The Darkness Within

47 - Leaving Isolation

Eight days in, Ciara and Lucienne's heat relaxed and they spent time doing more than just mating: eating occasionally, taking care of bodily functions, and sleeping. Most of the time, Lucienne walked around with those huge wings of hers on display, and while she couldn't see them herself, Ciara could watch through Lucienne's eyes as she admired the way light reflected off the goddess swirls on her pristine feathers. Sometimes, after particularly rough treatment from Ciara, she'd find Lucienne calmly readjusting her feathers back to where they should be, pride and happiness flowing from her as she worked.

Lucienne had suggested that they attempt going outside the previous day, to just enjoy some of the empty fields, and Ciara had immediately shut down the idea. Perhaps it was how new their bond was and her instincts telling her to keep her mate safe, or perhaps it was a fear that stemmed from the loss of her previous lover, but she wasn't ready for her mate to be anywhere but close to her and hidden away from other beings. The rolling plains were too open, too exposed, for her liking, and anywhere else nearby would be too close to others.

She'd asked that they stay isolated for longer. Thankfully, Lucienne understood her emotions, even reciprocated some of them, and agreed to wait. Ciara remembered how Evelyn told her that Alpha Wilson and Luna Iris spent two weeks in isolation to keep themselves from wanting to harm others who might be deemed threats, and she figured that feeling like staying hidden from the outside world for weeks on end made sense. Who knew how long two protective goddesses might deem other beings as threats if an alpha werewolf stayed hidden away for two whole weeks.

In an attempt to shift her thoughts in a different, less upsetting, direction, Ciara peeked into Lucienne's mind. Her mate was reading a book that appeared to be in French, as she couldn't decipher the words on the page that Lucienne's eyes were scanning rapidly.

Ciara rolled over on the bed, moving so that she was tucked into Lucienne's side with her head on her mate's chest listening to her heartbeat. She had managed not to disturb Lucienne's reading, but her mate moved an arm to hold her close anyway, and Ciara relaxed into her mate's warmth. Soon after, Lucienne wrapped a wing around Ciara, the feathers softer than any blanket and keeping her warm and toasty.

A hesitant knock on their door that had been silent the past eight days had Ciara's body stiffening, her nails turning sharp, her shadows seeping from her, and her power-sight activating so that she could see her surroundings to protect herself and her mate. Below her, Lucienne's body stiffened, but her reaction was not nearly as violent.

"Who could possibly be at our door?" Ciara rumbled, her lips pulling back from her teeth in a snarl.

Lucienne didn't answer, sitting up instead and bringing Ciara with her. That soft wing moved to be tucked against Lucienne's back, and Ciara climbed out of bed, preparing to check the door. A part of her didn't want Lucienne anywhere near the being on the other side of the door, but in the end, she decided she'd rather have her mate close, better to assess and protect Lucienne from threats.

"Whoever it is, I'm sure they have a good reason," Lucienne said, gently brushing a warm hand down Ciara's back. The action soothed her just enough to walk calmly out of the bedroom and towards the front door that was on the floor below.

Ciara paused at the door when she reached it, already sensing who was behind it as they knocked again with more determination, and then she opened the door just enough to talk to the being on the other side. Her body was prepared to fight, as if the visitor could have been any bit of a threat, and a low growl rumbled from her. Lucienne stood stoic at her back, letting her take control of the situation. Ciara had, after all, proven repeatedly that although she was marginally smaller than Lucienne, she was ultimately the more protective between the two.