tesla kept getting irritated at that girl. She said that, ‘that’s not how a team is supposed to work.’” L.J. looked up and didn’t really look at anyone or anything. I could tell that he was reliving that day. “Then the girl said something to her partner. I honestly don’t remember what she said, but it was the final straw for Tesla, here. I tried to stop her from starting something she couldn’t finish. At the time I thought that she needed my protection because she wasn’t as strong as a lion. So right there in front of everyone, Tesla walked up to the girl and decked her in the nose. I swear you could use a knife to cut the tension that was in the air. Tesla grabbed that girl’s partner and started walking away. We were all shocked. Tesla told this girl,’I don’t care who your partner thinks she is, you are not a pawn and you are stronger than that. Stand with me and I will make sure that you get into the Elite.’ The look on those two girls' faces were priceless. Tesla stayed true to her word, though. The girl that she helped became an elite Lioness.” 

I couldn’t help but look at my mate in awe. 

“I mean she got into a lot of trouble, and didn’t make the cut, but my father admired her for what she did. He had her continue training with elite warriors,” L.J. said as he nodded to her. “She’s been in a lot of fights, but she also had the respect of most of the lions. They just never liked to admit to it though.” 

“You lions hold too much pride,” I teased. L.J. chuckled at my comment. 

“I neither admit nor deny it, man.” Just then Tesla groaned and let out a whimper. Both of us turned to look at her. Tesla’s brows were furrowed. Her body slowly started to shiver and twitch. I looked over at L.J. as the heart monitor began to beep faster. 

“Another one,” L.J. sighed sadly. 

“A nightmare?” I asked. Worry and concern creased my brow. L.J. only shrugged. 

“You can always tell when she’s had a nightmare. She never talks about them. I don’t know if she even remembers them, but at this point, I just know that they’ve gotten worse. This is the most sleep I’ve ever seen her get in weeks.” Skald and Tally had their attention on Tesla as they yawned. It seemed that they were pretty used to her doing this in her sleep. “I do think that since you both accepted each other as mates, that it has somehow lifted a weight off of her. Perhaps that is why she’s been able to sleep.”

I was happy to hear that at least. I wrapped my arms around her tightly and held her against my body. She soon stopped trembling and her whimpers subsided. I sighed with relief. “Perhaps we should wake her up. She needs to eat anyway,” I said as I nodded towards the tray of food that the nurse had brought in. 

~~

L.J.’s POV

Once I was satisfied that Tesla finally ate. I told her and Eldwin that I would start gathering her things and pack up what she had. I would also need to pack a bag or two to go with them. Cassie ended up coming with me, followed by Alex, Thomas and Armond. 

“This is really where she lives?” Alex said as I drove towards the cabin. “It’s so far away from the rest of the Pride homes. Why was she sent out here, if Lionel thought of her as a daughter?”  I understood how this looked. I guess it’s story time. 

“Since the day Tesla was brought into my father’s care, my father did whatever he could to learn about wolves and about The Mark. He spent a lot of time with Tesla, as well as I did. The other lions weren’t used to having another species living in the Pride house and they were always nervous. Some lionesses would tease, pick a fight, or just ignore Tesla,” I explained as I slowed to a stop in front of Tesla’s cabin. 

“Yeah, I’ve seen some of those fights. They were more brutal than they needed to be,” Cassie said as she looked out of the window. “Some of those times Tesla would just stand there and take it, because…” Cassie trailed off.

“Because Tesla would try to protect her friends.” I cleared my throat. “Anyway, my father did his best to gain Tesla’s trust. The woman wasn’t having it. He understood why, and I’m sure that all of us here understand it as well.” I looked around at the men in the backseat. They were all nodding. Alex looked angry, more so than the other two. “Once Tesla turned eighteen, things got worse. The lions were testing her patience and were all becoming more territorial over potential mates. Even though two species can’t interbreed with each other, it didn’t stop that feeling of possession. My father did whatever he could to protect her, but at the time he feared for the worse. He had me stay by her side whenever she was outside of her room and especially out on patrol. My father truly does love Tesla like a daughter, but he also had to keep her at a distance. I think he always wanted a daughter.” I paused for a moment. I’m the only child born to my mother. The first Lioness to be my father’s mate. The other three mates my father had boys as well, but they will be branching out once they are of age. 

“So, my father renovated this cabin and asked Tesla if she’d like it to be her own. He wanted to give her something that she could say was hers. To Tesla, my father was just trying to get her out of the house. To me, he just wanted to protect his daughter,” I looked ahead at the cabin, remembering when we first moved her in there. “All my father wanted was her acceptance.” 

No one said anything. I could tell that no one really knows what to think of my father. He’s a hard man to read, but when it came to Tesla, he was very much protective of her. I know that everything thinks he has alternative motives, and that may be half true. Looking at the bigger picture, he is doing whatever he can to make her life easier. 

I was the first to step out of my car and the moment I did I smelled a scent that I had never smelled before. Death and roses. An odd mixture of a scent. My nose wrinkled as I looked around. Looking at Cassie, I could tell she was concerned. Her being a were-fox, she wasn’t a very powerful fighter. She was one clever woman and was always quick on her feet. My father took her on as a business consultant. A mutual tie breaker between species, if you will. Were-foxes weren’t common and tended to be on their own a lot. They don’t even really get mates either. Seeing more than one fox is a rare sight, unless it's a mother and her kids. They are much like coyotes in this sense, however were-foxes are sensitive to magic and have an immunity to it. 

Looking back at Alex, Thomas, and Armond, they shared the same concerned look. 

“What is that smell?” Armond asked as he cautiously took a step to my side. I shrugged my shoulders. 

“Don’t know, but something was definitely here,” I said as I slowly approached the steps. The scent grew stronger as I stalked across the porch to the door. I wasn’t closed all the way. From afar, it appeared that it was closed. If there was an intruder, they wouldn’t have trouble getting into the house. Tesla always left the door unlocked, in case myself, Cassie, or Kosovo were to ever come by. 

I pushed open the door and saw that nothing looked out of order. Looking back at the group, I shook my head and shrugged. They all slowly followed my lead, as we entered the cabin. We stood there in silence. Listening for any sign of life. 

So far, there’s nothing, but I did notice fabrics in the doorway of Tesla’s bedroom. 

“What the hell?” I almost growled. I forgot about being quiet and just went stomping towards her room. Looking in, the scent of death and roses was far stronger in here than the rest of the house. 

“What is it, L.J.?” Cassie asked worriedly. Looking around the room, I saw that Tesla’s bed, pillows and sheets were all torn to shreds. Her clothes were scattered everywhere. 

“What the hell happened here? Whoever was here, spent some time in this room,” Alex said as he nudged his way around me. 

“Looks like they were looking for something. Does Tesla have anything of value?” Thomas asked as he hovered over my shoulder. I stepped into the room and looked for any clues as to who did this. Other than the scent, there had to be something else. 

“No. She came here with just Skald and Tally,” Cassie answered for me. 

“Are there any more rooms?” Alex asked as he went to investigate the bathroom. 

I nodded. “Guest bedroom. Door to the right,” I said without looking at anyone. Voices went silent as purposeful footsteps filled the air. I shoved a few of Tesla’s clothes around with my foot. No footprints of any kind. Not even a speck of dirt. I sighed as I turned towards the  door. That’s when I saw it. A red symbol of a chimera of sorts. A bear body with a wolf head and a lion head. The front paws were that of a bird and wings slightly tucked above the rest of the body. 

“Hey, you guys,” I said as I stared at the symbol. I had never seen it before. Everyone piled into the room and looked in the direction of the symbol. 

“A chimera?” Alex asked. “What does this mean?”

“It’s a warning and a trap,” Cassie said with no emotion in her voice. As if she were in some kind of trance. We all looked at her. 

“Cassie? What do you mean?” I asked her as she continued to stare at the symbol. 

“It’s a very ancient symbol to trap were-beasts. Back in the first wars between all the creatures. A chimera is one that can never shift. It’s ruthless and cunning. My mother told me that a chimera was born to that of hybrids. Born and bred for killing and conquering. When the Mark first appeared thousands of years ago, the one marked banished the chimeras to an endless void. Trapping them in endless time and space.”

We all watched her as tears began to stream down her face. 

“The symbol of the chimera is meant to be a threat. Usually its meaning is a warning or a trap of some sort. The one placing the symbol can twist the magic of it to be whatever they wish. I would expect that whoever Tesla met in that forest wants her for some purpose and that purpose is not for the greater good.” 

“So, what? What could they possibly do with Tesla?” Thomas asked as he took a step towards Cassie. He only shook her head.

“I don’t know.”