Page 46 of Wolf Burdened


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NATALIE

The property surrounding Rumir’s castle stretched on as if there was no end. The garden at the back reminded me of the one at the Goddess's temple, with various paths that resembled a maze.

I wrapped my arms around my stomach and roamed aimlessly until I came out on the other side that led into the forest.

The image of Rehema’s stare—her terror—burrowed further into my mind.

I was an Enchanted, a werewolf who helped others. I never dreamed a day would come when a friend or family member—or even my mate—would pull away from me in fear.

I’d wanted more than anything to run to Lucian, finding comfort in his arms. He always made me feel safe, but now, he wasn't safe around me. No one was. I felt horrible that I’d spoken to Rehema the way I did, but she'd kept pushing, backing me into a corner.

Thiswas the reason I couldn't help the gods. Time was of the essence, but if I could lash out at the people I cared about the most, what would I do if I had to work with the gods? At the moment, the only thing I felt for them was contempt. I could already see the chaos that would ensue.

Thinking back, I recalled how hard it had been on Ruby when her powers had first been awakened. She’d struggled so much…

Now, I truly understood what she’d gone through, fearing herself and doubting her ability to take on the responsibilities that had been laid at her feet—to kill the Vampire Queen.

Part of me was glad Ruby and Axel were still sleeping. If Ruby woke now, she’d never guess she was in the God Realm. She'd left one war behind only to land in another. And I wasn’t ready yet to talk about the part I’d played in her death and Xavier’s abandonment.

Still, I missed her…

Thinking about Ruby’s situation made me realize something. Rumir reminded me a lot of Axel. Axel, Ruby’s second mate, had appeared out of nowhere and was the fiery one in the relationship. Rumir, on the other hand, didn’t just have a fiery personality. He actually breathed fire.

I smiled at that thought. Nothing anyone said would ever change how I felt about him. He was an exceptional man, and I was lucky to be with him. We'd come a long way in such a short time, and while I hadn't admitted it to either Lucian or Rumir, I’d fallen in love with both of them.

Once a werewolf found their mate and started to bond, feelings of love tended to follow.

But I could only imagine the thoughts going through Rumir’s head right now, wherever he was.

While at Fate's castle, I’d told him that the truth of how we were mated changed nothing. But I think he needed to hear it again. Something like this was bound to reopen his scabbed wounds regarding his mother’s feelings for Lucian.

He'd told me how badly he’d wanted a mate, even asking his mother several times. And perhaps that was why he’d been so upset that Lucian had met me first? But now that he knew I wasn't meant to be mated to him at all…

How much more could one man take, even one that was half god?

I tapped my bracelet and dialed his number.

I stood still, the wind combing through my hair while I waited for him to answer, but he didn't. Wherever he was, I only hoped he was staying out of trouble.

Reaching out, I ran my fingers over a tree trunk as I walked by it, then gripped it tightly when the whispers echoed around me.

“No…” I closed my eyes. “Not now.”

They continued, distant but demanding as always. I walked further into the forest, trying to focus on the beauty of the sun beaming down through the trees, but the voices grew louder.

“I don’t want this,” I growled, my hands over my ears. “Leave me alone!”

The voices quieted, and the rustling of bushes caught my attention. A creature that resembled a lizard the size of my palm with grass and flowers on its back walked out of the bushes. Its skin was light brown, but then it shifted to green like the grass on its back and then pink like the flowers.

It was infected—its eyes were as red as mine had been—and something about it drew me in. It was as if I could feel its heartbeat in my palm.

It blinked slowly while its head bent from side to side, and I crouched down.

The voices were distant whispers now, calm but lingering, and the lizard took a step forward. I reached out, my fingers inches away from it. Could I somehow connect with the virus within it?

If I was ever to find the tear between the realms, something told me I'd have to follow my instincts and the connection I had to the virus and Tedara.

I’d ‘felt’ the fae at Rehema’s shop and now this little animal, so maybe this was the key to understanding what was going on. If only I could just learn to control this power.

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