Unusual Mate

Riddles

Athena's POV

I kept thinking about what Abaddon said. "You will soon, when I mark you as mine."

I still did not know what that meant. Would it be like feeling his feelings, or different altogether? It was a bit of a scary thought. Another power on top of the ones I still needed to control.

Still the mind reading wasn't what was sticking with me the most. It was the marking. What did that truly mean for me? I would be His? I didn't want to be claimed like some prize.

Did that mean he would have control? My freedom I had worked so hard for, gone?

The more I thought about the idea of this, the more I hated the idea of being marked. I loved the feeling of the mate bond we shared, but I didn't want to be claimed or marked.

I had to push the thoughts away as we pulled up to a large building. Everything was an off white. Dirt trimming the cracks and corners of the building. The brush and foliage over grown. Clearly the lawn maintenance was lacking.

There was a stirring in my stomach while looking at this building. Almost seamlessly abandoned. Why would Abaddon bring me to an abandoned building?

As if on que, "We are here," he said in a low voice.

Slowly, I pulled my gaze from the ominous building and stared right into those golden brown eyes. Concern plastered on his face.

"I will be okay," I said answering Abaddon's unsaid question.

He got out and came to open my door, holding my hand as he helped me out. The warm, comforting tingles running up my arm. I didn't want to let go.

Walking into the building, the empty abandoned feeling fell away. The inside was like a castle. Clean, polished wooden flooring glistened. The walls a beautiful crimson color. Black curtains lined the windows thay were stain glass. There was beautiful pottery and artwork decoration all around. The furniture well kept and antique looking.

It dawned on me then, the outside had glamour to keep unknowns out. Something i had read about in the passing weeks from the books my father gave me. I was impressed. Everything was beautiful.

A very pale woman greeted us in the shadow of the hall. Her hair a bright color of dyed red and pale eyes, I could of sworn were white. I felt my heart stop a moment.

At this point I would of thought I wouldn't be surprised or started by the supernatural, but I still felt myself shutter at her cold, beautiful face.

"Right this way, sir," she paused and looked at me, "ma'am." We followed her down the hall to a large wooden door. There were carvings in the wood. An art piece of creatures. Everything was beautiful here.

By the time we entered the room the woman was gone within a blink. My grip on Abaddon's hand was turning my knuckles white. He smiled a small warm smile of reassurance.

When we walked in there were people sitting in a moon shape highrise. We had to look up to them. All of them wearing a black and crimson robe. One particular man sat in the middle, looked much older than the rest.

Another pale man with eye the color of ice, a man with dark black hair and a patch of white infront, a woman with silver hair, a woman with red hair like mine, and many more.

"Welcome Athena," the older man spoke. His voice a raspy deep sound, but young not old sounding.

"Thank you, sir," I said. I was unsure if that is what I should of said.

"Abaddon," he addressed my mate. Abaddon only tilted his head down as if to bow.

Oh goddess, I did mess up.

"Athena we have heard much of you, child of a witch and a Fox." He glared into my soul. I said nothing.

"You are special child," the grey haired lady said, "but to what extent?"

"She is one of them, is she not?" said the red haired lady.

I was beginning to get confused. What on earth were they talking about?

The old man only man a grunt. No words.

The older lady stood and suddenly a purple burst of light shone on me. Azriel began to get into fight mode. She was on high alert.

The light didn't hurt, but when I looked to Abaddon he was clearly coiled over in pain.

That's when my defense went up. I screamed to the woman to stop, bright white and orange aura light flooding out of me.

"No, she is different," the woman said sitting back down.

The light stopped from both her and me. Something new again. Just what I needed, another power.

"Then is she even a fox?" the black haired man questioned.

As if offended Azriel tried to push threw, I knew by the look on their faces my eyes had changed color.

"A witch and a shifter. Curious," said the pale woman.

"Stop questioning me and talking in riddles! Who are you anyways? I understand elders but I came for answers, not more questions!" I shouted.

The old man smiled a terrible smile. "I am Elder Edgerton, I am a warlock of time."

"I am Elder Sienna, Vampiress," said the pale lady.

One by one they introduced themselves. The silver haired lady a witch, red haired lady a fox, black hair man a wolf, and many more shifters.

"So, what am I?" demanding answers.

"Clearly unlike your father, you are not a shadow fox," said Edgerton. Confusion filled me. He continued, "Your father is a shadow fox, a dark being. They have magical properties, which may explain the mate bond your parents had. That would allow you to exist. However, you do not have dark magic."

"No, you have light healing magic," said the witch.

"So, what? I am a light fox?" I questioned.

The elders didn't answer only looking to each other for answers.

"There are old stories about a Powerful Light Healer who could shift. Myths, legend, whatever you want to call them. We never expected to ever have the story be true. You share great power, however, your offspring will be mich greater," Edgerton said.

I thought of Aleksandr. Was he like me too?

There wasn't much more they told me. I found my father and mother were mated. My father wasn't just a fox but a shadow fox. This meant my mother's fears of him were for a good reason. They couldn't answer any more of my questions. I would find the truths soon.

As we began to leave, Abaddon let go of my hand and stayed behind. I followed the pale woman from the hall out.

It felt like Abaddon was in the room forever. Finally emerging with a solid expression. I couldn't read him.

Abaddon stayed quiet the whole ride home. He didn't look at me or touch me. I felt a wall between us.

When we got to the pack house, I immediately went to Alek and took him to our room. Clearly, Abaddon needed space from whatever happened in that room.

Night fell quickly and Aleksandr and I fell fast asleep. After the energy and riddles of the day, I was exhausted.