Mark of the Goddess

Chapter 17 - Heat - Part 1

Tesla’s POV

A few weeks have passed now. L.J., Kosovo, and Cassie all returned home to do their duties in their own territories. Lionel needed to prepare L.J. for taking over the Pride and family company. Kosovo Had to meet Nascha in her territory and discuss the cure for infected were-beasts. At least in the earlier stages of it. Archek, Erron, and Edward all left to deal with their own packs, but my brother-in-laws called regularly after Eldwin got me a new cell phone. The one thing that these triplet brothers have in common is protectiveness and possessiveness. I didn’t mind it, because it made them feel better. Archek hasn’t called me, which I was fine with. I imagine that an Alpha King has far more things to do than make social calls. L.J., Cassie, and Kosovo would text me, which they knew I preferred. Made it easier on me to get my own tasks done. 

Speaking of my tasks, Naomi and Ella stayed with us in the Pack house. Both of them were helping me get to know what a Silva does. As a Silva my job is to stand in as a tiebreaker in decisions. I help in planning strategies for the warrior wolves, whether it is just training or a battle. I also help the alpha in taking on tasks that he can not do at that moment or doesn’t have the time for. I also stand in for the alpha when he is not around. Although, I didn’t like the sound of that. Luckily, Naomi said that the Beta would normally take over if directed by the Silva. A Silva would still have the last word in the decisions regardless. 

Naomi and Ella even helped me get to know the pack members a bit more whenever Eldwin was working at the pack company. From what I was told Eldwin runs a military training facility of sorts. This is where humans and werewolves learn combat as equals. This training is not just for the military but also for service members, such as police forces. I was mostly interested in the training portion and zoned out whenever she went into the politics of it all. 

Lastly, I fell into the habit of training with the rest of the warrior wolves. Eldwin attends the training sessions with me and we even sparred a few times. Although, I can always tell that he was holding back. Lately, I’ll admit I’ve been distracted. Everytime I am outside of the Pack house, I’ve felt eye on me. I’m not talking about warriors watching me either. It feels unsettling. 

I felt Eldwin grab me from behind suddenly and lift me up. I elbowed his chest and he released me.

“Well, so much for a sneak attack,” He chuckled with a slight cough. 

“I could’ve done much worse,” I said as I stayed crouched. I couldn’t help but look around. Looking past the other’s training and into the forest. I saw nothing. Just the trees and fallen branches. A soft breath brought Eldwin’s scent to my nose and drew my attention back to him. 

“You doing alright, Tesla?” He asked as he crouched beside me. I shrugged. 

“I want to say that I am, but-” I paused as I looked back out into the forest. That sense of being watched was starting to drive me crazy. “I feel like I’m being watched.” Eldwin placed his hand on my shoulder. Wrapping me in that loving aroma. I took a breath and relaxed. 

“We haven’t seen anything, Tesla. None of the patrols have had that same feeling. There aren’t any scents that aren't normal to the wildlife here,” Eldwin said as he helped me rise. 

“You’re right. I know that. I guess I’m still paranoid?” I said as I looked up at him apologetically. He smiled and placed his forehead against mine. 

“I don’t expect you to just forget about everything that happened a month ago, my little lily. Trauma takes time to overcome. You should know that, so don’t even attempt to apologize for something that you can’t control,” he said tenderly. I smiled up at him and nodded.

“Again, you’re right. I’m-”

“Shh, what did I say about apologizing,” he quickly said as he held a finger to my lips. I smirked.

“Did you seriously just shush me?” I teased. 

“Yeah. What are you going to do about it?” He growled playfully. I raised a brow at him as I grinned mischievously. 

“Well, I could bring you into the woods. Slip off those shorts of yours and suck on that beast that gives me so much pleasure,” I whispered as I leaned against him. He growled with need and temptation. My fingertips trailing down his arm as I bit at my bottom lip. I’ve noticed that that was something that would drive him wild. Once he looked out into the forest, contemplating my words, I quickly grabbed his arm firmly. Turning around and flipping him over my short frame. He landed on his back with a loud THUD! He coughed a bit as he forced air into his lungs. 

“Rude!” He said with a chuckled cough. I giggled at him. 

“Looks like I’m better at sneak attacks than you are.” I walked around and held my hand out to him. He grabbed my arm and yanked me down on top of him. 

“You shouldn’t tease me like that. I have half a mind to actually take you behind those trees and pump you full of my seed,” He growled playfully, but also had a hint of lust behind it. I couldn’t help but laugh as I raised my chest up to look down at him. That’s when I noticed my mark softly glowing a silver-blue tint. I looked down at it and traced over it with a bit of confusion. 

“What the hell?” I said as my fingers continued to trace the glowing lines. “Well, that’s new.” 

“Do you feel ok?” Eldwin asked as he too started to trace the lines. I nodded. 

“It doesn’t hurt or anything.” I turned my attention onto his concerned face. “I feel fine. Don't worry, my cinnamon bun.” I caressed his cheek with my palm. 

“Wish we knew what this meant though. Would certainly help with these surprises,” he said as he gave me a worried smile. 

“C’mon, training is over, and we all need to go have some breakfast,” I said as I rubbed my nose against his. We both got up and motioned the warriors to follow so we could all go have breakfast in the Pack house. So far, I’ve noticed that the pack tries to eat together as a family as often as possible. Especially the unclaimed wolves. I had to admit that I very much enjoyed these ‘family’ meals. The chatter was mostly background noise in my ears. The only ones I was really talking to was Eldwin, Allen, Alex, Ella, Xander, and Naomi. With Eldwin sitting on one side and Ella on my other. Naomi and Xander directly across from us with Alex and Allen sitting on either side of them. 

Our conversation was about my mark. It was still glowing but it was slightly dimmer than it was earlier. I honestly didn’t know what to say about it. 

“It just randomly started to glow?” Ella asked after she took a sip of apple juice from her glass. I nodded.

“It was weird. I have never really seen it do that before,” I said as I picked at my omelet. 

“Yeah, so far we’ve only seen her whole body glow along with one of her super howls,” Eldwin said as he turned to wink at me. I smiled up at him. 

“I don’t think we would be too concerned with it. I mean after all, you seem yourself. Nothing feels or looks different about you, Tesla, dear,” Naomi said in a motherly tone. 

“We still don’t know much about what the mark gives to the bearer. It could just be because she’s happy,” Xander said as he took a bite of his bagel. 

“Like a mood ring?!” Ella asked excitedly. Xander shrugged as he chewed. 

“So I’m a howling superhero that changes colors based on my mood,” I joked. In all honesty I wasn’t worried. As Naomi already pointed out. I felt no different, than I had been. Well, actually that’s a lie. I’ve been happier and more at peace, than I had in my entire life. Maybe I am a “mood ring” now. I giggled at the thought. 

“Well , so long as you don’t feel in danger, I think I can get used to the color changes,” Alex chuckled out. We all joked about what color my mark would turn with different emotions. Ella had more fun with that discussion than anyone else. We all, eventually, finished our meal and took part in the clean up afterwards. Most of the warrior wolves went off to do their day to day jobs outside of the pack. Others hung out in the den. To which I found out was filled with gaming consoles and bookshelves full of video games. A few books speckled the shelves and a few knick knacks here and there. Eldwin seemed particularly clingy today, not that I minded. I think I could feel the same thing he felt. Like we were being pulled together. More so than it was yesterday or any of the other days prior. 

Eldwin reluctantly left to go into town with Allen and Naomi. They were about to have a conference with a potential client. Ella and I went up to my office. I really wanted to check out books of my volition. Naomi meant well but she would choose the books for me to read. The history of the Misty Mountain pack. The history of the Misty Mountain pack Silvas. Really anything that had to do with being a Silva and everything about my pack in general. Alex decided to join us as we went up the stairs to my office. 

“Don’t you have anything better to do, Alex?” Ella asked with annoyance. I think she wanted it to be just us girls. I liked Ella. She was very similar to Cassie and that brought me comfort in a way. 

“Not really. Xnader has doubled up patrols, and Eldwin told me to stay here and be Tesla’s guardian,” Alex said proudly. We laughed. 

“Are you sure about that? I already have Skald and Tally,” I said as I nudged him. Skald and Tally spent their mornings downstairs looking for scraps after a big ‘family’ meal. They really acted younger than their appearance showed. I was happy that they felt more relaxed and free here. 

“Yeah, but they’re getting fat now. Have you not seen all these people give them food from the table?!” Alex said in playful defense. I raised an eyebrow. 

“Is that so?” I said as I stopped in front of my office door and crossed my arms.

“Caught!” Ella giggled. 

“What?! Wait, no!” Alex said acting like he was scared. “I didn’t do a thing.” We all laughed as I walked into the room. My office was more feminine than Eldwin’s office. I had more paintings, books, and seats. My desk looked Victorian with a hint of old western, and sat in front of the window that looked out into the town. I had two chairs facing the desk and away from the door. There were two couches facing each other with a glass coffee table to match. All seemed to be Victorian or western of some sort. Book shelves stood against the walls on either side of my desk and would stretch halfway down the walls. The rest of the walls were lined with portraits of past Silvas. Each one is just as beautiful as the next. All had their own uniqueness and features that were unrelated to each other, yet their eyes held the same tender gaze. 

“So, what are you lovely ladies up to this fine morning?” Alex asked as he sat down on the arm of the couch. I made my way over to the nearest bookshelf. 

“Well, I was going to see if I could find anything about this,” I said as I gestured towards my chest. “I would like to be prepared for whatever it has in store for me. I know that I feel fine now, but it’s still bothering me.” 

“I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about, but I would love to find some sort of history behind it,” Ella said as she stepped closer to me. Looking up at the bookshelf. 

“Ya know, you could ask Lionel. He said he did a bit of research,” Alex recommended. I froze on a book and just gave him a side glance. His eyes grew wide and he turned his head. “Right. Sorry.” He was right, I could ask Lionel for help, but I also knew Lionel wouldn’t give me all the information. He’d give me as little information as possible as he had done in the past. I have always felt like he was using me but at the same time he acted genuine. I hated how he always made me feel confused on whether or not I could truly trust him. So I always chose the hard way. 

Ignoring Alex’s recommendation now, I turned back towards the bookshelf and took down books that I felt would be useful on my mini quest. Ella took the other end of the bookshelf. Alex eventually got up and began his own search at the other bookshelf. We skimmed through the books we had acquired Looking for anything that even mentioned my mark. About an hour into this search, I started to feel a bit warm and uncomfortable for some reason. So I paused to open the window. Once I did, I looked outside for a moment. Taking in the scents of the surrounding forest and the sight of the town in the nearby distance. 

The feeling of being watched struck me and I looked around. I watched as a small white ball seemed to bounce and then stop suddenly. I tilted my head at it. A white rabbit? That’s odd. I know it's close to autumn, but typically rabbits like this one don't get their winter coat until winter is actually here. 

“Hey, I think I found something,” Alex suddenly spoke and it made me jump. I turned to look at him. Then I looked back to where I saw the white rabbit. It was gone. I sighed and walked over to the coffee table as Alex sat down on the couch. 

“Well?” Ella said as I sat down next to her. Both of us looked at Alex. He held up a finger to read a bit more. 

“Ok. Read here to here,” he said as he turned the book towards us. I took it from him and read what he had pointed out. 

The Mark of Gaia is one to be respected and worshipped. The first werewolf to be born with the mark was Istas Thunderhoof, daughter of Alpha Kangee Thunderhoof, of the Pearl Reflection Pack. She was trained in the art of medicine and healing more so than that of combat. Istas became the Silva of the Misty Mountain Pack once she found her mate, Delta Felan Fitzgerald. She may not have been a Silva but she was regarded as a sister to Silva Candice Mistwater. Acting as Candice’s assistant. Istas would heal the wounded during the Battle of Fae Springs. Even though she didn’t have much combat skills she was still able to take down more Fae by subduing them. Wrapping them in roots that Istas would bring forth from the forest floor and wait for the warriors to either kill or take the Fae as prisoners. Her healing touch would protect them for a limited time from the magic that the Fae possessed. 

After the battle Istas gave birth to a single child, who was blessed with luck and love. Gaining a power of its own. No one knows much about the “child who is blessed”, as most have called it. Istas was powerful in her own way and put all others before herself. She is the reason that the Misty Mountain Pack did not fail and fall during the week long Battle of Fae Springs. 

I stopped reading and sighed. We already knew about the healing abilities, but she could control the roots of trees. Did that mean she could control the earth? I felt my skin grow hotter as my core began to ache and burn. I couldn’t tell if I was aroused or if I was in pain. I gripped the edge of the couch and just concentrated on getting more answers about The Mark of Gaia. 

“That’s it?” Ella asked. Alex shrugged.

“Yeah, but at least we have a name. We can find her name somewhere in these books and see if there’s more information,” Alex said as he raised from his seat. He walked back to the bookshelf that he had investigated earlier. I watched Ella place the book in her lap and read more from it. I stayed still. My mark began to burn slightly as beads of  sweat began to roll down my forehead. My arms began to tremble. My core burned and ached more fiercely than a few minutes ago. I began to breathe a bit heavier now. I made the decision to take a deep breath and stand up. My head became dizzy as I leaned against the chair that faced my desk. 

“Tesla?” Ella’s voice seemed to ring in my ears. My only thought was Eldwin. I wanted him. I needed him. I couldn’t hardly think, let alone pack link. I tried to concentrate on Eldwin but that seemed to make my fever worse. I tried to control the growls that were slowly rising from my chest as it burned hotter this time. 

“What. Is. Happening?” I growled out. 

“Tesla, Let’s get you to the doc ok?” Alex said cautiously. I heard his footsteps as he approached me. His hand gently touched my shoulder and I screamed out in pain. It felt like acid against my skin. “OW! s**t!” Alex yelled out. “What the hell?!” We moved away from each other. My breaths were labored. I clutched at my chest and lower belly as I hit my back against the bookcase. Alex was holding his hand out looking at it. He looked at me with shock and confusion. He held his hand up. His hand looked like it had been burned. I looked at my shoulder and saw nothing on my skin. 

Ella was already running for the door. “Doctor Ayman!! Someone get Doctor Aymen here! NOW!” She screamed out. I clutched my chest and lower stomach harder as the sensation began to grow worse. I felt my depths moisten and dampen my underwear as I fell to my knees with. I cried and moaned at the same time. What is this? Why am I feeling this? I felt like if I didn’t have Eldwin inside me now, then I would die from this pain that was growing faster. 

“Make it stop,” I cried out as I fell to my side and laid on the floor curled up into a ball. 

~~

Alex’s POV

Damnit! My f*****g hand. What the hell happened? I looked at my hand as it struggled to heal. It burned as if just my hand had been burned. I looked back at Tesla. 

“Make it stop,” I heard her cry out. I ran to her side, but didn’t touch her. Whatever happened had hurt her worse than it had hurt me. Ella was at her side immediately. She was able to touch Tesla with no problems. 

“Alex, pack link with someone! Anyone! Get Doctor Aymen here!” Ella practically barked orders at me. She didn’t have to tell me twice. 

“Right! Yeah! Hang on!” I said as I searched through the pack link. My first thought was Eldwin, since Tesla is his mate. It only made sense to reach out to him. He had told us not to bother him while he was in his meeting, but I had no choice. This is Tesla. She was in severe pain and I didn’t know what else to do. I can’t touch her and it’ll do more harm to her. 

Eldwin! I screamed through the pack link. I received no answer. Eldwin!! Emergency! I screamed again. 

Alex? Eldwin’s voice filled my head. 

It’s Tesla! Something’s wrong! I can’t touch her! You have to come back! I was about to say more before the sounds of running footsteps broke my concentration. I looked to see Doctor Ayman and a warrior wolf and a few omega rush into the office. The warrior wolf and one of the omegas is a male. The other omega is a female. Doctor Ayman took Tesla’s temperature and looked her over. 

“Silva. Silva Tesla!” Doctor Ayman called to her as she lifted Tesla’s head. “What are you feeling? I need you to tell me.” 

“M-My chest, m-my stomach a-and m-my-” Tesla stopped herself and started to pant. Doctor Ayman slightly moved Tesla to see her chest. The mark was glowing brightly now. 

“What else, Tesla?” She said as she looked back at Tesla’s face. Tesla only shook her head. 

“I just need him, so badly.” Tesla’s voice was a bit different. Almost lustful. I looked at the male wolves and then back to Tesla. Doctor Aymen nodded. 

“Was Eldwin notified of this?” Doctor Ayman asked as she looked up at me. 

“I told him it was an emergency and that something was wrong with Tesla,” I said as she looked down at my hand. 

“What happened?” She asked as she went back to look Tesla over. 

“I don’t know. I just barely touched her and her skin burned me. There aren’t any marks on her or anything,” I said sadly. I felt bad about it. I felt like I had done something wrong. Doctor Aymen smirked. 

“Of course,” she said as she rose to her feet. “All men out! Now!” I looked at her dumbfounded and I knew that the other men in the room were too. 

“W-What?” I asked.

“You men need to leave. The only male that should be in her presence right now is Alpha Eldwin,” Aymen growled out. I was her superior, but I also trusted her medical expertise. “Ella, Trina. Help me get Tesla to her room. Quickly now!” Us men didn’t even have time to get out of the room, before Doctor Ayman decided to bring Tesla away. We all stood there confused and a bit worried. 

“W-What just happened?” The warrior wolf asked. I shrugged my shoulders.

“I honestly don’t know, but I think we better leave this floor,”I said as I quickly walked out of the room. 

~~