Moon Marked by the Goddess

Seventeen

It's been four days since Vincent's wolf was blessed by the Moon Goddess. The only special ability he's currently aware of is being to see through my eyes at times, which he'd done once before. He told me if happens when my emotions are extremely high. So we aren't positive if I'm accidentally projecting to him, or if it's a way for him to be able to watch over and protect me. His wolf has grown remarkably over the last few days. He's as tall as I am now, and will probably surpass me soon.

I think having this new responsibility is overwhelming him. I decided to take over patrols for him while he trains with Senna, while my uncle finds a suitable replacement.

We called for Rupert and he should be here in the next few days, hopefully before the wolf the Moon Goddess is sending to us arrives.

I've been in a bit of a funk the last few days. I can't get the meeting with the Moon Goddess out of my mind. We're taught she's this almighty powerful being, but she seemed scared when I mentioned Luca or Lykoan, whatever his name is. She created the wolves, why would she fear one? If she's scared, why should I be so confident that I can stop him, and the dark wolves. I knew they were strong, because of the dark magic that helps them. Just seeing her reaction has lessened some of my resolve.

What if I can't do it? What if I lose Vincent, or my family, the pack? How can I be strong enough to stop him?

I tried talking to Vincent about it, but he kept saying we have to trust the Moon Goddess, I do, but I'm still scared I won't be strong enough. I don't care if something happens to me, but I can't lose the people I love. That would be much worse than anything the dark wolves could physically do to me.

"Rylan I've been thinking. Why don't we move in together? We could build a house near the pack house. I hate that you come to my apartment every night. I want you to come to our home." Vincent says, pulling me from my thoughts.

I roll over to face him, soft lighting from the bathroom filters in so I can see some of his handsome face.

"I actually asked my uncle about it earlier today when I saw him. He said he'd have to check and get back to me. You know they want to have eyes on us constantly now." Sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I just didn't want to get either of our hopes up, if he says no." I press my lips to his, giving him a quick peck.

He leans in deepening the kiss, then pulls away. "What were you thinking about, before I interrupted you. You've been quiet for a while, but hadn't fallen asleep."

"Nothing in particular, just spaced out." I feel bad about lying to him, but I don't want to have this same talk again.

He kisses me again. "I know you're lying, you want me to distract you from those thoughts." He says sliding his hand under my shirt, and cupping my breast.

"Not tonight. We have to be up early, you have training with Senna, and I have a council meeting." I push his hand away, and give him a quick peck. "Good night, honey."

I close my eyes as I roll over. He doesn't attempt to continue the conversation, and I can hear sheets rustling on his side. So I assume he's turned over as well. After a few minutes, I can feel myself drifting off.

I'm lying on a blanket in the middle of a field of wild flowers, and there's a gentle breeze. I'm wearing a simple blue sundress, and the soft fabric is flittering around my legs due to the wind. My long curly hair is free, and blowing around my face. The sky is so blue, with some scattered puffy white clouds.

I rest my head on my arm, and close my eyes just enjoying the sensation of the sun on my skin, and the wind in my hair. I haven't relaxed like this is a long time, it's refreshing.

A hand lands on on my knee, and slowly inches up my thigh, setting me ablaze. The tingles of the mate bond filling me with desire. "Vincent, you can wait until we're home." I sound out of breath. The lightest touch from this man effects so much, but today feels even more intense.

The hand leaves my thigh and is quickly applying pressure to the sides of my neck. I can feel the excitement pooling in my core. "Rylan, look at me." My eyes fly open at the sound of that voice.

"Luca, what are you doing here. Y...you shouldn't know where I am." I'm panicking, and my arousal is mounting.

His other hand comes to caress my cheek. "Your goddess is hiding you well, your physical body eludes me. She can not hide your subconscious, it calls out to me, like a siren." He leans down and kisses the corner of my mouth. "You were made for me, I know you can feel it."

His touch feels as similar to me as Vincent's. This doesn't make any sense. "Tell me where you are." The hand on my throat applies more pressure, and I'm panting, wanting so much more. "I'll make you feel better than that boy ever could."

At the mention of Vincent my blood runs cold and I push against him. "Get your hands off of me!" Surprisingly he immediately removes his hands, and lies beside me.

"Rylan, you are the other half of my soul. My chance at freedom. I don't know what you've heard about me, but I can tell you they were lies." His hand cups my cheek, sending pleasurable tingles across my skin. "You're my mate, I would never do anything to hurt you, that would kill me. You feel this connection? I've felt it since you the moment your wolf awakened. I've spent two years searching the astral plane for you." Closing my eyes, I try to ground myself. He is clearly lying and this is some trick.

"I don't know how you make me feel these things, but I know it's a lie. I already have a mate, you can not be my mate. When I wake up, I'll wake up beside him." Anger, and what seems to be pain flashes through his eyes.

"I understand you're skeptical, but I'm being honest with you. I only found you because when you rejected your mate, your soul called out to me. You came to me, and I stayed with you, right here for several hours. You looked broken, I held you and hoped your soul wouldn't give up. When you left, me here it was the most happy I'd felt since your wolf awakened. I knew you were safe, and I'd get a chance to love you properly." His eyes hold unshed tears. The sincerity in his expression is disarming.

"I already have a second chance mate, I don't understand. This doesn't make sense." How can a person have two mates at once? I never told him about rejecting my mate. So he has to be telling me the truth, doesn't he?

He leans, and kisses me. My body hums with desire. His kiss is fueled by a hunger, and promises to fulfill me in ways I've never imagined. The spark is more powerful than anything I've felt before, and makes me yearn for more. He pulls away after a few seconds, and I'm left panting. He takes hold of my hand, and places it overtop of pants, pressing it firmly to his bulge. "You do this to me." His voice has taken on a deeper, breathless tone. "I know if I checked, your panties would be soaked. Maybe your brain doesn't understand, but your body? Your body knows, and it knows I can give you everything you never knew you needed."

My traitorous body is in control, and he's right. It wants him, oh so bad. This isn't right, I have Vincent. I don't even know this man. "I can't do this. I have a mate. I have to go." Sitting up I look around frantically, but it's still just a meadow of wild flowers. I don't know what I'm a looking for, but a door labeled 'EXIT' would be amazing.

"I'll leave so your consciousness will go back to your body." His voice draws my attention back to his face. "Please give me a little time to prove I'm what you need." His eyes plead with me. I can feel his sadness, it's a faint feeling, but definitely there. Then he's gone, and I'm sitting alone on my blanket.

The loneliness I feel at his departure is soul wrenching, tears quickly well up in my eyes, as quiet sobs rack through my body. I'm not sure if these are my emotions are his, but they feel so real and raw.

"Rylan it's a dream, I'm here. It's okay you're safe. Wake up." Vincent is whispering into my ear as his arms are wrapped around me. The familiar tingle of our bond is pulling me back to my body. One of his hands is rubbing small circles on my back.

The physical touch of our bond, doesn't feel as powerful as it did with Luca. Which leaves me feeling disappointed. A wave of guilt washes over me, after realizing I compared what Vincent and I have, to a dream about a man that is a stranger.

"I'm awake now. Thank you for bringing me back."

"You saw him again didn't you? He's dangerous, it's like you completely leave your body. What his goons attack, while he has you pulled away like that?"

"Vincent I'm okay. Rupert will be here soon and he may knowing something about this, so I can avoid it in the future."