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I laughed. “That’s fair.” I exhaled and looked towards the grand buildings of the city, the sun’s light reflecting off all the glass. "I should get going. I'm sure you have things to do, too."
“Would you like to accompany me to the temple?”
At times he spoke the same way I did, and at other times, he sounded like someone from the past. I liked it. He had a cultured way with words, and he never spoke louder than he needed to.
I licked my lips and nodded. “I do. I need to speak to the Goddess. I just wish she’d answer me.”
But that wasn’t the only reason I wanted to go with him. I wanted to know who Lucian Wolfborn was. I wanted to know of his past and the life he'd once lived. I wanted to know who he was now, after so many centuries of existence. I wanted him to tell me about the things he’d experienced, seen, done.
“It’s best that we get to know each other a bit better, don’t you agree?” he said. “I mean, we’re mated, and while I have no intention of rushing anything with you, we shouldn’t be strangers or fight our bond too much. It'll only become problematic for us both.”
“I do," I answered simply.
He tapped his bracelet and held his hand out to me. “Good. Then I’d like to show you something.”
My wolf howled with excitement as I slowly slipped my hand into his. I held my breath at the sensation that traveled up my arm the moment we touched. I looked down and couldn’t help but appreciate the way his tanned skin contrasted against my paleness.
He lightly pulled me to him, and he then released my hand and snaked his arm around my waist. I kept my eyes on his chest to avoid his unwavering gaze, but my body warmed from our proximity.
Though my skin was prickling with goosebumps, a sense of calm soon settled over me, and my tense shoulders relaxed. We might be strangers, but this man was my destiny. I had no reason to be nervous around him.
"I have to scrunch down a little," I admitted, looking up briefly and catching a glimpse of wistfulness in his eyes before it disappeared. “I’m not used to teleporting yet.”
“I’ve got you.” He tightened his hold on me. “You can be certain of it.”
And then, before I could say anything else, we were on our way.
* * *
Natalie
True to his word, Lucian kept his arm around me and held me upright as we teleported to our destination.
Our eyes met, and for a second, neither of us moved. I felt calm, safe with him. A strand of my hair blew across my face, and he lifted a hand as if to push it back. Then his eyes shifted to black for a fraction of a second, then reverted to brown as he stepped away.
I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath until I released it, a little disappointed that he pulled back. Then I turned around and realized we were at the Goddess's temple.
Just like the first time I’d was there, the temple was packed with wolves paying their respects to the Goddess. Behind us, there was a steep hill, and ahead of us, the gold and white marble floors gleamed. The golden pillars lining the temple entrance glinted in the afternoon sun, along with the grand statue of the Moon Goddess that stood above the temple’s doors.
I stared at her for a moment, her golden face covered by her hood. Even some of the gods didn’t know what she looked like or what her real name was. She was always referred to as The Goddess, The Moon, or The Werewolf Goddess.
In her left hand, she held a sword, and the moon sat in her right.
She was currently in a deep slumber, rejuvenating after centuries of fighting to annihilate the vampire race on earth. It must have been a heartbreaking task, considering that it had been her sister who had initially birthed the species, a goddess captured and defiled by the demon king.
I hoped she woke up soon, though. I was eager to meet the Goddess. What an honor it would be to simply stand in her presence.
But more importantly, I desperately wanted to speak to her about Xavier, who’d been left on Earth without his mate, Ruby.
I’d done my part to put them all on the path the Goddess had wanted them to take, but now Xavier was alone, and Ruby and Axel in the God Realm with me. Even though they too were asleep right now, they’d soon wake up and learn about what had happened.
I knew Ruby would be inconsolable, just as Xavier no doubt was on Earth. And Axel would have to watch Ruby mourn and try to survive the agony of losing a mate.
I hadn’t known it was going to end like this. Following my visions, I played my part to put Ruby, Xavier, and Axel on the path the Goddess wanted them on, even lying and keeping secrets along the way, because I’d thought everyone would be saved in the end. Everyone but me, that is, but that was a price I was willing to pay to save my family and my pack. I never would’ve guessed my actions would lead Ruby and Axel to their deaths, cursing Xavier to a life of loneliness and sorrow.
My chest rose as I took a deep breath and looked away from the statue. How could I face my friends now? I’d failed them.
How could the Goddess have let this happen?
