Werewolf Academy

Chapter Twenty-Eight

A scream fills the air and I can't tell who's it is. The sword leaves my stomach, and I fall to the ground. Lily's face comes into my field of vision, and I see tears on her cheeks.

"Don't cry." She brushes my hair out of my eyes and cradles my head in her lap.

You'd think I'd be able to feel the gaping hole in my stomach, but no, I'm just numb.

I hear a deep and depressed howl in the night air, and the sound makes me cry. Connor. My eyes close and I let myself weep.

There's no way I'm surviving this.

I look around through teary eyes and realize that all of the men disappeared. They at least left me to die in peace.

The sound of paws hitting dirt overcomes my senses, and he's all I can feel, hear, smell, see. Strong hands pull me into a bare chest and I cry against Connor. "Baby." His voice is hoarse and he's crying too. He can feel everything I can't. The pain of losing your mate is said to be the most excruciating pain in the world. I look up to him, kissing his cheeks.

I didn't even notice that it had started to rain before now.

Accept me. I can hear my tigress, weak, but still alive. Accept me, Sophelia.

Connor is still crying, clutching me to his chest.

I close my eyes and I feel warmth spread through my body and out ward. I open them again and the rain is frozen, in mid air.

"Sophelia." A soft, gentle voice calls me and I stand. My hand goes to my stomach, but there's no blood. Not even a scratch. "Come here, my child." Again, the voice beckons me. My eyes search for the source, and they land on a woman, wrapped in golden light, as if it were clothing. A smile graces her delicate face and she beckons me with her hand. She holds it out to me, and I take it. "I'm so glad to finally meet you. I've watched over you for a very, very long time."

This is her, the Sun goddess. I can feel the warmth radiating off of her.

"You've grown into a beautiful young woman. Sixteen already, how the years go by." She smiles fondly at me.

"Thank you, Sun goddess." She smiles again.

"Call me Solis, Sophelia. No need for formalities between mother and daughter." She beams at me, no pun intended. "You're probably wondering why I'm here." I nod and she giggles. "My daughter has finally chosen her destiny, and her mate." She gives me a devious smile. "You two are the cutest pair I've ever seen. You chose a good one Sophelia."

I smile, then frown. "If I've chosen, but I'm going to die, what's the point?"

She shakes her finger, and points to my stomach. "Do you see any abnormalities on you? Such as, a huge gaping hole in your stomach?"

"Well no, but-"

"Courtesy of your other half." She smiles again. "As long as you accept her, she'll keep you safe."

"I have so many questions." She nods, but frowns.

"I can't answer all of them. We don't have much longer here." She squeezes my hand and I feel another pulse of warm energy go through me. "I can't stay down here long, sadly. I'm not as powerful as my sister." She places her hand beneath my chin. "But you are my greatest creation."

"How? Why am I so special?" I feel a tug on my hand, slightly pulling her from me.

"I chose you for a reason Sophelia. Whether you follow your destiny depends on your choices. No matter what, you will always be the perfect tigress." The pulling becomes more forceful and she looks up to the sky. "It's time for us both to go. Your family is worried about you." She gives me one last smile before releasing my hand. I try to grab it again, but she slips out of my reach.