33.

The calming noise of the waterfall welcomed back Lana and Sienna back to the present with new discoveries. 'Castio De Leon was my creator? I'm part of the original wolves? Why wasn't I told of this' Lana said to herself and Sienna. She expected to get a lot of answers but only resulted in more questions.

'Control' his voice was loud and clear in her mind and it brought with it a lot more feelings for him. She perked her head up and turned to the direction of his voice, there he was, her wolf mate, the true prince of all wolves sitting at the entrance with blue eyes filled with so much love.

'Vadim' she cried rushing to his side. Affectionate and playful tugs and licks were showered on each other, the love that began centuries ago evolved so big that anyone can feel it. Vadim was happy she remembered, happy that he now has the brave she-wolf that saved his life. 'Thank you, my love' he said to her resting his head on her paws.

'I still can't believe it. I'm like you.' she said still in awe. He chuckled and nuzzled more into her chest wanting to be closer to her in every way.

'You are one of the last original wolf spirits. Goddess let the other original wolf spirit descendants run their life course; she feared another massacre would happen if they become corrupted by greed and power. You and I missed our chance. Also, I have made a mess of a life with Darius. I never forgot you my Lana. You haunted my dreams, so bad that my human began hurting for you also.'

Lana stayed silent and let his words washed over her, to have this wolf's devotion was a one in a million pick. He longed for her for centuries, his love for her grew by their chance to meet, to find out you were his from the beginning of wolves seems more like a fairy tale. 'Why did Mother chose me back then and brought us back?' she asked licking his snout lovingly.

'She fears for her children with next king.' he said solemnly leaving her with even more questions. What unsettled both Sienna and Lana was the way they may get their answers.





Mina

Watching her mate never gets old, each time she looked at him she found something new to admire about him. At the moment, Mina was in the closet of their suite watching Zarif gear up for his shift for patrol. Dressed in his briefs and unbuttoned pants, he was on the floor cleaning his tactical boots, scrutinizing every brush he made to the boot. Being beta he took pride in the small army he fronted under the crown. He ran a tight ship, his men were to always be uniformed, weapons always clean and in good condition and must be trained daily. Stray curls were loose from his messy ponytail and his beard was scruffy some may see him as an unkempt man but Mina saw her delectable prince. She smiled remembering their discussion of titles now that they were mates but her Zarif was only comfortable with the title of the beta of Dark Blood.

Curled up on the lounge chair, Mina tried to stifle a yawn but her mate picked up on it. "Still no sleep?" he asked truly concerned. She looked up at him and saw that he stopped his preparations and was making his way to her. The pants were low on his hips and as he walked towards her she saw every movement of muscle that helped him in his stride. Everything about him turned her on, his blue eyes shone as he looked at her while crouching beside her. "You must tell someone princess" he pleaded once more. She shook her head no while playing with her fingers. "The nightmares haven't shown me anyone only screams and blood then a destroyed crown. What can it all mean?" she said tears rolling down her cheek. Wiping them away, Zarif tried his best to comfort the love of his life, "I beg of you." he said softly.

"I'm scared, baby. I never had a nightmare like this but do nightmares show you the same thing over and over." she cried holding his hand on her cheek. He felt weak and worthless not being able to stop the tears that marred her once happy face, he wished that he was able to take away it all. All the pain and uncertainty that held his Mina, he wished them all gone. "I can stay in tonight. Let Jay take this shift. You need me here." he said softly. "No. You need to be out there for your men. With this threat towards Sienna, they need you to lead them. Protect my sister. I will be fine," she said searching his eyes but only found worry and concern for her.

After fighting his stubbornness he gave in to his mate's request. "You call out to me if it happens again. I will come running. I love you, Mina," he said leaning closer to her.

"And I love you Zarif," she replied closing the distance claiming his lips. Wanting more of her and the need to show her that he will always be by her side was strong; gently he pulled her down to the carpeted floor allowing her to straddle him. Pulling away from his lips, Mina placed her forehead against his with her eyes closed. Zarif fingers gently traced her jaw, her lips, her cute button nose, he heard how her breathing fasten and was pleased to know he had the same effect on her as she did on him. His love for her was bigger than anything in his life, he knew if she asked to give it all up his position as Beta, his home, he would do it with no hesitation. Mina was his everything, the reason he was happy, the reason for his strength just to keep her safe. His princess was his heart.

His light torture made its way to his mark on her neck in which she shivered in delight, his name escaped her lips the sound of her voice washed over him and took residence in his heart, aching so beautifully. "I will always be here for you my love." he murmured against her fair skin. "I know" she said trying to cover a sob. He held her tightly, rocking her gently from side to side until she calmed down. Abruptly she got up and looked down at her prince. "You got work your majesty," she teased but the sadness was still in her eyes. He rolled his eyes at the teasing endearment and stood up before her, kissing her deeply once more he gently pushed her out of the closet before he takes her then and there.

After Zarif left, the young princess stayed in her suite trying to make sense of her dreams when she got a headache out of it all she decided to take her mate's advice. Only one person she knew can help her out.

"Hello, Sweetheart. I've been waiting for your call." her father answered her call after two rings. Walking into her sitting room, she positioned herself in a chair that faced out of her balcony. It hosted the view of the western side of the estate; Zarif's quadrant was on that side for the night.

"How did you....? Oh never mind daddy" she laughed lightly. They both stayed quiet for a moment letting it all sink in.

"It's overwhelming, isn't it?! Seeing a future but you just can't figure it out. Your visions become clearer as your gift grows," Angelo said softly.

"I didn't place it as a new gift. Just as a nightmare that won't go away. The screams, the blood. Daddy, I don't know what to do." Mina was on the verge of breaking down but she knew she had to stay strong, she was growing up, powers evolving, and she didn't want to let her father down.

"You will little one. I need you to be there for your brother and sister, okay? I can't be there because your mother is close to her due date. When Sienna receives her gifts help train her alongside your brother. Has Zarif received his gift as yet?"

"We haven't got rid of the binding spell that Zac cast on us. Zarif wants to wait until I finish medical school; he doesn't wish to be a distraction. To be honest daddy, I'm scared that he would get hurt, I fear that he will be one of the screams in my dreams" She finally voiced her fear out loud and it brought more fear when she finally heard it out. Angelo stayed quiet, hearing the fear from his daughter; he wished he was there physically with her.

He walked to his ceiling to floor glass window watching the city wake up below him. Lykos was restless also wanting to be near his son and daughter also. 'Break the spell. They have to be protected. Mother has been cautious in the past few days.' Lykos said to his human.

"Give Zac permission to break the spell. Be on guard little one. Be strong okay. I know my baby girl has the strength of her grandmother in her blood. You all will be okay." Angelo finally said to her.

Mina laughed as he always says that to her, when she rode her first two-wheeler, the first day of kindergarten when she discovered her new gifts and even when she had to do her first pack review back in New York. "Thanks, daddy, I love you." she said smiling genuinely for the first time in a few days.

"I love you too. Please be aware of everyone that comes in and out of the castle. A calm snake has the worse bites," he replied with a slight warning tone.

"Will do. Bye." she returned ending the call. Mina didn't waste time as she was back on her phone calling the person she needs to discuss things with.

"Is everything alright?" was his answer.

Mina laughed at how protective he was and how quickly he answered. "Everything is fine baby, just wanted to talk to you." she responded the laughter still in her voice.

Zarif smiled at the other end of the line happy that she was laughing heartily again. "Mina we are not doing that again. My men are still me teasing about last time," he said lowly hoping his two men that were close by didn't hear. Mina laughed out loud thinking back to their last conversation which turned out to be steamy telephone sex partially on her side. "Princess" he whined.

Clearing her throat and rolling her eyes, she weakly mustered up a serious composure, "It's a new gift. The gift of foreseeing." she said straight to the point.

Zarif stayed silent taking in the new information then thinking of how many men he has to bring in from other packs around the country. How many guards to post around his best friend and the two princesses. He went as far as trying to figure out who wish to be so bold and attack them. He didn't know how long he was silent until Mina's shouts registered to him. She told him extensively of how her nightmare started and ended. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the royals may be attacked soon.

"I'm here" he responded softly. "You also must be protected." she said firmly. He realized what she meant and walked away from his men to a more secluded spot. "I can protect myself; bond means nothing at moment Mina. You have your future ahead of you; I do not want you to give up your dream and stay by my side. I will hate myself." He was trying not to let her make a mistake. He was comfortable with the pure love they had for each other, he didn't want her to bend to a tradition of female mates staying devoted to their males, giving up their dreams when the mate bond grabs hold of them.

"Zarif you have been the love of my life from the first time I realized my crush on you and now... now that I have you, I would move mountains to keep you here with me. Without the gifts of a royal, you are but a simple wolf let me do the protection for once. We do not know who is it that wish us dead but it won't hurt to be prepared. Let me do this."

The Beta struggled with his decision, looking up at the evening sky he remembered the first day he met Mina, she was fairly new to the castle but it was the first time he ever saw her. The servants spoke highly of her, being the little sister of the Russian prince and how mature she was for her age. She was bold in her questioning and protective of her big brother but from the way his wolf acted he knew she was going to be in his life forever. More than the sister of his best friend. That day he pledged to himself to always please her to have that beautiful smile and bright eyes thrown his way all the time.

"Please know that I would not take away your freedom. You will still pursue the goal to be a doctor, yes?" he asked of her. Mina smiled, feeling her heart burst with joy for this man who always wanted the best for her. "Yes. For you I will," she answered. They both released a sigh and bid goodbyes to each other.

Finding the number she needed, she dialed it with confidence in knowing she was doing the right thing.

"Zac. It's time'" Mina said when the call was answered.

"Mina....." he started to say knowing the reason why Zarif asked him to cover their mate bond.

"He agreed. This is bigger than our bond," she said softly. "In five minutes, you shall feel the pulls and connection destined mates feel. Everything will be more intense. Good luck, cousin," he said ending the call.

"Next, find who wants to hurt my brother and sister." she said firmly taking in the night sky.







Quick Info: Author's note

The power of manipulation which Nikolai shown in previous chapters luring Sienna to him was bestowed upon him through his father, Angelo.

Angelo can manipulate anyone but not as expertly as Nikolai, Angelo manipulates one's feelings and thought cycles he showed that side of him briefly in 'The Wolf Prince Mate'

Mina, the daughter of Angelo now has her father's gift of foreseeing. Since it's new to her, she is recieving abstract visions of what is to come.

Mother or the Moon Goddess has subtly warned Vadim and Lykos of her fears for her children (wolf kind).

Angelo, Nikolai, and Sienna have been given Original wolf spirits for an important reason which will be revealed soon.

Sienna and Zarif have yet to find their gifts which would be elemental as previous mates of royals.

On another note, there are a lot of goodies coming up.