A Ripple in the forest

Chapter fifteen

16th December, 2017

Alpha Gabriel's Territory, Nivadia

-

My hollowed brown eyes stare back at me in the mirror's reflection. There is blue and black under my eyes from last night. It had been like an invisible force took control of me, disorientating my every sense. I had one objective, find the woman calling for me. I had felt everything, a tether formed in my heart. I felt connected to some unknown part of this mysterious land I now live in. It was different from the bond I feel with Gabriel, different from the bond I feel with the Goddess. Something so pure, so light that it is driving me insane not knowing its origin.

The Goddess told me through our brief meeting somethingI have been trying to decode for hours. The words leaving me sleepless as the winds howled through the cracks of the palace walls.

"Undo the bounds of my mistake, make right what was wrong. Forgive my land for I do not hold the power but yield what I have given you. You are my love, my light, shine it upon the darkened lands..."

My face was lined with worry. If only I understood. I knew what she wanted me to do, deep in my bones I knew. But I couldn't find a way for my brain to understand truly.

I would have to trust my heart.

Vanya put the last golden hair clip in my hair when my chamber doors burst open with furry and might. Gabriel rushes in only wearing his tight brown pants. His chest huffing up and down as his eye's pint pointed me seated before my white vanity. Our eyes connect through the reflection and my heart jolts at the swirling emotions in his eyes.

"Out," he barks at my ladies.

They rush out before softly closing the door behind them with a click. The room is silent except for the harsh breaths coming from the powerful male standing rigid behind me.

I break eye contact and slowly turn around on the matching white stool to the vanity. My movement seems to break the silent spell and Gabriel rushes to where I am seated. He grabs my hands and kneels before me. His eyes searched mine for something, I do not know what.

"Are you alright?" he asks worriedly.

I gulped wordlessly as I become stunned by the emotions that fog his bright green eyes. Inch by inch I force my neck and head to move, shaking in a silent answer.

Her voice. Her cries...

"I felt...I felt you slipping away through the bond. It was as if you just vanished. As if a part of me vanished," he whispers before pulling me into a bone-crushing hug. Tight enough for him to know I am here, in front of him, but soft enough for me to feel the pure intentions behind it.

At that moment I didn't care of my heart beating faster or my brain yelling at me, telling me to push him away, that he isn't Adam. I wrapped my arms around his broad back and allowed the mating bond the thrum between us. I allowed his warmth to coat my body and loosen my tightened muscles. I allowed myself to relish in the feeling of him pressed firmly against me.

I released a sigh of relief. It was as if I had been holding my breath this entire time, that this hug, our first intimate contact, was the final straw and now a weight on my chest has lifted.

He pulled back slightly, but only enough to look into my eyes once more.

"Can you tell me what happened?" he asks with such softness that my throat tightens.

I nod before saying, "I woke up to the sound of a woman screaming. She sounded like she was in so much pain like she wanted someone to end her life- to put her out of her misery. I felt... I felt a pull towards her voice like she wasn't just calling for anyone, she was calling for me. So, I left the palace as if I were in a daze and walked through the forest. Then everyone found me, but the haze I was in wouldn't go away. Alya... I think she was trying to help me, that she thought she could see what was wrong if she went into my head but there was a dormant part of me that woke up when it felt her. It was angry that it was woken, it was angry that someone disturbed its sleep. I couldn't stop it, I forced my way into her head. I saw her, I was her. Then the Goddess told me..." I trailed off.