Chapter 25
Darkness and peace. Death seems to be a void of light, leaving only darkness. At least here there is no killing, blood, or choices about paths to be taken.
"Fillian, you are not dead." As I turned, I saw a light and Selene walking through it. She is different this time. She isn't my mother, but instead a tall slender goddess surrounded by light. Behind her lays Sasha. Before I could ask, Selene began. "Yes, my child Sasha is not well. You made a choice that will impact both your futures. You and she need rest. Your magic was drained from you to the point of death and Sasha may have given up the last of her strength for you. Only you know how this can be fixed." "I must mate and be marked. Isn't this choosing a path for me instead of me choosing a path?" I questioned.
"No, my child. Since you are Royal you have the ability to choose who you want as your mate. It can be anyone, wolf, witch, or human. Once you mate with them and are marked, Sasha may regain her strength and return to you." "What do you mean by may regain her strength?"
"Due to the strength, she gave you, to keep you alive only a powerful mate bond will be able to wake her. She is such a wonderful wolf. Perfect for you in every way." Selene knelt to run her hands through Sasha's fur. "I can't lose her." I cried.
"And you won't, but you must choose and quickly. I can not tell you who will bring her back, but chose wrong and she will be lost to you forever." Selene stood and removed the tear falling from my cheek. "Why can't you just tell me?" I cried. "I can't lose her."
"You will know when it is right. Trust here." She put her hand on my chest and moved it to my head. "Let here rest."
She slowly faded away. I could hear the beeping of machines just like last time. She was correct. I wasn't dead. My head throbbed as I tried to open my eyes. I could smell the forest and cherries. Vincent must be close.
At that moment, I could also smell chocolate and oranges. This only meant that my mate bond with Dane had returned as well, and he was near. I shook at the thought and my monitor started to beep faster. I tried to open my eyes, my voice hoarse I cried "No get out." Not knowing who I was talking to, they both started to inform the other to get out.
"I am her mate. She is to be my Luna. You bring her nothing but pain. You must leave." Vincent had Dane by the throat.
Alex came bursting through the doors with Eric and Katie. "Put him down, Alex demanded."
"You cannot tell me what to do. I am an Alpha."
This is all I needed. I can barely speak and fights are already breaking out. I wanted to return to the darkness, but I felt Katie's hand and saw her crying. Eric yelled "Enough! If you two are her mates like you claim, you would stop this and focus on her. Filli, is there anything you need? Dr. Rosenbaum will be here soon. We are still in Dark Moon Pack territory, and you have been sleeping for two-days."
"I didn't think you would wake up," Katie cried. "You were so far from here. I couldn't feel you. I can't feel Sasha either."
"We are just tired. Eric, this is a lot. Please ask everyone to leave." I asked. "Katie my love, I will see you tomorrow."
It must have been the evening as the sun was setting. I needed to go back to sleep.
"Everyone out except you two unless you do not think you can keep cool heads." Dr. Rosenbaum had entered and was forcing everyone out. I tried to sit up and protest that they also should go but he put his hand on my shoulder.
"My dear, having a mate or, in your case, mates around will help you heal faster," Dr. Rosenbaum explained.
"I want him out," I said, still raspy. Looking towards Dane.
"I will not leave. I am your true mate. Even the moon goddess knows as she repaired our mate bond. I know I was terrible to you, but it was just because you were a lowly Omega." He was trying to reason away his actions. Dear moon goddess, you sure knew how to pick them. "I want you out." I said.
"What about him has to leave too." Dane was grasping and sounded like a toddler. Vincent was lounging back in his chair with a cocky smile on his face.
"Fillian, I would recommend at least one staying." Dr. Rosenbaum said, "It was working to have them both but at least one must stay." "Vincent can stay." I spoke.
"He will not. I challenge him for his pack and for his mate." Dane said this rashly but once said he could not take it back if accepted.
I looked at Vincent. I wished no more blood would be shed on my behalf, but like I said earlier, loss and now blood always seems to find me.
"Oh, I accept." Vincent agreed before I could stop it. "Tomorrow wolf forms only. I will ask your Alpha where the training matches take place and there will be an end to this nonsense between two mates."
"Get out." I said with a tear in my eye. "And this time I mean the both of you."
Vincent looked hurt but he didn't realize what this would mean. This could cause another war. I have no love lost for Dane but I didn't want him to die. He was Amanda's brother, the Luna of the Dark Moon Pack. This would be bad for everyone and more blood would be spilled.
All these thoughts were swirling through my head. Dr. Rosenbaum escorted them both out and returned to me. By this time, my monitor was beeping so fast it sounded like one sound.
"Fillian, you must calm down," he begged. He was right. I was getting tired and my surroundings were getting hazy. Before the darkness took me, I asked, "please send Eric." Soon I was back in the darkness. Peace and darkness covered me again.
I woke up to Katie and Eric laughing. This was a pleasant way to wake up, much better than the evening before. It must have been early morning as the sun was rising.
"Your awake!" Katie ran to me and jumped on the bed.
"Katherine, be careful!" Eric said, coming to my side as well. "So I am glad to see you are up. How do you feel?"
"Better, and hungry, I said. Eric's eyes glazed over. He must have been linking Vincent. "He would like to see you and bring you breakfast."
"I don't know if I want to see him." I said, patting Katie's hair as she laid her head on my lap.
"You need to talk to him." Eric pleaded. "I mean I love talking to you, but he is really jealous."Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.
"He just doesn't understand. This duel could cost the lives of many, not just him or Dane. If either of them dies, there may be war on our hands. Don't you see? Dane is Luna Amanda's brother. She will not let her brother's death go unpunished." I started to tear up as the thought of yet another war was raging in my head.
"I know Filli, but there is nothing we can do." Eric stated. "He made the challenge."
"Mom?" Katie spoke up. I had almost forgotten her presence. "Talk with Alex. He always liked us. He is a kind Alpha and doesn't want to hurt people."
"Katie, you are brilliant." I gave her a hug.
"I know." She smiled and asked if she could go back to her room. I agreed.
"I am about to make my Alpha very unhappy." Eric said, taking in a long breath, holding it and letting it out. "Ok what is your plan."
"Tell Vincent that I am tired and he can bring me lunch. It isn't a real lie. I am tired. In the mean time, they track down Alex and Amanda. Tell them I would like to speak with them. Also, can you bring me breakfast?"
"Of course, Luna." He winked and left before I could throw a pillow at him. This plan of mine had better work for everyone's sake.
Shortly after he had left, Eric returned with mounds of food. This is the most food I have ever seen for me to eat at Dark Moon Pack. It had pancakes, bacon, sausage, and strawberries.
"It is done and that cook, Ms. Loveta, sure does like you. She gave me as much food as I requested when she found out it was for you." Eric said, stealing a piece of bacon.
"Is this my food or yours?" I said with a smile. Maybe Eric could be my mate after all. You know the goddess said I could pick. It is easy with him. Natural. I feel safe and cared for. Not like with the others. Vincent isn't bad, but my head and heart still do not agree. "It is yours. Alpha Alex and Luna Amanda will be here in about 30 minutes. I hope you know what you are doing. Vincent could kill me for this." He said this time without a smile.
"I do." I said with more conviction than I felt. I hope this goes as planned or I will not have stopped the war and put both our lives at risk.