Perseous's Human Mate

The Choice

I fiddle with the hem of the black skirt. Maybe this is too much. "I don't know Parker, maybe I should dress casual."

He groans," he's made it pretty clear he loves you, I don't think wearing a skirt as opposed to jeans is going to change that."

I glare at him, letting the skirt fall to my mid thigh. "It's not about that! And he-he's not in love with me." Parker leans forward that typical, boyish smirk on his face. I followed up saying," the mate bond and love are two very different things."

Parker rubs his jaw, lost in thought," do you love him?"

It was like I was plunged into a frozen lake. Even if it was just Parker and I, I felt like the eyes of Fate were on this moment. Hairs on my arms stood upright, my brother's usually warm green eyes serious. "It's too early, I don't know."

All at once I felt the pressure release. Warmth spread across my body, relieved. Parker nodded his head in response. He wheeled himself over to where I was standing. He took my hand in his,"I'm proud of you sis. I know mom would be too."

Hearing him mention mom, my heart fluttered. I leaned over him, wrapping my arms around his waist. I scent wafted through my nose. "Is that cologne?"

Parker shrugged," its Tristan's shirt."

I rolled my eyes," guys are so weird."

I pull back, affectionately brushing his straight brown hair to the side. He shakes his head, letting the hair fall back in place just above his eyes. He needs to cut it soon, or else I'll be the one pinning him down while Percy gets the scissors.

"You look cute. Now go on your date."

I grab my purse, brushing my hair to the side of my neck. I quickly adjust the pink tank top that was tucked into my simple black skirt. According to Percy's mother this outfit was cute but simple (and exposed butt and cleavage). I ran my hand through my freshly straightened hair. I was just-if not more nervous than I had been the night we met the pack.

The door clicks open, Dirt bounds into the room immediately springing into my arms. "Ugh," I groan, stumbling back from impact. He licks my face lovingly, could he be more cute? The sweet sound of a ring gives her away. Crouched in the doorway was Belle, even outside of direct sunlight her eyes are illuminated to a degree that is mystifying. Emerald gems hypnotize me, I still cannot fathom one of natures creations.

Belle hops/walks to me in her crouched form. Still with Dirt in my arms, I bend down to her level. With a blank expression she places a lily flower in my hair. I smile, the natural scent easing my restless nerves. "Thank you Belle."

Belle tilts her head to the side, placing her hand on my chest. Her hand feels like wood, smoothed down. It would feel like normal wood if not for the warm pulse under her bark. "Life is beautiful."

I casually brush a few of the leaves in her hair to the side. This exposes her eyes more clearly, her face remains unexpressive. "Your beautiful too, Belle."

She blinks a few times before saying," you wear flesh. Keep flesh closed."

I laugh standing up. "Don't worry, I'll be safe."

***

"Tingles, at least give me a hint."

"Were almost there," he laughs from the other side of the car. My eyes are blocked by a black linen cloth. This leaves the clue we're going either somewhere I know, or someplace he doesn't want me to guess in the mist of anticipation.

After another few minutes, I feel the car stop. I wait to be told I can take off the blind fold but I hear nothing but the slamming of the car door. After a moment of silence, I hear my car door open. Suddenly I feel myself being lifted out of the car.

I squeal and fist Percy's shirt for balance. His chuckles remind me of the day after we met. "You still think I'm going to drop you? All these weeks later."

I roll my eyes snuggling into his perfectly toned chest. My legs sway as we walk to our destination, the scent of grass and trees gives away the hint we're somewhere woodsy. Only after a few minutes Tingles stops, placing my feet on the ground he tugs off my blindfold.

The world is bright with a gold sheen before slowly mixing into blues and browns. The fresh air tickled my ears while my mind adapted to the familiar scenery. My heart fell, he took me home.

The park is just as I left it only bare and empty of the red fire that used to shine in the mid fall days. I come to realize just how empty the park is compared to when I last left it. There's the tree I had been reading under the day we first met. The only difference, a crack, most likely made from when he pinned me after I tried to leave.

My fingers gently brush the scarred bark, memories like tears cascade through my mind endlessly. The bark is cold and pale, it is expecting winter soon. Sensing my homesickness Percy wraps his arms around my waist from behind. He holds me, the heat from his chest enough to keep me warm in this chilling time.

"Why here?" I whisper, almost afraid he couldn't hear me.

He kisses my mark softly before answering," I know you miss your home. I thought you'd want some closure."

Tears prick at my eye lids. I wasn't the same girl I was a few weeks ago, I was changing. Percy turns me around so I'm facing him. Still protected inside his arms he wipes away the tears I didn't know were flowing. His bottle-green eyes mirror my sadness. "Max, I didn't just bring you here to get closure..." His hands shake slightly against the skin of my cheeks. His eyes are aflame like something's destroying him inside, fire meets beast.

He continues," I'm here to give you a choice. Your my mate and I want nothing more than for you to be happy." He takes my hand, kissing my palm and savoring the feeling behind closed eyes. With out opening them he finishes,"I will let you and your brother go if that's what will make you happy. No war, no death, it would be like-" he stops, his voice fading with his final words."-like it never happened."

"Percy," I breath out, my hand pulls down his neck so his lips meet mine. He tastes like life feels, warm and electric. I pull back so I can look him in the eye when I say," I miss my home, but that was my past. I want to move on with my life and I want it to be with my new family. Gabe, Belle, Pork-pine, your family, my idiot brother and you."

I swear I can see tears in his eyes but I will never know because he captures my lips with his. Powerful and demanding his lips are water after a storm. The waves are so soft but their power is hungry even after battling thunder. I feel small and safe in his arms, a security I've never taken advantage of until now.

He releases my lips, his eyes glazed over to match the boyish smile on his lips. "So you want to stay with me?" He rushes out still out of breath.

"Well if you don't have room in that mansion if yours I can always move back hom-"

He stole my words with a peck on the lips. "Nah I'll keep you, your mine." He playfully tugs my hips to his. I giggle while he growls possessively. "And I'm going to take my intelligent, beautiful, at times- stubborn mate out to a restaurant of her choosing. What ever her innocent heart desires."

I have seen Percy happy, but never as happy as this. He was the sun, beaming and radiating joy. "Nothing fancy, the best pizza parlor you know," I tell him with the brightest smile I can muster.

He kisses me again, who knew a wolf could be so greedy. When he pulls back he replies,"yes, My Hazel."

Awe, it's a cute chapter. War is coming and no war has even been smooth sailing. What do you think or hope happens next? Let me know in the comments!