Fangs and Roses

Chapter Twenty-Three: Love Reigns

Sapphire Nightborne

Thunder clapped as lightning flashed through the dark sky, the damp earth below my paws slowly turning into wet mud. I could feel the stone-like raindrops through my thick coat, the chill seeping slowly to my bones. I shook my large head, trying to rid myself of the droplets of water that threatened to blur my vision, pushing on till I finally saw the furst marker that told me I was close to my destination... the first of the saplings.

They stood firm against the beating rain, battered flowers laying around the base of their thin stems. They were the gifts from their family and friends, offerings to the Moon Goddess in hopes that these saplings would grow big and tall to help shield Shadow Mountain from the eyes of others, letting them protect their pack one last time. I found the sentiment to be extremely beautiful, and learned that it always helped pups feel safe in these parts of the forest as their brothers and sisters were looking after them.

I decided to place my clothes at the base of one of the full-grown trees, deciding that my thick coat would fair better than thin pieces of fabric. I lifted my eyes, squinting to make out the ambiguous shapes through the veil of rain, and could finally pinpoint the sapling with the most flowers at its base... and the black wolf curled around it.

He laid there with his eyes closed, the rain soaking his fur till it laid flat against his skin. I slowly crept towards him, treading lightly so as not to startle him. I must have made more noise than I thought as his ears pricked up, he remained still for only a second before launching himself at me. I threw my body to the side so that the saplings wouldn't be crushed.

*"Xander!"*

Immediately, his opened maw closed as he sat on his haunches, looking at me with hard gold eyes.

*"Sapphire, what are you doing out here without a guard? You are the one Damien is after and should not have risked--"*

*"I came here to talk to you"*

I felt like a child as I projected that, needy and insecure... but I had to talk to him. Jared was right, Damien could attack at any minte and I could never forgive myself if the last time Xander and I were together was spent fighting.

Xander jerked his head upwards, motioning me to say my piece. I shook my head as I gathered my courage, I had performed speeches in front of a hundred warriors before... I could talk to my mate with the same conviction.

*"I am sorry for what I did to you, back in the interrogation room, I really am. I knew that Emery was not going to give up the information, regarding the vials, easily. Thus, I reacted in a way that I thought was best for the pack, though now I see how rash it was. I did it without consulting you because I assumed you would have denied my request immediately, and for that, I am also sorry because I did not trust you to understand me."*

Xander stared at me emotionless, just a blank mask. Why wouldn't he just say something? Even if it was to scream at me, at least show some emotion. I took a deep breath and continued.

*"Xander, you and I both come from very different backgrounds and it has been hard for both of us to compromise to the other's. But I want you to know that I am willing to learn your way, I tried it with Alissa, but I need to ask you to do the same with mine. The stress of the oncoming attack has been burdening us for weeks, and we have barely had anytime with each other to discuss things outside of pack matters. I can't imagine if Damien attacked right now, and I had been ta... taken away from with only our f..fight being the la..last thing I have to remember y... you by."*

I turned my head away as I projected the last sentence, tears starting to slid down my face, mingling with the rain. The thought of being taken away from Xander, or Xander dying had been a new element in my nightmares because I knew that it was a large possibility should Damien win the battle. I had finally found a pack that accepted me for who I am, and I was going to lose it very soon.