Chapter Eighty Five

*Ivan*


*The Shadows went to move towards us but hesitated when they looked at me. They quickly overcame their hesitation and came after us. I growled and launched another throwing knife in their direction. Instead of connecting with one of them it buried itself into the wall behind. The Shifter went after my Mom and she moved quickly to dodge the attack. The anger I felt quickly turned into fear as my Mom fought the Shifter. The Shifter was powerful and angry. Instead of fighting strategically, the Shifter began just trying to land any hit on my Mom. I tried to keep focused on the Shadows but I kept looking back at the Shifter.
The Shadows grabbed hold of me and an angry growl ripped through the night. Mom didn’t hesitate when she lunged at the Shifter again but the Shifter regained its senses quickly. Too quickly. The Shifter swiped a massive paw at my Mom, burying it in her chest but not before my Mom had ripped the blade from the Shifter’s eye and shoved it into their neck. I screamed but nothing came out. A Shadow had its hand around my mouth and was pulling me away. A Blood Born Navi burst through our front door and made quick work of the Shadows holding me but it was too late.
I went to run to my Mom but the Blood Born Navi caught me.
“Let me go!” I screamed, shoving her off of me.
She let me go and I ran to my Mom, sliding down and putting my hands over her wounds. She was bleeding out fast. My Mom reached up and caressed my cheek like my Dad had done to her.
“Oh my beautiful boy. I’m sorry.” She said softly.
“No! Mom! Stay with me! Please! Please don’t leave me!” I cried, grabbing onto her hand like a lifeline.
“It’s too late, Ivan. Please. I don’t have much time. I need to give you something. Mina.” Mom called out to the Blood Born.
“I’m here.” Mina said, softly.
“Please, take care…of my son.” Mom choked out, “And please…lock my gift in his mind…for when…it’s time.”
“Mom, what are you talking about? Please don’t go.” I begged her.
“I don’t…have a choice. Bring…your head…down…to mine…and close…your eyes.” My Mom requested.
I did as she asked me, still holding onto her hand. Tears slid down my face. My Mom asked Mina something but I didn’t hear it. Mina asked if she was sure and I didn’t hear a response from my Mom. Mina put a hand on my head and a flash of light brought me to another room for a moment. I looked around confused. My Mom stood in front of me.
“My beautiful boy, when the time is right, I will come to you once more. But only for a moment. Mina is making sure that happens right now. I’m sorry that your father and I won’t be there to watch you grow up to be a man. But I hope part of me will at least be able to see you once again.”
I looked at my Mom confused, “I don’t understand.”
My Mom wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly, “There are not many Original Navi Wolves left and I’m sure there will be even less after tonight. Your father and I were one of the few that knew our entire history. What it means to have a mate. What it means to bond. What it means to complete a mate bond. Mina is going to put that history into your mind and when the time is right, you will learn about it with me as your guide.”
I blinked at her, “How is that possible?”
She smiled at me, “Because I’m the Original Navi Wolf bonded to Mina. She’s able to give us a bit more time as well as use what she takes from me to give to you. We don’t have much time right now, but we will have a bit more time later. Be good for her, ok? She’s going to take care of you moving forward. She has a little boy and a little girl. They are twins and they’re about 5 or 6 years younger than you. Help keep them safe, ok?”
I nodded, “I promise. I will be good for Mina. I will protect the twins. I promise, Mom.”
“Good, now this is really important, ok?” She said, hugging me tightly, “If you find your mate one day, protect her at all costs. I have a feeling you’ll find her one day. It’s ok to be sad, Ivan. Tonight has been a lot. But promise me you won’t be sad forever. When you shift for the first time it can be scary. But embrace it in the end. Being a wolf is an amazing thing and something to be proud of. Don’t be afraid to be who you are. Ivan, promise me you won’t be angry forever either. This one is the most important. Always remember that your father and I love you and we are so proud of you. Always and forever.”
“I promise. I love you, Mom. Please don’t go! I need you! I love you!” I cried.
“I’m always here, my beautiful boy. I might not be right in front of you, but I’m always here. We will always be there, watching over you. We love you.” My Mom said as she faded away.
The light flashed again and I was back in our home. My Mom looked at me and gave me a soft smile. She pulled at me with her hand that was on my cheek. She brought my head to her lips and kissed me softly on the forehead.
“I love you, my beautiful boy.” She whispered.
Her hand started to fall from my cheek but I held on.
“Mom!” I cried out.
I held her hand in my hands and cried. I laid her hand down gently and threw myself on her. Hugging her tightly. I cried out, not caring about the world around me.
“I love you, Mom. I promise. I promise I’ll do what you said. I love you.” I sobbed.
I felt her arm wrap around me as she took her final breaths, unable to speak any longer. I buried my head in her chest while I cried. In one night I had lost both of my parents. I was now an orphan. I wasn’t ready to be alone. I wasn’t ready to continue through life without them. I was never going to have another home cooked meal made by my Mom. I was never going to train with them again. They weren’t going to be there for me when I shifted for the first time. I was alone. My parents were taken away from me. They were ripped out of my life in an instant and I was powerless to save them.
We eventually left my house and made our way to Mina’s home. My heart had been broken and I was an empty shell. I followed Mina knowing my Mom and Dad would want me to. She had packed a bag full of stuff and had brought it with her. I was assuming my Mom had somehow shown her what she needed to grab. We had met up with Drake, Mina’s father, who had saved another little boy. His name was Caleb and he was shaken up. I wasn’t shaken up like he was. I was broken and empty. We all walked into Mina’s home and I heard small footsteps come padding out. Mina had a conversation with the footsteps. I didn’t bother looking up. I couldn’t even understand what was being said. It was like my ears weren’t working anymore. I must be in shock.
“I’m Ariya.” I heard a soft voice say.
She tugged at my arm softly and I followed her, still looking at the ground. She pulled out a small chair and had me sit down. Then she left momentarily. I continued staring at the ground. Even when she returned. I was a shell. She hesitated trying to decide something. Then she knelt down on the ground and put her face in front of my gaze at the floor. I sucked in a breath and felt my eyes change color. I had this overwhelming feeling of love towards her even though my heart was broken. She was my mate. I wasn’t sure how I knew, but I knew she was my mate.
-
“Oh my beautiful boy, I’m so proud of you.”*