Mila's Heart

6. Of Soulmates & Imprinting

Our first night home in the apartment was bliss. Although the wedding ceremony was tiny and only included a few select family and friends, it was nice to be home. We honeymooned for a week in Hawaii and then flew to Jacksonville where we decided to make our home.

I walked out onto the deck dressed in a gauzy robe. The sun was just setting in the west and lowering on the horizon. Mikal walked out behind me, gathered me in his arms and kissed my neck. Twilight was upon us, my favorite time of day. I noticed a glint of light reflecting from the neighbor's window. I jerked my head up, Was that Rafe in the window?"

Mikal noticed my preoccupation. "What's wrong, Mila?"

"Did you see that?" I pointed to the neighbor's window.

"See what, baby?" He tried to distract me as he pulled me around and kissed my throat.

Although my husband was very distracting, I would not give up. "There, in the window, it was a strange glittering light." I continued, almost hysterical. "There is something weird going on over there. For years, I see nothing but glimpses, but lately the sightings have escalated and I could have sworn I saw Rafe. I have seen him multiple times."

"Mila," Mikal gently turned me to face him. "It's okay. It was probably the setting sun reflecting off the window." He pulled me to his arms and stroked my hair.

"Of course, you are right. I am sorry I overreacted. It's just I have been so on edge lately." I smiled up at him and reveled in the feeling of his strong body against mine, so protective and sweet.

I considered that I made a good decision when I consented to marry Mikal Bishop. He was hardworking, considerate and good, not to mention the fact that he was ruggedly handsome. He was a catch indeed. At the wedding, many girls were envious. Lily's disgust with love and weddings was never more apparent than that day. "What was up with Lily at the wedding?" I asked. "She snarled at me three times."

"Give her a break Mila; she has lost love." Mikal's voice was husky with sorrow.

I looked at him quizzically. "She has?"

"Yes. We talked about this before when I first returned." He looked at me in alarm. "What did you think I was talking about before when we were discussing Lily and her protectiveness?"

"I thought you had been commanded not to talk about something, you know that wolfy thing Alpha does to us." I stated still confused. "What were you talking about Mikal?"

Mikal spun around and grabbed his head with his hands. "Mila. I thought you understood. If I had known you didn't, I would have made sure you knew before we got married."

I was beginning to get scared now. "What is it Mikal? Tell me." I begged.

He turned to me and pulled me to the swing. He leaned close and kissed me. "I love you, Mila.  You know that, right?"

"I love you, too, Mikal. Please tell me what is wrong. You are frightening me." I pleaded.

"Mila, Lily imprinted on me when she first became a wolf. She's...she's my fated mate. But I rejected her...for you." He searched my face.

"Lily imprinted on you? I don't understand Mikal." Shocked, I began to cry. "What have I done?" I had taken away Lily's chance to become truly happy. Mikal was her soul mate and she was his.

"Mila, you have done nothing." He tried to comfort me. "I thought you had entered this marriage with your eyes open, knowing everything."

"But Mikal, that's not true, I have done something terrible. I have taken away her soul mate." I wailed in agony. My sunshine is Lily's soul mate. "I always knew this could happen, but I didn't realize it had already happened. Have you imprinted on her? What are your feelings for her?"

"No, I did not imprint on Lily. It is hard to resist that level of commitment, but Mila, I only have eyes for you. You are my only love." Mikal comforted me. "It's never been romantic between Lily and me, Mila. She was always trying to comfort me when I was hurting over you. However, her constant presence only made matters worse. I admit that there is a soft spot in my heart for her.  I care about what happens to her, and the fate bond pulls, but I love you, Mila."

"How can you say you care about what happens to her when you know she is imprinted on you...my husband?" I began to cry even harder.

"I'm sorry, my sweet Mila, I never meant to hurt you and I don't want to hurt her either." Mikal's eyes pleaded. "Please don't let this stop you from loving me."

"I could never stop loving you, Mikal. You are a part of my heart-inescapably." I promised him. "I just don't want Lily to be in the pain I am sure she is in."

"Hush my darling." Mikal cooed in my ear as he scooped me up in his arms. Walking through the French doors, he laid me gently on our bed. He began kissing my neck causing my breathing and heart rate to accelerate. His warm hands encircled my waist and pulled me on top of him. He continued his declaration of love to me as the sun sank into the sea.

Rafe POV-Next Door

"Rafe, you don't look so good. Are you all right?" Analise eyed me suspiciously. "You have been here too long. I am glad you have come to your senses and you're going home with us."

I stood at the window facing Mila's apartment. I placed my hand on the window as if I could reach out and touch her. So many times, I have stood here and longed to touch her. However, I have made sure she has been safe. I kept my promise and I have never left her side. I don't think she wants or needs me here any longer though. She now has Mikal.

"Rafe, you know she would be with you right now. Why didn't you stop it? You could have. She would have welcomed you with open arms at any time over the past four years." Analise chided.

Watching her and Mikal get close these past months, I almost blew my cover. I had lived here beside her to protect her, but I genuinely wanted her to make her own decisions, so I stayed away. I watched her graduation and I was so proud of the woman she had become. Then at the restaurant later with her dad and mom. Nights on the beach when they roasted hot dogs or had a fire. She wasn't missing me. She and Mikal grew up together, they blended so easily.

"I know, Analise; but I want her to have a normal life." I choked out. "I have succeeded. It is all that matters to me. I love her too much to hurt her. She needed to make a choice on her own. She can't feel this bond I feel with her. She loves him and she is happy. He can protect her."

"I don't know why you never felt good enough for her."  Analise scolded.  "She didn't have all the information she needed to form a decision for her future!  You took that from her!"

For the first time in my life, I felt weak. I sank to the floor under the window, curled my legs up to my chest, and wrapped my arms around them. My body was racked with sobs from deep within, so intense my pain.

"Rafe, I don't agree, but it is done now. Stop torturing yourself, I know you can hear everything they are saying. Let's get your things together and get out of here." Analise turned to her mate Jackson pleading with her eyes. Jackson moved forward and helped Rafe to his feet.

"You are right, Analise. Thank you Jackson." I turned to the bed, closing my suitcase and picked it up. 

I turned to have one more look out the window at Mila, who had walked out onto the deck dressed in a gauzy robe. "I am sorry, sweet Mila.  Be happy my love." I whisper. The sun was beginning to lower and the rays were glancing off the window. Mila's head jerked up and she turned to face Rafe. As always, I was just a few seconds faster than she was and I was gone.

I watched as Mikal walked out on the deck and began kissing Mila. "Just remember, Mikal, I will always be waiting in the wings. Take care of her. Never hurt her." I whispered.

Mikal looked up at Rafe and nodded. He resumed his conversation with Mila. Within a few minutes, he picked her up and carried her into their house.

Turning from the window. "Let's go home." Wearily I walk out the door, bags in hand. Analise and Jackson followed.