Moon Kissed

7.Spring Part 2

I followed Dean out into the warm sun. The breeze that touched my skin was warm adding to the summer's heat. I followed next to Dean not saying a word. My eyes were taking in the village. I spotted a few children playing with each other. One of the little girls caught my eye. She stood there scanning my body. Her auburn hair and pale skin seemed to glow as the sun shined down on her. I saw as her green eyes light up when she noticed my skin. She runs towards me causing her playmates to stop what they are doing. She stops right before she can bump into me.

She looks up giving her biggest smile. "Dean who's this?" Her eyes are wide as she takes in all my freckles. She lightly traces them across my hand. Usually I feel self-conscious but so many people have seen me like this in the past few days that it doesn't even faze me.

Dean chuckles bending down to look at her. "This is Emberly, she's going to be staying here for the summer." The little girl squeezes my hand in excitement.

"Oh your name kind of sounds like mine! Emberly and Ebony. I know we're going to be best friends! I knew it the moment I saw all your freckles." She points at her face. I can finally see that the left side is splattered with freckles while the right has none.

I smiled patting her on the head. "You know what Ebony? I think your right. We're gonna have a wonderful time getting to know each other." She sequels in delight as she flings her arms around me. I've always admired children. They are so free and easy to please.

She pulls away from me and looks at Dean. "I like her. Is she going to be your new mate?" I can feel Dean stiffen slightly. I'm sure he's thinking about Jessica. I feel a twinge of pain, how awful it must feel to lose a connection that runs so deep.

He puts his hands on her shoulders giving her a kind look. "Maybe.. it's honestly up to her. The Moon Goddess gave her a special gift. She gets to choose who becomes her mate." Again Ebony's eyes light up.

"Oh really?!? Mama says that my freckles are from the Moon Goddess. She says their like little moon kissed stars across my face." She touches her face where the freckles are. "Though it looks like you actually have the whole night sky on your back." She reaches with her other hand to traces my arm.

"Ebony come back and play with us!" One of the kids yells waving for her. She gives me on more hug before she runs back to the group.

"I'm glad you got to meet her. Her and Jessica were close." He has a sad longing smile spread across his face. His eyes look far away. That slight twinge of pain returns and I feel guilty.

We walk in silence for awhile I can tell he's lost in his thoughts. I scan the village looking at the houses that line the forest clearing. I see women hanging laundry on the line as little children pick wild flowers. A few men are skinning some deer and I can smell the fresh meat cooking over the fire. Spring village was definitely one of simple value. They seemed to enjoy the things nature had to offer. I liked that.

"I want you to know that people will bring up Jessica. She was a huge part of this community, but I don't have feelings for her anymore. As soon as she died a huge part of me did to. I had to learn how to get it back. Most wolf's die because they can't learn to live without their mate. It's a pain I can never describe." He takes a deep breath as he stops to face me. "Since I moved on I slowly forgot how it felt to be in love with her. The memories are still there but I can no longer feel love when I look back on them... I feel fondness and a kindred bond but nothing more... I guess that's the price I pay for living." He trails of looking down at his hands. He walked over to a tall oak tree and lowers himself down. I can't sense that he wants me to join him.

As I settle in next to him he continues. "Some people of the village think it's shameful what I've done. Maybe so... though I don't think Jessica would have wanted me to die because I missed her. She valued life and determination." He lifts his face up watching the trees dance in the breeze. "I guess I'm telling you this so you know there's no feelings left between her and I.. besides guilt. An now that your here and I'm feeling drawn to you that guilt is stronger." He sighs racking he's hands through his hair. He turns to look at me and he chuckles softly "Guess I shouldn't have laid that all out so fast. I can't help but be honest though. You definitely don't need anymore suprise's while your here."

I felt the twinge of pain once more. It must be because I know he's hurting. I gently rest my hand on his. He stiffens slightly but slowly relaxes. We stay like that just listening to the breeze rustle against the trees.

I could tell he was torn between his feelings. An rightly so,  it wasn't normal to find another mate. Yes some of us got remarried but it was never the same. Now Dean was able to actually feel that connection again. I could only imagine how hard that must be.

I squeeze his hand feeling his fingers brush mine in response.  "I know this has to be hard. I can't even begin to imagine how you feel. I've never truly experienced it until now. Feeling this connection with everyone is new. I've just met you but it feels like I've known you my whole life. I respect that this will be hard for you. If it helps I'll follow your lead or I can even move to the next clan." Dean let's out a low growl startling me.

I glance overe to see what had caused such a reaction. Instead I find him silently laughing. I raise my eyebrow in confusion.

"Sorry..." He starts laughing harder unable to continue. He laughs for a couple more seconds.

"Sorry it looks like my wolf side  disagrees with that idea. Like I said I already have a strong desire to be with you. Having you leave now would be just as bad.... Apologies for not controlling myself. Sometimes my wolf instincts come out before I can rein them in." I smile up at him enjoying this side of him. I liked how he could laugh at himself when he made a mistake

"I like it. I don't know many people who can laugh at themselves." I nestled up against him enjoying the scents that drifted passed.

He leaned his head against mine and we sat in silence. He was definitely a very thoughtful person. I enjoyed the fact that he could sit in silence. That was the one thing I missed most. Being able to be with my own thoughts.

The sun was now glinting through the trees shining warn rays across my face. I could feel my eyes getting heavy as I nestled once more into Deans strong warm side. I felt his arm slowly go around me holding me close an that's all I remember before my eyes fully shut.