The Witch On The Mountain

Chapter 15

I didn't get much sleep with the knowledge that my time with Nathan was rapidly coming to an end. I had to gain hope from the idea that our separation was only temporary.

Each time I woke from a restless sleep he would be awake to take me in his arms and sooth me with his voice.

The dreaded time came. The dark blue of the night sky began to lighten as the sun would soon begin it's journey across the horizon.

In that moment I wished I could stop time, leave me and Nathan in our moment, just the two of us, secluded in my cabin. No pack, no covent, no awakening, no obligations.

'Just us'

"Azula." He said rising from the mess of fabrics. His naked form looming above me as he extended an
imposing hand to me.

I extended my hand leaving a small gap preventing our hands from meeting,

Nathan bridged the small distance taking my hand in a firm hold, pulling me to my feet. Was he trying to reassure me?

I reluctantly rose to my feet to join him.

The walk to the clearing behind my home was shorter than usual, maybe it was my imagination.

Nathan turned to me his back facing the forest, I clung to both his arms not wanting to let him go.

Screw my powers, I'd just go with him. I opened my mouth wanting to say exactly what I was thinking but words failed me.

I had never been good with words.

Instead I leaned forward attacking his lips. Gasping I pulled away, I hoped my actions conveyed the dept of my feelings.

"Promise you'll come back." I said in a voice I didn't recognize. Hiding my surely desperate face in his chest I held on to him.

"I swear on my life." He said holding me with equal vigor.

I looked up at him as he held my face between his hands. "I can't leave my precious mate for too long."
He said looking down at me. He brushed my hair to one side leaving my neck exposed to the chilly before day break air.

"I want to mark you." He said trailing a finger across my skin, light tingles erupted under his touch. He withdrew his hand recovering my skin as if removing temptation from his gaze.

He planted a gentle kiss to my lips, nothing nearly as violent and intrusive as my earlier lip lock.

"I love you Azula. I'll try not to keep you waiting too long" he said letting me go.

He slowly backed away from me until he stepped by the first tree of the dense forest. I watched as he changed shape, his body taking the form of his wolf.

His now gleaming eyes gazed at me as if his wolf was too promising to return to me. Slowly he turned into the dark shadows, his naturally dark body quickly disappearing.

I held back the tears that I fared would fall, I worked too hard to walk away when my power was so close. I loved Nathan but I couldn't leave with him yet.

Slowly dragging myself back to my cabin a loud howl made me turn my gaze up the mountain.

Somehow I knew it was Nathan, it had to be.

Slightly less deflated I returned to my bedroom foregoing the bed and laying on the floor, clinging to the spot where Nathan use to be.

I would take my power from the covent, then I'd take Nathan.

I gasped in realization shooting up from my laying position.

Nathan had declared his love for me.

............

Life droned on, the days meshing together. Tasks becoming burdensome and insignificant. The lack of Nathan in my life taking a told.

His absence had really highlighted how lonely toiling away on their mountain was.

One day, exactly one week after Nathan's departure, I stood before the door that lead to the library. Saying the word of passage I opened the door that lead to a vast collection of books.

The room was far too large to be apart of the cabin, the door in itself a gateway to an enchanted space.

Passing an assortment of books I reached for 'An encyclopedia of creatures' the cover slightly tattered , the pages slightly yellowed from age and use.

I open to the section on werewolves and began to read aloud.

"Werewolves are creatures consisting of equal part human and wolf, taking on attributes of both beings. They are known to gather in large groups and follow a ranking system, working best in a pack setting. They abide by the teachings of the moon goddess, head strong in their beliefs and are morally and spiritually centered around her. " I continued.

"They are know to be violent and aggressive around full moons. Their weaknesses are most forms of monks-wood, wolf bane and aconite each sub-sect effective to varying degrees."

I finally found the section I was curious about.

"Werewolves mate for life, marking and mating there destined mate after encountering them. Werewolves unlike other creatures don't chose their mates and are instead infatuated after catching the scent of their life partner. A werewolf's ultimate weakness is their mate."

I paused, shocked by the line that followed.

"The easiest way to kill or subdue a werewolf is to get rid of it's mate. Werewolves are known to commit suicide in the event of the death of their life partner."

I paused processing the words I had just read. Nathan would kill himself if I died? Frowning my brows I reached for another book. This information, although informative, didn't answer my questions.

So a mate was a life partner, what was marking? What was mating? Why did I feel so dejected while being away from him?

Upon further research I discovered nothing that answered my curiosity. I also discovered that passages or pages pertaining to mating and marking in particular were either entirely absent or so heavily censored that their contains were of no use.

Sighing I allowed the final book to float back to its spot on the shelf. After hours of looking I concluded that this library would not provide anymore useful information.

I decided to wait until I saw Nathan again to question him on the topics I was unsure of.

The books had confirmed what I had been feeling towards Nathan if nothing else. I could trust him and I could love him. He would never hurt me or do anything against my best interests because to him I was most important.

My heart fluttered at the thought.

'He's ours as much as we're his' the voice said. I unconsciously shook my head agreeing with the voice as I clutched my necklace. The thought both the voice and I knew left me smiling.

I loved him too

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