An Unlikely Pairing

Chapter 9

*Olden's POV*

"Ol-Olden?!" Nature (who I now know is really called Claire) asked as she looked up at me bewildered and with fear in her tear stained eyes.

I was upset that people held answers to who I was and why I was here long after everyone I knew was dead and gone, but at the same time it was a great relief to finally get the answers I have so desperately sought for so long.  I wanted to be mad but seeing Claire so vulnerable and hearing her fears just made it impossible for me to reject her as my elemental.

We have known each other for a long time and she looked out for me so I figured having a travel buddy couldn't hurt but as long as it was nothing more than friends then I could deal with it.  I looked at the other lady called Sylvia.

"I have some questions but I will accept a pact with your sister to be my wind elemental companion as long as there are a few conditions." I say to them both after taking a deep breath and saying it all as gently as possible.

"What questions and conditions do you have Tom?" 

"How am I an elementalist?  How long can I live for?  What is an elementalist?  Is there anything I need to be aware of?  I also want to know about mates and what if I don't wish to accept one?"  I ask in rapid fire.

"As for my conditions I just ask that there be nothing more than friendship between us and no secrets ever.  If we are to work together I don't want to constantly wonder if you are keeping something from me deal?"  I ask as I look at Claire.

"Deal!"  She responds back eagerly as she grins and shakes my hand.  All of a sudden a gust of wind wraps around us and a small tornado appears on my right forearm.

"To answer your questions including what that symbol is: that's to signify the pact between you and an elemental which in the case of this symbol is for wind,  you are an elementalist because your dad was and you may have other gifts from you mom but you will  discover those on your own for there is someone else who can better answer those questions and you will meet them soon enough.  Elementalists can live up to a millenia unless they sustain life threatening injuries.  You can make a pact with all four elements but you have find someone of each element and agree to it with them.  A flame for fire, a water drop for water, a tornado for wind, and a rock for earth.  Always control your emotions because if you don't then you could harm those around you with your powers.  Now for your final question.  May I first ask why you do not wish to accept your mate?"  She looks at me quizzically.

My mind was reeling with all of this information.  I was so shocked that it took a moment to respond let alone process what I had just been told.  I always thought that I came from two ordinary parents.  That I was nothing and no one special.  Then I remembered something.  My parents had given me four books the day I graduated high school and started college.  They were green, red, blue, and brown.  They told me that there would come a day that I would have questions and these books would have the answers.  Strangely enough when I tried reading them for fun in my dorm, one day out of boredom, I found that they were all completely blank.  Not a single page had anything written in them.  I tried using a UV light and various other invisible ink revealing methods but they were truly blank with nothing written within them.

Blinking I remembered I had been asked a question but I had to ask one as well.  Quickly I pulled the books out of my bag because no matter how hard I wanted to I could never find it in my heart to throw these books out so I kept them with me after all this time.  I set them down in front of Sylvia and Claire and then proceeded to answer Sylvia's question.

"Honestly I don't wish to get attached to someone and then have them taken from me like what happened with my first wife and child.  I can't go through that pain again.  Plus what will happen when I don't age and she does and eventually dies while I still live on?"

The girls just smile at me but I can see sadness and understanding in their eyes as well.

"Why do you think I paired you up with a werewolf who will live just as long as you do?"

I was at a loss for words at her response but I still couldn't open myself up again.  The pain was just too much the first time and it was bad enough that when I stumbled upon Samuel he reminded me so much of Benjamin that I couldn't help but be drawn to the boy.  I felt tears running down my cheeks at the thought of everything I have just learned.

"Tom our time is almost up.  If you wish to reject her then you must say ("I, Tom Dellet, reject you Kiela Prater, as my mate") and she must accept it.  However keep in mind for every action there is an equal and greater reaction.  You have a past but so does she.  All I ask is that you please be willing to at least give her a chance.  If you don't ever move on then how do you ever expect to heal?  Don't you think you have suffered and been alone long enough?"  She looked at me with pleading eyes as Nature just sat on the floor and watched.

"You have no idea what I'm going through so I would appreciate it if you didn't try to play cupid for me do you understand?  I will determine if and when I decide to move on.  How about you just send me back and I'll be on my way."  I say hardening my emotions.  I will not be told what would be in my best interest.  Its my life and I will mourn for as long as I see fit.

With a sigh and a sad look she waves her hand and I find myself slipping into darkness as Nature quickly shouts to me.

"I'll be there to you soon and I will make sure to look out for you.  Thank you so very much!"

With that I fully slipped into darkness and once again I am left to my torturous thoughts as I'm once more engulfed in misery.