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Sorry its a little late!

Dedicated to fireflies1716 for just being THE MOST INCREDIBLE supporter ever. You are a treasure chest just waiting to be discovered. Stay amazing and thank you for everything honey!

A huge shoutout to Ronika001 for being the amazing reader you are and also for incredible cover above. I absolutely adore it. Thank you sweetie!

Also, a special shoutout to Reennnnnnnn. Hearty congratulations on your marriage honey. God bless!

IMPORTANT NOTE:

PLEASE DO NOT COPY MY WORK! If I find any followers copying my work, I will immediately REPORT and MUTE you. Do NOT test my patience or take advantage of my friendliness. You have been warned.

This chapter is unedited so please excuse the grammatical errors. Enjoy!

____

Suzzanah's POV

For a second after his reply registered in my mind, I was so shocked out of my wits that even though my lips were parted and question after question was pounding my tongue, waiting to be asked, I couldn't make a sound, let alone utter a word.

Liam Arius...Royale!

He was a Royale. The Royale.

Alpha Almighty- The first ever Alpha King.

And the woman with silver hair was his mate. The first Luna Queen of the unified Werewolf Kingdom.

Silver hair...

Just like Emily.

Just like me...

"Do I think you are somewhat connected to the first Queen?"

Alpha Penson's words from the moonlight festival last night suddenly sounded in my mind vividly.

"Yes, I do believe so"

My skin prickled.

"Is it relevant? It could very well be"

My breathing hitched.

"How?"

My heart rate spiked.

Two Lunas, striking silver hair, a thick white mist, a vast endless forest, a dark evil beast, two powerful mates and...

An undeniable feeling of deja vu.

Deja vu...

Already seen.

How is it relevant?

"It could be that you and Emily are both reincarnations of the first Luna Queen"

My eyes zeroed in on my mate's familiar warm black-brown eyes with specs of brilliant gold and I held my breath as I recalled the very last question Alpha Penson had posed.

"Why is that important?"

Why was it so important that time and time again, I found myself being reminded that the silver in my hair was not something to be ignored.

"It symbolizes light and purity"

That that one thick streak of silver may be something like a red string of fate connecting me to events that had transpired in the past, hundreds of years ago.

"Supernaturals who are born with, or acquire silver hair early in life are said to be extremely pure...They are often people who bring with them light in dark times..."

Events that for some reason, I felt like I was reliving.

Now.

In the present.

"Why is that important?"

I swallowed hard as I remembered his answer.

"As of now, I am not very sure, but I am sure that if it really is important, we'll arrive at a conclusion as to why pretty soon"

Soon...

"Heart!"

I jerked out of my thoughts and refocused on the pair of familiar warm orbs which were now brimming with concern.

"Heart, what's wrong? What's happening?" Zuerien asked worriedly, "You suddenly look pale and you're completely dazed"

I blinked, trying to clear my mind, "I-I...I'm fine"

"Suzzanah-"

"I'm fine but...I feel like I just had an epiphany", I cut him off, "One about me, Emily and the first Luna Queen"

"What?"

I licked my lips which suddenly felt very dry, "I still have lots to tell you, Zuerien", I confessed and he exhaled heavily.

"So it seems", he replied, his eyes scanning my face keenly, "Let's begin now. I want to know everything"

I nodded, "I'll tell you everything I know"

As he began walking, I began telling him everything from the very beginning. About the dream I had had about the silver haired woman riding a horse and firing arrows into the night.

About how Emily Penson also had a silver streak in her otherwise dark brown hair and how I was her reincarnation.

About how I and Mr. Talon had discovered from the pictures in a book about Werewolf history that the very first Luna Queen possibly had a full head of silver hair, and was also possibly an archer.

And about our talk with Alpha Penson about the matter and everything he had said about the new possibilities that were born out of my having a silver streak which was apparently being passed down generations.

"Why that infuriating, exasperating, four-hundred and sixty years worth of mental torture!" Zuerien growled out angrily about Alpha Penson, "Why won't that conniving old wolf tell me anything? Why is he so bloody hell bent on giving me hypertension?!"

"Calm downnn!" I was begging him frantically as I fanned him with my hands while trying not to squirm inappropriately against his covering-less frame.

He was so mad that his palms were literally squeezing the life out of my buttcheeks! I was desperately trying not to reveal my discomfort as all the color he drained out of my butt came flooding to my face.

"Zuerien please-"

"And you!" he said redirecting his intensely scorching gaze to me, making me freeze.

Oh the irony!

"Why the hell won't you tell me anything?!" he asked, pulling me further into him so that our chests were molded together and our faces were but a few centimeters away from each other.

"Hey, hey, hey, its not like that hon", I said softly, "There's just been so much happening in my life recently and so many things happening all at once that I sometimes forget what I have and haven't told you. I'm telling you everything now so please don't be mad"

His anger almost immediately evaporated and he sighed, "Sorry. I lost it"

"Mhm, I understood as much but that's okay", I said with a smile and a shrug, "I know I can be very exasperating sometimes but getting back to the topic at hand! According to Alpha Penson, it was possible for both Emily and me to be reincarnations of the first Queen, but whether or not it was significant in anyway was still a question mark. But...after what I experienced today while I was running from that beast, I'm pretty sure it is significant"

Zuerien's brow immediately furrowed in question and I wasted no time in telling him about my out of body experience. About the transforming clothes and hair, about the two female voices and the names they had cried out, and about it all having felt like my own doing.

"I didn't even know Alpha Liam's name till I heard it echo in my mind earlier", I told him, "And even though it hadn't been my voice that had called out to him, I almost felt like I had been the one who did. It was the same feeling with Emily's voice calling out her mate's name too"

Zuerien was silent, his features heavy in deep thought. Just as I was about to ask him what he thought about the matter, he raised his gaze up to my hair, his eyes slowly following the locks from root to tip.

Or perhaps, one lock in particular.

A silver one.

His pupils dilated, drinking in the sight before his lips parted.

"I think you're right"

My heart skipped a beat when his dark orbs abruptly met mine.

"You may be her, the Luna Ethereal"

"Luna Ethereal?"

"Her royal title", he told me, "The firsts royals were called the Alpha Almighty and the Luna Ethereal. And you may...really be her"

A soft gasp escaped my lips, my eyes widening in alarm.

Even though I had arrived at the very same conclusion, hearing it directly from him added tenfold the weight to that realization.

You may...really be her...

The First Luna Queen.

My throat suddenly felt very dry as I tried to come up with some sort of reply to his statement. What could I say? I think so too? That I'm the reincarnation of the very first Luna Queen of the Werewolf kingdom?!

"C-Cool", I ended up breathing out awkwardly making a hint of mirth suddenly splash in Zuerien's otherwise serious eyes.

But it disappeared fast.

Because we both then arrived at the next question.

So what?

I was the reincarnation of the first Luna Queen. So what? What did that change? How was...it significant?

What was that silver streak in my hair...trying to convey...to us all? Why was my and Emily's being the reincarnation of the legendary silver haired Luna important?

By the way his face was fast darkening, I knew that Zuerien and I were going down the same train of thought and I swallowed hard before hesitantly voicing it,

"I think...maybe...it has something to do...with that beast"

Immediately Zuerien's eyes flashed an intense obsidian black, then bright blinding golden before returning to their usual chocolate brown. His jaw clenched and I exhaled a ragged breath.

"Its like I told you before", I breathed out uneasily, looking away as the thoughts flowed into my mind like a gushing river, "It didn't feel like that was my first time having crossed paths with that creature. I felt like I knew it, like I had known it for a long time, but I didn't know how. All I knew was that that intense, nearly crippling fear that beast had awoken within me...I had felt that before..."

I hesistated before adding, "As though I'd experienced it all before"

My eyes shot back to Zuerien's, heavy apprehension flooding my body as I whispered, "Maybe that's it..."

Fear struck my heart as I uttered those words and instantly Zuerien's orbs darkened again, his grip around me tightening and veins rising on his muscular arms and forehead.

I felt my brow grow moist with perspiration and my stomach turned, suddenly making me feel really sick. I could feel a headache coming fast as my senses dimmed, then heightened, alternating wildly between the two. My breath came out fast in little pants, chest rising and falling rapidly.

"Maybe that's it, Zuerien..." I whispered, feeling terrifed, "Maybe...that's what's important about me being their reincarnation- both the first Queen's and Emily's. Maybe its because this has happened before"

I could barely say the next few words, my voice trembling as I stammered, "M-Maybe its b-because...he, h-he has tried to kill me before! I-in a past life!"

In two.

"That's enough."

I was jerked out of my frenzy by his strong, firm command and I panted for breath, my wide eyes refocusing on his dark yet calm ones.

"Heart, its okay", he said gently, eyes softening as they looked into mine, "That's enough now. Calm down"

He had stopped walking and was now looking at me with soft eyes that seemed to peer right into my soul. I shivered, exhaling heavily, realizing that I had been close to having something like a panic attack. I gulped before licking my dry lips, feeling moisture begin to well in my eyes.

"Z-Zuerien-"

"Shh its okay my Suzzanah", he said tenderly, pulling me close into a warm hug, "I'm right here"

A soft whimper escaped my lips before I buried my face in the crook of his neck, hugging him tightly. He pressed his lips to the top of my head in a long, lingering kiss, his warmth enveloping me like a blanket of comfort.

"Calm down, heart", he said, Kai's deeper voice intermixing with his own, "We won't let anything happen to you"

His words held an assurance so full and heartfelt, that it immediately soothed my troubled soul right down to its core.

"We'll protect you", he said with a strength and sincerity that had surpassed time, "We promise we'll protect you, forever"

And we'll never leave you

My eyes shot open in shock when those last words echoed in my mind in three different male voices.

One that belonged to my mate.

And two others that I had never heard before, and yet, I knew.

"We'll never leave you"

My heart clenched in my chest as their voices resounded in my mind in complete unison.

"And even if we're ever separated, we'll find our way back to you. We'll find you again, everytime...

"Its a promise"

Their voices became etched into my mind, their words getting carved into my very soul. And even though my mind didn't recognize them, my heart did.

Immediately.

And I found myself left utterly stunned as they continued to resonate within me with vigor so fierce that I found myself repeating them.

"Promise..." I breathed out, breathlessly.

"I promise", came the steadfast reply.

And when I raised my head and lifted my gaze, it was met with the very same pair of familiar warm and loving eyes that had always made me feel complete on the inside.

A man who made me feel complete on the inside.

My soulmate.

Soul...mate...

Oh my god....

"You..." I found myself saying, my eyes wide in both shock and wonder, "You are them..."

Zuerien's bent his head closer to mine, cocking it to the side questioningly.

"Zuerien...you're the same", I repeated, pushing away to be able to look at his face properly, "You're the same...same as them. You're the same as Alpha Liam and Alpha Michael!"

Zuerien immediately recoiled a little, face contorting in confusion, "What?"

My uncertainty was fast turning into confirmation and my excitement was flaring like wildfire. Why hadn't I thought of this sooner?

"I can't believe it", I said, staring at my mate in a new light, "I can't believe I didn't notice this sooner! You! Who you are, what you said, how you feel and think and act, its all so much like them!"

"And how would you know that?" he asked me, skeptically.

"I...", I halted for a few seconds before replying, "I can feel it"

That was enough to make him consider the possibility, because my feeler abilities- no matter how much of a pain in the rear end- were almost always on point.

"But- I don't understand"

"Zuerien", I said, suddenly feeling extremely excited, "I know I must sound a little crazy right now and that's because I am, but I can't let that deter me now because I've never had a stronger feeling about anything before than I do now"

"Heart...what on earth are you talking about?"

"Soulmate", I breathed out, "That's what you are to me right? My soulmate. Not my crush, not my boyfriend, not even my husband. My soulmate. Isn't that like on a whole other level of supernatural bonding?"

"Yeah?"

"And why is that?"

He was once again taken aback by my question, "Why?" he asked and I nodded smiling.

"Why? Why are soulmates special?" I asked, "Because they're destined to be each others...forever! Because they aren't just mated for a lifetime. They're mated for all eternity, right?"

Zuerien was now staring at me wide-eyed, realization was dawning on him like revelation.

"And what is a reincarnation?" I asked.

"A rebirth of...the same soul in a new body", he replied.

"Exactly!" I exclaimed, "New body but same soul. So that means I have the same soul as Emily and maybe even the Luna Queen. And even though our appearances change, since the soul that is reincarnated always remains the same, shouldn't one's soul-mate also always remain the same?"

"Shit..." he breathed out in awe, "Suzzanah...you're right! I never thought about that at all. But that would mean-"

I nodded vigorously, "If I am the reincarnation of Emily and the first Luna Queen, then-", I cupped his face in my hands, "then you are also the reincarnation of Alpha Michael and Alpha William!"

An immense, exceedingly overwhelming warmth exploded throughout my body, drowning me in its intensity. And by the look of absolute wonder in my mate's eyes, I knew he could feel it too.

The fathomless power of our unbreakable mate bond.

We continued staring into each other's eyes in awe, too shocked to know how best to react. The weight of the mind-blowing reality we had so suddenly stumbled upon was just so insanely heavy that we almost couldn't comprehend it.

It was...unreal...!

We had been each others for an eternity already. And we would be each others for another eternity to come.

Age after age.

Life after life.

From infinity to infinity.

And every single time we were separated in one life, we would find our way back to each other again in the next.

"We'll find you again, everytime..."

"Its a promise"

And he had kept that promise, from the very moment that our souls had first come into existence.

"I can't believe it", he whispered, looking at me as though he were looking at a miracle, "We've been soulmates for longer than history can recollect"

My heart welled with uncontainable love for him as he lowered me in his arms so that his eyes were levelled with mine, his warm brown orbs swirling with an awe so great that it baffled me.

"We've shared an eternity together", he breathed out, his eyes drinking me in like the liquor of life before his lips grazed mine, "And for as long as time has existed...you have been mine"

The minute he said those words, something inside of screamed to life, and burning pain tore down my neck, shooting through my left shoulder and arm making me cry out in agony.

"SUZZANAH!"

Zuerien's shouted in alarm as I writhed in pain. My nails dug into his back and I buried my face in the crook of his neck, gritting my teeth trying to hold back a scream.

"Heart! What's wrong?!" Zuerien cried out terrified, "Suzzanah!"

"Its hurts!" I gasped out, "Zuerien! Its hurts. Make it stop!"

The left side of my neck, shoulder and arm felt like it was being scorched, as though liquid fire and not blood were flowing through my veins. As though someone had just branded my neck with molten coals.

Make it stop! Oh god! Make it stop!

ZUERIEN!

The very next second I felt myself being lowered to the ground before my hair was pushed back, exposing the left side of my neck. The familiar sound of cloth tearing briefly filled my ears before I felt cool air brush against the burning hot flesh of my left shoulder and chest. But it barely provided any comfort from the agonizing heat that was still searing through me.

I heard Zuerien suck in a sharp breath at the sight of whatever he saw over the skin he had exposed. I clung to his neck desperately, whimpering, panting and crying in pain. Tears stung my tightly shut eyes, feeling ice cold against my torrid skin.

But nothing helped pacify the fire that was melting my skin till I felt his fingers graze the skin in the crook of my neck. Almost instantly, the intense heat turned luke warm, his fingers on my skin akin to drops of cold water on a parched land.

A sigh of relief escaped my dry lips and he noticed immediately, rubbing burning skin gently with his large hand, soothing the harsh sting.

Is that better, heart? he asked me gently via mindlink and I hummed in response, pressing myself further into him, needing the contact.

While one of his hands caressed my burning neck, his other arm wrapped around, hugging me close to his chest. I hissed softly when the burn threatened to return with a vengeance before a frightened cry escaped my lips.

Its okay, he said tenderly, I'll take the pain away

And the next thing I knew, his lips had pressed into the crook of my neck, parting and sucking on the skin languidly. Immediately the raging heat subsided and my skin cooled down, immense relief washing over me as the pain attenuated.

And when his tongue slipped out and licked my parched skin, I could have sworn I died and went to heaven as intense pleasure washed over me making me gasp in shock at its magnitude.

Encouraged by my reaction, Zuerien continued sucking and licking my skin eagerly and I panted and bit my lip trying to hold back the needy moans. His lips felt like a soothing balm over my scorched neck and shoulder while his hand rubbed my left arm up and down, washing away the last remnants of heat left inside me.

I breathed deeply through my mouth, savoring every second of this moment letting my mate's scent calm my senses while his gentle caressess tended to body.

A few seconds later, the pain had disappeared completely and exhausted, I leaned into him, listening to his strong heartbeat which was strangely comforting.

Pressing one last long and longering kiss in the crook of my neck, Zuerien raised his head from my shoulder before cupping my cheek gently.

"Are you okay baby?" he asked softly, voice laced with worry.

My eyes flluttered open and I nodded tiredly, I'm okay, I replied, what...just happened?

Through my blurred vision I saw Zuerien's eyes flicker to my neck, "Its...your mark"

My mark?!

I immediately sat up, my eyes wide, "What about my mark?" I asked worriedly, my hand immediately flying to my neck, "Is something wrong-"

"Suzzanah, relax! Everything's fine", he immediately cut me off, cupping my cheek, "Your mark, its...appearing"

I frowned, not understanding, "What?"

He smiled tenderly down at me, "Your mark, heart. I mean your real mark. Its starting to take shape", he told me, "The bite is just the initial stage of marking. Once your mate has marked you, the first thing that changes is your scent. It starts to mingle with that of your mate's scent, immediately conveying to others that you belong to someone else"

My eyebrows rose at his explanation. So did that mean I smelt like arabian wet soil now?

He chuckled softly, having heard what I had just thought and shook his head, "No, but you do have an element of earthiness to your exotic arabian scent now", he told me warmly before continuing.

"And the other thing that becomes very evident is the mark on your neck", he told me "Essentially the marking bite is just like any other bite, which means that it leaves the person you have marked with puncture wounds, made by your teeth, in their skin. If it isn't meant to be a marking bite, the puncture wounds soon heal"

His finger then grazed the skin over my mark as he added, "But if it is a bite meant to mark someone as yours, then the bite leaves behind an imprint of the puncture wounds your teeth left in their skin. That means the person who is marked develops something like a tatoo which looks exactly like their mate's bite mark"

I shivered against his pleasurable touch, my eyes widening at his revelations.

They all look different based on how and by whom they were marked", he told me, "Some marks are large, some are small, some are dark while some are light. And every mark is unique. I'm not sure if you've noticed but a lot of werewolves bear such tatooed puncture marks on their necks"

I blinked in awe and shook my head. Safe to say I hadn't noticed many necks while I had been here.

"I suppose its because you haven't really had the chance to properly or closely interact with that many mated werewolves", he said, "For starters, Roma bears Del's mark in the crook of her neck on the right side"

My jaw dropped, What?!

I had never even noticed! Observational skill level- minus 300!

Zuerien smiled, "Next time you see her, I'm sure you'll find it easily", he told me, "You may not have noticed it yet because she has dark hair that she usually leaves down, but if she ever puts it up, I'm sure you'll see it. Its a large mark, very evident"

I blushed involuntarily. There was just something about the idea of ogling at another's mark that seemed disturbingly inappropriate. I mean a mark was, after all, something that was born out of an act of extreme intimacy. I wasn't sure I wanted to see it.

It would probably set off my wild imagination and leave me with one too many explicit mental images of the people in question getting down and dirty which led to the formation of the mark.

Yikes!

Zuerien snorted, once again having invaded my mind, "You shouldn't have to feel that way, heart", he told me amusedly, "If looking at another's mark seems inappropritate because it was the result of something passionate then looking at someone's child should be like watching porn"

I choked at his explanation, My goodness, he was unnervingly right

"I know", he replied to my mental statement, "And also the werewolf world is not as concerned about being 'proper' as the human world is. So you don't have to feel shy when it comes to seeing, experiencing or talking about intimate happenings"

I paled, "You're not going to force me to watch other people getting down are you?"

He laughed out loud, "Is that really the first thing that you thought of?" he asked mirthfully, "You have a dirty mind, don't you heart?"

Naughty naughty mate, Kai added making my face flame like a torch, So Suzzanah likes it dirty too?

Seems like it

We'll have to remember that for later

Or sooner

Aye

"Oh my god! You're incorrigible! Stop that!" I gasped out horrified before exhaustion suddenly took over me once more and I collapsed against him.

"Suzzanah!" Zuerien's arms immediately came encircled me, supporting my weight with ease, "Don't push yourself sweetheart"

"Im okay", I replied, "Just a little dizzy"

"Sleep, heart", he said softly, "I'll carry you"

I didn't even have a chance to protest because he immediately lifted me into his arms and stood up once more, carrying me bridal style. My head came to rest against his chest and I sighed at how comfortable it was.

"Zuerien"

"Shh, get some rest", he told me as he began walking once again, "You need it"

I sighed and closed my eyes, feeling my eyelids grow heavy already. Why was I so tired? Was it the exhaustion from this morning's events finally catching up on me? But I had felt fine before that agonizing pain tore through me a few minutes ago.

So...is that what's happening to me now? I asked via mindlink, feeling too drowsy to speak, Is my mark transforming into a tattoo?

"That's right", he told me softly, "But in your case, its a little different from how it is with regular werewolves. Your tattoo will not be just simple puncture marks"

My eyelids opened a tad and I gazed up at him questioningly, It wont?

He shook his head, "No", he replied, "You see, not only is the mark a sign of being taken, its also a sort of insight into your mate's power and place in the supernatural heirarchy. The stronger the werewolf who marked you, the more pronounced and evident your mark becomes. And above them all, there are seven women in entirety of the werewolf kingdom who bear marks that are...special"

Special...?

"They're unlike all other marks", he told me, "Special actually might not quite cut it. Better put, they're extraordinary. And that might give you an idea of who the ladies are that possess these extraordinary marks"

My lips parted in wonder, It did

"The seven women who bear them are the three Lunas Extraordinaire, the mates of the three Alphas Extraordinaire and of course, the hallowed Luna Queen", Zuerien said, "The three Extraordinaire Lunas bear them because the Alphas they are mated to are said to almost be just as powerful as the Extraordinaire Alphas, except the Alpha of Power of course"

I mentally shook my head, smiling, Of course...

"And well, in your case...you're mated to a werewolf who is the bearer of not one but two of those titles", he said and I exhaled a laugh.

Alpha King...and Alpha of Power

Alpha Supreme

So does that mean my mark will be...over the top? I asked jokingly.

Zuerien chuckled, "It might", he replied softly, "It just might"

By now sleep was weighing down on me very heavily and I found myself nearly drifting halfway into dreamland already. I felt Zuerien gently kiss my forehead before his lips pressed against the mark on my neck.

His mark.

Soft, fluttering tingles immediately danced across my skin making me sigh contentedly even in my state of somnolence. But as I fell under I couldn't help but wonder what he meant by an extraordinary mark.

Just how exactly was it different from the others? How was it special?

With that question on my mind I fell asleep, cocooned in the comforting warmth of my mate's protective embrace. And the last thing I heard before sleep took over was Zuerien's answer.

You'll see...

***

Mirror mirror on the wall...

I shook my head not wanting to hear, even though it was my own voice saying those words.

Mirror mirror on the wall...

And I squeezed my eyes shut, somehow not wanting to see.

Who is this woman...standing tall?

But no matter how tightly I closed my eyes, I could still see it all clear as day.

Images, voices and lights danced before my eyes, like some messed up movie being played in fast forward.

Mirror Mirror...

There was a house of mirrors.

Silver...mirror...

And every mirror held the reflection of a different woman, all standing with their backs to me.

Mirror, Mirror...

My own reflection flashed before my eyes.

Why is there silver...

Silver hair glistened brightly.

Then Emily Penson appeared in front of me. And I reached for her. But the minute I touched her, she shattered into a thousand shards of glass.

Stained with blood.

He's coming

An image of the The Luna Ethereal standing with her back to me, materialized before me.

He's coming for you

And an unknown voice was now speaking the words echoing in my head.

Fear. I could feel fear.

And then I heard powerful footfalls crashing into the ground. Haunting, terrifying, familiar footfalls.

Survive...

A bloodied hand print appeared over a broken mirror.

Die...

And the thundering sound of his strides became louder.

Beware...

My own face flashed before me.

Beware of him...who comes with bloodied hands

I felt the dark beast's presence right behind me.

You will be the end.

My fingers curled into fists.

Mirror, mirror...

He had come for me.

Be strong...!

I awoke with a start, my eyes shooting open, my lips parted and chest heaving as I gasped for breath. Through my blurred vision I saw what looked like hazy images of leaves, shrubs and trees.

I blinked, trying to clear my vision, still feeling heavily disoriented. My heart was still beating hard in my chest and my body felt sore, muscles aching as I tried to move.

"Be strong...!"

Those two words kept echoing in my mind and I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to calm myself down.

Nightmare...

A soft groan escaped my lips as I tried to sit up against whatever was supporting me. But then I was suddenly enveloped in a warmth that immediately made me feel comfortable again.

"Heart?" his voice was affectionate and gentle as he cupped my cheek and held me close.

My eyes flickered open once again and were met with the handsome face of the man I loved more than life itself.

"Zuerien..." I whispered tiredly and he smiled at me lovingly.

"Hey, you're awake already?" he asked making me frown.

"How long was I asleep?" I asked him, rubbing my eyes.

"Just about 5 to 7 minutes", he told me.

"That's it?"

He nodded.

"Oh..." I breathed out, "Felt like forever"

"What did?"

I looked into his eyes, my eyes drinking in his strong features, "My dream", I replied softly.

"Oh?" he said as one of his his hand slid under my knees again preparing to pick me up.

I immediately sat up, pressing one hand to his bare chest, "Its okay", I told him, "I can walk now"

"I'd prefer it if you sleep for some more time", he told me, "You hardly got any rest at all"

"It was enough", I said, "I don't want to sleep anymore", I shook my head, "I don't want to dream..."

He tilted his head to the side, watching me with tender eyes, "Bad dream?" he asked.

"I'm not really sure", I replied softly making his brow furrow in question.

I sighed before putting my hands around his waist and snuggling into him, hugging him tighlty, "You're real right?" I asked with closed eyes and he exhaled a laugh, hugging me back and kissing my forehead.

"Sure am", he replied warmly and I smiled.

"Then that's enough", I replied, pressing my cheek into his hard chest.

That's enough for me...to be strong.

"You want to talk about it?" he asked gently caressing my hair.

"My dream? I don't think there is all that much to say", I replied, "It was just like vague memories from my past flashing before my eyes"

"Its because you've had a very rough couple of days", he told me, "What you need is a good long rest"

He bent slightly in an attempt to pick me up again.

"I'll walk!" I exclaimed immediately raising my head from his chest to look into his eyes.

He narrowed his eyes at me, "Why are you always so hell bent on wanting to walk?" he asked, "Don't women like being carried by their boyfriends, or husbands or whatever?"

I smiled awkwardly, "They do", I replied, "But...not like all the time"

Right?

He raised an eyebrow at me and I shrugged, "I feel like walking and talking"

He sighed, "Very well then", he said but still stood up lifting me with him in his arms anyway.

"Zuerien!" I exclaimed alarmed and he grinned cheekily at me before gently setting me down on my feet.

"There you go, my Luna", he said and I gave him a mock glare before smiling and looking around.

"Where are we now?" I asked looking around. We were still surrounded by trees on all sides and there were a couple red-orange bushes and shrubs around here.

"Still quite deep in the woods", Zuerien replied to my question.

"Then where did you find a pair of pants?" I asked frowning down at his now clothed legs.

He grinned, "You sound disapponted", he said cheekily making me blush, "I-I'm not! I'm just pointing out a fact", I replied quickly.

"Really? Cause you were glaring quite passionately at these sweatpants", he teased.

"I-I just don't think they're your color", I defended, not even really meaning it.

"I didn't have much of a choice", he replied, slipping one hand into the pocket of his sand colored pants, "You can't be picky about clothes when you're lost in the middle of unknown woods"

"But how did you even find these if you don't know these woods?" I asked surprised.

"Ashford told me", he said, bending to take my hand in his, "He said that these orange shrubs mark where the extra clothes are hidden. He knows his woods well and he's good at giving directions"

"Where is Ashford now?" I asked.

"He's nearing the end of the woods", he replied, "Once he's safely delivered Prophecy to the hotel, he'll come back and help search for Megan"

"That's right! Megan!" I exclaimed, "Why are we just standing around? We should be looking for her too!"

"Ah! Ah! Not so fast Luna", Zuerien said, caging me in his arms when I tried to get up.

"But its already been close to 15 minutes since I saw her supernatural shadow in the cottage, maybe longer", I reasoned, "She must have started to devise a plan to escape by now"

"I've mindlinked both Ashford and Marco about the matter", Zuerien told me, "Ashford has tripled the border guard as well as patrol throughout the woods. And Marco has set up a maze that prevents teleportation over as much of the woods as his powers can accommodate. So if she tries to escape, she will have to do so without magic"

"Is Marco alright?" I asked worriedly.

"He's hanging on but he has reached breaking point", Zuerien told me gravely, "Creating and replenishing too many mazes has taken a real toll on him. Without rest, he won't be able to keep this up much longer"

Marco...

"The mazes are only as strong as their caster", Zuerien told me, "And right now Marco is under a lot of pressure, both mentally and physically. If he falters even in the slightest, all his temporary mazes will come crumbling down and there will be no inhibition to Megan's magic anymore and she will be able to escape easily. Marco knows that fact better than anyone which is why he's working very hard to not give in"

"Where is he now?" I asked.

"Last I mindlinked him, he told me he was with a patrol team searching for Megan", Zuerien replied, "Because nearly all his concentration and power is going into looking for her, his senses are completely in tuned to her aura. So right now, he just about has the best chance of finding her out of all of us"

"But he may not be able to take much more"

"We know, which is why John has gone to seek aid from the League of Magic", Zuerien told me, "If they can take over even for a little while, it will give Marco time to recuperate which at the moment is all he needs"

I nodded, "Which is why we should be searching for her too right?"

"Not we. I", he corrected, making me gape at him in shock, "And I'll do so along with Ashford and Marco as soon as I get you out of the woods back to safety"

"But-"

"No buts Suzzanah. My decision is final", he replied firmly, "After everything you've been through today I'm not risking putting you in any more danger by taking you with me on a quest to find Megan", his eyes darkened, "Especially not while that bastard that attacked you is still roaming these woods"

I bit my lip but knowing that I couldn't argue. If I tagged along I would be more of a burden than a boon.

"I'm slowing you down", I breathed out worriedly.

Almost immediately Zuerien's anger tore through my veins, startling me, "Can you please just stop being so hard on my poor mate and give her a break already?" he snapped, "She's been through hell and back today, she's bruised, battered and tired! And while its literally killing me that she still isn't safe and hasn't gotten any rest all day, she's still blaming herself for everything that's going wrong!"

I flinched at his tone and he immediately reeled in his anger, his features softening.

"Heart, really, just stop beating yourself up about all this okay?" he said genlty, "Give yourself some credit! You're the reason we even have any kind of lead on Megan!"

I hung my head, "B-but...I couldn't really tell you anything about where she is"

"That's alright", he replied, "Because Ashford has some idea about that"

"What?!" I said surprised, "B-but how?"

"He saw you on that tree when he was being teleported with Prophecy, remember?" he replied, "He also happened to get a look around where you were back then. He told me he has a pretty good idea of the place, and I trust Ashford's judgement, especially when it comes to his own territory. He knows what he's talking about"

"Whoa", I breathed out in awe.

"I told you, Ashford knows his woods well. Right now he's guiding the others verbally to the place he believes he saw you in", Zuerien replied, "He'll join them once he's taken Prophecy to safety. Its best he takes her himself. Neither I nor Marco can trust anyone but him with the job, especially when it comes to one of our Lunas Extraordinaire"

I gave him a small smile and nodded.

"He doesn't mind", Zuerien added, "He knows just as well as I do that our Lunas have already done their part. They deserve their rest now, and its a reassurance and not a burden to ensure that they get back to safety"

He lifted my chin gently to look at my crestfallen face, "You're only feeling this way because you have no idea how precious you and the other High Lunas are to us all", he told me, "Any werewolf in the world would just about give up anything in order to protect the High Lunas. Its not a duty to us. Its a privilege"

"But-"

"But nothing. You're not slowing me down, and you're not holding me back", he cut me off, "And neither is Prophecy. You both are our first priority. You always will be. End of story. Now-", he pushed my hair behind my ear and caressed my cheek with his thumb, "wipe all that unnecessary guilt off your beautiful face and give me a smile"

His words immediately brought a genuine smile to my lips and he smiled back at me before pressing a long kiss on my forehead.

"That's my Luna", he said, "Come. Let's get you out of the woods. According to Ashford we need to continue heading east. That way", he said pointing in a direction where I couldn't even see any semblance of a path.

I blinked wide-eyed, "I don't know what's harder, giving directions blindly or following them blindly", I stated, "Honestly you guys are incredible. Because frankly, it doesn't matter how good my guide may be, if I'm left alone, I will get lost at least once before I reach my destination. Even if the road I'm taking is a straight one"

"Very confident of yourself, aren't you my Luna?" Zuerien asked amused.

"Of course!" I exclaimed, not even embarassed anymore, "Where there is a Suzzanah, there is disorientation and a crapload of torn clothe- WHERE DID MY SHIRT GO?!"

My eyes nearly bulged to the size of watermelons when I saw that I was no longer wearing the shirt I had been wearing all morning. The one I was in now was much larger, looser, thicker, and most definitely not mine!

"You don't remember?" Zuerien asked simply making my head shoot up to look at him horrified.

"Don't remember what?!"

"Earlier when your mark started burning, I tore half your shirt off to see what was wrong", he told me with a shrug, as casually as if he were telling me had had bread for breakfast, "And I knew- being the prude you are- you wouldn't appreciate roaming anywhere in mangled attire like that, so I made alternative arrangements", he finished, gesturing at my current get-up.

I gaped at him wide-eyed, "You changed me?"

"Of course not, heart. You obviously did it yourself, in your sleep"

"ZUERIEN!"

He bit back a grin and just leaned against the tree next to him, challenging me to say something else. I could feel that I was still wearing a bra but was it my own or had he changed that too? I could feel my face burning hotter than the freakin' sun as my mouth opened and closed with no appropriate comeback.

"Did you see me naked?!" I finally gasped out, blushing wildly as I took three to four steps away from him.

To my horror, the man actually had the nerve to ponder the question for sometime, "I wanted to", he finally replied, "But something else had me extremely distracted"

My hands immediately came up to cover my torso defensively and he chuckled, "You'd think our mate wouldn't be as shy anymore after everything we did last night", he said.

It was only her first time, Kai provided, almost sympathetically, she'll get used to it the more often it happens

"W-What distraction were you talking about?" I asked hurriedly, not wanting to encourage the convesation I knew sneaky Kai was trying to start.

Almost instantly, my mate's eyes turned darker before he stalked towards me. An alarmed cry escaped my lips and I immediately stumbled away, only for my back to hit the ginormous tree behind me.

My heart shot to my throat as I felt my mate's frame cover mine. Zuerien wasted no time in grabbing my upper arms and tugging my shirt sharply downwards, making the enormous neckline slide down, exposing both my shoulders and the skin right above my breasts.

I didn't even have time to cry out in shock when he bent down and buried his face in my neck, inhaling deeply.

"This", he replied in a much huskier voice before his lips pressed into the skin right over my mark and fiery pleasure shot through me like electricity.

"K-Kai!" I gasped out, my knees nearly buckling underneath me at the feel of his soft lips on my skin.

I felt him smile against my neck, "Your mark", he said in a deep voice, "Its beautiful", he growled out possessively, 'Our mark looks beautiful on you"

He lifted his head so that he could look into my eyes, "Or rather, you make our mark look beautiful, my Suzzanah"

I smiled at him lovingly, "I want to see it", I admitted.

He nodded, "As soon as we get you back to the hotel room", he replied, "You can stare at yourself all you want as long as we get to do so too", he added with a michievous wink.

"Kai!" I choked out and he grinned devilishly before he gave my butt a hard squeeze.

"AAH!" I moaned in both shock and pleasure before heat rushed to my cheeks and I buried my face in his bare chest again in embarassement.

He chuckled warmly before hugging me close, "You're so precious, my heart", he said pressing a kiss over my head, "I wish we could get you a mirror so you could see how cute you look, and how well our mark suits you"

Mirror

The happenings in my dream came to my mind once again and I wondered how I should explain it to Zuerien seeing as it was all just bits and pieces of random memories. I looked up at him thoughtfully but he was busy scanning our surroundings.

"I don't think there is any freshwater here either where you could see your reflection", he said and almost instantly all my thoughts flew in a different direction.

Freshwater?

"I'm pretty close to a stream...It feels like freshwater"

RINO!

"Oh my God!" I cried out, my hand flying to my mouth making Kai look down at me concernedly, "Heart?"

"Rino!" I breathed out immediately making his brows knit together, "Rino?"

"Where's Rino?" I asked worriedly, "Is he with the others in the woods?"

"Rino isn't in the woods heart", Kai told me softly and I paled.

Oh no. He didn't know!

"He is! He is in the woods. He told me so himself", I said frantically, "Earlier when I suddenly lost the ability to mindlink everyone, he reached out to me mentally, out of nowhere!"

"Again?"

"He told me that he felt like he was somewhere close to me", I said, "And he told me not to worry because you were coming for me!"

Kai's face immediately turned serious as I went on, "Since he knew that you were coming to get me, I just sort of assumed that you also knew that he was here in the woods!" I clutched my forehead worriedly, "Oh God, but if you don't, where is he? From what I could make out, he seemed to be lost when he mindlinked me"

Kai frowned, "Rino's never really lost as such though", he said thoughtfully.

"He'll be alright, wont he?" I asked, desperately seeking some kind of closure from my mate.

"He'll be okay", Kai replied stepping away from me before taking my hand, "But we still need to find him fast"

I nodded, pulling my displaced shirt back up my shoulders as he pulled me along, "But where are we going to look?" I asked, "Do you know where he could be?"

"No", he replied, "Did he give away any hints of where he was when he mindlinked you?"

"He said he thought he was close to a freshwater stream", I replied, "But he also said that he felt like he was close to me, and from where I was on that tree, I couldn't see any stream or body of water for miles!"

"Rino, you fool", Kai grit out, his fist clenching, "Where did you wander off to this time?"

One of his eyes immediately turned brown, while the other remained black. And as we hurried through the woods, both his eyes glazed over in mindlink, but this time, I was part of it.

Ashford, he called out.

Alpha

Alpha Ashford's reply came instantly, his deep solemn voice filling our heads.

Do you have enough men for one more search party?

Yes

Then form a team consisting of fast runners and good trackers, Zuerien told him. He paused for a second, during which Alpha Ashford asked no questions, after which he added,

Rino is in the woods too

Yet again there was no reply from Alpha Ashford and I almost thought that the mindlink had been cut off when he spoke up,

Where would you like them to start looking?

Is there a body of water somewhere within these woods?

Yes

Start there, preferably by one that's freshwater

There were no questions asked and no answers demanded and I assumed that meant Alpha Ashford had gotten to work.

And Ashford

Yes

Make this your first priority after Prophecy's safety, Zuerien said firmly.

Understood, Alpha

That was the end of the mindlink. I had been so engrossed in listening that I hadn't even realized that I was literally running beside my mate because his strides were so darn long and fast. I was already starting to fall out of breath but it didn't matter. Finding Rino was the most important thing.

"You can mindlink Rino sometimes, right Heart?"

"Yeah?" I replied, almost uncertainly as I jogged.

"Try now", Zuerien told me, "Try to reach out to him through your mind as hard as you can. If you do establish a mindlink, tell him to just stay where he is and not move. Tell him we're coming for him"

I nodded and immediately did as he said.

Rino?

I concentrated hard, thinking of everything Rino- his face, his voice, his actions, his personality, his words, his hugs- him.

Rino, can you hear me bud?

Its Anna!

"Suzzanah!"

Before I could even open my eyes, I was lifed into my mate's powerful arms making me cry out in alarm, "W-What?"

Zuerien was staring at me questioningly with his mistmatched eyes, "Heart, you almost ran into that tree", he told me making my eyebrows shoot to my hairline as I gaped at the tree next to me.

"Are you mindlinking with your eyes closed?" he asked and I cringed.

"Its the only way I can concentrate", I admitted.

"Then you're not walking", he replied, setting me down again, "I'm shifting"

I barely had enough time to turn around when he suddenly grabbed the waistband of his sweatpants and pulled it down. My face was flaming when his pants landed on top of my head.

"H-HEY!"

"Keep these safe for me, will you my little prude?" he said, "I'm only keeping them so that you don't have to feel awkward when I shift back"

"Generous", I replied, pulling the pants off my head and holding them up before me.

They were ginormous. Just how long were Zuerien's legs anyway?! I began folding them, wondering just where I was supposed to stuff these. If I was riding Kai, he'd be going fast. Should I like tie them around my waist?

Rino, what should I do with these pants?

Really, Heart?

Whaaat? You told me to keep trying to mindlink him, I said to my mate, And stop reading my mind!

An enormous amount of powerful energy hit my back making me nearly stumble forwards before I heard the sound of breaking and realigning bones.

He was shifting.

I turned my head just in time to see thick dark fur burst out of his skin, his frame enlarging, fingers thickening into paws and nails lengthening into claws. I gasped as his face elongated, giving rise to a snout, ears stretched upwards and sharp canines protruded through his lips.

It all happened so fast that I almost didn't see most of it. And when the majestic dark Alpha wolf stood before me, all I could do was stare in absolute awe.

Kai wasted no time in trotting up to me and nuzzling his giant head in my neck. My arms immediately went around his neck and I hugged him close, fingers combing through his silky fur.

"Hey Steroid...", I breathed out lovingly, rubbing his soft ears.

He licked my neck making me giggle before turning around and lowering his ginormous body to the ground.

Get on, heart

I stared at the pants in my hand before growling in irritation and throwing them down.

"Forget it"

Kai's eyes sparkled as he stared smugly at the discarded sweatpants while I got on him.

I see improvement already

I bit back a smile, "Just go", I said and he stood up, immediately giving me the feeling of being seated atop a mountain.

Taking a deep breath, I concentrated on mindlinking Rino again.

Rino, bud can you hear me?

I got no reply.

Please Rino...please hear my voice

Rino...

I felt Kai stiffen underneath me, and I heard him sniff the air.

Rino...please if you can hear me, respond!

Kai's muscles rippled underneath me and I felt him bend forward.

Rino...

Please be okay

Hang on, heart!

With that Kai took off into the woods at the speed of light. I didn't know if I would ever get used to his abrupt take offs but nevertheless, I enjoyed the thrill everytime.

Kai's paws crashed into the ground powerfully and yet made next to no sound at all. His strides were strong and sure, as though he knew exactly where he wanted to go. No one would have ever penned him down for a wolf who had never been in these parts of the woods before.

And it gave me hope.

Do you have a lead on Rino's whereabouts? I asked Kai.

No, he said, But I do have something

What's that?

Gut feeling, he told me, Or call it an animal's instinct if that's better

Gut feeling's fine, I replied, I'm all for letting the feelings run me anyway

He picked up his pace, going unimaginably fast and I found it hard to even keep my eyes open against the strong wind. So I buried my face in Kai's neck and continued trying to mindlink Rino.

Rino!

Rino, can you hear me?

If you can, please answer me bud!

We're worried about you

Rino?

Rino please reach out to me!

Rino!

RINO!

Luna

I gasped, my eyes flying open only to squeeze shut again against the force of the wind.

That voice, was that Alpha Ashford?

Alpha Ashford?

Luna, Alpha, came the brisk, stern reply, I have an update on the whereabouts of the Elemental Wizard

WHAT?!

Where is he? Kai asked, his voice calm and steady despite all the insane running he was doing.

There was a pause before Alpha Ashford replied, his voice grave, At the Northern border

There was a noticeable shift in Kai's movements the minute Alpha Ashford had said those words. It was like he had just had a revelation and it was both weighing his body down and urging him to move faster at the same time.

I have been informed that he has managed to get across the first wall, Alpha Ashford went on, And that he intends on going further. Much further.

I was struggling to follow their conversation when sudden waves of intense panic and desperation washed over me and I immediately recognized them as being Zuerien's emotions. And yet when he spoke, Kai remained astoundingly calm.

Tell your men to hold him there for as long as they can, he said, in a voice so composed that it was almost scary, I'm coming

Understood Alpha

The mindlink ended and Kai shot forward, now going so fast that I could nearly fly off him any minute. I hung on for dear life, feeling both heavily confused and a tad bit scared.

Kai? I mindlinked worriedly, What's going on?

He didn't reply and my apprehension grew.

K-Kai-?

Keep trying to reach Rino, Suzzanah, Kai told me, his voice hard and firm, Try as hard as you can to stop him

Stop him?!

From doing what?!

Kai didn't say anymore and I bit my lip trying hard to reach Rino again. I had no idea what was happening but I knew that it was bad. Was Rino is trouble?

Rino? Rino! Please answer me! Can you hear me?

Where are you?!

"At the Northern border. I have been informed that he has managed to slip through the first wall"

Alpha Ashford's words kept resounding in my mind, giving me an ominous feeling.

Northern border of what? The woods? The city? And what was this 'first wall'? How had Rino managed to get through it. And why?!

Rino? Its Anna! Please, please hear my voice. Please answer me bud!

"And that he intends on going further"

"Much further"

Where was Rino going? Where did he want to get? And why?

My thoughts raced back to the conversation we had had via mindlink earlier today, to everything I had asked him and everything he had said.

"Rino! Do you know where you're going?!"

"Uh-huh.Towards the stream", he had replied and I had been so certain that he was lost.

"Why?!" I had asked, feeling panicked that he didn't know what he was doing. And yet his reply had been so grounded, so simple.

So sure.

"That's where you'll be"

Those words now haunted my soul, ringing in my ears like a blaring alarm.

"That's where you'll be"

"We'll find you"

The entire time that I had been lost, he had been looking for me. He had been following his instincts to where he thought I would be. So why?

Why had doing so led him to the Northern border?

Was this really just an instinct gone wrong?

What was it that Rino's inbuilt magical compass was really trying to find?

And why?

Rino...!

A sudden charge tore through my mind and I flinched in reflex, not understanding what that had been.

Rino?

Yet again, something of a spark flashed somewhere in my mind and I felt a strange new energy begin to flow in.

Have to find her

My body tensed, fingers fisting around Kai's fur when a familiar voice echoed distantly in my mind.

I have to find her-!

RINO! I cried out, recognizing his voice immediately, RINO! ITS ANNA! Can you hear me?!

I need to get through, his voice replied, I need to get through to the other side

It was then that I realized that he couldn't hear my voice, but I could probably hear what he was thinking in his head.

Anna! I have to find her!

Rino!

Was he still trying to find me? But then why was he trying to get across a border?!

Rino can you hear me?!

The echoes of his voice began to fade away and panic struck my heart.

RINOOO!

My eyes shot open when I felt Kai slow down till he came to a stop next to a ginormous tree. We were in a part of the woods that had been heavily darkened by the stormy weather Rino had created. I was still feeling heavily disoriented from what I had just heard but I sensed the tension in the air, my attention flew back to my mate.

"Kai?"

He didn't respond, his body tense and muscles stiff. His giant claws were digging into the ground as though holding on desperately. My worry intensified and I rubbed my hand down his shoulders.

"Kai?"

His body responded to my touch immediately, snapping him out of his thoughts as he turned his head slightly to the side to look at me.

"What's wrong?" I asked anxiously, bending closer to him, "Where are we?"

He held my gaze for a few seconds but didn't reply. I could see thousands of emotions swirling in those dark orbs of his but before I could say anything else he turned away to face ahead once more.

My troubled gaze followed his till where the woods grew so dark and foggy that I couldn't see any further. I searched as hard as I could with my meagre human vision but I couldn't see anything but trees and more vegetation.

Was this the northern border?

I dismounted Kai but kept a hand on his body, trying to offer some form of comfort to his troubled mind. Because whatever he could see with his insanely heightened vision that I couldn't see with mine, was obviously causing him distress.

Was Rino here? Could Zuerien and Kai see him?

The more I looked around, the more I felt an ominous feeling building up inside of me. It was very similar to the feeling I had experienced just before that creature had attacked me earlier this morning. And it was starting to really terrify me.

Trying to keep calm I took a step forward but Kai immediately blocked my path with his massive body, standing almost protectively in front of me.

His dark eyes that were now rimmed with gold met mine once more and he shook his head.

No, he told me, You're staying here

I frowned confused, "What's going on Kai? Where are we?" I asked, "Is this where Rino is?"

Kai's body tensed as his gaze returned to the woods ahead of us.

He's here

Relief flooded my veins, "Oh thank God! Let's go get him-"

NO! Kai exclaimed firmly, immediately halting me in my steps once more, You're not going any further

"But why?" I asked desperately.

Stay here, he repeated making dread seep into my veins.

Before I could say anything else a familiar voice hollered from behind us.

"ALPHA! LUNA!"

My head whipped around in shock, "COLE?!" I cried out as he came racing through the woods towards us with a group of men following close behind him.

On nearing us the rest of the men immediately bent on one knee and bowed their heads respectfully while Cole hurried up to us.

"Luna, are you alright?" he asked, his eyes worriedly scanning my frame.

"I'm okay, Cole", I replied feeling so overwhelmingly relieved to see him that I could have hugged him.

His presence immediately offered the reassurance I had been searching for and I could tell that Zuerien and Kai were a tad bit calmer too, now that he was here.

"Thank God", Cole breathed out once he was satisfied that I was really alright.

He then directed his attention to Kai, his demeanor tense just like Kai's.

Cole

"Alpha"

Stay with her

Cole's eyes immediately flashed with concern and my hackles immediately rose.

"I think I should go with you-"

Stay here, Kai commanded, cutting him off, Stay with Suzzanah. Protect her.

"But why are you going alone?" I asked, not understanding his argument, "Why don't you want us to come along to get Rino?"

Kai's eyes hardened as he replied lowly, Its dangerous

"What? But why?"

His fierce gaze returned to the woods ahead of us.

This is the Northern Border, he told me, his voice menacingly cold, making a chill run down my spine.

He stared ahead into the fog-ladden dark woods before us, his gaze fixated on a row of trees about a 3 meters in front of us. I squinted trying to focus on what he was looking at when it suddenly became evident to my eyes.

An electric blue sheen briefly flashed in front of us making my eyes widen. The more I concentrated, the more I saw it, the liquid blue energy that was spread out like a transparent sheet before us. It glinted warningly every now and then, as though symbolizing a shield, a barrier.

That row of trees there marks the First Wall, Kai told me darkly, Its the first barrier- in addition to two more after it- to those who wish to cross over, to or from the other side. Only a select few have the authority and ability to cross the First Wall, because the land beyond Northern border is the forbidden territory

"Why? What's beyond the Northen Border?" I asked, tension searing through me.

A low growl escaped Kai's lips and Cole's jaw clenched in anger before he said,

"The land beyond the Northen border, is the Shadow side"

My blood ran cold and Kai's claws dug into the ground, his eyes flashing darkly as he added,

And that's where Rino's headed.

****

A/N

Hey guys!

How you doing?

This update is sort of earlier than the others right? Right? Lololol.

So...without beating around the bush any further...

How did you like this chapter?

What is Rino thinking?! 

Well I suppose that's a hard question to answer at any time but don't forget to write your theories in the comments anyway. I really enjoy reading them.

And I know a lot of you are silent readers but PLEASE, PLEASE, if you liked this chapter, please do VOTE, COMMENT and SHARE. It would mean the world to me. 

And until next time,

All my love,

May