Page 17 of Wolf Burdened


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“She’s upset,” he explained as he turned to leave. I followed him out. “And understandably so. I don’t doubt she’ll be waking up soon. As an Executive, it’s her duty to put an end to this.”

I looked back, and the torches in the room were once more lit.

"I hope you're right," I said.

Lucian took my hand and we walked together. We really needed her right now. She alone had the reputation of taking action when it was needed, even against the wishes of the other gods. If she was awake, we wouldn’t be in the dark about this virus. And maybe my hands wouldn’t be stained with the blood of my kin.

The Goddess had ignored the advice of the other gods when she became involved in the war against the vampire species on Earth, and I was very, very grateful. Without her, the world would have fallen under the rule of vampires long ago.

And now, after seeing the way the gods were handling this threat, I felt her drive was exactly what we needed to end this.

And if she woke up, I’d also be able to talk to her about my cousin, Xavier. He’d been left on Earth all alone. His mate Ruby had died along with her other mate, Axel, while killing the last vampire royal. After all he, Ruby, and Axel had done to save the earth and its inhabitants, it just didn’t seem fair.

But when the Goddess awoke, the virus had to be the first priority.

Still, I could relate to Ruby now more than ever—I had two mates, just as she had. I’d have to beg for their forgiveness—even if all I’d done was follow the Goddess’s wishes—but it would be easier if I found a way to fix what I’d broken.

But first, there needed to be an afterlife for them to wake up to.

For now, Ruby and Axel were fine, still asleep at the S.R.F., their bodies healing from their life on Earth. I was surprised they hadn’t yet woken, but there was nothing to be done for it. They’d wake up when it was the right time for them.

If it hadn’t been for my experience at the S.R.F., I probably would have found them sleeping so long a little odd. But apparently, there was another soul there who had been sleeping there for over a year.

Each soul was like a fingerprint, unique in the way they lived their lives on Earth and how their bodies prepared themselves for the afterlife.

“Natalie?”

I blinked rapidly and realized that Lucian and I were back outside. The temple was already alive with the sound of wolves praying to the Goddess.

“What’s wrong?" he asked. He’d bent over so we were face-to-face, and had put both his hands on my shoulders. "I've been speaking to you for five minutes, but you haven't said a word.”

I didn't answer. Instead, I stepped forward and hugged him.

I must’ve taken him by surprise because he paused for a second, then slowly wrapped his arms around me. I sighed and sank into his warmth, my fingers tangling in his long hair.

We stood like that for a moment, and he made no move to release me. Finally, I pulled away. He had no idea how much I’d needed to be held. I felt like I was breaking apart from the inside out. Knowing I had him and Rumir by my side allowed me to breathe a little easier.

"Come," he said, taking my hand.

I followed him without question. I’d follow this man anywhere.

Not so long ago, it had been a different story. I'd been so mad at him when I'd found out he wanted to sever our mate bond. But after learning of his past, of his wounds and worries, all I wanted was to make him see that he deserved happiness and love.

He’d loved and lost once before. And I refused to let him suffer like that again.

We went through the maze-like garden at the back of the temple until we got to a mountainous white wall.

Lucian placed his hand on the grainy surface, and a part of the wall shaped like a door sunk inward, then slid to the side.

He tugged me through the door, and what I saw rendered me speechless.

The first time he'd brought me to the underground corridors, I'd heard water. But I hadn’t dreamed this would be the source.

We’d stepped into a massive cave almost as grand as the hall where the Imperium had their thrones. But here, there was a waterfall. And the cave was black, as if it had been carved out of obsidian.

When the door behind us slammed shut, it was like Lucian and I were in a world of our own.

The rocky ceiling was glistening with gems that looked like distant stars, and while there were a few torches lit, they weren't needed. The pale blue water flowing over the falls and settling into a pond at its base glowed bright enough to offer some light.

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