Fate for a Luna

Chapter 17

"Do we really have to go back?" I questioned Al sadly. We were watching the sunset over the ocean. The sand was between my toes and my mate's arms were around me while I leaned my back against his chest. This has been the most peaceful moment of my life, and I didn't want it to end.

"Carter can't watch the pack forever, and we've already been gone longer than we said we would be," Al told me. He held me a bit tighter as the sun dipped below the horizon taking its bright pastel colors with it.

"Could we just stay a few more days? I doubt Braxton would mind," I pleaded with my handsome mate.

"I think Braxton would like his former beta to be under my protection again even more though," Al countered. I sighed not wanting to leave this moment.

"I just wish this could last forever," I mumbled more to myself than to him. He squeezed me for a second and placed a kiss on my cheek.

"Trust me, I do too," Al said. I let out a sigh and let my head rest against my mate's body.

"Thank you," I thanked Al. His sculpted dark eyebrow raised at my words in confusion. "Thank you for showing me all of this. For being with me despite the prophecy," I explained to him.

He grinned and replied, "I would do it a million times if I could."

I smiled back at him. "I love," I started to say but then stopped. Fear and uncertainty gripped my heart and stilled my tongue.

"You love what?" He asked with big eyes. I can't do it! What if he doesn't love me back?

"I love the things you say," I answered him.

His eyes seemed to lose something inside them and his smile lessened just a little bit, to a point where I might have just imagined it. "I love the things you say too," he told me. I got out of his arms feeling cold once I left.

"We should grab our stuff then head back," I suggested as I hugged my arms to replicate his warmth. I couldn't bring myself to look at his perfect face since I was too upset with myself for being such a coward. But what if he only says he loves me because I said it and he doesn't mean it? Then we would die when we marked each other. I would be the cause of his death. I'll tell him when he tells me or I'm absolutely certain he actually loves me.

'Mate loves us' my wolf chimed in my head. We don't know that for sure though.

"Zylee? Did you hear me?" Al asked me with concern on his face.

"Uh? What?" I asked him.

"I'll take that as a no. I said that we should grab dinner before we head back," Al revealed to me.

"Oh, that sounds like a good idea," I replied.

"Okay. What happened right there? You looked scared," he questioned me.

I flicked my wrist as I told him, "Oh it was nothing. I just got lost in thought. I'm sorry that I worried you"

"Well as long as you can find your way back to me it's fine," he said as he cupped my face in his hands.

"I will. Now let's go home," I promised him.

Later that night we said our goodbyes to the Coastal pack. Braxton had handed a letter to Al and asked him to give it to Carter. Curiosity over the contents in the envelope had driven me crazy during our long trek, but Al wouldn't let me open it.

When we had finally gotten back to our little pack of refugees late at night Carter was there to greet us at our green house. "Carter, what are you doing here?" Al asked him slightly annoyed.

"I figured you'd be back sometime tonight, and I've got to know what's going on there," Carter answered running his hands through his curly hair nervously.

Al pulled out the letter from Braxton and handed it to Carter. "They're doing well, and more importantly they're safe. This is from Braxton. I assume it'll be able to answer any more questions you have," Al declared.

Carter greedily opened it and quickly read the letter. Tears fell down his slightly dirty cheeks leaving visible streaks.

"What does it say?" I asked desperate to know.

"Zylee, it might be personal," Al reprimanded me.

"That makes me want to know it more though!" I whined.

"Alpha it's okay. It says that I'm going to be an uncle," Carter told us with a sad smile.

"You have a sibling?" I asked in shock.

He nodded his head as he answered, "My sister, Sydney, is alpha Braxton's mate. Apparently, she's pregnant."

"Congratulations uncle Carter," I told him.

Tears suddenly left his eyes in bigger quantities and I looked at Al confused. I hurriedly went to his side and put my hand on his heaving back, trying to give him a sense of comfort.

"What's wrong?" I asked him.

"I'm not going to get to see my first niece or nephew. I might never see my sister again," he sobbed. I looked up from the crying man to my mate. His golden eyes were filled with sadness as he beheld the scene. Al walked over to us and put his hand on the other side of Carter's back.

"The prophecy is at hand. Zylee is here now. You'll be able to see them soon," Al promised the man who had tears in his eyes.

"Promise me that you'll kill him. If you kill Vaxon I can see my family again. Maybe even find my mate," Carter pleaded with me. Carter's brown eyes were watery as I nodded my head.

"Say it. I need to hear you say it," Carter begged as he shook his head.

"I promise," I vowed.

Carter snuffled a sob then abruptly stood up. He wiped his nose with the back of his hand then said slightly embarrassed, "I should probably get going. Welcome home guys."

"Good night Carter," Al and I replied in sync. Carter turned around and started to walk away.

"And Carter," Al called out making the man stop and turn around, "Thank you for watching everyone while I was gone."

Carter's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he said nothing. His curly blonde hair bobbed as he gave my mate a curt nod. He then turned back around and continued on his way.

"Will he be alright?" I asked Al as Carter's back disappeared from view.

"Yes, it happens to everybody here every now and then. You can't blame them, they had to leave people they love to come here. This is just a jolt of realization. They all end up being fine in a couple of hours," Al answered.

"And they all had to leave because of Vaxon?" I asked feeling the pressure. Al nodded in confirmation and my chest seemed to have a 100-pound weight placed on top of it.

"Al, what will happen if I can't kill Vaxon?" I asked him.

"Then they'll never get to be reunited with those they had to leave behind," Al answered not missing a beat. All these people, their families, their futures... they all rely on me.