Chapter 23 Lorna POV Tears trickle down my face at the truth on the words he spits at me. Why am I hated so, what is wrong with me. Moon Goddess what more must I take before you welcome me back into your embrace. The feeling of his finger on my neck doesn't feel like I expect it would. It hurts but still I don't move. He is right, I was scared when Drake reacted like that but not for me, he reacted like that in defence of me. I was scared for whoever issued such a request. Nobody has ever defended me, even Mrs Clarke supports me in secret. Gamma Marcus' words are dripping with hate and hit right to the source of all my fears. I am nothing special. I know no I am not worthy of such a mate. I do think a mistake has been made. I feel weaker, just lying here. Something warm running down my neck but the rest of my body feeling cold. The gamma is then gone from my sight, so fast, like he was never there. My eyes begin to droop as I see a glimpse of my Alpha above me. He is saying something but I cannot hear him. He may hurt at first but he will soon recover, I am sure. Blackness consumes me, peace taking over. Awakening, with the feeling of dew soaked grass beneath me. I like my hand to my neck, Hmm no wound. Strange. Looking around, I get myself up. A lake is once again before me in a valley, as the indications that dawn is approaching streak the sky. What is this place that my mind frequents? "This is my home, Lorna and Athena" a woman appears before me, beautiful and ethereal. "Welcome, though i must say I wasn't expecting you back so soon" "I do not understand" I say honestly. This place was in my dreams, how can it be her home. "This was your dreams because I pulled you here, it is not something that I have done before, however your situation required an....unprecedented level of interaction" My mind is rolling over this conversation when it suddenly occurs to me who she must be, my eyes bulge as my knees hit the floor. "Moon Goddess! I'm so sorry for intruding on your home and for not recognising you" I rush to get out. "Do not worry daughter, it is I who should apologies" "Why.. goddess" I enquire, shocked to my core. "I set a plan in place, eons ago and then got distracted elsewhere. Now I see my lack of focus has caused you unbearable pain and therefore you may not achieve the life I have created for you or your mate" "This has never happened before, hence the need for my direct involvement" I sit there, still struggling to process her words. She reaches down and helps me to stand. "Come, walk with me, we have much to set straight and not a lot of time to do it" "But goddess, I am dead, I know this to be true" "You are not dead my child, well alright I will concede that you are almost lost to the next mortal plane however it is within my abilities to put you back......with some corrections made" We walk along the waters edge, arm in arm as she tells me of the coming path I should take. "Should?" I enquire. "Ah yes, well in truth, I cannot send you back without your will to do so. I can sense in you a strong desire to move on and be at peace with me and your parents. However the life that is before you will be one filled with love and joy and an eternity together. Choosing to go on without the mate bond in place will result in both of you searching for each other in the next plane. That eternity may never come. You deserve him, Lorna, and he is a good man and wolf, who has waited a long time for you also." "Not according to his gamma" I mumble. "Your mate is pure, that mutt is telling lies to make you want to die. Your presence prevents his plans to kill your mate, and take over the pack" Shock forces my steps to halt. How could he! Drake trusts him! I take a while, just to walk the path, mulling over destiny. The Goddess escorts me in silence, round and round we go. I have no concept of time here. I look to the sky and find it unchanged, perplexed I look at her. "Destiny is always dawning" she offers by way of an explanation. "What corrections should you make, if I choose to return?" I ponder. A small smile ghosts her lips. "In truth, a lot of the changes would be inside of you, the doubt and fear you carry way you down more than you realise. You have a good, strong mate and he needs a strong Luna by his side. The pack needs you. Alpha Drake is encroaching on moon madness, every day without you marked puts him closer and closer to that fate. Your fears and reservations will prevent the mating too long and his.... wildness will push you further away" Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ƒindNoᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Appreciation for this plight floods me, I have no idea how old he is but he is a lot older than me. "I'm scared" I admit "I know you are my child, that is one of the things we need to correct. I assure you, he is your fated mate. He will never hurt you, he is already in love with you. He was created as someone who needs you just as much as you need him" After some more time thinking I offer a reply. "I feel the truth in your words. What else do I need to know?" "There are many enemies circling, the one I predicted has not yet revealed herself but you must remain strong and united in the face of this danger. Your pack. Your love, and the pup you will be carrying will depend on the strength and support you have for your mate." "Going back, the future is not all peaceful, however there is no battle that you cannot overcome when united" she implores. Her belief in me settles much of the doubt I have long since carried. I feel myself opening like a flower seeking the sun. "Now, Athena is also something we must discus" I pause, worried for my wolf. "Do not worry, she is not an ordinary wolf, as I said earlier your path was decided eons ago. Athena, is one of my elite wolves, one of my favourite wolves. Her and Xavier both have been mates for as long as I can recall, their love and strength has resulted in an exceptionally close bond. Do you recall Athena communicating with Xavier regarding your feels?" She asks. "Yes I felt exposed" we both nod. "Unmated wolves cannot do that, they cannot communicate. Your wolves can do this over any distance as well, so no matter what happens your mate will always be with you, will always be able to find you. However this information should only be known by you and your mate. Information is power, remember that." I continue to nod. "Once you mate, the bond between you will grow and the true benefits of this will be revealed, do not worry" We have walked on to a jetty that stretches out onto the vast lake. Pausing at the end, looking into the iridescent blue of the water. "Time is almost running out Lorna. I need for you to choose" seeking my answer. I step forward, my toes on the edge, staring into the blue. Knowing that no matter what I have experienced, the few hours I have experienced in the arms of my mate were not enough and that o cannot abandon him now, not when we have only just found each other and not when he needs me the most. "Are my parents alright?" The last information I require to make my decision. "They are, in fact, they are waiting in the pool of water, should that be what you decide. Jump in to move on to the next plane and see them. Or hold your mate in your heart and in your minds eye and be pulled back to where you came from. I feel her presence leave, look behind me I am alone on the jetty. Deciding my fate. When in truth, I think the answer has been the same all along. It is time, I am ready. I close my eyes and welcome the path I have chosen. 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