06 - Destiny

Jaden 

I paced back and forth in my office. Lilith was sitting on the floor, legs folded in a butterfly position, hands resting on her knees, posture upright, eyes closed, and the natural crease in her forehead, which always appeared when she was very focused.

"If you keep walking like that, you're going to open a hole in the floor." She says, floating on the floor.

A circle was drawn with salt around her and some candles were carefully lit outside.

"Am I bothering you?" I ask, stopping to stare at her.

"Yes!" It's the only thing she responds before seeming even more immersed. I sit in the armchair and run my hands over my face one or two times, rubbing my fingers together. I was too anxious to stay still.

Seconds later, Lilith sits on the floor and opens her eyes. She stares at me with narrowed eyes and stands up, dusting off her long dress, moistening her lips, and walking towards me.

"I could hardly see anything, all because of your impatience." She huffs, sitting in front of me.

She sits in the armchair in front of me and pulls my hand towards hers, tracing a curved line on my palm.

"This is your lifeline," She murmurs, running her finger over it, causing it to glow brightly. "The destiny, for wolves, was traced by the moon goddess. When I said that your prophecy said you would be an Alpha King, I didn't tell you everything. The rest said that your destiny would come through the beach, like a castaway." Lilith explains. "I still can't see very clearly, something is stopping me, but everything that happened to her was so that she could arrive exactly at the point where you are now..."

"Together?" I ask, raising my eyebrow.

"Yes, together," Lilith says, smiling. "She is your destiny, Jaden. She suffered to get here after all, for what other reason would she cross the world to get to you without even knowing you?"

I nod and sigh in relief, leaning back. A sigh of relief now runs through me. I suspected her, doubted her kindness and her words. Now, I feel guilty.

"Go call her for dinner." Lilith releases my hand and stands up, walking towards the window of my office. "As an apology."

I nod like a boy being sent by his mother, and I stand up. We leave the office together and go in opposite directions. My steps are quick towards her room.

"Oh, I finally found someone," Paul asks, stopping in front of me. "Did you see Catherine?"

"No, I didn't. I was talking to Lilith." I reply, putting my hands in the pockets of my pants. "I need to apologize for my behavior towards you earlier, I shouldn't have... acted as if you were trying to steal her."

"Catherine would castrate me." Paul jokes, laughing and raising his arms in surrender. "Anyway, I understand. Having a mate is new for you."

"I didn't say she was my mate," I say.

"It's very obvious, given your reaction." Paul laughs. "If you want to hide it from someone, try harder." He points out. "I'm going to look for my girl."

And he leaves, leaving me alone in the hallway. However, for the first time, I think I know where Catherine might be. My cousin can be very invasive when she wants to and that was a problem at home for a long time. I like how she is expansive, makes the lack I feel of other people hurt less. At least, she and Lilith make me feel closer to home... and now, I have Malia too.

[...]

"What's it like on this side?" Malia asks, catching my attention. Her plate is empty in front of her and her eyes gaze at the huge forest that stretches out through her balcony. "I mean, what's life like here?"

"Very good!" I reply. "We have a stable life. Our lands are fertile, our crops are of the highest quality. Overall, we live very well here! Much better than I ever imagined living. Our pack has one of the best armies in the world and we have surpassed anyone who tried to come against us."

"Do you think someone will come after me?" She says, staring at me now. "Do you think they will want to get rid of me?"

I pass my hand over the table and touch her fingers, squeezing them against my palm.

"I will never allow anyone to come near you, dear!" I smile, letting out a long sigh. "You are my mate and I will take care of you, protect you with my life!"

Her cheeks turn red and she tries to smile at me, biting her cheek.

"Do you feel...?" Her eyes stare at me, pleading for an answer from me.

"What?"

"This..." She curls her fingers around mine. A shiver runs down my spine and I feel my heart race. "Do you feel the same way? I can't explain, I've never... felt like this before!" She is confused.

I feel the bond between us. Strong, very strong. My wolf is restless when he gets near Malia, she is beautiful, sweet, and so fragile. How could someone have the courage to try to kill my girl?

"I feel, my queen!" I bring the back of her hand to my lips. "I feel our bond as strong as you do."

She sighs in relief, but her eyes stare at me and devour me. She removes her fingers from mine and looks away from me, embarrassed.

"What are you going to do today?" I ask her.

"What?" She asks, turning back to me.

I like it when she's like this. When she looks at me when she's focused on me and what I say. I feel filled by her. By her presence.

"My kingdom has numerous activities for you. Besides, our castle is close to a private beach for the castle residents." I explain. "I want you to feel at home!"

"Wow, I..." She furrows her brow and swallows her words.

"You can say whatever you want."

"In your parents' palace, I didn't have so many things to do." She sighs, seeming to remember her old life. "Do you have a library?"

"Do you like to read?" I ask, surprised.

"Very much! I didn't have many books there!" She looks at me expectantly.

"Come, I have a place to show you." I stand up, holding out my hand to her.

Malia looks at me for a few seconds and curls her fingers around mine. She weakly smiles at me and finally, we leave the room side by side.