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He knows this side of me too well. The ‘I’ve had enough and want to decide for myself’. He still hasn’t ever gotten used to the fact he is not the ‘be all and end all’ in my world at all times. I sometimes have a mind of my own.
“It’s just….” Meadow starts and I snap around to glare at it, cutting her off instantly. She should know better than to take sides in any conversation between me and my mate.
“I’m pregnant, not a child. I can still make decisions for myself as Luna. I can still throw a vampire fifty feet across a room with the flick of my wrist if needs be. I doubt Varro here is going to do anything worthy of testing my abilities.” It’s curt, to the point and making it obvious I am losing patience.
“Fine. You stay where we can see you on the security camera’s and I still follow your path at a distance.”
“Whatever….” I sigh, knowing he will never relent but this is good enough.
“Shall we?” Varro seems amused with this entire interaction and not at all offended or displeased given we are outwardly questioning his motives. He doesn’t hesitate in getting up and heading for the end of the table, reaching out his arm in a gentlemanly manner and offering it to me. Rather grandly and I wonder if it’s to annoy my mate while putting him in his place. He’s old fashioned for sure but I guess being centuries old or more will do that.
I move swiftly, aware of the tense stares and poised aggressive stance of my unamused mate and best friend and ignore their reservations. I feel odd about linking my arm through his, aware my mate doesn’t like it one bit, but this is my biological dad. It’s no different to him holding onto Sierra.
It’s such a strangely intimate act for someone who is a stranger to me, yet the physical contact seems instantly familiar. I can’t explain it, but the second my limb entwines with his, I suddenly experience calm, quiet, like going home and I’m back in the years of holding my mother’s hand as though it was only yesterday. It gives me an odd sense of painful emotion and brings tears to my eyes that this relative stranger can conjure up this intense awareness that we are bonded by blood.
We walk on, aware of the following Lychans and I try and put them out of mind as we make our way to the hall and out into the open space of a beautifully sunny day. It seems like everything we endured these past months is in another time and place. An almost forgotten memory. Surrounded by calm tranquil beauty of this forest dwelling manor and the peaceful joy of a bright day, filled with birds and the rustle of trees. It seems like a far-off dream, and I don’t think back then I could ever imagine taking a stroll with the high lord of vampires.
“I know this is awkward and it will take time for you to feel at ease with me, but I cannot get over how much this feels like Marina is here with me in spirit. I feel like I already know you. You look alike, yet don’t. There’s something of her about you, in the best way. She would be proud of the woman you have become, Alora. Proud of what you have achieved among these Lychans.”
His words catch me off guard as we make our way towards the tree line at a leisurely pace. Tugging at my heart and yet further putting me at ease in his presence. He’s a complex person and as I walk in time, almost perfectly matched, I wonder how many layers there are to these creatures I used to only think of as murderous blood suckers.
“My memories of her are slowly fading away and I can barely recall her face anymore. I forget what her voice sounds like. It feels like it’s been longer than ten years since she was last by my side, and I miss her still.”
I’m close. If you need me then I’m here.
Colton’s mind link distracts me momentarily, and I automatically glance behind me to see the lurking figure of my mate keeping his distance but not losing sight of us. Further back are the two Luna’s guard and Meadow. I smile without thought at how much he still loves and protects me fiercely and catch Varro focusing on my face.
“You picked someone that your mother would approve of. He’s headstrong, a little cocky, and infuriatingly bossy, but he loves you and would die for you. I can see that about him. He puts you above everything else. A true born Alpha.” He nods the obvious compliment Colton’s way and gets a narrowed amber glare right back.
“He’s the other half of my soul, even when he’s being this feral, although I didn’t pick him. The fates did. I should thank them for their good judgement.” I point out with a cutesy smile, being funny, and turn back towards our destination. Relaxing in the company of this strange man. This unplanned conversation is I guess how one gets to know someone and build something. Letting words flow naturally and picking at topics that come at us without force. I don’t feel guarded at all.
“Ah, your Fates. Destiny…whatever you want to call it. I believe that the choosing and imprinting is not an outside force, but comes from within when two of your kind are ready to be together. I believe all creatures have a hand in their own path and are steered by biology of nature. “
“You’re saying I subconsciously chose him?” I laugh at that interpretation of what our kind does and has done for centuries. I doubt I had any part in what happened the night of my Awakening ceremony.
