Moon Goddess

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The walk back to the cottage elongated to the point of agony. Mateos thoughts circled through his mind, speeding up with every minute that passed. He remembered like it just happened the day he met his mate. The day he met the girl that now hates his guts who is holding his palm right now. The smell of her strawberry shampoo mixed with vanilla and rain. So distinct and strong but yet calming to his inner animal. Calming to have her at a hands reach. To know she's safe on his land, in his territory. Monitored by a dozen guards ready to throw their own life away for her safety. Being not only motivated by the Alphas order but their own loyalty towards if not the girl herself then the hierarchy of the pack life.

The nightmares of her accident have been hunting him for the last five years they were apart. Every time he fell into a deep slumber the images, the blood, the pleading look in her eyes and the words she spoke. The first words she spoke to him were not filled with love or affection but pain, agony and pleas. His heart split in two the moment he heard her weak heart thumping faster while the crimson liquid seeped from her body sinking into the starved ground.

The extent of her injuries were too severe even for a newly bitten to survive. Although hope is the last to die. All these years he hoped. The decision to infect his queen was the hardest decision to make.

There were only two choices. He could sit and watch her die in his arms or he could mark her and turn her into one of his own kind. As the sirens were nearing but out of the human ear shot he knew he couldn't watch her die. Even if it kills her.

Even if he kills her, he had to try.

Being influenced by his instinct to save his mate he let his wolf into full control. Swiftly morphing into a beast whose eyes glowed dangerously frightening the dying girl. He bit her neck transferring his venom into her bloodstream. Leaving a mark for her to bear. The bond between them formed that night. Not fully sealed but enough for them to feel parts of each other's lives reaching out to the other.

Mateos mind snapped back to reality as he held Calliope upright as she swayed in his embrace. Halfway to the cottage he sat her down on an old tree stump. Being obedient for once she began to inspect her palm that he just let go of.

"It tingles." She said with a giggle. The statement made Mateos' lips curl up into a smile.

"You seem to be safer without me around." He muttered. At that Calliope's mood suddenly changed. Her breathing became deep eyes focused on the ground. Concern filed Mateo.

Kneeling in front of her he placed one hand on her knee and as he did their eyes met bringing her fully back to her old self. It was like a switch had been pulled. As on que she slapped his hand away and moved back falling off the stump and onto the forest ground. With a groan she scrambled up full of regret. Wanting to feel the warmth of his hands on her body again she shivered, dusting off the dirt.

"Are you back, Mate?" Mateo sighed wishing to have had more time with her trusting side. She nodded her head. Turing in the direction of the cottage. Before she took her first step a question left her lips Mateo wasn't expecting.

"Why do you call me 'Mate'?"

"Oh... ehh." His hesitation only angered the girl as her eyebrows furrowed sending a suspicious glance towards the man.

"Forget it." She shook her head walking towards the house.

The rest of the way they marched in silence. Mateo walked behind the girl, his eyes not leaving her body.

"Why don't you take picture?" She smirked, feeling his eyes roaming all over her body. "Or a video. It'll last you way longer, Mate" She glanced back seeing the Alphas shoulders tense up, she knew the single word definitely affected him which only meant it held more meaning than she had originally considered.