He’s My Mate, page 21
“You will remove their bond Sheila and you will do it without it costing our son his pup” my father slammed his glass down so hard that it smashed, his whiskey leaking onto the cream carpet.
“Oh, I will do know such thing. You have no idea how long I have waited and now it’s just within my reach” my mother glared at my father before turning her cold eyes to me. “I knew throwing a tantrum about Vanessa’s pregnancy would bring you here, you have always been so predictable. Did it not even cross your mind that you’re locking me in here was too easy Tobias? Well, that’s a mistake you will now carry with you” my mother looked at the watch that sat on her wrist, her lips twitching up into a cruel smirk. “And with you and your mates now here who has been left to watch Vanessa?”
“Axel it was a diversion” Athena’s voice came from the other side of the door. I looked to my mother who seemed extremely proud of herself. My father’s eyes remained fixed on his mate as her shook his head in disbelief while opening the door allowing Athena inside. “My pack was attacked, both wolves and witches came and took Vanessa. She planned this whole thing” Athena looked worried her eyes brimming with tears making the blue of her irises much more prominent.
“Mother what did you do?” yet all she could do was shrug and I knew she wouldn’t be divulging any information.
“You have left me no choice Sheila. Axel I’m sorry. I know I’ve been a shitty father and if I could go back in time, I promise you I would have been better, would have made more of an effort with you and that is something I will carry to my grave. I know you’re going to feel this regardless of how you feel about me, but I can’t let it happen. I can’t see your mother succeed”
“Dad what are you… Noooo” my words became lodged in my throat as he plunged a silver knife deep into his chest. I ran to his side catching him just before his knees could hit the ground. He began to cough up blood his body temperature decreasing so I knew this was fatal.
“I…I’m sorry, I am pleased you found your mat…” he went limp before he could finish his sentence. I watched as the light left his eyes leaving his once bright green eyes that resembled my own now look dark and empty.
“Fool, willing to end his life to save your pup” I looked up shocked to see my mother standing there, no pain, no regret, no love, nothing. “Like I was going to allow my life force to be determined by that pesky mate bond. Now be a good boy and take care of your father for me I have someone that requires my attention” with a wave of her hand she disappeared leaving me speechless unable to form any words and my dead father in my arms, his life force was what held the magic barrier in place and now that he was gone, my mother was free. I couldn’t hold it in anymore my skin was beginning to blister as flames emitted across my arms, so I let my grief and rage consume me allowing Thor to come free.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Athena’s POV
My heart broke for Axel, his father had made the heart wrenching decision to end his own life in the hopes of taking his mate with him forcing the bond she created between their son and Vanessa to break; only he failed. Once marked the high priestess should have felt pain so excruciating as the bond between herself and her mate snapped that it should have killed her, but she hadn’t even flinched. She didn’t love her mate if she had she would have at least shed a tear but nothing. No emotion towards her husband nor to her son as he cradled his father’s motionless body. She didn’t remotely try to comfort him, no instead she smirked. She smirked as if what she had just witnessed pleased her. Axel now forced to watch the light fade from his father’s eyes whilst his mother stands there without a care in the world. His death was supposed to free Axel but now he had died for nothing. I fell to Axels side my hands cupping his face forcing him to look at me. I needed him to know he would be ok, he had a support system, and we would be with him every step of the way, he wasn’t alone in this. Tears fell from his eyes as his mother vanished into thin air leaving him to deal with the burden of not only becoming alpha to the Gemstone pack, but the preparations for his father by himself. She truly was an evil being, one I wanted to end with my own two hands for what she had done. I had only ever felt pure hatred once in my life, and that was towards Vanessa. I hadn’t even felt that way towards all the bullies back at school knowing they were just arse licking the next in line to be alpha. But Axels mother I hated with a passion. It made my skin shiver how thoughts of her life ending by my hands played out in my head. They were like little fantasies. In one I would kill her with the same knife her mate ended his life, this seemed the most poetic and pleasant of ideas where others were much more gruesome. One fantasy however played on an endless loop on my head, I wanted to take a leaf out of my dad’s book. I wanted to string her upside down from the ceiling and skin her limb by limb until she fell unconscious, only when she would wake would I continue forcing her to watch as every ounce of blood within her body drained away. I not only wanted revenge for Axel, but I wanted justice for his father and his pack.
I was snapped back to reality as Hector grabbed my wrist yanking me flush against him and away from Axel. I had been so deep in my own twisted revenge fantasies that I hadn’t notice Axel lose control. His usual bright green eyes now a mix of both green and amber his skin set ablaze. I looked down at my hands to see them blistered but healing.
‘We have to stop him leaving this room he will destroy everything in his wake whilst in his rage’ Venus was right we had to do something but what I didn’t know. How was we going to stop a half witch half wolf elemental while his anger was boiling? ‘Let me forward I have an idea’ trusting the determination in her words I slipped to the back yet keeping forward enough to witness what was about to go down.
Axel stood from the ground his hands in fists the muscles in his arms tensed as the flames engulfing his body grew. He moved towards the door only for his father’s Beta to block his exit begging him to rein himself in to stop before it all got out of hand. That this wasn’t the way to deal with his grief. His constant begging however had fallen on death ears as Axel grabbed his arm letting some of the flames spill over and onto the betas arm. His scream was deafening as he pulled away from Axel, grabbing the nearest cloth he could find patting continuously until the fire stopped leaving burns on his skin. Fear shot through me as all I could feel through the bond was how broken Axel felt and a darkness unlike no other. He both hated and loved his father, there being a very faint line between the two. Venus replaced the injured beta once again blocking Axels exit. As he went to grab her, I watched in utter amazement as my hands glowed a bright white a forcefield protecting us from his touch appeared in front of us. It was almost invisible to the naked eye, but I knew it was there, I could just about see it. It was made of light blues and flickers of white though it remained transparent.
“LET IT DOWN NOW” his roar shook the room cracks now forming in the walls. I noticed how slow and almost slurred his words were. That’s when it clicked, this was no longer Axel this was his wolf.
“No give him back control” Venus spoke through me her own words also slow yet better pronounced. I felt the order she gave in the tone she used yet it didn’t bother Thor. He continued to stand his ground showing no weakness, before raising his arms and aiming them directly at us.
“Last chance” Venus clicked her tongue at his defiance before stepping forward as she rose to his challenge whilst keeping the shield in place. Realising we weren’t budging fire shot towards us before I had even registered what was happening. It bounced off the shield we had created setting alight the floor and ceiling as it was projected backwards towards its source. The beta having healed stood up and screamed for me to leave, that when Thor was in control there would be no stopping him. Venus however had expected him to retaliate and in turn twisted one of my hands in a series of movements stopping when it feels wet. Looking down I noticed a large water ball in the palm of our hand. With precise and accurate aim the water went head-to-head with the flames drowning them out. Chunks of the ceiling crashed down around us brunt to a crisp as the fire went out. Thor tilted his head as if seeing us for the first time, studying us unable to tell what we were truly capable of. “What are you” his voice now sounding harsher than before.
“A guardian. We possess each element so you will not win” if my jaw could hit the floor, it would. Never in my life would I have though it possible for one single wolf to be able to harness each and every element, yet here I am with a wolf that’s just full of surprises.
Thor realising he wouldn’t be getting past us without injury shifted into his wolf form. His black fur glossy the tinges of red and orange brighter than before. He spun around and jumped through the window to the far end running towards the centre of the town.
“We need to prepare come with me” The beta stood beside me giving me a proud yet confused look. Venus gave me back control, she was worn out, having used this much power at once had taken its toll on her and my body.
“Where are we going” Hector asked as he threaded his fingers through my own, his eyes locked on where Axel had gone.
“Tonight, is the first full moon since you all became bonded. Axel had told his father may the goddess bless his soul, about everything. Your powers will manifest tonight, your wolf won’t drain as quickly and you Hector, your wolf will change completely” I nodded and followed him to what looked to be a place of worship only it was completely open and directly under where the moon would sit. I wanted nothing more than to hunt Thor down, kick his arse and drag him back but his beta was right. Both Thor and Axel needed to calm down and come to terms with what had happened. Its one thing to lose a parent if they were sick, you’d have time to adjust, but his was different. His father taking his own life caught everyone by surprise and no one more than Axel felt the pain of his loss.
*********
The next few hours went by quickly, I had hoped Axel would have returned by now and would be by my side for tonight. I was wrong though and now couldn’t feel him at all through the bond which meant he was purposely blocking me out. Now here I stand feeling out of place about to reach my full potential as a guardian wolf.
“Gemstone pack as you are all aware it is with greatest regret that our Alpha has passed, his life snuffed out as he attempted to protect us from his mate. A Luna who has now been declared an enemy to our pack. Our young Alpha as you know has struggled with his gift and as such needs our support. Tonight however, we gather on the sacred grounds blessed by the moon goddess herself to witness the transformation of our new Luna and second in command Alpha Hector” a chorus of whistles and cheers sounded from the pack members that had gathered. Neither Hector nor I had expected to be accepted until Axels return, yet here his pack were, showing us their respect as we took our places. The moon was seconds away from reaching its apex and forcing the change to happen. Venus had prepared me for what was to come, she had said this change would be unlike anything we had ever felt before. And she was right. My skin began to glow tingles spreading over my body coaxing a giggle to leave my lips earning myself a strange look from a few of the observing pack members. Tiny sparks surrounded me as an invisible force lifted me from the ground, a bright light formed encasing me like a blanket warming me to the core. I didn’t feel the shift take place and once my paws hit the ground the light had disappeared. Gasps of awe came from everyone, even Hector had a look of unconditional love in his eyes. Only then did I hear the faintest of a whisper in my ear. ‘Congratulations my darling I’m proud of you, may the love and spirit of the moon realm be with you’
Chapter Forty
Athena’s POV
I didn’t have time to admire the newfound strength I felt flowing in my veins as Hector dropped to his knees a scream shaking the ground as his arms stretched out either side of him. I moved to help him, but the Beta restrained me which confused me.
“He must do it alone. Your assent may have been painless a gift given to you by your great grandmother, Hector however won’t be as lucky. This is going to be his most painful shift yet, worse than his first. We must prey he survives it for others in history weren’t as lucky” I wanted to fight against his grip but found myself rooted in place at his words. Why was this happening to Hector and what did he mean by others in history? He clearly knew more than he was letting on however I couldn’t dwell on that, not yet. Through the bond I could feel Hectors pain like it was my own, only it was more of a dull ache for me. I felt the burning sensation as it spread throughout his body. I clutched my chest the pain making my heart hurt, the urge to go to him growing more intense by the second.
‘The burning won’t last long Athena, it’s part of his transformation we must remain strong for him. Like the moon goddess prepared me, she also prepared Bryant just as she would have Thor. Silver wolfs have a deadly bite. Their teeth and saliva contain poison, had he been born silver it wouldn’t hurt him, but his body must accept it. Once that happens his pain will ease, and his assent will end quicker’ Venus was so calm which eased the pain in my chest which I now realised was the beginning of a panic attack and not my own. The panic attack was coming from Hector, only ending when he had done as Venus said; he’d accepted the change.
Time seemed to pass slowly as Hector’s accent took place until finally everything went silent, even the crowd held their breathes waiting to see the result. Standing tall and proud where Hector had been standing was the most beautiful wolf I had ever seen. Bryant was beaming with pride as everyone’s jaws hit the ground taking in the sight before them. His fur was so shiny and looked almost glossy, the moonlight literally bounced off him. The beta let me go and I ran over to Bryant. I grabbed his big head and pulled it to me giving him the biggest hug I could give, my arms barely reaching around it. He purred into me, his chest vibrating as he did. Pulling his head back up his long-wet tongue licked my cheek leaving slobber behind.
“I can feel Thor they are close; he has calmed down. I feel his power calling to me like a beacon” Hector’s voice entered my mind and I watched as he tilted his head towards the vast forest behind us. I informed the beta that Hector and I were going to find Axel and that together we would bring him home despite the beta’s protests which I found strange. Surely, he wanted his Alpha to return.
Shifting back into my wolf together we raced into the forest. We had expected to see half of it burnt down yet the destruction was kept to a minimum which surprised us. The way his beta spoke made it seem that when Thor was in control and embraced his element that he was out of control, that he couldn’t be reasoned with which had my mind racing. Why did he not want us to trust this side of him? Neither Axle nor Thor would hurt us intentionally, he may have lost control today, but he still didn’t hurt us. Yes, he attacked when Venus denied him but given the circumstances, he had his reasons and there was no way I was holding what happened against him.
As we trudged deeper into the forest, we tried our best to keep quiet, to refrain from snapping twigs and crunching leaves as we walked however with our huge paws that was easier said than done. After a few miles the scent of saltwater along with our mate’s breath-taking scent hit my nose so we headed there. We found a lake that was vastly like the one in the moon realm only it wasn’t as bright due to the overcast of trees or as colourful, making me wonder how it looked in the daytime. Sitting there on his hind legs was Thor, his head tilted upwards watching the moon. He sat so still that he looked as if he were in a trance. Bryant and Venus walked up either side of him, Venus placed her head into his chest rubbing her face into him while Bryant placed his head on his shoulder. Had anyone walked by the sight would have been a right picture; I mean how often do you see three bigger than normal wolves embracing each other?
We must have stayed this way for a few hours because when we finally shifted back the sun was beginning to rise, spreading her gold in every direction. She comes in the way that natural forces do, needing no invitation yet feeling her welcome. The light is her gift, bold and free, for anyone who cares to open their eyes in the dawn and watch the world awake. This is our sun, a fire ignited to bring warmth to creation and inspire us to seek our own beauty within. The start to a new day though be it a far from happy one.
“I’m sorry, goddess I feel like all I do lately is apologise. You would both be better off without me. Renounce your claim on me and live your lives” Axel was the first to speak and with every word he spoke it was impossible to miss the pain in his voice. He loved us, he didn’t want us to reject him, yet he thought he was hurting us.
“We’re not going anywhere; we are one complete soul Axel. Where you go, we will always follow. You think you only leave destruction in your path; the trouble is you don’t see the good you do. Your pack is not only grieving your father but you. They want nothing more than for you to accept yourself, something you clearly haven’t done” Hector may have sounded harsh with the tone he used, but he needed Axel to understand and pussy footing around wasn’t going to get us anywhere. “You need to man the fuck up, get back to your pack and put your resources to use and find that bitch” Axel was stunned by Hector’s outburst and just looked to the floor, his chest moving rapidly as he took in sharp deep breaths. It was clear he wasn’t used to making the decisions that involved his pack and that becoming the Alpha was something he feared more than he should. It was in his blood; it was his destiny just as it was mine and now Hector’s. We were three parts of a whole and together we would seek retribution.
