Midnight Mate

Death

Falcon POV

It was a daunting task to fight and kill the enemy, but it was an even more challenging task when we had to face our own comrades and allies from the kingdom. The weight of the situation made it difficult for me to accept causing harm to those who had fought alongside me. Instead, I strategized to incapacitate them without inflicting life-threatening injuries, buying us time to escape.

As I engaged in combat, I attempted to communicate with Katya, but for some inexplicable reason, I couldn't establish a link with her. The fight was far from easy, but Tom and I managed to hold our ground. Just as exhaustion began to take its toll, the sky illuminated with a brilliant flash of lightning, and a dark mist enveloped us. It was the presence of a witch.

Ash growled, ready to confront another enemy, but instead, Sora's voice filled our minds, urging us to flee. "Run, wolf prince," she commanded. Unsure of the witch's intentions, I seized the opportunity and linked with Tom, making our escape while the warriors were disoriented by the mist. We ran for what felt like hours, taking twists and turns to ensure we weren't being pursued.

Finally, when we were confident that we had eluded any pursuit, Sora materialized before us. Her appearance brought forth a growl from deep within me, even though she had aided us. Witches had a reputation for acting in their own self-interest. There was no doubt in my mind that she had ulterior motives.

"It seems you've found yourself in trouble, wolf," Sora spoke, her voice echoing with a sense of foreboding. As she stood before me and Tom, I felt a mix of anger and wariness. Despite her assistance, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was using us as pawns in her own game.

"Your eyes have finally opened, but the question remains: are you strong enough to protect what is dear to you? Will you be the one to save, rather than destroy?" She questioned.

"You know who Katya is, don't you?" I spoke, as I shifted back into human form.

"I have no interest in a naked werewolf," she said dismissively, her voice smooth like silk. With a flick of her hand, a gust of wind swept through the trees, causing clothing to materialize on my body.

"Tell me, witch, do you know what Katya really is?" I demanded, my frustration mounting.

"She is human," she responded, her voice laced with a hint of amusement.

I growled in frustration. "Human and what else?" I pushed, my eyes narrowing.

"So, you have sensed she is different, or is it perhaps that the girl is changing?" she spoke cryptically. My anger simmered beneath the surface, threatening to consume me.

"Your mate is indeed human, wolf, but you are right, she is something else as well. But until she awakens, she is simply human," she replied.

"Tell me what she is," I growled.

"Answer me this, and if I like your answer, I will provide you with the truth, for I do believe you are ready," she responded, her words irritating me further.

I knew there was a reason she helped me bring Katya here. She must want her in this world.

"Do you love her, wolf?" she asked, her voice piercing the silence.

"Yes, I love her. She is my mate," I responded firmly, but she shook her head in disagreement.

"Yes, your mate bond may push the two of you together, creating an attraction. But simply due to her being your mate does not mean you love her," she retorted, her words stinging.

"My heart beats faster when I am with her. Every small thing about her, down to the way her brows furrow when she speaks, I adore. I know not all bonds come with love, but I can promise on my life, I love Katya with my entire being," I defended, my voice filled with conviction.

She smiled, a knowing look in her eyes.

And then, with a purposeful stride, she stepped forward, her eyes fixed on me.

"Give me your hand, wolf," she demanded, her voice firm yet tinged with an air of mystery.

Reluctantly, I extended my hand, palm up, offering it to her. She grasped it firmly, her touch sending a wave of energy coursing through my veins. Muttering incomprehensible words under her breath, she closed her eyes in deep concentration.

After what felt like an eternity, she finally released my hand, her expression troubled. She shook her head slowly, her hair cascading around her shoulders.

"Your fate leads you on a dangerous path," she warned, her voice laced with concern. "One that I can't see clearly. It prevents you from always protecting the one you love. You, wolf, hold the power to be both her shield, awakening her true power and potential, or her downfall, leading to her demise. The future I see, though not entirely clear, ends with only one survivor. Your actions will be the deciding factor."

I listened intently, the weight of her words sinking in. It was a lot to comprehend, a lot to bear.

"When creatures are born, they are assigned a destined path, one that has already been predicted," she continued, her eyes searching mine. "But what happens when one is born without a path? What happens when someone who was never meant to be, now exists? They don't have a predetermined fate. Instead, they get to forge their own path, something that can either be incredibly dangerous or incredibly thrilling."

Her explanation left me breathless, my mind swirling with questions.

"Are you saying Katya was not meant to be?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

"You have to be her shield, Alpha Prince. You must never let any of them get her. Katya is very special, but also one that should not exist in our world or any. If she ends up in the wrong hands, it won't just mean her destruction, but the life of many," she warned, her voice grave.

"I will shield her, but I must know the truth about her to best protect her," I responded, determination burning in my chest.

"She is the daughter of death." She answered.

Confusion washed over me, and I asked, "What do you mean?”

"Death, a reaper from the spirit realm, fell in love with a human girl. One whom he had simply come to collect a soul from. Yet, instead, he saved her, defying all rules. Even gods and goddesses must follow a set of rules, for interfering where one should not can cause much destruction. And death did just that. He fell in love with a human, a human from this world. As a result, a child was born, one with the power of life and death. One who could exist not just in this world, but in the spirit world as well. This child was never meant to be, but she was born with powers even stronger than her father. So, he sealed them away, making his child nothing more than mortal. But it was too late. Some had learned of her existence, and they learned what she would be capable of. As a result, she was hunted, not just by those in this realm, but by gods and goddesses, out of fear. For she was not meant to be. For a few years, her parents kept her hidden well in this world. But then, one day, as she slept, she was taken by a vampire and used. And as a result, a disease was created. One that could kill vampires as well as wolves. A disease that was deadly with no cure, except for the very one it was created from. She holds the power to make those around her immune. For the child's safety, Death and the human made a deal to bring her into a new world. One where she would be raised as a human, hidden in the last place one would expect to look. And as a result, the human traded her life and ability to ever see Death again. The Moon Goddess, one of the ones who believed the girl deserved a chance, was the only one who stepped in. She gave the child a goddess's blessing to help protect her. And not just that, she fated her to one she believed would protect her and help her save the very world that was now crumbling because of her," she began to explain.

"The vampire who was sick, is that the disease you talk of?" I asked her.

"Yes, and one only needs to be bitten by an infected to suffer the same fate," she said, looking at me. "You, wolf prince, have been bitten. I sensed it. You are infected. The disease will slowly kill your wolf, and without him, you will die as well," she explained.

I did not feel sick yet, but deep down, I believed her words. "I will find a way to stay strong and protect her, I won't fail my mate," I declared.

She paused, her eyes locking with mine, as she spoke in a hushed tone, "She is the cure, Falcon. But that is where you must make a choice. For, as I said, although I could be wrong, the current future has two paths. And in both versions, only one survives. For your mate to cure you, she takes on the very thing created from her. It could be her demise, yet it would mean you live. Or, wolf, you can simply let it work its course and not allow her to heal you. Instead, help her become strong so she may survive. But if you do that, you will be the one to die."

My growl reverberated through the forest, a low rumble that mirrored the storm brewing inside me.

In the quiet of the forest, I listened intently as Sora spoke, her words hanging in the air like a delicate melody. The scent of damp earth mingled with the crispness of the surrounding foliage, as if nature itself held its breath, awaiting our next move.

"You said our path is unclear," I murmured, my voice blending with the gentle rustle of leaves. "I will find a way to stay with her, for I refuse to leave her alone in this world. But I also refuse to harm and use her. I will help her become strong, and do whatever it takes to help her learn the power she possesses. And in the end, both of us will survive. It is the only way."

I could almost feel the weight of her gaze upon me as I spoke those words, as if Sora understood the depth of my determination. She responded softly, her voice carrying a hint of hope, "If anyone can, I do believe it is the two of you. I have done my duty, for I was the one who originally helped them escape. But now, it is time. Your mate is in her home realm, for she is the one the disease was created from, and she is the one who can end it. But she is wanted, for if one controls her, they can control who is immune, making them stronger and in more control. And once her powers start to awaken, they can use her as a weapon."

As Sora spoke, the breeze seemed to whisper along with her words, carrying the weight of the impending danger that surrounded us. I could sense the urgency, the impending storm that awaited us. “She holds both the power of life and death, she can both save and destroy. The power within her is like a raging storm, hard to handle at first. She will face many challenges, and without support, she will be in danger. I can feel it in the air, your mark has started to wake up her true self. She needs you, her mate, more than ever by her side. For when her powers decide to fully awaken, she will struggle greatly. And if she loses control, those outside of this realm and within the realm her father resides in will learn of her existence once again."

"He is alive?" I asked.

"He lives," Sora confirmed, her voice carrying both sadness and resolve. "I have helped all I can. You must return to her now. I have bought you time, but this will be the last I can help. For the rest is up to you and your mate to do and learn on your own."

As Sora finished speaking, a mist enveloped her, and she vanished before my eyes, leaving me and Tom alone in the forest. The silence that followed was heavy, a tangible presence that seemed to echo the weight of the task before us.

Tom, still in his wolf form, locked eyes with me as I seamlessly transformed into my own powerful wolf form. The moon's glow illuminated our surroundings, casting an enchanting silver sheen upon the dense forest. The rhythmic patter of our paws against the forest floor as we ran to the hideout. In that moment, amidst the flurry of emotions and newfound knowledge, a steadfast clarity emerged within me. Above all else, my unwavering purpose remained: to protect Katya and this realm.