Chapter Three: Searching for Answers
1390 Words
I look at the two women in front of me. I could not believe that during my absence Nikoli became ruthless.
He told Alpha Kai that he would not hesitate killing the members of his pack if they stepped in our territory. Nikoli even banned and exiled Chassidy from the pack and lands as well. My memory was still shaky but Jade cleared up for me that Nikoli had killed Chassidy’s father when the Elder stated that I should be offered as a peace offering.
“To be honest, Alpha Nikoli is acting like a leader of the pack that has lost his mate. He is a reliable leader and fighter.” Alinta said as she looked at me.
I looked down at my tea. “Its just new to me. Mating with him and the markings on my skin,” I said as I turned to show them my shoulder. Both of them gasped.
“Is this normal, Alinta, I mean for shifters?” I asked.
“Not to my knowledge, I mean we can manipulate our animal forms in size and sometimes the color of fur but I have never seen a shifter with etchings like an Alpha.”
I sighed in frustration and looked over at Jade. “What about you ? I mean you said that you saw me as his mate…did I?”
“Did you have etchings on your skin,” Jade thought for a moment before shaking her head. “I mean I saw your eyes were two different colors but I could only see Nikoli’s red eye on your right side.”
I groaned in frustration. I was getting on where. I had more questions than answers.
“Maybe your mother could tell you. I mean we did look into the logs and documents for your father.”
I shook my head. Last time I saw my mother we were on good terms. I don’t really know how she took my death. Jade must have sensed my uneasement.
“She and Nikoli fought tooth and nail with one another when you passed. She wanted to have you honored in the temple and Nikoli would not have it.”
Alinta stretched out. “Good thing too, because you would not have came back to us.”
I looked at her. “I am not so sure.” I frowned. “The power I felt…” I stopped myself. How could I tell them that the power I felt was not my own.
Jade looked at me for a moment. “Is everything alright, Zoe?” she asked.
I shook my head. “I think that I am just overwhelmed by something.” I looked at both women.
“How has …Lex been,” I did not know how she and he left things.
She sighed. “He has been going to see his mate a few times when Nikoli does business with her pack, but I have not been down the mountains since your passing..”
I took her hand in mine. “You don’t need to explain.” I offer her a smile. Now that Lex had a fated mate his loyalty to Jade was only by his title and nothing more.
“Well I don’t know about you two but I am going to head back to the pack house and see if the newbies need anything.” Alinta said smiling.
“Their are new pack members?” I asked.
“Most of them are the younger children that have reached the age of transformation. I believe you may know one of them: Max,” Jade said as she offered me a smile.
I remembered a young man that I took care of. I nursed him back to a healthy state. “I did not know Max was able to travel down from the temple.”
Jade nodded. “Since his brother has been seeing him and training him, Max has gotten a lot stronger.”
The girls did not stay long for their visit and after a few hours, Nik came home. I was in the living room staring at the fire.
“You alright, little fox,” he said kissing my forehead.
I nodded. “Yeah, just thinking.” I stared at the fire and kept my focus.
He sat on the couch and pulled me into his arms. He kissed my lips and smiled. “If you keep staring at the flames like that you’ll burn the house down with that look of determination.”
I pull away from him and frown.
When Nikoli noticed my face and how upset I was he lifted my chin to his eye level. “Talk to me Zoe. What’s bothering you?”
“It’s hard to explain. My memories are scattered and I can’t figure out answers to my questions.”
“What are your questions, little fox? Maybe I can help you.”
I lean into his chest and sigh. His scent engulfs me as I close my eyes. I tilt my head back and slid my tongue to the base of his neck to his Adam’s apple. He hear him groan and chuckle.
“Little fox, focus.” Nikoli whispers.
I shake my head as he kisses my cheek. “I don’t know why—
“It’s our bond, because its so powerful right now it makes it hard for us to keep our hands to ourselves.” He chuckled.
“But you see fine,” I whisper.
He kissed my hair. “True but I think its because my wolf and I are happy that you are safe and in my arms.” He wrapped his arms around me and pull my back into his chest. “Now little fox, ask your questions and if you are good…we can play later.”
I did not need to look at Nikoli’s eyes. I could feel his power flowing through me. I craved his touch, my body ached for him, but I tried to focus and steady myself.
“Have you ever heard of the Luna of the pack having markings like this?” I gestured to the markings on my skin. Nikoli brushed his hand across my skin and I let out a groan.
“Tease,” I hissed at him. That earned me a chuckle.
“Sorry little fox, I can’t help it. I knew you were beautiful the first time I saw you dance but seeing you now…”
Apparently I was not the only one fighting our bond. Nikoli cleared his throat and sat up.
“But to answer your question; no I have not heard anything about a Luna having tattoos like their bonded Alpha after they mate. Looking at your tattoo the fox and wolf must be use and the magik I smell must be your abilities as a priestess.”
I nodded everything Nikoli was saying made sense.
I moved off the couch and stretch. I peck Nikoli on the cheek and headed for bed, but before I could open the door Nikoli had me pinned to the wall.
“Where do you think your going,” Nikoli brushed his nose to my throat. “little fox.”
I swallowed a moan as my body moved on its own, wrapping my legs around his waist. “I was headed to my room to sleep,” I whispered.
Nikoli captured my lips and pinned my wrists above my head with only one of his hands. He chuckled.
“Little fox, do you really think that after days, weeks of not having you at my side I am going to have you sleep in the guest room. Especially with fresh bonding marks.” He kissed my lips and we headed to the his…our bed room.
He set me on the bed and kiss my cheek. “Get some rest love. I have a few phone calls to make before bed.”
I laid in bed for a moment before sliding under the covers. When I was fast asleep I could feel my mate’s weight dip into the bed as he slid closer to me. He kissed my neck and wrapped his arms around me.
“You don’t know how happy I am to have you back, Zoe. I thought I would lose my mind.”
- Writer
