Chapter One-hundred-and-ten: Send off

I look at him stunned.

“You did?”

He nods with a shy smile. “I did. She sent me back to my body after asking where I should be found by you.” He says, reminiscing probably.

“So, what did she say?” I ask him curiously.

He smirks. “A lot, and yet very little. She’s watching you, you know. She’s been watching you since she left you.”

“I know, she’s told me as much. What else did she say?”

He looks me in the eye. “That she made me for you and you for me. She said our bond is very different from the normal we would call the mate bond. You and I are what one would call an entwined destiny, soul mates, something that goes beyond. She said we can feel each other’s pain and happiness, more so you as you have the gift of understanding someone’s feelings as they show it.” He says looking at me.

He starts drying himself off with his towel but continues as I stand there listening to him. “She said, before she sent me away, that there may be a time when you will have to let me go. That you will live on as a Goddess and I would join her in her realm.” He looks scared as he thinks back on her discussion with him. “She said you would explain.”

I sigh. I know it’s about my immortality. But how do we know if it’s been reverted due to my wish?

“I’ve kept this detail out of our conversations because I can’t bear to think about it. As I am a Goddess, a daughter of two originals, I am essentially immortal.” I see his mouth open but he says nothing, so I continue. “However, the wish that was granted to me, has a price that needs to be paid. I was told that it could be my immortality that is taken. Which I, of course, was happy with.” I pause, knowing what would happen if I did die. “If I were to die in my mortal body, I would be sent to stay with the Gods. I would become one of them. I wouldn’t be kept in Selene’s realm like you would.”

“So what you’re telling me is that if your immortality is fine, you will stay on Earth and live for eternity? Or if your immortality has been taken away then you will return to the Gods to rule by their sides.” I see a frown across his face as he ponders over the options.

“Lukas…” I say, knowing he’s becoming worried about something that is in our far, far future. “This is going to be years and years away. We should not delve into it now, and instead plan our lives together, however long that may be. I’ve only just got you back, I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon.” I say, hoping to take his mind off of it.

“You’re right. She did tell me one more thing though.” He says with a cheeky smile.

I raise my eyebrow at him. “Oh yeah? What’s that then?”

“She told me that you have the voice of a Goddess. She explained to me that it’s similar to an Alpha being able to command his pack members, able to subdue them. It seems you have that ability as well, but to all of life’s creations. So you can use your voice on anything you wish, apart from the other deities, or so she thinks.”

“I didn’t know that. Although I don’t think I’ll use that gift unless absolutely necessary. I think people should think and feel for themselves rather than being forced into things.” I say adamantly.

He stands, naked and approaches me, kissing me on the forehead as he reaches me. “I know. It’s one of the reasons I love you so much.”

We spend the next few months rebuilding the pack. We send off our warriors through the largest Moon ceremony the pack has seen in centuries, which at last relieves those who lost their loved ones.

Lukas held a trial for those who were in the dungeon, including Valencia and Hugo, and although a lot of the pack wanted them to die, Lukas explained that banishment into the world as it is just now is the worst they can get. Being a rouge can cause one’s mind to deteriorate rapidly. Perhaps they will kill themselves, kill each other, or start their own pack. He did not care, and just wanted them to leave and never return. They left the pack lands blindfolded, were sent several miles into the dark forest separately, and released after being sedated so they were on their own.

Emma was found not too long after they were banished, and after she admitted being part of the house fires, she was going to be banished also, however Elder Irish begged on her behalf to punish her himself. I was partial to this and Lukas allowed him this one favour, out of the respect he had for him. But he made Elder Irish promise that she would never step within one-hundred meters of the pack house or ever reach out to him again. Elder Irish hurriedly agreed and whatever he did with his daughter, I’ll never know. But to this day she’s not been seen or heard of around us.

Lukas met with all of our newfound allies, greeting them and providing a place for them to stay if they wished to. The ones who did not left with a goodbye, promising to visit if they were ever to pass by the pack lands. Lukas met with Xichanté, astounded that there were still blue giants left in the world when they are barely mentioned in any history book he’s seen. He told Xichanté that they were more than welcome to stay as long as they like, even to make the lake their home as they preferred to be close to water. Xichanté refused politely, stating their place was by the sea. The fact they had made a pact with the vampires also dissuaded Lukas as vampires are not known to hang about other species or communities. The blue giants left on good terms, and the vampires along with them. Troy also said he’d come visit us as he couldn’t forget those who helped him and his friends from desperation.

Elijah, Elder Liandor and Eloise were granted entry to the pack, joining us in the blood oath ceremony. Elder Liandor eventually was invited into the packs Elder circle and is now part of them, as a four. At first, a lot of the packs members weren’t totally convinced that outsiders should join, saying I was an exception as I was a werewolf, but Lukas and I overruled them, explaining why they were being allowed to join. Based off of this, we’ve started trade routes to the vampire covens and the individuals who allied with us during the battle. We’ve expanded our borders and found new ground for expeditions and scouts to look over. Our borders are now open as long as any new comer approves a search and provides a history of where they’re from and where they’re going, or was going. Nuria wasn’t interested in joining, but myself and Lukas allowed her free entry whenever she felt like returning, which she did, every so often.

Around a year after all the events, Nuria has portaled over here, wanting to see our progress. I feel my loose dress flow as the portal closes up.

“So, what’s new?” She asks me, her dark eyes roaming our surroundings.

I smile at her. “Same old, unfortunately. You’ve been away a few months. I’ve got something I want to show you.”

She smiles and gestures for me to lead the way, which I do with ease. Luckily she’s caught me not far from it.

A large marble stone which is several meters wide and two meters’ tall stands close to the pack house, in a community entryway for all to see or come to when they feel like it.

We walk up to it and I see Nurias interest has piqued.

She goes up to it and places her hand on the smooth stone, following her finger around an engraved name.

“Are these…?”

“Yes.” I say whilst she marvels at the wall in front of her. “They are the names of the fallen.”

She smiles. “That’s a kind gesture. I’m sure those who lost family and friends in the pack appreciate it.”

“They do.” I agree. “But this isn’t exactly what I wanted you to see.”

She looks at me suspiciously and comes up to me and places her arm in mine. “Well, show me the way.”

I smile at her knowingly and lead her around the pack house and into the gardens behind. We head towards the large tree and turn right at it, leading us to a small, beautiful flower garden, where in the middle, there is a small shrine which is made from the whitest marble our wolves could find in the dark forest. It wasn’t easy, but we eventually got a chunk that our strongest hauled back and our stone masons could work with.

“I had Jorge clear this area up, and I had the stone masons build something here. Go have a look.” I suggest to her, and she removes her arm from mine and moves forward.
Lukas and I agreed that we wanted to do something for Nuria. I’ve had the idea in my mind for a while but only recently have I been able to take action on it. Nuria never had anywhere she could mourn her Mother. The one who raised her, raised her to be good. I think she’s not been able to find a place she calls home, because her Father took that from her. So I wanted to give her something she can have, when she wants it.

My mind pulls away from my thoughts as I can hear her sobbing, which is not something I’ve heard before. I rush up to her.

“Do you not like it? We can have it replaced or removed….” I start before she stands and turns to me.

I see the tears glistening in her black eyes, one rolling down her face. She says nothing but lunges towards me, embracing me in a huge hug which is very unlike her to show such emotions.

“You have no idea how much this means to me. I had a suspicion but I didn’t think you’d do this, you even remembered her name!” She cries and I’m glad I remember her passing comment on her Mothers name.

“I hope I spelt Zelina right.” I say to her and she nods.

“Thank you, Sarelias.” She says, calling me by my Goddess name, which I have requested I go by now.

“Always.” I respond.

She looks down and then back up at me, not saying anything. She pulls away from me and looks back to her Mothers shrine, kneeling down at it and closing her eyes.

I leave Nuria to her Mother’s shrine and head into the pack house to find Lukas. I have no doubt he’s in the meeting room, and I’m not surprised when I see him there with Blaine and Albion.

Lukas has regained the weight he lost and has been building on his physic. I can’t help but stare at his perfect body sometimes, unable to comprehend that this man is all mine. He’s cut his hair short once again but has kept his bear to a medium. It’s become a common practise for me to run my hands through his beard whenever I get a chance.

My mind stops drifting as I continue to stand in the doorway. I wave at them, Lukas eyeing me admirably.

“You showed her, didn’t you?” he asks, and I roll my eyes. Typical he already knows Nuria is here.

“Yes, and she loved it.” I respond. He smiles and motions for me to come in.

“I think we’re done here for now guys. I’ll catch you in a bit.”

Both Blaine and Albion bow their heads to both the Alpha and I and turn and leave.

As soon as they close the door behind them, Lukas takes me by my waist and gently lifts me up and places me on his desk. He stands from his chair and he kisses my forehead sweetly.

“I think it’s time we asked Nuria to stay for a while.” He says.

“You know she’s not likely to do that. She’s a free bird and loves exploring all the planets and galaxy’s she can reach.

He places his hand on my stomach which has started to swell. I’ve been trying to hide it under loose clothing but I’m pretty certain many already know.

“Not after she hears about our little one.”

I smile at him. “I’ve no doubt. I love you, Lukas.”

“And I you, little one.”