Forbidden

|41|

Laurent

We set up camp at a small cavern hidden behind a copse of rogue oaks when the sky began to turn pitch black and we were no longer able to see what was in front of us, and seeing as how there was no need to keep pushing forward in this kind of inky darkness in such a dense and complicated woods, we decided to just stay out until morning came once more. After all, even for shifters that was a dangerous situation to willingly put yourself in to especially with other packs lurking around with this being the Benzi's territory.

Making our way to the back of the cave, Chi wasted no time undressing down to her under clothing with a exclamation that it was far too hot and yet, she lit a fire with a lighter she had attached to a leash on the loop of her pants. Sitting crossed legged with her palms stretched outward towards the blaze, the warm light bathed her in a gentle glow. Ignoring the sudden intense desire sweeping through me at the sight of her bare flesh, I forced myself up to all fours and went to work on finding us something to eat. Hearing a stream flowing lethargically nearby, I trekked out alone into the dark to find it with the hope of catching a few bass and plus, I needed to clear my head of all the jumbled thoughts.

When the stream came into my view, I ambled over to the bank and laid down on my underbelly, the smooth dewy grass tickling my fur as my mind wandered on its own. What was it that this Oracle was supposed to tell me? Was the prophesied calamity that Artemis foresaw really something that would impact mine or my packs life in any way? Or was it just an event that bothered the Gods themselves? Was I to be Artemis puppet as she dangled Eden's own life on a string in front of me? That's who I was doing this for, right? For Eden? For us and our continued life of commitment and love? A huff forced its way past my muzzle as I knew that the relationship between Eden and I was far from love and more of obligations to the links that tied our souls together as mates.

But if that was the case, then why did the wolf inside me howl mate when I first came across Chi? Did I have two of them?

No that was impossible, even magic had no way of assigning two mates to one Alpha. However, I'd heard of a spell of the dark arts that realigned the mate ties to whomever the caster chose.

Realization hit me mac truck hard as it finally dawned that this was probably the work of whoever had given Val that damn sirens necklace. A small piece of my guilt receded at the clarification but I knew deep down, that I found Chi attractive on my own as well and if given the chance, would probably take her to bed with me. My old ways before becoming exclusive with Valerie were screaming for me to come back to them but I batted them back, I made it this far, I could keep going.

I truly hoped I was doing this for the right reasons, that I really wanted to be with Eden. But was this all really so black and white? Was it not possible to hunger for more than what I received? Was I doing this all to save Eden or free myself?

After all, Artemis never showed any proof that Eden was in any real danger or any proof that she really wanted to help us, yet, I ran away from my duties as Alpha to find this Oracle, to appease my own crushing guilt from forgetting Eden.

But I was doing it again right now with a woman I hardly even knew! I was avoiding being alone with her just so I could not rut like a dog in heat with her.

So did I truly care for Eden or did I only wish to be free of the crushing weight that guilt laid on my heart from the way my mind and body had turned? I looked up to the sky and noticed that what was once veiled in dark, now lay littered with stars and a radiant moon. What was the true goal of all of this, was the last question I thought of as I stood and dove into the cool water to catch dinner.

**********************

Marx

"Eden?" I tentatively said her name but it didn't even seem to reach her in the state she was entranced within, her eyes stayed glossed over with a translucent white and her gaze was locked unto Seranas, whom stood over her like a towering predator with prey in sight. Panic ran rampant inside my chest cavity and worry for Eden's safety and mental status wouldn't budge from the pit of my stomach.

"Eden, please snap out of it." The desperate hissed words had no visible effect and so I slowly inched my way over, only to be hit with a resilient and invisible shield that stopped my trek. A frustrated growl rumbled through my chest and I could see the smug smirk of Seranas.

"I'll kill you bitch, I promise you that!" She spared me a sidelong glance, her eyes condescending and unbothered.

"I do not fear you mutt, your threats are nothing but harmless words that you'll never see through." She turned to walk away and Eden stood as if on command, trailing behind her like a pup.

"How long do you think it'll be before the Gods get involved? They won't let a demigoddess be harmed by a revenge thirsty Wiccan!" I snapped and Seranas kept on walking away until she was out the door with Eden, however, a laugh drifted behind her as Erick made his way there as well but didn't leave until he dealt a final blow to my hope.

"Please, Artemis was just here and didn't interfere, only jabbed at the mouth. What makes you think her superiors will dirty their hands?"

I had no comeback because in my heart, I felt the truth of his words and it sunk in, we were really in trouble.