Moon Marked by the Goddess

Eleven

"What did she do, why are they both unconcious?" I hear my dad say.

My head is throbbing. I'm lying on something soft. I peak out through my eyelashes, and see the familiar sight of my bedroom. My bedroom door is cracked, and I'm alone inside.

"From what I understand, she's rejected Jackson as her mate. I'm not sure how she knew what to do. It's very rarely done, and not something many wolves have the knowledge to do, it isn't finished yet." Loraine replies. They must be standing right outside my door.

I probably should go handle this situation, before they lose their minds. Sitting up on the bed, I stretch my muscles feel so tight. I stand up to see I now have on sweat pants, along with the tshirt I covered myself with.

I pull the door open. Loraine, my dad, and my uncle's eyes snap to me. "What were you thinking?" My uncle says, his facial expression strained.

"I told you I didn't want him as a mate. I had planned to reject him, after telling him about the process, but the way he approached me after my speech." I shudder as the memory hits me. "He wanted to use me to further his agenda. Something about making our pack so strong, that not even council could stop him."

"You could have come to me! My son could have died. H*ll Rylan, you could have died! You didn't stop for a moment to think of the dangers."

"I felt I was danger, and did what I felt needed to be done. I was aware of the risks. I'm moon marked, the likelyhood of me dying to a rejection is slim. Your son comes from a strong Alpha bloodline. So I had no reason to be concerned for our lives. I am sorry I didn't speak to you sooner. I should have, but all of my objections to this have been downplayed, or ignored." I cover my eyes with my hands, I can feel helmet head throb, each time my heart beats.

"Rylan, I know this was hard on you, but he's my son. I needed to believe he would grow into a strong and wise Alpha. That he was just rebelling, but would get back on track. I didn't realize he was quite so bad off." He pulls me into an embrace. "I wish you would have told me you were preparing to reject him. There are steps that can be taken to lessen the side effects."

I chuckle, which sends pain through my skull. "Senna left that part out. I need to see Jackson, is he in the Alpha apartment?"

"He is, he was still asleep when we came to check on you." My dad says.

"Can I go see him, to see if he's awake. We need to talk to him about this process, and whatever half baked plan he has been coming up with." I wince, and grab my head.

"You need to lie down for a bit longer, and let your wolf rest. She's been put under a lot of stress today." Loraine says, while looking me over. "I'm going to check your eyes, can you look into into this light, and then follow it with your eyes." She pulls a small flashlight from her pockets and shines in into my eyes.

It feels like my brain is imploding when the light hits my eyes. Pain is blinding me. Both of my hands go up to cover my eyes cradling my head I suck in several rattling breaths. Reflexively I begin humming and envision my wolf licking my human form. The pain lessons, as I continue to hum the familiar tune. By the time the melody ends, my pain is completely gone, and I feel right as rain.

Opening my eyes I see all three sets of eyes on me. "I'm fine now. Can we please continue. I should be able to help wake Jackson, and relieve his pain. Then we can do what needs to be done." Loraine points the light into my eyes again, which elicits no pain from me. I follow the light with eyes, and she says I'm fine enough.

I walk out of our apartment and am immediately met by the smell of honeysuckle. The memory hits me like a ton of bricks. Being held in strong arms while this intoxicating smell surrounds me, I felt so safe. Then I heard the dreadful word, mate.

Vincent is standing right across the hall from my apartment looking at me. Worry etched onto his handsome face. He's a bit taller now, than he was the first time I met him. He looks to be 6'1, with broad shoulders, and a slight muscular build. He's clean shaved today, his brown eyes look like caramel. He's ruggedly handsome, with a strong jawline. That smell, I've never noticed it before, but it's so intense and now I can't seem to escape it. I'm not sure I want too, which terrifies me.

Realization hits me, he doesn't seem shocked at all. "You knew. How long have you known?" It's barely a whisper.

"When you first got out of the SUV that night. I thought you were gorgeous in your pajamas, then your smell hit me. Goddess it was best thing I've ever smelled, citrus and cinnamon. You didn't react to me at all, and my heart dropped. I didn't understand. I made sure not to touch your skin when I'd picked you up those two times. I figured because you shifted young, that you would realize in due time." He pauses, taking in a deep breath. "Then I had to know if you felt something when I touched you, make sure you really were my mate, when you felt that shock. It was the happiest I'd ever felt in my life. You were mine, but then... When he showed up. It was almost impossible to keep myself in control. I'd only just met my mate, and I was losing her."

"Why didn't you tell me? You've kept that secret for two years! You didn't think I deserved to know?" How could I have two mates. Everyone has heard of second chances, it's rare, but happens.

"Ry, you were mated. What did you want me to do. It was mostly one sided. You only felt it if we touched, and I started wearing gloves around you to limit that. Why would I let that guilt eat away at you? You already had enough trouble with with him. I didn't want to add more to your plate. I'm sorry." There were so many times I wished Vincent were mate instead, or that Jackson was like Vincent, but this is just too much for me handle.

"Can we talk about this after I speak with Jackson. This is a lot to process right now. I need a few minutes." I say as I walk to the Alpha apartment. I can feel the eyes of my family, boring into my back.

If it's not one thing it's another. I didn't want one mate, let alone two. I can't handle this. I need to completely end my bond with Jackson before I could even thing about exploring anything with Vincent. I walk through the apartment on autopilot, until I reach Jackson's room. The door is already open. He looks fine, like he's just sleeping. I notice his familiar scent of pine, though it isn't as strong as I'm used to.

I walk toward him, and place my hand on his forehead. I begin the familiar melody and can feel warmth passing between us, nothing like the shocks I feel when Vincent has touched me. Those feel like the fireworks you hear about in movies.

After a few moments, Jackson's eyes flutter open. "What are you doing here?" His voice is very groggy.

"We need to talk. Well I need to talk, you need to listen." I pause looking at him to ensure he understands. When he nods I continue. "I've started the process to end our bond. On the next full moon, our bond will be completely severed. It can severed sooner if we complete the mating bond with someone else. From my understanding we are in a limbo like state, so your extracurricular activities shouldn't cause either of us pain. You also need to talk to your father about the bull sh*t you were telling me right before I rejected this bond."

"Ry, for what it's worth. I am sorry. I think we could have been good together if you would have given me another chance."

"We'll have to agree to disagree on that. Take care of yourself." I stand to leave the room. In the hallway to the side of the door; my father, uncle, the doctor, and my new mate are standing, ease dropping.

"Vincent I hope you understand, but I need a little time. I know you've already waited two years, and I feel bad asking you to wait longer. This has been a cluster f*ck of a day though. Please, give me just a little time to get my thoughts in order." I grab his gloved hand, and look into his eyes, hoping he can feel the sincerity in my voice, and actions.

"You said it yourself, I've already waited two years, what's a little more time really? Let me walk you home." He says with a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. I'm thankful he's willing to be patient with me. I don't know how I ended up with two mates, that are polar opposites. I definitely got lucky with this second mate. Vincent really is the kind of maye prayed for when I was young.