The Tribrid's mate

A Goddess?

**Mooncliff Towers**

Everyone had gotten word that the entire family would be spending a week in their private cabins in the Cliff District. News spread like wildfire, so did rumours and word on the street was Vince Mooncliff had found his mate. A red head. Who would have thought?

People had easily paired him with other incredibly beautiful women...blondes especially. It was great for optics.

Vince on the other hand didn't mind much. He knew his mate, Lexa was a catch. One he ought to ensure he didn't scare off or fail to protect from both seen and unseen forces.....and hopefully have her fall in love with him. Which was the real reason for the trip to the cabins...to get Lexa to know him and realise that she was safe with him.

He smiled.

They were to head to the cabin the following day so he had a lot to deal with today. 

Vince was in his study when Ovaro walked up to him with a look on his face.

"What's wrong?", he said

"There's word on the streets by some dumbass human about a red haired goddess".

"Are you sure Lexa did not go out of the the house that night you found her in the bed with dirt on her feet? Because this goddess awfully looks like her." Ovaro said in a serious tone Vince recognized.

"We dont know that for sure.  Interrogate the human and have him spill in detail." said Vince trying to mask the worry in his own voice.

Ovaro nodded and immediately headed out to begin the search for the human.

Vince was alone in his office, when his wolf suddenly stirred within him. Mate. Her scent was in the air. His Lexa was here. Looking at the door, he could see her shadow slightly pacing outside the door of his office.

He knew she was probably just nervous to come in so he walked towards the door and could see that she had stopped pacing. Did that mean she could feel him too? He wondered. Opening the door, he found her looking at down at her hands as she said now looking at his face..

"I know you're quite busy but I was wondering if we could have lunch together?" Lexa said blushing. "Here in your study would be fine, I just want to make sure you eat. I heard the maids complain about your eating habit."

"It's nice to have someone care about me like this." Vince said as he leaned forward and gave her a kiss on her forehead..her scent taking over his senses.

He took her hands and led her into his study and just as he had expected, she walked towards the art pieces and paintings that hung on the walls and planted at specific spots around the large study room.

He didn't know how but he wasn't surprised that she loved art. She was literally art personified and he loved the awe and amazement he saw in her eyes as she touched the painting closest to his desk. It was a painting of a woman's face in mosaic style. In truth, he realised that the painting symbolised the woman meant for him, the unique way the mosaic pieced together the frame of a woman's face - one he at the time couldn't fully picture but now she was right in front of him and he was sure.

The next minute, the maids came in with lunch. Roasted lamb, his favourite curry sauce, vegetables, pasta with melted cheese dressing, fresh orange juice and a bottle of red wine. Something smelled different about this particular meal, it was rich no doubt but it wasn't the same the maids normally make.

"Who made this?" Vince asked.

Lexa looked worried as she said, "You don't like it? Is something wrong?"

'No, it just smells different. Good different. I know the maids didn't make this so I'm just curious." Vince said looking at the maids with raised eyebrows.

'I did. I just wanted to contribute somehow to the household. You've taken good care of me since I got here so I just wanted to do something for you.' Lexa said.

Waving his hands for the maids to be dismissed, Vince turned to Lexa, his hands found hers as he said "Look at me, Lexa. You don't have to do anything, you don't have to prove anything, you are a strong, kind and beautiful woman who despite all she's been through shines like a light amidst all the darkness she was surrounded by. As much as I am grateful for this delicious meal, I want you to know that you don't need to do this at all. It's a privilege to be here for you, to take care of you like this.'

He hadn't realised that she had tears running down her cheeks already. "Thank you." Lexa said amidst tears. A few moments later, they quietly enjoyed their meal together talking about their preferences, Lexa's pleasant memories at the Kala Moon Pack and even laughed at Vince's childhood memories.

Aria Mooncliff POV:

I need to talk to Lexa, it's obvious I know something. She now looks at me differently since the night I walked in on her levitating and Vince in a trance. I freaked out, I shouldn't have. 

How do I do this? Vince is clearly in love with her, she surely is on the path to feeling the same     way as well. I love them together but the incident the other night, proves that the prophecy is true.

They can't be together.

I have to stop this.

Leaving the apartment, Aria stepped into the elevator and hit the button to Vince's office. She had heard the maids say they were having lunch in his study. 

It was time she fulfilled her promise to Damien, Vince and Lexa cannot have a future together.

Approaching Vince's office, she knocked once and entered nearly immediately. She walked in on Vince and Lexa kissing intensely, his hands on her waist as she sat on his lap. Although it was obvious she was in the wrong, she cleared her throat loudly and said, 'It's nice to know you're keeping each other company but I suggest you tone it down a notch, the maids could have walked in on this.'

Vince a little annoyed by his mother's tone said 'No Mother, the maids would have knocked first.' It was a rude response but she knew she deserved it. 

Sensing the air between Mother & Son, Lexa untangled herself from from Vince's lap but as tried to move away, he kept his hands firmly on her waist looking at his mother with a look in his eyes.

'Mother, did you need something?' he said

'Yes, i actually wanted to see Lexa. I was hoping we could both take a walk and get to know each other.' she said looking straight at Lexa herself.

Lexa knew what the meeting was about and got up immediately, looking at Vince who was confused about the situation. She kissed him on the lips, smiled and said 'This might be my shot at impressing your mom, don't ruin my chances'.

With that she walked up to Aria and said, 'Mother, I would love to go for a walk with you, let me go change into something more presentable.' She smiled and left.

'Mother, what was that about? You've never walked into my study like that. What's going on?' Vince asked , walking up to her. Next to each other like this, no one would imagine they were mother and son. He was only a few inches taller than she was and her slender frame could make her pass for much younger.

Waiting for her to respond, Vince took her hands and said, 'What do you want to discuss with Le-'

'How do you know she's the one? We all know how you love art...or what's it called? Unique pieces. Red hair, bluish red eyes and white skin. She's different. What if this is just a rush? Clearly, there's  a lot of s****l tension which accounts for all this...'

She said, pointing at the couch she saw them on earlier.

'I really don't understand where all this is coming from. I thought you liked Lexa. You've always been a good judge of character and that's why I've always been an open book with you. Even Bella knows that this isn't some s****l fantasy I'm trying to tick off my list.' Vince said, disappointed his mother had thought this was the case with Lexa.

'Anyway, I understand your fears and that's also why we are going to the cabins for a few days that way we all get to know ourselves better. You'll love her, Mother. Give her a chance.' Vince said rubbing his mother's arms.

His phone rang, it was Ovaro calling.

'Boss, I think you might want to see this for yourself. The human seems to be telling the truth and what's worse is that he managed to convince a few other meat heads that he saw a goddess. There's a whole cult out here.'

'I'll be on my way', said Vince.

'There's something else, we might need to call for a council meeting too. The human confirms there was a vampire involved. You know what this means...'

'I do, I'll be with you soon. Close off the area.' Vince said as he ended the call.

Vince knew for sure his mother had heard this conversation, her wolf instincts were fantastic, she could be called a fighter. So he decided to ignore that she heard it and just focus on leaving to confirm what he had been told.

'Vince, what's going on? Was that Lexa he said they called a goddess?', she asked, a little panicked.

'It's nothing, just some crack head human spreading rumours. Everything's fine'. Vince said.

He knew she didn't buy it but he had no choice.

He kissed her forehead and told her goodbye.

Practically racing to his car, he headed for the location Ovaro had texted. He didn't want to risk having any member of the pack following him.

On the southside of Nevida City, in what looked like an alley way usually populated by humans seeking power or whatever it is they think the supernaturals can offer...was a painting on the wall of a woman with red hair. 

I walked closer to be sure, it couldn't be. No one outside the Mooncliff family & pack had seen Lexa.

But this painting on the wall. It was her. And there were over 50 people here bowing in reverence to the painting.

WTF?!